My word for this year is LEARN.  

So it just makes sense to use this Year of Sundays to reflect on 52 of my most significant Life Lessons.   Some may seem more significant than others, but each one has changed how I live my life in powerful way.   I’d love to hear if and how any of these same lessons have surfaced in the classroom of Your Life.

When in doubt – BREATHE.

My favorite Yogi, Valeria, always reminds us to breathe in the midst of our practice.  It’s not hard for me to breathe while I practice yoga.  Yoga lends itself to mindfulness.  I guess yoga IS mindfulness.

It’s when I’m NOT formally practicing yoga that it gets trickier.

Consistent breathing is harder when I’m doing cardiac or strength exercises.   I’m always amazed when I notice that I’m holding my breath during times of exertion or concentration.

Try something with me.  Yep, right now.                                                                                                                                        Stretch out your arms.                                                                                                                                                                         Now lightly touch your right hands to your nose.                                                                                                                         Then do then same with your left hand.

Now inhale.  See?  I bet (like me) you were holding your breath while you were following my very simple instructions.  There are times when it’s almost instinctive to STOP doing the one thing that can help us function best.  Strange, huh?

 Breathing is also something I often forget to do when I’m getting ready to reply/react to something or someone.  I never cease to be amazed by how much more compassionately, accurately and honestly I can reply/react when fueled with oxygen.  I guess that’s why we tell children (and people acting like children) to count to ten before doing or saying anything when they’re upset.

Yep, remembering to breathe is definitely one of Life’s BGOs (blinding glimpse of the obvious).  So from this point forward, when I need to remember to breathe, I’m going to remember my favorite yogi and ask myself what would Valeria do?

How do you remember to breathe?