The difference between living and breathing is one of the two is done without thought. Humans breathe without a second thought of how it’s done. I can tell you have just started focusing on your breath just about now, right?
Battling the Crosswalk
Imagine standing in the crosswalk before the road waiting for the light to let you pass through. This is normal, you passed through this road so many times to the point you can walk through with your eyes closed. Though, do you remember the first time you walked this path?
Finally, the traffic light turns yellow and it’ll be your turn to cross the street soon. Nerves overwhelm your system as your eyes scan through the cars, from the road to the moving tires to the traffic light. Alone, you stare at the cross light to change to a friendly color, and you unconsciously tap your heel impatiently. The light is finally a friendly white inviting you to cross the dreadly pavement. Your first step on the rough dark surface and you catch a reflective metal turning the corner. You lose your breath and jump back as the car drifts on the road you try to cross, passing you like nothing.
Mindful Move
Consequently, the memory sticks to you like paper on static sticking to the wall forever. You walk towards the road you are so familiar with. The clouds look down at you, breathing down your neck threatening rain any second. Looking to your side, you make sure to wait two second before you cross the street. You walk across, glancing around for any threat.
The next day, you slow your pace approaching the edge of the road again. The blinding sun sprinkles and reflects off of the road. The light changes inviting you to cross, and you prance in your pace with confidence. You own the road you cross now, glaring at any vehicle thinking of crossing you in your path. As your step returns back to the sidewalk, you don’t think about this road you cross on a daily basis. You mind diverts your attention, now occupied with a new stress at work or maybe how your sister will bring you a nephew.
Remembering the Plot
Typically, the first breath we took as babies and its overwhelming experience is not in our memory. Unless you do remember, then that’s a whole other topic. Reading this means you are not focusing deliberately on every millisecond you are breathing. Humans breathe without a second thought. Every first moment takes your attention away from the plot for a moment. Every step, glance, inhale, touch becomes very intentional and mindful. What if you chose to take in every moment, not just the first, to be a mindful decision of your life’s movie? The realization could just be finding more first moments to remember.
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