It’s that time of year, at least in the temperate climes of the northern hemisphere. As we approach winter solstice, health is in our awareness more than usual this year. Some of us are getting our flu shots and Covid boosters. Health concerns are now part of our plans for holiday travel and getting together with family and friends. We read the news and listen to experts’ advice on how to best enhance our health and well being.
That’s all good. However, we often overlook some of the simplest things. Breathing, for example. We all breathe. We can use our breath to send a blessing of health and gratitude to our bodies. There are many specific breathing practices in many disciplines like yoga and qigong, and you can certainly use any of those techniques. But we don’t need to make it complicated. Just breathe.
As we breathe, we can gift our bodies with a blessing. It could be a general blessing of health, or we could bless specific parts of our body. We can send healing energy where needed, as well as protection and support overall.
And most important, we can bless our bodies with gratitude for holding this precious human life within their embrace. We can remember that each breath is life’s tender caress of love.
Some folks believe that talking sweetly to their plants will actually help the plants grow with more vibrant health. Who’s to say the same doesn’t hold true for our bodies? What would happen if we consciously bless our bodies rather than ignore or criticize them? What if we imbued each inhale with a blessing to our bodies, and with each exhale released all the judgment and complaint? Might be worth a try.
Maybe that would be the best holiday gift to ourselves this year.
Every day, think as you wake up: Today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. ~the Dalai Lama
