breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
close your eyes
repeat
imagine yourself
on an empty beach
tide coming in
tide going out
breathe in (count to three)
breathe out (count to five)
take yourself
to that place far away
empty your cares
on the sand
watch as the tide
washes over the beach
breathe in, and again
now exhale
~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Matt Barringer @ Unsplash
The image shows the word ‘Exhale’ illuminated as a sign, embedded in a carved structure.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #130 photo prompt
luna's on line 
Perfect Chris 🙂
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Thanks very much, Deb. I wrote it for myself as much as anything!
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Well done , and what a profound title Chris. This is so important!
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Thanks so much, Radhika. I always find titles tricky.
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It is perfect.
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Thanks very much, Peter.
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Spot on Chris… And breathe…
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Thanks, Matthew. I need to practice what I’m preaching!
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Brilliant, Chris! ❤ Love it! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Carol!😊🤗
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This helps a lot
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I’m please to hear that, Maria. I’m keen to practice this more myself.
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Brilliant!! Glad to be here.
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I’m pleased you stopped by, Kajal!
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Brilliant take Chris! Loved this gentle reminder to relax and let go. Thanks for joining in
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Thanks so much, Sadje! Always a pleasure to join in. I’m making a point of trying to take my own advice.😊
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Thanks Chris! We all need to this, off and on.
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More on than off in my case!
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Mine too.
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[…] Exercise in mindfulness — luna’s on line […]
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Something we should all practice everyday. So well said, Chris.
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You are so right, Punam! Thank you.🙏
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Fills the heart with newness. Practically releases stress and allows meditation.
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I’m hoping so. Thanks, Lamittan. 🙂
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Yes. Feel most welcome, Chris my friend 💖
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This is awesome, Chris! Just perfect–I think we all agree on that one 💖
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Thanks so much, Susan!😊
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Ahh, how relaxing! Makes me want to try it and see if it works!😀
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I find the breathing helps. Transporting myself to my imaginary beach is the next step…
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😂
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Love this! I needed this after some hectic weeks on the homefront. Virtual hugs to you, Dear Friend! xxxxx
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Most welcome, Jean! Every moment of calm we can capture is a bonus.😊🤗💖
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Hi Chris, a lovely poem. I think you must come to Joey and teach me how to relax. I am a veritable stress ball. PS My sister is moving to CPT.
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Thanks, Robbie! Writing it was the easy bit; implementing it, a little harder. I’m a terrible worry-nuts at times. To which part of our beautiful sprawling city is you sister moving?
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She is talking about Hout Bay but that is quite far from her job so we’ll see. They are still looking around and deciding.
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Hout Bay is lovely but not the easiest place to get to town from.
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Ahhh… perfect! 🙂
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I noticed you’ve been quite mindful yourself lately, Tom. 😇🌚
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Yes… it’s a good way to take some time out… mind you, writing itself helps with that as well! 🙂
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Yes, writing definitely helps!
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Love this ~ great relaxation technique ~ beneficial to one’s health ~ excellent post! 😊
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Thanks very much! 🙂
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This sounds like a good strategy to use when I have insomnia!
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It’s worth a try, Liz. I also spend too many of the wee small hours in a state of unwelcome wakefulness.
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I’m sorry to hear that, Chris. Insomnia is just awful.
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I’ve got used to it. That night space can be useful for plotting…
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If a wakeful night is useful for plotting, that sheds a whole other light on insomnia.
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Writing in my pyjamas… 😉
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🙂
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Good one! I found myself breathing in rhythm to these words!
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Oh, that is good to know, Val 🙂
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Oh, just what we all need Chris
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We do, don’t we. A little drop of tranquility in our busy lives… 🙂
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And it works. Slow… breathing…
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Excellent, Jacqui. I’m pleased the slow breathing works for you. 🙂
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A very calming poem, Chris! 🙂
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Thanks, Cheryl! 😊
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A great breathing exercise to bring you back to the present moment! Even better that it takes just a few minutes and can be done anywhere.
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I’m getting better with practice.🙏
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Ana awesome meditation, Chris. Wonderful write, and take on the prompt!
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Thanks very much, Jeff!😊
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[…] Chris Hall; Exercise in mindfulness […]
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Some days we need to remember to breath.
I once had a whole book deticated to different breathing techniques. But it was too complicated for me.
With some you have to exhale out of an open mouth. I prefer nose breathing 😉
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My mother was given a bubble-breathing cup with a wide straw to encourage her to empty her lungs properly. That was pretty gross🤢
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I remember blowing bubbles in my milk as a child… … but not now – but then my MIL (she should rest) ended up with a portable breathing tank. She needed that though due to a surgery.
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Blowing bubbles is excusable as a child!
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There are many ways to encourage folks to be healthy. Some seem more strange than others.
Sometimes harnessing our inner child can be good. But maybe in a private setting 😉
Getting older folks to do anything can be a challenge. When I was caring for my MIL she wanted things her way and when she wanted them. Doesn’t quite work that way.
Though I think I read somewhere that in a particular Asian country that if you are over 100 you can cross the street anywhere you want!
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My mother’s has been harnessing her very naughty inner two year old for a while now. But where she learned some of the language she’s come out with, I really don’t know. Fortunately her carers are the toughest of sweet angels.
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Sweet angels are what our elders need when we can’t be there. 😀
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Beautifully Written !!
Prashasti Patel
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Thanks very much, Prashastii 🙂
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