I can breathe! I can breathe!

Adam Delery at age 7

By Alan Delery

In my last post titled Chicken Fight,  I shared a story about how I thought I was going to die by drowning. Just the thought of it brings panic to my mind. I was forced underwater while playing the water game Chicken Fight.

We don’t normally think much about our breathing until it becomes obstructed in some way, then nothing else matters. Feelings begin to arise as we are forced to come to terms with our dependence on air. Any threat to this primary need of human existence can make us desperate. I’ve heard that a drowning person would grab for a double-edged sword in an effort to save their life.

The way we are breathing at any given moment can also be an indication of how we are feeling. Interestingly enough, I’ve been taught that we can control our emotions, as much as 40%, by controlling our breathing. On the day of the Chicken Fight, my emotions were 100% affected by my breathing or lack thereof.

While your life may not feel threatened by the way you breathe, I’d like you to start taking time to become more aware of your breath. Controlled breathing can help us manage the stressors of life. Both good and bad.

It shouldn’t surprise us that breathing has such an influence on how we feel. After God formed man from the dust of the ground, “He breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” (Genesis 2:7) He gave us breath so that we could watch over His creation. Along with our breath, He gave us emotions to help as a motivating force as we live and fulfill His plan for our lives.

Every time I slow down to notice the breath in my nostrils I am reminded of this miracle of life and become more attuned to me and my creator. Healing and restoration happen in my body and mind as I become more conscious of my breathing and my dependence on Him.

As I conclude, close your eyes and take a couple of deep cleansing breaths and remind yourself who your source is.

Now go back to work.

Stay peaceful.