When we feel pain, we may instinctively cringe. It’s as though, we brace ourselves for it, almost holding our breath. I am learning to simply breathe, instead. I don’t want to dismiss the pain, or turn my back on it. But I want to breathe through it.
Because when I do, when you do, it feels different. It feels like I can breathe as big and as deep as I need to. It feels like I’m in charge! And the challenge–whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional–is less daunting.
When I jog, stretch, or even when I get a deep-tissue massage, I can breathe through the hurdle. I can release the pain, to let it “hurt so good.” If you’ve experienced this, you can relate. If you haven’t, maybe you’ll try it.
And then breathe through everything that might otherwise pose a threat, pain, or just a challenge. We breathe naturally. And 98% of all human brain activity is completely unconscious. Imagine what we can do, if we just give ourselves the freedom to expand and do it.
We’re not small. But sometimes we’re tempted to play small. Sometimes, we’re lured by the immediate gratification of a quick fix, or something we know we can do easily.… More
