It’s a journey. Not a competition. Not a race. Not a destination. All those clichés.

I have to tell myself that every day.

I am not sure when anxiety became a problem for me. I don’t have a defining moment when I thought…”wow…I’m having an anxiety attack”.  It just happens.  Now though, I am just more aware of it. I am aware of it because I have two little, gorgeous, impressionable, sponge-like human beings who watch my every move. Even when I don’t think they do. I don’t want them to be like me. I don’t want them to feel overwhelmed just by taking on the day. Which I do sometimes. I can’t explain it.

So when that little nagging in the pit of my stomach starts to grow and take over my insides like a balloon filling up, I have to breathe. I have to try to stop, recognize what is happening and breathe through it. I’m having a morning like that right now. There is nothing unusual about today. It’s Sunday. Kids are up. Spouse is busy with her load of things to do. I have school work due, deadlines to meet, Legos to play with, meals to make, baths to give. Just the everyday things.

A friend introduced me to John Meredith in December 2012. It was a meeting that in many ways has changed my life. I spend a lot of time with John each week practicing yoga. Inevitably my competitive spirit always creeps into our hours and I end up being my own worst enemy. John brings me back with the simple…”Remember to breathe”.

It’s good advice. I tell myself it will get done. All of it. I just have to breathe.