It’s shocking how early in the morning our minds start racing down the day’s track and yet the sun is barely in the sky. Frenetic energy also affects family members, those who move a little “slower”. Which are you, the snail or the Road Runner? Beep Beep.
Running around like a crazy person at any time of day takes a toll. Even if we admire how much we accomplish in an hour of task slaying, we haven’t necessarily delivered the best results and we’ve most likely missed other opportunities. Our attention becomes restricted, severely impacting conversations.
So what’s to be done when demands exceed what any one person can achieve?
Although counter intuitive, part of the solution can be found in honing mindfulness, our ability to “be present”. The good news is that finding “the present” is as easy as taking one, two, and three breaths.
Three Breaths is a specific micro practice taught at the Search Inside Yourself Two Day Mindfulness Training program, part of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute.[1]
Here’s how it works:
- Focus attention on your breath. In slowly and out slowly. Feel the air fill up your lungs, belly and whole body. Let the air out slowly, deflating tension.
- Relax your body. Yes, relax. Feeling ease accompanies deep breaths.
- Ask, “What’s most important right now? Or, what’s next for me? Either of these questions will calms us down.
During a stressful schedule, find moments to intentionally breathe throughout your day. If the day demands that you move from one meeting to the next, taking Three Breaths in between meetings can help make the transition from one agenda to the next. You can incorporate this practice anywhere at any time.
No one needs to notice that you’re taking a few moments to breathe deeply. It’s actually quite easy to give yourself Three Breaths even when surrounded by lots of people.
As you breathe in deeply, you’ll start to relax and find your center. You’ll be ready for the next task ahead.
When in difficult circumstances, a few breaths can generate the awareness needed to improve a situation and or uncover what’s truly happening.
Stopping to breathe is an act of kindness towards your self. Noticing and enjoying your breath is a gift that ties us to the beauty of our life. It’s always there for us.
When we’re fully present to those in front of us, we’re able to listen well and respond thoughtfully with integrity. At A Table In Time our group facilitation includes accessible mindfulness practices.
“Easy as One, Two, Three” rarely accompanies how we experience stress. We prefer, instead, to disassociate from our bodies (and feelings) and “just keep swimming” like Dora, “achieving” at all costs. Admittedly to employ the practice of deliberately noticing our breath, a tiny bit of discipline is needed, but not too much.
How hard can it be to enjoy three full breaths? Three Breaths will change your daily crazy life and conversations forever. Be the snail.
Year of Confab 2017
#26 When can you take Three Breaths during your day?
