Foundational 50 - Fifty Days to Meeting Your Needs

Day 1. OXYGEN "Breathe" The first lesson in life.

Without oxygen we perish. Yet, many of us become almost unconscious as to our breathing, not realizing that our breaths are very shallow, thus creating physiological stress on our body. We have panic attacks, worry what will happen tomorrow, grieve for what happened in the past, or look for something outside ourselves to make us feel better. Being conscious of our breathing will take us into our bodies in the present moment, allow us to detach from whatever we are attempting to control, and help us develop the skill of listening to the messages our body is communicating. Conscious breathing also sets our priorities, we don not focus outside of ourselves, rather we have our attention focused inward where it calms us.

MaryAnn used to have panic attacks when she became unconscious of her breathing. The attacks would come on suddenly and for no obvious reason, her heart would start racing, she would have difficulty breathing, become confused and think she was having a heart attack. When she became conscious of her breathing, she realized she had been holding her breath. George, on the other hand, talked in long sentences without taking a breath. He would find himself exhausted at the end of the day, as his oxygen intake was low in relation to the energy expended.

Exercise: Take a full deep breathe from your diaphragm and notice the difference in your body. As you breathe in oxygen, feel it move to your lowest part of your lungs and expand your abdomen outward. To breathe by expanding your lungs and chest creates tension and imbalance in your bodies, whereas conscious breathing through your abdomen reduces stress, lowers your heart rate and brings you to your center. Awareness of breath is awareness of the powerful life force that enters and heals your body, minute after minute. Be aware of the present moment. Breathe deeply. Enjoy.

Write about your deep breathing since the change:

Oxygen:

UNFULFILLED

Anxious and stressed, take shallow breaths, bringing in little to no oxygen. Our brains and bodies need oxygen to think clearly.

SATISFIED

Ease in taking deep breaths, enjoying the freshness of the air, feel vibrant, energized.
We are more relaxed and conscious of the power of our breath.

TRY THIS:

* Stand up, swing your arms and appreciate the resistance of air.
* Take five minutes to consciously breathe.
* Go for a swim.
* Blow up a balloon.

How do you rate your level of oxygen intake today on a scale of 1-10?

What would give you a ten today?

What would give you a ten, 50 days from now? Write this goal:

Write your action plan:


Fill in the affirmation:


I, ___________ am _______________________
to meet my need to have fresh air and breathe consciously.

Thank you (God, Higher Power, Spirit) for the strength to keep my commitment today.