Making moments
Presence and planning and breathing
At the time of writing this, I have recently been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Now, this is something fairly common (hence why it is “generalized”) but a lot of people just power through life.
For myself, I realized that it made a lot of things click into place. Nothing magically changed just because I had a diagnosis…
…but something changed in me.
What I thought was me being ADHD and fidgeting a lot was because it is how my body was responding to stressors.
Tapping fingers.
Wiggling toes.
Shaking legs.
I understand now that my body is trying to externalize something internal.
And my behavioral psychologist told me to practice breathing.
So I breathe in for 4 seconds…and out for 4 seconds. Again. Again. Again.
And when I come to pray, especially before I start my day off with praying The Lord’s Prayer, I do exactly this. In for 4, out for 4. Again. Again. Again.
And I’ve found that it centers me in that moment, does something to my brain, that helps me enjoy those few seconds while I recite The Lord’s Prayer.
Taking time to just exist in prayer is a magical experience. And, even when I don’t feel God responding through beams of light and thunderclaps, I feel the presence of the Spirit in that moment.
My prayer for today
Our Father, help us to exist in your presence, one moment at a time. When life gets crazy, help us to find your presence and rest in the peace you offer. Amen.
Remember
Take time to breathe and pray. Even if it’s for 30 seconds, just try to really focus on the words of your prayer and the breath of life in your lungs.