Each Breath is an Opportunity to Begin Again
When we hear the word inspiration, we naturally think about staying curious and trying new things, about always being open to new doors that appear at different stages of our lives. However, we don’t initially give much thought to etymology.
The word “inspire” comes from Latin and means to breathe or blow into. In our wellness consulting practice, breath is key. There are so many benefits from deep diaphragmatic breathing, on physical and emotional levels. Breathing deeply into our belly activates our parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” system that helps us recover from stimulating events. We want to spend much of our lives with that system activated instead of our “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system running the show and flooding us with stress hormones.
Breathing deeply helps us slow down and appreciate the moment we’re in. Each breath is new. There’s always an opportunity to start again. Mindful breathing creates a sense of presence that allows us to notice what’s going on around us and within us. Studies show that neurotransmitters respond well to meditation and to mindful breathing, creating a positive loop of good energy.
These are things we’ve known and taught to clients and audiences for more than a decade. Our goal is to bring about health and wellness. We want people to live long, healthy, and happy lives. To “expire” means to breathe out, but it also means to be no longer useful, to come to an end or to die. The best way to avoid expiration is to seek out and cultivate inspiration.
How do we do this? As we get older, many of us lose loved ones, which can send us into hopelessness. It’s really our job, though, to ride the waves of life. Just as the ocean recedes and pushes forward again, so too must we allow ourselves to find the treasures that might be waiting for us as the tide goes out.
Even if we’re deeply sad to have lost a partner or friend, the hole created by their absence makes it possible to make new connections. We could get stuck in loneliness, or we could instead find one another. Science keeps finding more evidence that our relationships play an important role not just in our happiness but in our longevity.
Seek out people and opportunities that will inspire you. Let someone convince you to try something you didn’t think you’d like. If nothing else, you’re having a shared experience, which is valuable on its own. And you just might discover a new hobby, food, or form of entertainment that brings you joy.
We have been creating conferences for years because we see how powerfully people are moved when they come together to learn. This fall, we are bringing back our annual Achieving Optimal Health Conference (AOHC) for the 14th year with a terrific array of speakers who not only will address nutrition and mindset but also help us understand the role we all play in the health of one another. The impact we have on the planet and on one another comes back to us in a loop, affecting our physical and mental well-being.
The AOHC speaker programs will be available online starting on October 14. Watch them with a friend and discuss the science and the strategies you learn! For more information, visit achievingoptimalhealthconference.com
For those who want an immersive, in-person experience, we’ve also created the Foundations of Well- Being Experience, which takes place at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida. For three days in November, you will be transformed by the camaraderie created amid the backdrop of beautiful beaches and island trails. The weekend includes sumptuous meals, expert talks, and deep dives into fascinating developments in the field of wellness, all at a beautiful resort.
For more information visit bbrconsulting.us/ gasparilla-2023.
There is no better way to be inspired than to put yourself in the face of beauty and make yourself open to new insights and new connections. Get out there!
Growing Bolder contributors Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch are sisters-in-law who founded the wellness company BB&R, Bright, Bold and Real over a decade and a half ago with a very clear goal: to share with others what they’ve learned about mindfulness and holistic living with the intention that everyone begin to live their best life. Learn more about their retreats, workshops, courses and popular Health Gig podcast at bbrconsulting.us.
This article is featured in the Fall 2023 issue of The Growing Bolder Digital Digest.
