“just” breathe

there are so many things our bodies do, that we take for granted…

until, of course, it’s no longer capable of doing the thing.

it’s even worse when the thing is integral to keeping us alive.

from the heart that conveniently pumps blood, to the skin that effortlessly protects our insides from the outsides.

anxiety literally took my breath away…

which sucked, because it’s something I’ve really enjoyed doing for as long as I can remember.

seemingly overnight, I had found myself in a world in which to breathe meant to be able to choke.

I’ve survived days unable to remove myself from the security of my bed, convinced that should I do so, I would forcibly collapse to the ground, from lack of oxygen…

…immediately followed by days in which I’d run multiple 10k’s as if I had forgotten that I could indeed, just walk.

a breath, never the same,

and never again taken for granted.

next time you breathe, take a deep one.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

today is day 177 of the year, there are 188 days remaining of 2022.