Just Breathe

Of all the thoughts you had today, there is one that might have been a conscious one--but maybe not. Have you thought about your breathing today?  

If you practice yoga or meditation, you are probably aware of your breathing as you do those practices. Likewise, if you participate in a sport or do exercise, you would be aware of your breathing. Or, even bending down to take in the sweet scent of a flower.       

I haven't recently engaged in activity that makes me think of my breathing, although I did run to the mailbox the other day to catch the postman before the mail went out. Other than that, lately the only other time I think about taking in a deep breath is when I yawn. Sigh. Yep. I know. Poor excuse for not exercising!    

Most of the time, unless we are engaged in activities that remind us to take in more air than normal, we are usually unaware that our body's autonomic nervous system is working 24/7.       

Ironic, isn't it, that the processes that keep our bodies in sync are ones we rarely think about? Imagine if you had to think about how every system in your body worked, then had to manage those processes on your own. You'd be in big trouble and so would I!  

Be in charge of the firing of millions of neurons? Regulate your brain function, respiration, digestion, kidneys, bladder function, skin temperature, taste, smell, swallowing, eyesight, hearing, speech, sense of balance, and the ability to move your limbs, walk or run? Manage your memory banks, regulate your endocrine system, enable the release of emotions, use language, engage with others, perform work, participate in hobbies, or make decisions? There are a million other things you could add to this list. Whew. The thought of being "in charge" of all of these things would be incomprehensible.

I'm so glad that God created our bodies to function without our having to be in charge of all of these  systems! I am thankful that He created you and me--and that He gave us the gift of the breath of life. 

So, just breathe, and may you be comforted in knowing that the One Above created you in a special and unique way! 

"The Lord formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7

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