If there is one thing you do, 

remember to breathe. 

Breath it all in, suck in everything

(everything) that you can. 

Inhale the freshness around you

And taste the flavor of laughter

(and, if you can, compassion).

In breathing, you can’t discriminate;

You take in the bad air along with the good. 

So breathe in the pain, as well:

the anger

the tears

the betrayals.

Breathe all of it in, and savor them as well – 

because they balance 

and deepen

all of the good. 

Breathe until your chest is bursting

and then exhale – let it go – but –

keep the memories that came with the breath.

Every breath is an affirmation

of your will

to experience and to see. 

Breathe: be it in deep calm sighs, 

or short sobbing gasps.

But breathe. 

– 2002