Just Breathe

You might think it’s a waste of time, but resting is something we must put on our to-do list. It’s even a commandment written in the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Imagine a day of rest, no shopping, cleaning, doing laundry, or even cooking. It’s a peaceful time for family members to connect with each other rather than to their devices. It simply means taking a physical and mental day off to recharge our batteries and feel rejuvenated.
Studies have shown that doing nothing, even for a few minutes a day, is beneficial to our health. Being versus doing is a hard concept for some people who might feel anxiety, boredom, and discomfort, as if they must be productive at all times. While these high achievers do very well at work, that stress could lead to risks of chronic diseases. We can train our brains to not answer that email this minute—and still feel guilt-free.
To get into the full mode of mindfulness and clear my mind, I let go of worrying, knowing that the past is done and the future hasn’t happened yet. I embrace the present moment, building awareness of my breathing and neutralizing negative thoughts before I act on them. With each breath, I let go of fear, worry, and anxiety, and breathe in the positive energy of love and gratitude. Taking time to breathe may help us feel more relaxed and make better choices in life.
To practice mindfulness, we need to be still, close our eyes, be aware of our breath, connect to our inner wisdom, listen to our hearts, and feel the light of our souls. Lao Tzu said, “Time is a created thing. To say I don’t have time is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’” The good news is that any of us can practice mindfulness anywhere, anytime. It may teach us patience, trust, compassion, and to accept ourselves and others with no judgment. With more practice, we can become more focused in daily life, happier, and calmer.q
Take time to be kind to yourself. Give yourself a break; it’s a luxury you deserve.
Naomi Young, a teacher in Santa Clarita, brings over four decades of experience in Jewish studies and bar/bat mitzvah training. She is a seasoned writer and multimedia artist. Connect with her via email at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com or explore her creative endeavors on her website www.naomiyoung.com