The Basics - Breathing: February 16 - 22

Solo rowboat by Art Bilodeau.

Sometimes nothing works. I sit in the morning, but peace is nowhere to be found. It is hiding behind a dark cloud. Rico, my ever faithful companion, is always enthusiastic, ready to greet the new morning. He believes around every city corner is a day old crust of pizza, ever the optimist. He drags me from bed but my heart remains sluggish and sleepy, tangled under the covers. I reach out for the comfort of friends but we're all in the same rudderless boat. It is good to not be alone but collective fear makes this boat all the more tipsy.

So what to do when even daily practice feels pointless and weary. Breathe. That is about as basic as it gets. The earth breathes through the seasons. All living things breathe. I need to remember I'm one of those living things. Sometimes, breathing is enough.

Practice

Let's keep it real simple today. No inspired poems. No guided imagery. Today, let the breath be your mantra. Listen to the sound of your life as air enters and leaves. The body knows the way forward even when the mind is cloudy. Let the body hold you as it has done all of your yesterdays and will continue all of your tomorrows. Breathe and know you are breathing. Breathe and feel you are breathing. Just breathe. It is enough.