Ad Breath, November 2023

November is fast bidding us farewell. Can you believe how this year has flown?

When I think of travel I think of coming home. Turning the brass doorknob, pulling open the never-locked half of the heavy double door and walking into my Godmother’s book-filled living room was home for me.

Outside the world was confusing, weird and wild. Inside I was welcome. It was weird inside too, In the best way. I belonged.

Sometimes, opening that door took you into a full-on event. At some point, Ma’am had owned a cat that had destroyed a Christmas tree. Her solution thereafter - suspend the Christmas tree. Her trees, even on seeing, beggared belief. Every year. Every Christmas.

At about this time in November, things moved into high gear.

She’d call Winston Nanan and arrange the expedition. After spending the very very early morning waiting to see the Scarlet Ibis leave the Caroni Swamp those two would select a mangrove. A mangrove tree. Forget pines.

The tree would be secured and brought by boat and then truck, to Woodbrook.

Phase one - check.

Several phases later, the installation would be complete. December in the living room would be an exercise in skirting and ducking a riotous assemblage hanging the length of the space. Tropical Christmas Maximalism.

I am not a “Christmas person.”

I am also not a tall woman and yet, the swags and the lights and the branches always seemed to be at eye height. Immersive does not describe the experience. I sighed, deeply and audibly and often. My Godmother laughed, delighted at the whole.

It might be twenty years since I of my own accord put up a Christmas tree…..

If I get ‘round to it, it’ll probably hang horizontally from the ceiling and pose a hazard to the tall folks I love. My niece and nephews will have questions. I’ll take a breath and tell them stories about my Nen, the inspiration of a tree-wrecking kitten and the art tree installation.

You might not have an inquisitive tree-wrecking kitten in your life.

I’d bet that there is some opportunity for a weirdly outsized outcome - some result/reward/art/expression/achievement folded into a frustrating situation.

As you do this year’s review, and you’re listing doing/making/being the things, meeting targets, serving people, seemingly doing it all and you have some stubborn frustration that allll of your practices haven’t been able to shift - it might be time to Add Breath. 

Breath is a compass.

Add Breath; Live inspired.

Unleash your superpowers - your vision, your leadership, that gift you bring to the world. Create in your gift, joyfully, elevate performance and reduce stress effortlessly by mastering the art of mindful breathing.

There are less than ten spots left in my one-on-one online breathwork coaching. You’ll save over €995. In addition to ten sessions for the price of nine, you get:

• A year’s free access to the Mindset Breath Membership

• Early bird pricing for next year’s in-person retreat

• Free access to every online breath circle for 2024

• Early bird pricing to the Breathwork Essentials for Therapists (BEST) Course

As we navigate the final days of November, May you be safe and welcome.

May there be weird places you belong that welcome you in.

May you make spaces of safety and welcome.

Take some time as the year turns to breathe, slow down and expand into the bendy bits that turn to infinity.

My heart to yours.

_Alyssa