Learning to Breathe

I've been thinking a lot about necessity. What is truly necessary for life to exist? How much more do we need, than is necessary, in order to not only exist, but to be happy? Where do we cross the line from need to want?

I think we can all agree on the importance of physiological needs: fresh air, pure water, healthy food, and sound sleep. I understand that this is what is absolutely necessary for life to exist.

Lately I feel like "life" gets in the way of "life." Sometimes I'll find myself so caught up in what I'm doing that I'm holding my breath…forgetting to breath! Isn't breathing an autonomic response? How can one forget to breath? Or forget to drink or eat? There are many days I find myself approaching 3pm only to realize that I have hardly had anything to drink and nothing to eat yet for the day.

If one cannot find (make) the time to take care of his or her fundamental needs, how can one hope to find the time (or energy) to be creative, to spend time with family and friends, much less to relax?

How can we bring a sense of balance to our lives? How can we declutter our relationships and responsibilities? How can we learn to breathe again?

I suppose I'll take a deep breath and think about it.