Kari’s feet on a kayak in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Photo taken 5/16/16.
Several months ago, Gary came to my hospital complaining of weakness. Gary was 72 years old, so weakness was a pretty common complaint in his age population. While lying in bed, Gary told me that this morning he could not move his feet. Since then, the weakness has gotten progressively worse and traveled up both his legs. At presentation, Gary said that he could not even lift either of his arms or legs. I lifted up one of his legs, and let it go. The leg dropped like a dead weight. In addition, Gary said he recently got over a cold. Gary also told me he had a similar illness over ten years ago. He said at the time he was hospitalized for 3 weeks with over 10 days connected to a breathing machine. Essentially, what he had ten years ago was the same as what he had at presentation.
Gary had Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a progressive autoimmune disease that affects the motor neurons in your body. Like I mentioned here, an autoimmune disease is a malfunction of your body’s defense mechanism. In GBS, your body’s defense system attacks only the nerves that control your muscles. It classically presents as a progressive paralysis starting at your feet and works its way up to your head. If left untreated, GBS kills you by paralyzing your breathing muscles – essentially choking you to death.
Gary was quickly admitted, and I transferred him to the intensive care unit. He eventually had to be connected to a breathing machine for 7 days. Luckily, he survived thanks to the prompt care he received. Just imagine if all of a sudden you lost your ability to breathe. What a scary thing, indeed.
Taking breathing for granted.
I feel that most people, including myself, take the act of breathing for granted. Breathing is so automatic. Most of the time we don’t even know we are breathing. Even when we sleep, we don’t have to actively think about breathing. It’s a natural reflex for us to breathe. Neurologists even consider that losing the ability to breathe as one of the criteria for brain death.
Every morning, we wake up breathing. We have a new 24 hours to live our lives. We have the choice to get up out of bed to start our day. Or we can choose to lie in bed those 5 extra minutes embraced by the warmth of our blanket. We don’t even have to think about breathing. Air naturally flows in and out of our bodies.
Where is happiness?
Today, people seem to always be doing something. Searching for the next big project. Working at our routine jobs. Surfing the Internet. Scrolling through Facebook. Watching silly puppy YouTube videos. We mindlessly do all these tasks. Consuming information and media without ever putting thought into our actions. We are unhappy, and are in the constant pursuit of happiness.
Happiness is now. It’s this present moment. It’s you as you read these words on this blog post. There’s no need to search for it. Happiness is right now.
I’m not saying we should all just drop what we’re doing and do nothing. Having goals and objectives is what makes us great. What I mean is that if your specific goal is to find happiness, you can stop the search. Happiness is right now. By realizing that fact, I think it offloads a huge unnecessary burden in our lives. We can use all that extra energy on what we want to do.
How to find happiness now!
An easy exercise that you can do is to consciously breathe. Choose to breathe. By making that choice, we can come back to the present moment. Wash away the regret of the past and quell the anxiety of the future. Just for now, choose to be happy. Choose to breathe.
How to do it:
- While breathing in, think to yourself “In”
- While breathing out, think to yourself “Out”
That’s it. It’s really simple. It’s so easy yet it yields such a profound effect. You can do it anytime, day or night. In fact, the more you do it, the more benefits you’ll reap. For example, this study shows that training in mindfulness meditation reduces distress and improves positive mood states.
Do you want to take it a step further?
Thich Nhat Hanh wrote an elegant poem which can be used along with the In/Out strategy:
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment!
Breathing in should feel like drinking a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. It should soothe and ease the soul. By smiling, we use less muscles of our face. We become relaxed. Instead of dwelling in the past or the future, we can dwell in the right here and now. We know where we are. Once we understand that, we see the wonders all around us. Life really is wonderful.
Sunset view in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Photo taken 5/16/16.
For me, I shorten the poem. When I breathe in, I think “calming.” When I breathe out I think “smile.” When I breathe in the second time, I think “present.” When I breathe out the second time I think “wonderful.” Rinse and repeat.
