Breath-taking
Moments that take your breath away
Pause.
Take 10 seconds to yourself right now — breath deeply. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel your belly rise and fall with your breath.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
-Maya Angelou
Polynesian cultures believe in honoring “the breath of life” and have traditional greetings involving variations of pressing foreheads and inhaling deeply — connecting your life-giving breath with the person you are greeting. This gesture, known as honi, is considered an honor to share with another person and is a sharing of your mana, or power.
We value so many things in our lives, but our very breath may be the most important of all. We can go without food, or water, or shelter, or material things for many days, but even the world record holder can only go without a breath for 22 minutes. Most of us can’t last a full minute without a breath.
The moments that take our breath away then must be very special.
Breath-taking moments
When was the last time you saw something, heard something, or did something that took your breath away?
Maybe it was an unexpected kiss; maybe it was the sheer power of the tallest waterfall you’ve ever seen; maybe it was seeing your baby for the first time; or maybe your breath was snatched from you as you jet-boated down a braided river. Whatever it was, do you remember it?
I’ve had my breath taken away seeing the impossibly dark sand of the Sahara desert with the milky way and thousands of stars shining like diamonds above. I’ve caught myself holding my breath as I watch the sun sink into the ocean casting the sky and waves in vivid purples, oranges, and pinks. I change my breath to deeply inhale the glorious aroma of my steaming cup of rich, Belgian hot chocolate. Mmmm…
Breath control
When we get scared, our natural response is to gasp (which prepares your body for its natural fight or flight response); when we are content and relaxed, our breathing becomes slower and deeper. Several recent studies have discovered that the rhythm of our breathing creates electrical activity in our brains that can actually enhance our emotions and our memory. But cultures and people all around the world have known the importance of breath for centuries.
Buddhists and Hindus have used meditation and deliberate breath control to change how they feel and interact with the world since 2300B.C.E. Breath control can quell stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and generally relax a person.
Yet, even with all that importance, some things will always take our breath away.
Moments that will burn in your memory often take your breath away. It might be the moment you saw land after spending 11 days at sea; the moment you realized your tiny boat was surrounded by crocodiles; or completely forgetting how to breathe when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.
The moments don’t have to be extravagant, but they are the ones that you remember when you tell your story. Whether it’s toasting to your love at the top of the Eiffel Tower, a kiss in a beautiful city, or an incredible conversation with your best friend at your favorite coffee shop, the moments where our life-sustaining breath is altered are the ones we will never forget.
So, when was the last time a moment took your breath away?
Leana’s an avid world traveler who has been to over 40 countries and will be venturing to her 7th continent in 2022. She believes in ubuntu and that adventures make life worth living. To follow her journey as a plus-sized woman with unquenchable wanderlust as she continues to seek out all that the world has to offer, you can check out The Overweight Adventurer.
