Book Review: 'Peace Is Every Step' Helped Me Breathe Again
Today I sat beneath the sun to catch a breath of air.
My heart grew calm, a breeze went by and blew between my hair.
Yesterday does not exist.
Tomorrow may not arrive.
Finding peace in every step I take, until I feel alive.
- Kim Quitzon
I wrote this poem after having a minor panic attack and pacing my room from one of my family's regular fights about nothing. I left to the backyard and took a moment to stop and remember how trivial our lives are. And I include this short poem in my book review because it has helped me deal with these situations in a simple way...breathing.
Jhene Aiko recommended Thich Nhat Hanh's books to a young girl with a question on an interview with Big Boy. Suggesting it as a way to deal with difficult times and explained how the books helped with her breathing. After reading Peace is Every Breath and listening to the audiobook Peace is Every Step I felt recentered. Reminded of my short time on earth and how blessed I am to be here healthy.
The book goes through ways on how to meditate on everyday life. Looking at the smallest parts of your daily routine and understanding the privilege you have by possessing things like clean water and food. Although I tend to stray into negative thoughts, this book has helped me refocus my mind every time I wash my hands and eat lunch. By incorporating this thinking into my regular habits, I find myself actively becoming more positive.
These days, I have no time or energy to get stuck in a negative whole. Often overthinking things that don't matter is useless. Instead, I try to use every moment to move towards a bigger dream or just relish in the present, because that is all we truly have.
If you're searching for any type meditative practices or just a different way to look at life, either of these by Thich Nhat Hanh is a must. As he tells through different stories throughout, I'm not going to lie, there are times that feel drawn out. Other than that, I highly recommend this read.
Let me know if you get the book or the audio verson and what you thought about it.