Not too hard huh? Well it shouldn’t be. Being happy should be easy. Like breathing, it should be automatic. Gary was fortunate and regained his ability to breathe. Others with Guillain-Barré Syndrome were not so fortunate. So for now, while we still have the power to breathe on our own, let’s use that power. Choose to breathe. Choose to be happy.
Breathe in… Breathe out… Now leave a comment below!
What a scary thing to happen! While I have a virus that I currently need an inhaler for, I don’t know what I would do if I woke up and couldn’t really breathe. That definitely makes you rethink your worries in life.
Meditation is something I have done off and on. For me, I start with breathing and involve the Lords prayer. I focus on the words, the feeling of my breath and visualization. I’ve actually fallen asleep during it….cat naps = happy right? lol.
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Definitely puts things into perspective. Great way on applying your religious side with the spiritual! And I agree, cat naps are great!
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The in-Out strategy really works. A moment to think about the “Me” in us.
Yes you are 100% correct that Happiness Is NOW & using the strategy everyday …we WON..(inverted word of NOW).
Thank you for your inspiring messsages. Keep them pouring.
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I love the idea that breathing mindfully can help you realize happiness. Great post!
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It’s so simple but it works every time! Thanks!
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I am always nervous that this kind of thing could happen to me. Awful. Mindful breathing is a big part of meditation.
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The whole point that you made about breathing was really good. We do not realize that we do it, but if we stop then……
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Thanks! There’s a lot of fear with the thought of stopping. I think stopping every now and again not only gives us a break but allows us to see things from a different perspective.
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I really need to practice this more!
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You should! Best time probably is… Now!
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What a wonderful post. And touching story about that man.
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Thanks! Yeah he’s a great success story!
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My sister (49 y/o) had Hodgkins at 19 and had massive mantle radiation treatments etc. I see in my industry that radiation em brittles numerous items. In her case her lungs are that way- very hard to expand. She routinely gets pleural effusions now and is today in Dallas seeking a specialist who deals in just that type of disorder.
She has struggled her whole life and now is on oxygen to help her somewhat. The terrible thing is mobility. Insurance will not pay for a portable oxygen concentrator. But you know she still doesn’t let that get her down. She has the brightest spirit of anyone I know. A true role model for me. She always says that when you think you have it bad there is always someone worse off. Enjoy today as tomorrow may not be here.
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Roger
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Your sister must have gone through a lot. I’m glad she’s doing well with such high spirits! Definitely inspirational. Carpe diem. Thanks for always sharing your insightful stories
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Love the poem, and I do try to breath consciously at least once a day
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Thanks and great job!
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great story, thanks for the inspiration!
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Thanks! I’m glad it inspired you
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I love this! Thank you for stressing the importance of simply breathing. I’m trying very hard to be present in my own life lately.
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Thanks!
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Thanks for the knowledge. It was a really thought provoking read! 🙂
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Thanks!
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So love this. Just heard a great speaker on elected happiness and she was sooo good. She talked about how kids laugh 100 times a day and adults less than ten so we have to curate intentional times in our day to laugh. (I have a close connection to GB. Very intense) – Dr. Heather
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Thanks! Now I have 100 more reasons to laugh today!
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Doing slow and controlled breathing works wonders for anxiety!
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That always brings me back to the present moment.
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Wow, I am so glad Gary survived. I can relate to the taking breathing for granted. My father had a stroke many years ago and can no longer speak his mind. He gets random words out but It is a guessing game as to what he really thinks or means. Needless to say he gets very frustrated. I can’t imagine no being able to communicate properly. Many people also take for granted being able to say what you want to say, getting yourself dressed or tying your own shoes. All things my Father can no longer do. The breathing exercise is also good as I suffer daily from anxiety. Great Blog – Great Post 😀 You’ve gained one more follower 🙂 Feel free to check out my blog as well. Thank you for what you do & taking good caring for people!!
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That’s so sad. Stroke patients are always sad stories, mostly because it’s so sudden and the effects are so dramatic. Thanks for following and I’ll check yours out as well!
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