Sweat runs through her hair in droplets Coursing downward from her face Heat is sultry velvet to her skin Touchable air, thick its stroke wets Lungs feel emptied, breath sucked out As she lies spent then gasps rising To snatch what life she can Into the frailness of her frame
She reaches for breath to draw in Through the splutters, every rasp Fills with oxygen once again then wait Shallow fast lifts of her ribs Until the next rising in gasps To snatch what life she can
When we feel anxious or worried, the best way to become present in the now is to focus on your breath.
Doing this centres your mind and brings you to here and now. It is meditation.
I find when things don’t behave as they should I get a moment of panic. Like someone bolting my gate instead of leaving it latched. Theses are times that I need to focus on my breath.
The secret is to inhale through your nose until your tummy lifts. Hold it for as many seconds as you can, no more than 4. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this 5 times.
You will feel calmer. You will feel relaxed.Try to do this 5 times a day.
It helps us to be our best self – efficacious, in charge of ourselves, and living in the now. We only have now.This moment is everything. Don’t waste it.
When we are our best self, we are of use to others. We are connected, not only with ourselves, but with those around us.
It is the fourth anniversary of my Dad’s death, He died in my arms. Last year and the year before, I wept. The first anniversary, I was still numb. This year was a little easier, so I reached out to a friend who lost both parents within five months. They were both in their nineties. Old age doesn’t make death easier to bear.
A few moments ago I was thinking about God and prayer. I was thinking about all the wonderful friends I have who pray for me. Friends I’ve known a long, long time. And I thought how God can be thought of as breath in that we do not see him and yet there is evidence of him all around us.
Breath is the first action we make arriving in this world, and our last action as we leave it. Breath is vitality, it is the core of our existence and life. When breathing is impaired, we are dis-eased, not ourselves, and have less well being. So breathing is directly connected to our spirit/soul. When our lungs are diseased our whole life is threatened.
Before my last sentence I went to a neighbour where I knew a friend was doing some gardening. It did me good, some conversation, someone else’s achievements and point of view. The neighbour has recently moved in and it’s very enjoyable to watch the progress. She has finished the painting and awaits her possessions to arrive in June. I am trying to influence her to get rid of astro turf which was there when she arrived. It supports no wildlife of any sort, not even an ant.
I am passionate about conserving our insects, pollinators, and natural habitats. I am against corporate big business and the stripping of forests, wetlands, meadows, etc for the sake of money. We are part of this planet and yet we have almost finished destroying it. Please don’t use plastic, reuse what you can, repurpose it or give it away.
You can follow my passion for conserving nature by following me on Instagram, @purbeckpoet.
I am not confident that I will stay out of hospital this time. I have to trust God and I know my life is safe in his hands.
Writer and psychologist. My health, a journey with two life shortening diseases 
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