How can I read this and not think of you two? Praying for you to be able to inhale and exhale today with this article in mind... (This is written by Kristin Armstrong- Lance Armstrong's ex-wife.) Sending you much love today with a deep breath... 

Breathe

Naming something gives it form, and form makes it possible to release.

By

Kristin Armstrong

Published

May 30, 2014

So I thought I was fine, you know, holding it together pretty well. (Luke graduates from middle school tomorrow.) Until Anna (Lance’s girlfriend) sent me this photo she found while cleaning out a storage box.

I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I had the conscious sensation of needing to exhale. That’s how fast it goes, from diapers to driver’s ed. And now I am one of those annoying old bitties who talks about how fast it all goes. I need to figure out what to make for dinner but all I really want is a glass of wine.

My girls are already out of school and in full summer mode. My kitchen is currently strewn with the remnants of poolside smoothie preparation and afternoon brownie baking. A chocolate splattered mixer, empty frozen acai packets, banana peels. Wet towels on the floor where dripping girls stood. Luke needs his pants hemmed for the ceremony tomorrow but he has two friends over playing X Box and can’t be bothered to try them on.

Breathe.

I have been practicing something lately that is too cool not to share. Whether I am running, driving, sitting, tossing and turning with insomnia, or stretched out on my yoga mat. I have been trying something new.

It goes like this. When I feel stressed or edgy, I stop and think of the sensation that is causing my unease and I literally breathe it out. As if it were a black smoke, a noxious gas, or a toxin. And then I inhale the opposite, drawing in what I need from the universe to fill the space left by what is released (Or in zen-speak, the thing that “no longer serves me”).

For example…

Exhale anxiety. Inhale peace.

Exhale discomfort. Inhale comfort

Exhale fear. Inhale courage.

Exhale fear. Inhale love.

Exhale inhibition. Inhale freedom.

Exhale the past. Inhale the present.

Exhale the future. Inhale the present.

Exhale uncertainty. Inhale trust.

Exhale judgment. Inhale acceptance.

Exhale doing. Inhale being.

Exhale striving. Inhale contentment.

Exhale shame. Inhale grace.

Exhale blame. Inhale grace.

Exhale criticism. Inhale compassion.

Exhale scattered. Inhale focus.

Exhale disappointment. Inhale opportunity.

Exhale comparison. Inhale confidence.

Exhale impatience. Inhale presence.

Exhale [current worry]. Inhale gratitude.

Exhale scarcity. Inhale abundance.

Exhale resistance. Inhale transformation.

Exhale loneliness. Inhale connection.

Exhale bitterness. Inhale bliss.

Exhale resentment. Inhale forgiveness.

Exhale confusion. Inhale clarity.

Exhale problem. Inhale possibility.

Exhale selfishness. Inhale generosity.

Exhale closed. Inhale open.

Exhale empty. Inhale fill.

Maybe this idea sounds too woo-woo to you, but I dare you to try it. I may be a word girl, but I swear naming something gives it form, and form makes it possible to release. And release means it’s possible to be free. I used to hang on to things, mull them over in the coarse sands of my mind in hopes that my worry would yield a pearl. But as the cliché goes, the real pearl is wisdom (not worry).

Try it. Breathe.