I've recently returned from a trip to Poland, where we were facing the cold in very new and different ways. On the trip we had to climb two mountains wearing simply shorts and a bra. The first mountain taught me a lot and helped me to prepare for the second mountain. Mount Snezka and I've just been reflecting on what that mountain taught me.

I made a decision on this climb - time was irrelevant, it didn’t matter how long it was going to take, I had no control over that. It was going to take as long as it was going to take. All I could do was control my internal state, and the only way I could do that was to focus on my breath, my long slow exhale. So, one breath at a time, one step at a time, I walked with my tribe up the mountain, wearing barely any clothes. I didn’t feel cold, in fact, I had one of the best walks of my life, I was the most present I have been in a long time, and it was a really enjoyable experience for me.

When we hit the top, and were exposed to 80kmph winds in -12 degrees, that was certainly a challenge and not quite as enjoyable!! But we made it back down alive and well.

On that walk I had so much time with myself, my breath, my thoughts, time to take in my surroundings, time to reflect on many things, and it really made me realise….

Connection is at the heart of life itself.

Connection to your breath, bringing you connection to your internal world, your internal state. Connection to your outside world, to nature. Connection to the people around you, your loved ones, strangers.

When we truly connect to our breath, we connect internally, when we get to our core, when we accept the darkness and embrace the light, when we surrender to being who we are in this lifetime, we truly start to live, and are able to live a life on purpose.

When we connect to the outside world, and marvel at the beauty of nature, the elements, if the sun shines on us or when the cold wind howls around us, if we learn to lean in to both, accept both, love what both bring us, what they show and teach us, we have the ability to see the beauty in the good and the bad, in the every day.

When we connect to those around us, our loved ones, when we truly take the time to be with them, to absorb them, their beautiful eyes, the way they talk and laugh, their touch when they embrace us, the way they smell so familiar, how they make us feel inside, when our hearts connect we get to share on a deep level.

When we connect to strangers, when we are willing to be vulnerable, to share, we are shown the beauty of humanity, the kindness that surrounds us everywhere. We are shown the reality that we all have our own journey, but we are all often treading a similar path, just a different route. When we come together for shared experience, a shared route, although we are on the same path and we can have a collective experience, it comes with so many different perspectives, so many different solo experiences. Whatever route we take, once connected, we are always a tribe, and with that connection brings love. And that love glows around the World even when we are apart.

For me therefore, connection is at the heart of everything, and leaves me with so much hope for all. As more and more connections are made that glow will out shadow any darkness. Love always wins.

Connect to your breath, connect to your core, connect to nature, connect to your loved ones, connect to strangers and let’s shine the light of connection as bright as the sun. All the love, all the power.

Remember it all starts with a breath.

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