I’ve been learning how to SCUBA dive. I just finished my confined water training and am heading to open water certification this weekend. It’s been both fun and challenging. The other day I finally reached the point of being comfortable and slightly confident underwater; it hit me as I was at the bottom of the pool, laying on my stomach and breathing. After I had been there a few minutes I realized that I was not thinking about breathing; I was just doing it. That may sound overly simple, but when you are learning how to dive, it’s imperative that you allow your breathing to become second nature; in other words, all you have to do is just relax and BREATHE.
In that moment God spoke to me. It was as if He said, “Danny, trust your training, trust your equipment, trust your surroundings, trust me, relax, and just BREATHE.” Those words were quite comforting to hear.
Later that evening, I was at home, relaxing, and watching television. I began to think about my breathing. I realized that it’s a simple, involuntary process that I often take for granted.
Today, I’m retreating. I’m in downtown Wilmington, sitting in my most favorite coffee shop on the planet, Port City Java. I’ve been journaling for about two hours, all the while thinking, praying, and taking time to just BREATHE.
Breathing sustains our life; when we stop breathing, we stop living. When’s the last time you actually thought about your breathing? When’s the last time you took time out of your busy schedule just to relax?
Join me today; find a moment to sit still, relax, and just BREATHE.
-Danny
