A Deep Breath.....

It's early morning and Chief Still Waters and I are seated on the sand with a small bonfire in front of us. We huddle under an Indian blanket to stay warm and lean towards the fire. The sun is not yet up and I wonder why I am here at the waters edge this morning....

"Close your eyes and take a deep breath my child" he says

I close my eyes and breathe deeply of the salt air mixed with the smell of burning wood. I feel a peace come over me.

"You have not done this for a while" he murmurs

"You're right" I say "Life has become stressful again and full of ups and downs that I am having trouble dealing with"

"Keep your eyes closed....breathe deeply again.....feel everything melt away"

I do this and I feel free....free to let go of the things that I can't seem to control right now. People that have hurt me of late....disappointment in the way things are going....the stress of not knowing. I love this feeling of freedom.

"Why don't I do this more often"? I ask

"You are bombarded all day long with the world. Their problems, the news, even though you don't watch the news you still hear about it. The internet...the constant barrage of things out of your control. No wonder you feel your life is out of control. Now take that back and fix it. You can do this..you have done it before...many times. One would say you are a Master at it" he chuckles.

I think about this and he is right. I've been through quite a bit in my life. And here I still am....ready for the next chapter.

"Open your eyes now...you don't want to miss this beautiful sunrise"

I slowly open my eyes and see the horizon turning a sweet orange, pink, yellow.....I sigh. Yes, this is what life is supposed to feel like. These are the small joys that bring us peace. This I must hold onto.

He pulls me closer and our cheeks meet. This is heaven......