Breathing; it’s the thing we do every second of every day; day in and day out. Most often our breath happens without giving any thought to it, unless we are “out of it” or need to “catch it” or if some circumstance “takes it away.” Some of us take time during the day to notice our breath, focus on it, and use it to calm us and to help nourish our bodies and souls.
Breath, of course, is vital to life itself, but also to our experience of life; our enthusiasm and our passion. Our first act as we enter this world is inspiration. The last thing we do as we leave this world is expiration. Our lives from beginning to end are marked by breath. Testprep101.com tells us that the root-word “spire” comes from the Latin word spirare, meaning breath or to breathe. It is interesting to think about some of the words we use with the root-word “spire”: inspire, respire, conspire.
What does this have to do with coupling? By coupling I mean to come together with another person to become a couple. Rather than separate individuals, two entities unite to become one – a couple.
How do we recognize the person who is right for us? How do we find and choose the significant one with whom we can share our self, and our life experience?
Imagine breath as a metaphor in a relationship. Just as breath is vital to our living cells, does the relationship breathe life into your day-to-day sense of well-being, happiness, mental clarity? Does this person inspire you to be the best you can be; at home, at work, in all that you choose to do? And can this relationship continue to animate and motivate or respire, even in the face of challenging situations?
Perhaps even more compelling is the idea of conspiring. The word conspire has the connotation of a secret plot to do something harmful. But the actual meaning of the two words con and spire mean with breath. It means to breathe with someone and to act in harmony with someone. What a lovely image for coupling.
Being in a coupled relationship is very much like our breath. We are in it, day in and day out. We can choose to ignore it and just allow it to putter along shallowly. Or we can pay attention to it; notice it, appreciate it, focus on it, and connect to it; appreciating its worth in vitalizing ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. Whether you are in search of that special person or have already discovered your significant one, remember your breath; inspire, respire, conspire.