Have you ever caught yourself not breathing, or breathing so shallow that it is a wonder that you are getting enough oxygen to survive? If you haven't, you're probably in even more danger than the majority of people who have experienced this. Caution: you may not be breathing even now! However, it is for you, dear reader, who most certainly have caught yourself in this state more than once, that I write this article. Since breathing is slightly essential to our very living, it seems only right that it be addressed at least once by this Life Coach, don't you think?

While I find myself often bombarded with information about breathing (think Forrest Gump and shrimp: breathing rules, breathing techniques, breathing mantras, breathing positions, breathing buddies; the list goes on.). I still, amazingly, catch myself not breathing. Sheesh, I caught myself not breathing just now! Here's the wonderful thing, though: I love catching myself not breathing! It's a wake up call. It's a tool I use to check in with myself and notice what is, or is not, going on in and around me. It makes me step back a moment from wherever I am and whatever I'm doing and say, "Hmmm, I'm not breathing, I really ought to breathe." The even more amazing thing is, after this thought process, I start breathing again!

I know this process may seem a little odd to get excited about. You might be thinking, well of course you start breathing again once you notice you're not breathing. What I say to that is, "yes, of course, you got it exactly!" The reason I find this process to be a wonderful one is because it is such a natural and clear model for how to live a healthy and thriving life. It's so simple! It's a model I use to assist clients in living everyday because it works.

The Breathing Model for Life - Let's break it down:

1. I've stopped doing something imperative to my life, health and/or happiness (in this case breathing).

2. I notice that I've stopped (Oh dear, I'm not breathing!).

3. I take intentional action (I consciously start breathing again).

It's such a simple model, but it's the only one that truly, consistently works. So how can applying this model to your life affect change?

You stop doing something imperative to your life, health, or happiness!

Think about your life right now. Is there one thing you used to do for you life, health or happiness that you've ceased doing? Take a moment to really think about this and identify one thing. If you're like most people, you can probably think of several, but just focus on one for now.

Now take a moment to think of why you stopped. Was it a fully conscious choice, or more unconscious (in that it just seemed to "happen')? Did you say, I just don't want to do this thing that's really good for me? Could I venture an answer? I would guess, nine times out of ten, that you stopped, not because you made a thorough and reasoned decision to stop, but because you lost your intention to do it. You got distracted and life filled in the spaces where that "thing" you used to do once was. Does that sound accurate?

It is just like breathing. I don't think, "I'm going to stop breathing right now." I simply get so caught up in something, distracted, anxious, you name it, and I discover I'm no longer breathing. The wonderful thing is that the more aware I am of catching myself in not breathing, the more I intentionally and purposely breathe. I'm doing more conscious breathing while writing this article than I've probably done in days. It feels great! Why? Because one amazing thing breathing does for us (outside of fueling our brains) is it keeps us in the "now." In fact, there is nothing more in the present than consciously noticing our breathing. Try it, you'll see. Oh, and you'll like it too!

So back to you and that one thing you know is good for you, but you no longer do.

You notice you've stopped!

See how easy this process is? You've already noticed that you've stopped. This model for life is totally organic!

So now, in noticing you've stopped, think about the way in which you stopped.

When did you stop? Be as specific as you can. What year, month and even day did you notice you stopped?

How did you feel when you noticed you stopped? Even if right now is your moment of realization. Take the time to really consider the thoughts and feelings you had/have around the knowledge that you've stopped this thing that positively impacted your life, health and/or happiness.

Let's draw a parallel with breathing again. When I stop breathing and notice I've stopped, I am aware that I sometimes feel light headed and fatigued. Sometimes, if I realize it's been a long moment of not breathing, I even feel a hint of panic. I might think, goodness, I better start breathing. All of these feelings are uncomfortable and make me aware of the impact of not breathing. I'm compelled to start breathing again!

Do you feel that same sense of discomfort, that sense of internal dissonance, for having stopped doing that one thing? Do you feel compelled to bring that healthy thing back into your life? Are you compelled to do it on a cellular level? Recall how much you needed it, craved it, and thrived on the vivacity it brought to you. Remember that? Of course you do. You can feel it at your very core.

I know you're ready. So let's move to the final step.

You consciously take action!

You know what happens now! It's the final, natural result of this progression. There is no better time than the present to intentionally bring that healthy thing or practice back into your life.

You are the masterful master of every moment of your life and now is yet one more chance to take powerful action towards making your life everything you want it to be. I challenge you to take this moment in time to determine when, how, and what you will start doing, and continue to do, in order to bring this one healthy action back into your everyday life. Write it down in your day planner, your calendar, and/or on a sticky note to put on your mirror. Write it down and put it in a prominent place where you will regularly see it. Announce your plans to whomever you know will keep you accountable (your coach, friend, partner, etc.). Make it so!

The breathing returns! I've taken action, I'm intentionally, deeply, consciously breathing and it feels incredible! There's nothing like it!

Let's take this model on the road!

Summary:

Now that you've seen this simple Breathing Model for Life in action, you are armed with the most organic tool you will ever possess in creating the life you deserve. You can use this tool to bring anything you want into your life, even if it's something you've never had in your life before. Determine what you want or what is missing, notice its absence, and take action to manifest it!

It's no "Secret," it's as natural as breathing!

So let's recap this simple process once more in closing:

The Breathing Model for Life:

1. I've stopped doing or I need something imperative to my life, health or happiness!

2. I notice that I've stopped doing it or that I need it!

3. I take intentional action to bring it back again or manifest it anew!

Here's to breathing and every new life enhancing practice you will bring into your experiences as a result of breathing!

You, my friend, are the Secret! I bid you farewell until we meet again with this simple but powerful quote:

"'Why not' is a slogan for an interesting life."

- Mason Cooley

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