Proximity to Birth and Death
Recently there was a 24 hour period, where I witnessed a baby being born and take it's first breath and I sat in silence with a breathless deceased body. It was quite profound to be with the two edges of life in such a short space of time. For me, it affirmed the miracle that life is and it was a beautiful invitation to live life to its fullest and dive deep into the experiences it offers.
The baby's head has been born, there is a pause, waiting for the next contraction so that the body can be born and baby come fully into this world. I encourage Dad to catch his baby. There is just Mum, Dad and I present. The moment comes and baby slips into Dad's hands, Dad unravels the cord from around the baby's neck, Mum takes her daughter into her arms and I sink into the sacred, serene and sublime. Precious moments honouring the new life that had entered the world.
The following morning, I am sitting in the colourful caravan of a deceased friend, his body having been beautifully tended, lay still on the floor. Only the wind breaks the silence, adding music to the stillness. I sit alone in quiet and reverence respecting the life that was, knowing that my time to pass from this life will also come. Sitting in presence and contemplating the full life he lead encourages me to make the most of my precious and short duration.
Later that week after his funeral, my friend and dance teacher used the words "the difference is in the breath". The difference is full aliveness. As I danced that night, I was able to give my presence and breath to the dance and indeed to life. There is the beginning of life, the middle and the end. Right now, I am in the middle and feel inspired to dance with all of my beingness.
We can opt in or opt out of life, make conscious choices or simply drift along. Viktor Frank (Auschwitz survivor) stated that “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” There is always a choice and the possibility to choose that which is in alignment with love and living.
Opting fully in to life doesn't necessarily mean bright lights and excitement, sometimes I am most fully in life when in nature or listening to gentle music. It's not easy as the mind likes to take me to other places, yet there is the constant opportunity with each breath to come back to the present moment.
I am part of the pulse of life, the breath is within and all around us - in the dance, in nature, a tree, a child playing, in intimacy, the touch of a partner, all the things that move us deep inside. Life has intensified on account of the proximity of birth and death and the affirmation of the fragile miracle that life is. And so I ask the question "How can I live my best life and live it fully?"
The baby's head has been born, there is a pause, waiting for the next contraction so that the body can be born and baby come fully into this world. I encourage Dad to catch his baby. There is just Mum, Dad and I present. The moment comes and baby slips into Dad's hands, Dad unravels the cord from around the baby's neck, Mum takes her daughter into her arms and I sink into the sacred, serene and sublime. Precious moments honouring the new life that had entered the world.
The following morning, I am sitting in the colourful caravan of a deceased friend, his body having been beautifully tended, lay still on the floor. Only the wind breaks the silence, adding music to the stillness. I sit alone in quiet and reverence respecting the life that was, knowing that my time to pass from this life will also come. Sitting in presence and contemplating the full life he lead encourages me to make the most of my precious and short duration.
Later that week after his funeral, my friend and dance teacher used the words "the difference is in the breath". The difference is full aliveness. As I danced that night, I was able to give my presence and breath to the dance and indeed to life. There is the beginning of life, the middle and the end. Right now, I am in the middle and feel inspired to dance with all of my beingness.
We can opt in or opt out of life, make conscious choices or simply drift along. Viktor Frank (Auschwitz survivor) stated that “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” There is always a choice and the possibility to choose that which is in alignment with love and living.
Opting fully in to life doesn't necessarily mean bright lights and excitement, sometimes I am most fully in life when in nature or listening to gentle music. It's not easy as the mind likes to take me to other places, yet there is the constant opportunity with each breath to come back to the present moment.
I am part of the pulse of life, the breath is within and all around us - in the dance, in nature, a tree, a child playing, in intimacy, the touch of a partner, all the things that move us deep inside. Life has intensified on account of the proximity of birth and death and the affirmation of the fragile miracle that life is. And so I ask the question "How can I live my best life and live it fully?"
Precious Breath
This current breath offers potential
The next breath something other
all can change with a breath
Transition is constant
With a pause in between
No two are ever the same,
Always changing
though amidst the variation,
the deep and the shallow, the long and the quick
a consistency forms a music
a background rhythm to our lives
The breath accompanies us through it all
The pain, the joy, the ache,
The prayer, the dance, the hurt,
The next step, the ecstasy,
The depth, the high, the low,
The magic, the flow, on the go,
in stillness, and in everything we know
Then the pause, the space in between
A time to choose how to be
Pay attention
We had our first
We will have our last
Let's savour the ones in between
The next breath something other
all can change with a breath
Transition is constant
With a pause in between
No two are ever the same,
Always changing
though amidst the variation,
the deep and the shallow, the long and the quick
a consistency forms a music
a background rhythm to our lives
The breath accompanies us through it all
The pain, the joy, the ache,
The prayer, the dance, the hurt,
The next step, the ecstasy,
The depth, the high, the low,
The magic, the flow, on the go,
in stillness, and in everything we know
Then the pause, the space in between
A time to choose how to be
Pay attention
We had our first
We will have our last
Let's savour the ones in between
So this festive season as we may contemplate the year that has past and the one that is to come, I invite you to take a deep breath and contemplate the preciousness of life and whether you are living it fully wherever you are and whatever is happening...
With deep peace and love to you, Fiona
With deep peace and love to you, Fiona
Traditionally at this time of year, I include a Christmas advert that moves me and feels relevant. This one is a beautiful reminder that life sometimes may require a bit of work and effort, the commitment to opting in, though it's worth it for the joy and fulfilment it rewards us with. *you may need a tissue, I did!
Fiona is a reflexologist, experienced doula and Active Listening therapist among other things. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She loves to be in nature and to dance and sing. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living
Some previous festive articles that you may enjoy...
Presence - it's the best gift of all
The Greatest Festive Gift you can give
What do you want for Christmas
How to best serve the world?
Here is a guided Whole Body Breathing Meditation by Tara Brach as an aid to tuning into our breath and bringing awareness to it and the present moment.
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