Our lives begin and end in breath.
From the first gasp of air we breathe in
to the last gasping breath out,
each of our lives is defined by breathing.
Each movement, each thought
is fueled by our breath.
The blood that flows through our veins,
the neurons that fire in our brains,
depend largely on just this:
breathing in and breathing out.
Let us pause for a moment of quiet
to focus on our breathing,
to appreciate it and to be aware
as we breathe in and breathe out.
May our breathing fuel not just our actions
but also our visions and our dreams.
May our breathing connect us to all others
who breathe, who live, who hope and yearn.
And may each breath bring us closer
to the peace and love
we long to bring into being
now and always. Amen.
