Breathing Room
Breathing Room by Tiffany Ward
Inhale, exhale. I noted the smell of salt in the air as I breathed deeply. I breathed in again, deeper this time. I paused, and then I exhaled slowly. The sound of the waves rising and falling on the shoreline lulled me to sleep. I laid on a sturdy lounge chair with white lattice backing, lathered in sunscreen. The warmth of the sun on my pale skin was comforting and cleansed my soul. The taste of a mint mojito lingered on my lips and encouraged no sense of time. Relaxed was an understatement for the feelings that ensued; I felt euphoric. I breathed deeply, opened my eyes, and surveyed the ocean with its contrasting colors of crystal blue waters and sea foam green bubbles. The early afternoon sun was high and the cloudless sky a brilliant blue made the waters even more reflective. I readjusted the wide nautical striped burlap pillow under my head and I noticed Romando, the beach attendant, headed my way. As he approached, I smiled encouragingly. “Hola Senorita,” he says in his foreign tongue. “Another Mojito?” I smiled and declined politely. As I recall this sensational vacation experience that I took with Phillip in 2016, I noted it was there on the beach that I learned the personal importance and gifts God gives through sunshine, healthy self-care practices, and no sense of time. Meaning, being fully present to the moment.
Far back into my childhood, I can remember the thrilling sensation of the sunshine on my skin. Especially on my face. The sun’s warmth radiated through me, cheered my spirits and elicited happiness. Nature, in all its beauty, has had a constant voice in bringing me to my senses. A bird’s song, the rush of wind through my hair, and the smell of lilacs and honeysuckle bushes, all have a fond place in my memories. The same peaceful feeling enraptured me on the beach that day. The day started with my husband and me racing to the beach to catch the sun as it rose over the sparkling water. We were not disappointed in the least. I am someone who looks for constants amidst the changes of life to feel secure. No matter where I have been, the sun has risen and set.
On the sandy white beach of Mexico, I had a real taste of self-care. Self-care is any activity we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although, it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something very often overlooked and misunderstood. This idea was not impressed upon me during childhood but rather a learned practice. I was a young bride, married to my childhood sweetheart at eighteen. Then, some years later, I had become a nurturing mother, inexperienced business owner, and an active member of our church community. Immature and naïve, busy, stressed, and overwhelmed, I navigated the tumultuous ocean of life with its unexpected waves and frequent changes. I was not at peace. I was a hard worker who experienced burnout and thought the way I was living was the way everyone lived. To my delight and surprise, on the shoreline of Mexico, I discovered there was a better way to live. It started with making a conscious decision to properly care for myself then and every day to come. Self-care to me also includes a spiritual approach. Partnering with the Lord in this endeavor, as John 15:4-5 reminds us that abiding in Him is essential, because nothing apart from Him is fruitful.
Practicing present time is also a difficult endeavor; we are trained to live in the busy and the hurry from youth. Having no sense of time is hard for someone like me, who is so used to planning everything. I have had to learn that life doesn’t go as planned. In the past, I have defined comfort and security in the black and white decisions of day to day. More recently, I’ve focused on being present and doing only one thing at a time. I practice this with my husband, with our family, and on my own. Looking back, we enjoyed every moment in Mexico. We lost ourselves to the sound of waves lapping the shoreline and the smell of salty air, as we received massages in a straw roofed bungalow. We snorkeled, paddle boarded, ate flavorful foods by candlelight, and salsa danced on the beach. I napped in a hammock, waded in the water, and took long walks.
I took a vacation that changed my perspective about life. The over-planned, overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and burned out feeling was a terrible way to live. Now, I take breaks from my reality, step outside, look skyward and breathe deeply. I have learned it is important to “smell the roses” and to lose myself to my senses as well as the passing time. I have embraced a newfound belief in the quality care God gives to us through sunshine, self-care, and no sense of time.
My soul feels confident in the presence of God! This can be experienced anywhere. I often feel I can’t get enough time with God. I enjoy the feeling and awareness of His presence in my life. Whether that is in the mundane of everyday life, or standing on a beachfront staring into the horizon. The renewed hope I have in Him and comfort I experience everyday even in this broken world is wonderful! I want that for you too. In the book of Matthew 11:28, Jesus’ invitation to "come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" highlights the importance of seeking refuge and rejuvenation. It leads me to ask, when was the last time you had breathing room? What are you doing to slow down and take your time? Do you practice the gift of self-care?
— Be Treasured