Sit tall and
straight in your chair, close your eyes, and breathe.
You have something special waiting for you, just for
you, and I don't want you to miss it.
There's a lot going on in your world and in
the world around you and you are constantly
being bombarded with bad news by the media. Maybe
your situation isn't good, or maybe its not as dire as
the media incessently says it is. Either way, you
may find that your stress is rising faster
than your heating bill.
Unfortunately, high stress means you aren't
thinking as clearly as you should or taking the best
action that you could. Therefore, instead of working
your way out of a bad situation, you actually
work your way deeper into one. Who can think clearly
and make forward moving decisions when panic is
always on the verge of setting in?
When you are calm, however, in the moment and
focused, your thought process is also focused. This
means your decisions are more clearly thought out
and better suited to the situation at hand.
So breathe. Sit tall and straight in your chair,
rest your spine into your hips and relax your
shoulders. Close your eyes and, as you breathe deeply
in, say: "In, I'm breathing in." As you slowly release
your breath, say: "Out, I'm breathing out." Each
inhale and each exhale should last as long as it takes
to say each sentence. You are likely to rush the words
together so quickly at first that they might not
be coherent. That's okay. Just inhale and exhale,
inhale and exhale, and repeat the words. Soon
you'll find yourself breathing with slow even breaths,
feeling calmer, more relaxed.
Once your breathing has slowed and that elusive
sense of peace has permeated throughout your
body, open your eyes and look around. You own
what you see. Yes, you own it, whether you're sitting
in your house or your apartment, in your car or in an
office cubicle, in your backyard or at the local park
-- you own what is right there before you: a
fresh, new, untarnished opportunity. This is a
refreshing possibility that you have overlooked in
stressed panic that now, in this moment
of being fully present, you recognize as an
opportunity waiting for you to walk into
and utilize.
This new present, filled with
potential, serves a purpose that only you can
utilize. A purpose such as enabling you to create
the life you truly desire. A purpose you can take
advantage of now that you have clarity.
Breathe. You have been given a gift, this new
moment, so be fully present in it. It is not just
for the season. It is a gift that enables you, moment
by moment, to create a truly wonderful and
remarkable life. It is yours to enjoy and share with
others.
Breathe. Relax. Be aware. Appreciate. You
may not know what tomorrow will bring, but right now
you have the ability to affect the course it
takes!
