Breathing in the Day, Revisited

(Originally published 4 August 2018) 

Just over 3 years ago, I shared a blog Breathing in the Day. I still haven't gotten a promotion or found a new job despite consistent seeking and submitting applications; I'm waiting to hear whether I'll be invited to a second interview on government application #80. But I'm in a good place emotionally. I'm not seeing a therapist anymore because I'm pretty happy the majority of the time. And though I don't struggle emotionally the way I used to, and I handle stresses at work much more successfully, I still practice my morning journaling—including Breathing in the Day.

It helps me set intentions for what I want to experience and manifest. And while in the early days I changed up what I wrote, and paired different words and varied the number of pairs, I've settled on a pattern that I really like of 18 pairs. I like them, and they are easy for me to remember, but they are no better than what someone might choose for themselves. It's all about finding the tools that work best for you, and this serves me. I offer it in hopes it might inspire a fellow member.

Breathe in Structure. Breathe in Nurture.
Breathe in Love. Breathe in Abundance.
Breathe in Strength. Breathe in Support.

Breathe in Hope. Breathe in Determination.
Breathe in Dreams. Breathe in Discipline.
Breathe in Spirit. Breathe in Connection.

Breathe in Success. Breathe in Confidence.
Breathe in Serenity. Breathe in Courage.
Breathe in Wisdom. Breathe in Grace.

Breathe in Space. Breathe in Flow.
Breathe in Freedom. Breathe in Joy!
Breathe in Blessings. Breathe in Balance.

Breathe in Beauty. Breath in Meaning.
Breathe in Purpose. Breathe in Passion.
Breathe in Planning. Breathe in Action!

Breathe in Awareness. Breathe in Energy.
Breathe in Expression. Breathe in Truth.
Breathe in Choice. Breathe in Change!

When I'm writing, I don't leave a blank line after each trio, though I do often pause for a slug of coffee (at home) or sip of water (riding on the bus). And I still do the alternating color on every other line, just because I like the look. Two other little rituals are saying the Serenity Prayer after the third trio (did you recognize it?), and as I write the final line I always vocalize "The truth is I always have Choices. And I Choose to make positive Changes in my life!"

Wishing us all joy and success on our various journeys! Blessed Be, Amanda


[Just under 3 months after this was written, I finally got a temporary position with King County, where I am working now, and plan to until I retire. I'm making decent wages at last, have a permanent position, and I am once more "seeing" a therapist (virtually) after 8 months of pandemic isolation and burnout.]


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An open letter to victims of sexual abuse & their loved ones

(Originally published 14 January 2021 )   [In sorting through old papers, I found a copy of a letter I wrote in 2001 to my aunts and cousins. I don’t know if any of them took action based on my urging. (My relatives are fundamentalist Christians, which is why I use more religious language than usual.) When I read the letter to my new therapist last week, we both teared up and she applauded my bravery in sharing it. I realized too many other families have similar histories, so am choosing to share it here, in hopes that it may encourage others to seek help for themselves or people they care about.] I have considered writing such a letter for more than a year. Having very recently obtained information supporting my earlier suspicions, I know it is my responsibility to speak to you and to help break the cycle of silence—and violence—which has plagued our family for generations. I am an incest survivor. My mother admitted to me once that she had been fondled by her father. I know it i
Read more

Support Revisited: Thank you all!

  (Originally published on Spark People on 22 January 2011) My own experience has proved the truth of the sentiments in my previous blog on support being a gift that blesses. Within a week of writing those words, I hit a low point brought on by largely by pain—increasingly frequent back pain and burns and blisters on my right foot (my favorite, and largest, tea mug split in half just when I poured in the boiling water, which then poured onto my foot, which luckily had a thick sock on it)—which had curtailed my exercise and led to a profound loss of energy and a discouraged, bleak frame of mind. I recognized that I was sinking into a deep hole, and that I would need assistance to get out of it. Thank the Goddess that I was smart enough and strong enough to ask for help! I huddled with all my teams as usual yesterday morning, but instead of a personalized positive message which I normally like to contribute, I admitted that I was struggling and in need of encouragement. I changed my
Read more

The Last Book on Decluttering You'll Ever Need

(Originally published 27 February 2021)  That's the bold subtitle of Tracy McCubbin's 2019 organizing book Making Space, Clutter Free . Big thanks to my sister for finding and sharing it. I just picked it up from the library this morning, and loved what she has to say in the introductory chapter "What's Under the Clutter? A New Approach." She says she wants to liberate us from the shame and emotional weight of our clutter. "I want your home to be a place that you enjoy being in, that helps you quickly and efficiently get out into the world, and that you can share with others as often as you feel like. If your home isn't all three things — restful, helpful, and shareable — then on some level, your home is taking energy from you instead of supporting you to live your best life." Wow, if page 5 is that profound, I can't wait to dive in to better understanding the 7 emotional clutter blocks she identifies, and how to address them. She breaks her
Read more