12-01-11 Everyone has experienced this at least once in their lifetime. Anxiety. Yikes! You have something that you have to do but you are afraid. You become anxious and your body reacts. You pause and take a breath. For myself, I focus on that breath and it appears to calm me down. I take a breath in and then I release it slowly.
If you go to a see a psychologist because of stress, depending on their training, they may teach you how to breathe deeply using your diaphragm. By breathing using your diaphragm, you relax your body. I mean, you really relax your body. This technique is for meditating. George, the girls and I went to The Halifax Shambhala Centre to be taught the proper way of meditating. Believe it or not, the four of us enjoyed it quite a bit. It was amazing the amount of knowledge and intelligence that came out of our two teenaged girls. If anyone is interested in trying this they have an open house (open to the public) at 7pm on Wednesdays. They will teach you how to meditate. You don't have to become buddhist, either.
Just taking the time to breathe is something that I take personally. It seems like such a simple idea; perhaps that is why I think that it is an imperative action that we all need to take time to do. When I was small, my father would take me to my grandparents house located in West Berlin, Nova Scotia. One of the most prominent memories that I have of this time is when my dad would take me down to the shore. We would walk along the beach, go clam digging, and watch birds. There is a distinct smell that you find along the shoreline of Nova Scotia; it is a a combination of salt water, seaweed and sand. Some would find this combination repulsive, but for me it is a thing of beauty. When I think of sitting back and taking in a breath, and I think of those beaches, the air, and the waves crashing against the shore, I relax. I go back to a place of calm. I am then happy.
Our lives are full of busy. We are all in a rush to get things done, get there early, and try not to be late. All this rushing around; we all forget to take care of ourselves. Breathing is not only a necessity for living, but it is also great for living well. Slow down. Look around. Our world is beautiful and full of life. We are all so very fortunate for all that has been placed in front of us. I am greatful for this life that has been betowed upon me.
Today, take a moment and breathe.
If you go to a see a psychologist because of stress, depending on their training, they may teach you how to breathe deeply using your diaphragm. By breathing using your diaphragm, you relax your body. I mean, you really relax your body. This technique is for meditating. George, the girls and I went to The Halifax Shambhala Centre to be taught the proper way of meditating. Believe it or not, the four of us enjoyed it quite a bit. It was amazing the amount of knowledge and intelligence that came out of our two teenaged girls. If anyone is interested in trying this they have an open house (open to the public) at 7pm on Wednesdays. They will teach you how to meditate. You don't have to become buddhist, either.
Just taking the time to breathe is something that I take personally. It seems like such a simple idea; perhaps that is why I think that it is an imperative action that we all need to take time to do. When I was small, my father would take me to my grandparents house located in West Berlin, Nova Scotia. One of the most prominent memories that I have of this time is when my dad would take me down to the shore. We would walk along the beach, go clam digging, and watch birds. There is a distinct smell that you find along the shoreline of Nova Scotia; it is a a combination of salt water, seaweed and sand. Some would find this combination repulsive, but for me it is a thing of beauty. When I think of sitting back and taking in a breath, and I think of those beaches, the air, and the waves crashing against the shore, I relax. I go back to a place of calm. I am then happy.
Our lives are full of busy. We are all in a rush to get things done, get there early, and try not to be late. All this rushing around; we all forget to take care of ourselves. Breathing is not only a necessity for living, but it is also great for living well. Slow down. Look around. Our world is beautiful and full of life. We are all so very fortunate for all that has been placed in front of us. I am greatful for this life that has been betowed upon me.
Today, take a moment and breathe.