Inspiration

inspiration(n.)

c. 1300, "immediate influence of God or a god," especially that under which the holy books were written, from Old French inspiracion "inhaling, breathing in; inspiration" (13c.), from Late Latin inspirationem (nominative inspiratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin inspirare "blow into, breathe upon," figuratively "inspire, excite, inflame," from in-"in" (from PIE root *en "in") + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)). ,

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. [Genesis ii.7]

spirit(n.)

mid-13c., "life, the animating or vital principle in man and animals," from Anglo-French spirit, Old French espirit "spirit, soul" (12c., Modern French esprit) and directly from Latin spiritus "a breathing (of respiration, also of the wind), breath;" also "breath of a god," hence "inspiration; breath of life," hence life itself.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/inspiration

Have you ever considered the connection between an inhale and an inspiration?

An in inhale is an inspiration, right?

How about the connection between inspiration and spirit?

Inspiration is from and for the Spirit, right?

Can we conclude then that an inhalation is breathing in inspiration from the Spirit?

I’ve been breathing through a lot of things and sometimes pausing to reflect on the inspiration through those breaths.

I’m glad God put me on a path that included practicing belly breathing in yoga, mountain breathing in my classroom, and counting breathing to manage anxiety.

Over the past few weeks I’ve breathed through a lot… IV pokes, blood pressure readings, bedtime tantrums, tummy aches, soreness, exercises. I’ve also breathed through extra long before school morning hugs, catch up sessions with dear friends, yoga poses, and prayer.

I’ve struggled with some uncertainty as I’ve been healing from the port placement. Pain and discomfort make me nervous. I don’t know how much I should act or not act, rest or not rest, based on pain. I often don’t know the source of the pain… for example does my rib cage hurt due to radiating pain from the port, a chemo side effect, fluid around my heart, cancer in my bones, or two much yoga the day before… ? No one knows. So I take some breaths and focus on what’s working. I’ve started to use this mantra:

My lungs can breathe, my heart can beat, my mind can think, and I can eat… so keep breathing, keep living.

‘My lungs can breathe’ is first because a complete breath is first. In that inhale is inSpiration, is the Spirit and life.

Life has been good over the course of this last round of chemo. We’ve had great company and additional support this week and will next week as well. Chandler’s mom was here last week. I am so blessed to have a mother in law whose love language is doing dishes and laundry… oh and shopping :) She also wanted to watch the boys while chandler and I celebrated our anniversary! I’m equally blessed that Chandler’s dad and Ellen come at the end of this week to celebrate chandler well on his birthday and entertain and love on the boys.

So much will happen in the next week, chemo will be able to continue as scheduled on Friday (tomorrow). Chandler’s birthday is on soccer Saturday. IV Hydration will be on Sunday. Monday is my PET scan, Wednesday is our Doc apt to discuss the results. Friday is mine and my mom’s birthday and my aunt Holly will be coming to town. It’s birthday season on the Buchanan branch of the family, my niece and nephew are also celebrating birthdays in Nashville.

Breathing through it all = inspiration!

Pray with me as I breathe for…. Inspiration to be confident in the moment. Inspiration while passing to the other side of uncomfortable situations. Inspiration through the waves of big emotions in our family. Inspiration to purposely celebrate each precious trip around the sun.