Breath is Life

Breath is life...it connects us to the Source of all being. Quite literally, breath means "spirit". The Hebrew word "ruach" and the Greek word "pneuma" are both translated to mean spirit or breath. The Latin word "spiritus" translates to breath or wind. When we breathe our last, I've heard it's like a long sigh, a letting go and then, no more.

Often when I am upset about something and don't feel centered, I will simply focus on observing my breath for a few minutes and it calms me down (try it!) Through my breath, I can feel centered and connected to Spirit, regardless of outward circumstances.

For calming anxiety, soothing nerves or lifting depression, it's important that our breathing is deep, long and slow. We can do a counting rhythm: breathe in to a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, exhale to a count of 8. We can visualize something soothing as we breathe: a body of water, a deep forest or a sunset. We can breathe prayerfully: letting go of any negativity in our lives on the exhale; focusing on gratitude and joy for whatever is "excellent or praiseworthy"  on the inhale. Deep, slow breathing, pushing the air into the belly, counteracts the natural tendency to breathe shallowly when anxious or worried. It calms our central nervous system and puts us in a relaxed, prayerful state of mind.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you". Philippians 4: 6-10

Be present, slow down and breathe in Spirit...

I Love You, As You Are

 Unconditional love can be a really difficult concept to grasp. It is counterintuitive: no conditions, no strings attached; you love the person at his or her core, regardless of their behavior. 

For a parent, it comes naturally. You don't stop loving your two-year old when they have a horrible tantrum, or your teenager when they engage in rebellious behavior. You see, always, the shining light of their spirit. When you are done feeling angry and put out, it is important to let them know that their behavior is not acceptable, but that you love them anyway and you forgive them, because you know that the behavior does not make the person.

Beyond the parent-child relationship. unconditional love does not come naturally. But to love the unlovable, or to forgive someone who has wronged us and "love them anyway" is modeling the "agape love" that God has for us:

1. God never runs out of unconditional love

2. Unconditional love makes sacrifices

3. You can never lose unconditional love

4. Unconditional love means surrendering your expectations

5. Forgiveness is the soil that allows unconditional love to grow.

(*Crosswalk.com)

I really like that last statement, because without forgiveness, our hearts and spirits close up in self-defense. Love does not grow in the soil of resentment.

Perhaps today, we can pray for the ability to forgive those against whom we hold grudges or resentments and begin to allow the healing power of unconditional love into our hearts.

New Life

  It's finally warm enough to sit outside in the garden at first light this morning and as I look around, I am witness to signs of new life everywhere, which fills me with a sense of awe and wonder. There are spring flowers, green new shoots budding with promise, robins busy building nests and a tiny baby rabbit hopping into the shrubbery. These sights fill me with those gifts of the Spirit that give life meaning...peace, joy and hope.

Who hasn't held a newborn baby, a kitten or a puppy and been filled with a sublime rush of wonder at the miracle of life?  We are fascinated by videos of kittens or baby monkeys; enchanted by adorable creatures in miniature.

If you really think about the process of creation, it is very humbling and awe-inspiring. To think that an egg and a sperm united can become a child, or a seed that appears dead can sprout and grow when given water, soil and sunlight, should surely make us acutely aware that there must be a Creator. The Intelligent Designer behind it all has made an endless array of living beings, each one a small miracle.

We live on a beautiful planet, inhabited by beautiful beings and this morning, I am especially grateful. Just for today, I will release my worries about war and injustice, hatred and crime, poverty and pain. I will choose to see "whatever is excellent or praiseworthy"; I will give thanks for the miracle of new life and the hope that it can inspire in me.