Blog : June Writing Exercise - BREATHE (June 1, 2022)

 

The Gift of Breath (please indulge a longer post about the moment behind this image and my desire for you)

It was December when "the machine" arrived. Boots crunched through the snow, leaving a trail of steps that marked the miracle that came to our door.

My father relaxed in the hospital bed set up in his living room. The machine hummed. Clear tubes made a path across the floor, up in his bed, around his head, and rested gently under his nose. The tiny ports that tickled his abundant Norwegian nose hairs were like praise hands raised in gratitude. He was sleeping. He was breathing.

This image was on my computer as I combed through hundreds of shots to make a calendar. In . . . out . . . in . . . out . . . the colors flowed in the image much like the breathing I cherished across the room. I thought much of the marvelous gift of breath. I wrote about it. I cried over it. I prayed for healing to come from it.

Dad's body released its tension. His lungs seemed eased. A real rest had come to him. He slept long. We had to wake him to move his body for him. He slept through it many times. One position seemed easier than others. If his breathing became labored, we moved him. When it eased, we let him rest longer.

"Mom? Mom!" My son's voice broke through my oxygen-laced muse. "I think he stopped breathing."

My heart stood still. Time stood still. My legs moved in slow motion across the room. My son and I bent over to listen for breath and watch Dad's chest for another rise or fall. I watched the seconds go by on the wall clock . . . one agonizing tick after another. I wanted to smash the clock. I wanted to force the air to come. I wanted magic. I wanted a miracle. I wanted Dad to open his eyes, suddenly well, all pain gone, a body that was renewed.

I know he opened his eyes on the other side that way, but I didn't get to see it. This image was a witness to it all. It became the capstone for this collection.

My deep wish for you is that you breathe, truly breathe. Inhale life! Exhale blessing and gratitude. Experience an adventure. Live in a way that breathes so you can catch it, truly experience it, reflect on it, share it, and express your heart - especially to your family and friends.

Again, the year's theme is "breathe," and this month's focus is the hallmark of it all. Use one of these prompts to muse and fuse your thoughts into words. Give yourself some time for this one. If you can set a timer for 45 minutes and add some atmosphere like music, lighting, a scent, a sound, a location (whatever sets a calm tone for you), please do.

1. Muse on this for 5 minutes before actually writing: To breathe means to . . .
2. Use "gasp for air" in an opening paragraph that sets the scene for a story.
3. Write poetry that uses the word oxygen.
4. Do a breathing exercise every few minutes and just freewrite whatever comes to mind.
5. See-Saw
6. Breathe in through your nose - 4 seconds.
7. Exhale through your nose - 4 seconds.
8. Triangle:
9. Breathe in through your nose - 4 seconds.
10. Hold for 4 seconds.
11. Exhale through your mouth - 4 seconds.
12. Double-Double
13. Inhale through your nose FAST - at least double what you would normally.
14. Exhale through your mouth SLOW - at least double what you would normally.
    

Level Two Experience and Action Step
If you set your atmosphere, take a picture of it. Mark this moment with an image. If you want to share this moment, I encourage you to post the picture and an excerpt (or a new reflection) about this time of writing.

Get your paper, pen, or computer and get ready to:

BREATHE

Ready . . . set . . . write!

PS. If you would like to have a matching notebook for each month and theme (or just your favorites), click here to see the collection.