The first in our ten-part series, An Espresso of Breath – exploring the still moments between inhale and exhale, between sip and soul.
Inside This Moment
Being here. Whenever I dialogue about this as I teach, I hear it so often, too often, and far more often than not – disappointed protest:
“Its just…”
“No time...”
“Later…”
“Yes, but…”
“After…”
Mine is: “Why bother?” What’s yours? It is a certain cue that its time to get in the moment – inside this moment – this ‘momento.’
It isn’t that we don’t know how much it matters. It’s that we’ve forgotten how to just be here – and what it even feels like. Even more striking? It seems elusive, feels irrelevant… just too far gone.
It isn’t though. You’ll soon see. It isn’t out there! It’s already inside of you. And, you’re already here – I mean here in EspressoMomenti – envisioning, shopping, reading, exploring…
Now, in this moment, simply notice your breath. Become aware of your body as you breathe out, and then as you breathe in. Turn your awareness inward and onto the physical act of breath itself. This alone brings you into the moment – into being here. True story, one without protest.
And, breathing in just this moment – it makes it matter, really matter. Because, every moment is a beginning, or a rebeginning.
So, softly shrug your shoulders. Gently shake out your arms a bit. Kick your lower legs with a bit of ease. And:
Breathe Out Now.
“Sighhhhhhhhh” as you notice how this exhale feels. You cannot do this wrong, only better.
Breathe In Now.
Wiggle your fingers and as you do lift them toward the sky – reach and stretch.
Breathe Out Now.
Let your arms fall, flop and drop, and swing loosely by your sides as the air leaves your body.
Breathe In Now.
Feel the air moving around you, light and alive. Explore and play – don’t work at it.
No need for “when, then, if, later, maybe…”
Just this – this one moment. And, one is so much better than none. It matters. Really.
In Breath and Being, Heidi
— Written by Heidi M. Weiker, Sister, Storyteller, and Voice of Stillness at Espresso Momenti