Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in this moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.
This is perhaps one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s most famous quotes. At least it’s the one I know the best. I am breathing in and out with it more and more these days.
I concussed (again) whilst not skiing in Montana. Long story short, the hiking trails were icy; my shoes did not have the best grip; and we hadn’t yet learned about the necessity for shoe spikes (or bear spray for that matter). One of my dearests was helping me not slip and fall down the icy parts of the hike descent, only they slipped, fell, and took me with them. And I managed to slam my head into theirs and concussed. (They are fine. Not sure what that says about physics and my head.)
I’m going even more slowly again and still. Taking my 20 minutes of allotted screen time to quickly post a post.
There’s also so much learning and growing and shifting and rewiring that is going on in my psyche and spirit – or that is continuing to continue as I heal from and process all my medical. (In the last four years, my brain now goes: concussion brain, covid brain, anesthesia brain, chemo brain, anesthesia brain, covid brain, concussion brain. A fascinating palindrome!)
I breathe in and calm my body. I breathe out and smile. I dwell in this moment and remember/know that this is a wonderful moment.
We have so many resources in our body and being and how we engage in the world. We can structure our breathing; we can hum; we can rock and sway. These are all ways to intentionally activate our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and relaxation) and deactivate our sympathetic nervous system (flight, flight, freeze and, generally for me, fawn).
I’m spending much of today off screens and away from productivity, and I’m humming, swaying, breathing, and smiling.
I’m knowing that this is a wonderful moment.
The snow flurries half-an-hour ago were huge and gorgeous. The sun on my walk to town to my coffee joint was glorious. My ‘calming lavender heat pillow’ (also known as my security blanket as I often snuggle with it to self-soothe) is lying on my shoulder and bringing me ease.
This is a wondaful moment. I keep breathing in and calming my body and breathing out and smiling.
How about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
Photo by Alyssa Sieb on nappy
