Stop and Breathe

At the top of the
list of
things
we
take
for
granted
is the number
of breaths going
in and out each day.

The authorities say
we breathe
between
17,000
and
24,000 breaths
per day (15 per minute).

As you sit there
reading this
little
post
right now
right there
in your
chair
stop
for a
minute
and
count
how
many
times the
air goes in
and
out.

Then close your eyes
for a minute or two
and slow down
your breathing and
feel
the way the cool air
passes through your
nostrils and fills your
whole chest cavity.

What a wonder it is
that we have
something
called
breathing
in order to live.