Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

TIP #07: BREATHE DEEPLY …
Whenever we mislead ourselves into believing that we have “more important things to
do”, and that these things must somehow be completed “on time”, we miss out on life’s
truly Important opportunities.
*The CEO is late for a meeting and rushes past the homeless beggar …
*The father stays late at work and misses his daughter’s ball game …
*The co-worker snaps when his colleague makes the same mistake twice …
*A woman becomes frustrated and yells at her partner who is “late again” …
It is indeed understandable to become agitated when things don’t go as planned, or to
become upset when our expectations are not satisfied. And yet, even though it is
reasonable to feel such emotions, it is not effective to act on them – and it is not a
requirement that we do so. We are not “only human” … we are HUMAN. And as such,
we are not subject to the whim of our selfish instincts & arrogant impulses … Unlike
many other species, we can choose how we respond to situation & happenstance.
So, when you are tempted to rush
or hurry, choose to breathe deeply
instead.
When you are tempted to become
frustrated, choose to breathe
deeply instead.
When you are tempted to become
annoyed, choose to breathe deeply
instead.
When you are tempted to become
impatient, choose to breathe
deeply instead.
And after you have taken that deep breath – after you have turned your grimace into the
most subtle of smiles, remember that it is the others around you who are the only truly
important “tasks” in your life; remember to look around for someone who could use some
Kindness, and then go “out of your way” – just for a few minutes – to give them the same.
“We cannot change anything until we first accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it
oppresses. Only acceptance coupled with gentleness can remind us of what life is truly all
about.” ~ inspired by Carl Jung
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