Morning Driftwood Photo by Melanie Williams de Amaya
Beginning With the Breath
It all began here on earth for each and every one of us, with our first breath.
In utero, we were bathed in amniotic fluid. All of our needs met through that rich connection with our mother through our umbilical cord.
Her breath was enough for us.
Then, as we exited that warm sanctuary, breath was required of us. Of our lungs. To expel fluid, and for the first time in our existence, to respire, to breath in.
Let’s go there again. If you like.
To our own beginnings.
Let’s re-member what it means to let out.
To let go.
That we may, in turn, let in that which we need above all else, in order to sustain life.
The breath.
Take a moment. Ground yourself. Settle. Give yourself permission to pause, for this time.
Pause.
Rest.
Be aware.
Where is the breath.
Is it held?
Is it half deep in your loins, and half choked in your chest?
Or is it sitting high and tight in your throat, just holding on for dear life?
Or is it free and flowing, with grace, and patience?
Pause.
Rest.
Be aware.
Find the breath.
Thank the breath.
It is yours.
Lent to you in this moment.
This precious, precious moment.
It is yours.
Allow yourself to feel it. To see it within you.
If you would like to give it a colour or shape, that’s ok. If you wouldn’t, that’s ok too.
Feel. Feel into your breath.
Thank your breath.
Thank your breath for its steady, honest labour within and without your being.
Thank your breath for life giving rhythm.
Thank your breath.
And when you are ready, let it go.
Feel the letting go.
Feel the exhale. Be it from depths buried within, or from a place closer to the surface than feels safe.
Follow it out, thanking the breath as it goes.
Thank you.
Thank you breath for making room for that which is yet to be ours.
Breathe in.
Respire.
Inspire.
Breathe.
It all begins with breath.
What beauty can be ours today as we make room by letting go?
As we make space for the blessings of fresh breath, allow gratitude to dance closely, intimately with each life giving breath.
Allow gratitude to move within us as breath.
Allow gratitude to fill every cell of our bodies as we re-member our life-giving breath.
Thank you for you.
May your body be filled with life giving, essence enriching, breath.
May your day be filled with gratitude.
Lovingly,
Melanie Williams de Amaya
Driftwood and Grace