I once heard David Swenson say that smoking would be a pretty healthy habit if it weren’t for all the smoke. I mean, think about it. Smokers take breaks, go outside, and for a few minutes focus on breathing. This was during a workshop I took with him several years ago, and I remember thinking to myself how completely funny it would be to start taking “smoke breaks” a few times a day–without the cigarettes, of course. When, I remembered that right outside of my office building there would be actual smokers taking real smoke breaks and the idea quickly lost all of its appeal.

I was reminded of this yesterday when I found myself at home, working up to the very last second on a writing deadline. I’m a work-from-home mom, so my strategy during these times is to keep my daughter engaged in activities so I can type-type-type… I decided I’d take my computer to the backyard to let her play while I worked. The problem with this set up, of course, is that there are too many distractions (and, as I’ve mentioned, I’m already a procrastinator–I’m learning to accept that!), so when my daughter came running up to me with a purple tube of bubbles in her hand and those sweet, hopeful eyes and said, “Bubbles, Mommy? BUBBLES!?” I thought, What the heck? I can finish this article later.  

Photo by Flickr user Stephen Dann

She watched wide-eyed as I carefully dipped the wand in the soap. I pulled it out, making sure an iridescent film covered the little circle opening. I filled my lungs. Then, slowly, carefully, and with control I breathed out one smooth breath.

“BUBBLES!! I catch them, Mommy! LOOK! A BIG one!”

Bubbles never disappoint. And it’s hard not to be completely blown away (pun intended) by witnessing toddler’s unwavering excitement at the simplest things in life. (Deadline, schmedline… Do you see all those colors?!)

After a few minutes, I realized this feeling wasn’t much different that those few moments at the beginning of every yoga session when I sit quietly to check in and notice my breath. In. Out. In. Out. Blowing bubbles is pranayama. It’s a smoke break without the smoke.

I had skipped my practice yesterday–Deadline!!–but, thanks to my daughter, I was able to squeeze in a little pranayama, practice contentment, and remember that what really matters in life isn’t necessarily what we accomplish, but how we experience it.