Catching Your Breath
What's on my mind? Catching Your Breath
You know that moment when you can’t take another step unless you stop and catch your breath? Most of the time we think catching our breath only relates to physical exertion.
What about those times when catching your breath is about more than your breath? When it’s about ceasing something in order to give yourself a break - to slow down long enough for your soul to catch up with the activity or the frenzy or the overwhelming experiences of today or this month or year…
Recently, the worship leader at our church decided to take a break - to catch his breath. So, he asked me to sub for two weeks, and I was happy to do so. A few days later, he called and asked if I’d do four weeks in a row - so I did. He realized he needed the break, especially since he hadn’t had one since before the pandemic. Stepping back for that month allowed him to finish some other work and replenish his soul.
When we don’t stop to catch our breath, we can get into some trouble. Overexertion or depletion of any kind takes a toll on us and that’s when we need to respond with grace. If we ignore it, we can be assured that exertion will create some negative energy that will come out of us in some way - and that “way” might not be helpful or purposeful.
These days, in particular, it’s easy to see how desperately we need to stop and catch our breath, but we frequently decide we can’t afford the time or space to take care of that deep need. And sometimes we’ve become disconnected from the things that nourish our souls and need a little prompting.
Catching your breath might mean stopping for a moment in order to get your bearings, negotiate some new sense of balance, shift gears, or push “pause.”
What would it look like to establish some “Catch Your Breath” moments as part of the rhythm of your day? What are some things that are truly life-giving to you - things that are in the “simple” category - involving a short amount of time? Take a few moments, and a few deep breaths, then think of a few things that truly feed your soul.
Here are 5 ways I nourish my soul on a regular basis (some of them daily). Perhaps they will encourage you and remind you of some other ways that deeply nourish your soul.
enjoy a 30 minute walk.
weekly Zoom conversations with my cousin who lives in another state.
playing the piano while my tea is steeping.
early morning quiet time and conversation with God.
laying on my yoga mat while listening to the recording of a major choral/orchestral work (takes a little bit more time, so I like to think of those as “dates with myself.”
What are some ways you nourish your soul? Maybe they involve cooking or reading to your child. As you survey your way of nurturing your soul, notice what brings you energy and life. Then, pick one thing to do today or tomorrow, or whenever. See how it makes you feel, and if it did indeed help you catch your breath.
For me, this invitation reminds me to invest in nurturing my soul as a way of loving myself; so that, I can love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength; and my neighbor as I love myself.
May you find some way to catch your breath today, and every day. And may that breath bring you new life and love!