There is something so incredibly grounding about the rhythm of our own breathing. When Sylvia Plath wrote about listening to the old brag of her heart, she wasn't just talking about a heartbeat; she was talking about the undeniable, persistent proof of our own existence. To say 'I am, I am, I am' is to acknowledge that despite the chaos, the noise, and the heavy moments of life, your core remains. It is a quiet, rhythmic celebration of being alive, even when you don't feel particularly brave or strong.
In our busy, modern lives, we often get so caught up in what we are doing, what we are achieving, or what we are failing at that we completely forget the simple miracle of just being. We spend our days checking off lists and responding to notifications, losing touch with the steady pulse beneath it all. We start to define ourselves by our productivity rather than our presence. It is easy to feel like a ghost in your own life, drifting through tasks without ever truly inhabiting your own skin.
I remember a Tuesday not too long ago when everything felt like it was falling apart. I had spilled my tea, missed a deadline, and felt a heavy cloud of anxiety settling over my shoulders. I sat on my small wooden stool, feeling quite small and overwhelmed. But then, I forced myself to stop. I closed my eyes and simply focused on the rise and fall of my chest. I listened to that steady, thumping beat in my chest. In that stillness, I realized that even though the day was messy, my heart was still performing its beautiful, ancient duty. It was reminding me that I was still here, still whole, and still capable of starting again.
We all need those moments to retreat into our own internal sanctuary. When the world feels too loud, you don't always need to find an answer or a solution; sometimes, you just need to find your breath. You need to reconnect with that fundamental truth that your existence is enough, regardless of your accomplishments.
Next time you feel lost in the whirlwind of your thoughts, I invite you to pause. Place a hand over your heart, take a slow, deep breath, and just listen. Let that rhythmic beat remind you of your strength and your presence. Take a moment to simply acknowledge your own beautiful, persistent 'I am.'