The nineteenth-century French psychologist Pierre Janet said, “Traumatic stress is an illness of not being able to be fully alive in the present.” The truth is that most of us are not able to be fully present and fully alive in the present moment. Thus, it is an invaluable help to be able to recognize that, “This is an in-breath. This is an out-breath” and to rest in the breath, “Breathing in, I am aware that I am still alive. Breathing out, I smile to life.” Or we can affectionately say, “Hello dear me. I know I am still here, and I am thankful.”
