This morning I was walking down the street. While passing a young boy and his father, the little one uttered: “I got my hopes up so we have to go.”, in such a matter of fact tone that the unemotional exclamation point of the remark struck me soundly.

He knew. He knew how simple it is to set a course and take action. How simple it is! Someone had told him something about hopes, and getting them up or not, at some point in his young life. His interpretation was spot on.

We won’t know whether or not that came true for him, but when we isolate that comment we can take a lot for ourselves. How often do we actually get our hopes up anymore? Do we dare to dream, to create, to take action based on something we have set our sights on. Of course, sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t.  There are many variables that enter the decision-BUT-maybe we should listen to our intuition. Maybe we should listen to the creative insight or plan the way we did when WE were 4. Someone definitely told me about getting my hopes up. Many of us heard: “Don’t get your hopes up….”. This young boy had it right. If you get your hopes up it has to happen. He had decided- he knew on some level that when we aim and hope we had better take heed. He knew that action is possible and we are at the helm. We are powerful creatures. Reach out and Hope!

Listen to this great TED TALK:http://www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak.html As Adora Svitak says- we should listen to kids. Let’s include the kid in ourselves!

Breathing has become a metaphor for moving forward in life; for releasing old patterns; for redirecting our attention; for becoming mindful; for increasing our health; for taking a moment before responding. This very important primal function is now a code word for increased well-being. The simple act of taking a breath keeps us alive- it is the spring from which we metaphorically drink. We have learned that the kind of breath we take can make a difference in the level of stress we hold; how energized we feel; how aptly we are able to be in the present moment and how we navigate various life situations.

We often want to participate in activities that increase our physical and mental health. We often find ourselves in the catch 22 of resistance vs. what we know would enhance our lives. Who knew it could be so simple to enhance something we already do and reap the benefit of cleansing our system while allowing gifts from within to arise.

Transformational Breathwork is one form of assisted and independent breathing that teaches us how to clear our systems of unwanted stress and toxins. While we are doing this breathing trapped emotion is allowed release, simply through the breath. Sometimes insights arise; feelings of well-being; clarity about what needs attention next; or simply a richness of energy that one hasn’t felt before, or in a very long time.

Often there is a desire to do something with what has arisen. I know I have felt a variety of ways during and after a transformational breath session. Sometimes the breath has done all the work. Sometimes I have had a desire to explore the thoughts or feelings that have emerged to integrate this next layer of consciousness in a more concrete way into my everyday life.  Doing so has expanded my experience of the breath.

The workshop I am offering with Lauren Chelec Cafritz on January 28 called “Breath and Insight” is the beautiful blend of these two forms- Transformational Breathwork and Inspired Choices Coaching. Bringing conscious and inspired choice to the way we live our lives allows us to choose our internal environment.  Breath and choice eventually bring us to joy and freedom.

My heart is touched everyday when I see babies and toddlers in strollers being pushed by what appear to be well-meaning, good-hearted nannies and sometimes moms or dads. Their heads are pointed down at a screen. They are walking past interesting animals, trees people buildings but the only conversation is with the person on the other end of the phone or on the screen.

We are all tempted moment by moment to see who emailed; look at the text; play the game; check the news. Even our young children are looking at screens a good bit of the time.

Babies are learning every second but they may not be learning from us, or the people we hire to be our surrogates while we are at work or are unable to be with our children for periods of time.

There is a special bond that every child needs that has to do with eye contact, touch, hearing the sound of their caregivers’ voice in conversation with them. Being engaged by a consistent caregiver is one of the fundamental ways that babies and young children form an attachment, learn how to be relational, and understand the pauses and responses in conversational language.

Language development begins at birth. We name colors, shapes, moods, foods, etc., etc. When we are out in the world with our babies, toddlers, and young children, they are seeing everything with fresh eyes.  When we choose to see with them we have the exciting opportunity to see things anew as well. Relating to our children about what is around helps them to identify what we collectively see and know; helps us become relational beings; creates joy in seeing and knowing. When we take the human connection out of the learning we lose relationship and connection.

Language development has its roots in eye contact and communication of facial features as well as sounds and words. Literacy and creative thinking all stem from the connection of the voice, word, and image. Talking with babies about the bird singing in the tree or the car stopping at the light gives them information. Seeing how the world is relational helps creative and logical thinking.

It is not just about babies. We as a society are at risk for the loss of a fundamental element of communication and interaction. We send the quick email rather than pick up the phone; we IM instead of having a face to face conversation. We carry on long conversations without the sound of a voice, facial interaction, or recognition of real-time facial expression. Thank goodness for Skype!

Don’t get me wrong … I love my technology! … but I also love our babies, our future,  and our relational selves. A little face to face goes a long way.