This One Breath Changed Everything
A Story About Pain, Presence, and the Gift of Being Fully Here
“Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.”
– Thích Nhất Hạnh
There’s a reason that quote has been quietly echoing around yoga studios, meditation halls, and stretch mats for years. It’s not just poetic, it’s a powerful shift in how we experience life.
And if you’re anything like me, you didn’t stumble into mindfulness because life was calm and easy. Nah, you got here because things were loud.
For me? I was in pain.
Surgeries were stacking up like junk mail.
Peggy and I were searching for something that felt like healing.
We didn’t find it in a pill or a plan.
We found it in a breath.
The Day I Learned to Arrive
Years ago, at a quiet studio in North Carolina, a yoga instructor asked us to hold downward dog for ten minutes.
Ten.
Minutes.
I thought, “This has to be a mistake. A punishment, maybe?”
But no… it was an invitation.
The first 60 seconds were all protest:
My wrists! My shoulders! My ego!
But something wild happened after a few deep breaths:
I arrived.
I wasn’t thinking about dinner. Or clients. Or my aching back.
I was just breathing.
And suddenly, it wasn’t punishment.
It was presence.
That’s when the words of Thích Nhất Hạnh would’ve made sense:
“Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.”
Where the Breath Leads, the Mind Follows
You can’t breathe yesterday.
You can’t breathe tomorrow.
Only this breath. Right now.
That’s why your breath is more than a tool, it’s a home base.
A built-in GPS that keeps you from drifting too far from yourself.
When life gets messy—and it will—try this:
1. Inhale: Say in your mind, “Only this moment.”
2. Exhale: Say, “It’s wonderful.”
Even if it’s not perfect. Even if it’s hard.
That breath? It’s still yours.
And that makes it beautiful.
Why This Matters at Any Age
When you’re young, the future pulls you.
When you’re older, the past tries to tug you back.
But healing, strength, and joy?
They live in the now.
That’s what we teach at RiversZen.
Every class, every stretch, every movement—it’s about reconnecting to your own power, one breath at a time.
So… Want to Feel Better Today?
Take 30 seconds right now:
Sit still.
Close your eyes.
Breathe in and think, “Only this moment.”
Breathe out and whisper, “It’s wonderful.”
No need to fix anything.
No need to figure it all out.
Just be here.
Because here is where your life is happening.
If this hit home, subscribe, share it, like it, and leave a comment so more people find it. What we share is for informational and educational purposes only… It is not medical advice… we’re not doctors. We’re just sharing what’s worked for us and thousands of others. Be sure and always check with your healthcare team before making changes.