Breath Taking

Embracing Moments of Delight Because We Can

Monica Moore

Mar 18, 2024

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I was thinking of the saying … a day well spent brings a life of content - as I watched the sunset from my porch while literally holding my breath at the majesty of it all. While the sight might take our breath away, it is life giving - we get to open our eyes and all the other senses to appreciate something that is truly awe-some.

It is just about the middle of March … more than once this week there has been commentary about the quickening of time …where did January and February go?

Time doesn’t hasten. We do.

Midlife makes us more susceptible to the loss of days falling off the calendar. All of a sudden we become observant to the passing of time, our age, often felt viscerally in a dysfunctioning body, or in the lines that become etched on our faces.

But that is why I really love this time in our life. And I want you to as well. We are at a juncture which heightens possibility. We get to fine tune our days … what do we want to do, who do we want to spend time with, what books to read, wine to drink, food to eat, vacations to take.

We get to really ask ourselves the questions

What is important to me?
How do I want to be in my life?

There are alot of “have to’s” in our day. Responsibilities we bear, jobs to do, taxes to pay, and yes toilets to clean. Not every moment of every day is meant to be a party. There are things we simply must do. But to wake up with appreciation that we actually get to wake up is pretty special.

Waking up with the intention of looking forward to what is coming and closing out the day with satisfaction is available to us all. Even in my most tumultuous times where I could barely drag myself out of bed, there was always my pre-dawn walk, watching the sun rise , stretching into my body, and using the breath. All of these things supported my physiology - things we cannot see but affect mood and health. I got to prepare simple, nutritious meals, I had a job in a Studio where I connected with beautiful souls all day. Then taking an evening walk to see the sun set. I upped the intentionality to counterbalance the shitshow.

Soberingly, some days are just a day. Wading through grief, frustrations, conflicts, or obligations are tough. Some days we just get through. And it is mighty fine to let your head rest on your pillow that night and know that in the next day lives the potential for a different scenario to unfold. Let yourself off the hook from the performance of trying to be stronger than you feel.

But the question remains…how do we provide the conditions to find ongoing potential in our days? Maybe by:

Pausing for some introspection;
Auditing, editing, eliminating helps create the spaces for the people, the adventures, the food that will help us to flourish;
Invite clarity. What is non-negotiable? If we are lucky enough to live to 80, we get 4000 weeks on this earth - let’s make them worthwhile;
Be intentional about inviting the good stuff in - movement, food, people

Make you important in your life. Make some part of each day about you. If it’s important you will find a way, if it’s not you will find an excuse. So even if all you can do is walk out at the end of the day and see the beauty of the sun setting - taking in the colours, the sounds of nature, a few deep breaths to soak it all in, then at least you have infused that beauty into your soul. Even just for this day.

ON WAKING by John O'Donohue
I give thanks for arriving safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes to see the world,
The gift of mind to feel at home in my life.
The waves of possibility breaking on the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the past that awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings this new day will bring.

Other Stuff!

Yoga Timetable Info in ORANGE
In collaboration with Jillie Arnott, we would like to invite you to a DAY RETREAT at Jillie’s beautiful home and garden in Coolah May 19th ( with the option of a sleepover on the 18th) For more info go HERE. Numbers are limited.