Let's All Take a Deep Breath!

I was standing in a long post office line today and the young mother behind me was talking on her cell phone and I could not help but overhear her. She was telling someone about her very difficult day and how she did not know if she could get everything done. She said that doing errands with her three children was a "nightmare". I couldn't help but look behind me to see a sleeping baby, a well behaved 7 year old and a quiet 4 year old. Oh my goodness! What is the nightmare?? This poor woman was so anxious that even this apparently simple situation was a "nightmare". She went on to complain bitterly of her fate in life. So I decided to turn and smile at her and her children and she smiled back. Then I started to practice my deep breathing and hoped that just by breathing deeply near by an anxious person, I might help her to re-regulate. Let's all of us take a deep breath or ten, realize the blessings right in front of you, hug your children, thank whomever you like to thank during these moments that you have so much in so many ways. I recommend a book entitled Buddha's Brain: the practical neuroscience of love, happiness and wisdom. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly and know you are blessed just to be alive.