Why the act of breathing is a profound gift

Six years ago, before my myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis, I decided that I wanted to be more focused and intentional. To assist with this, I bought an app for my Apple Watch that reminds me every two hours to pause and spend a minute focusing on my breath. During this time, I try to identify anxieties, overthinking, and other similar things. I then put them into perspective by reflecting on my many blessings and other positive things that outweigh any negative aspects of the moment. I believe this process now helps me cope with the many challenges that accompany life with MG.

Most people rarely give a thought to the simple act of breathing, which happens automatically. But for those of us living with MG, breath is precious. We are always aware that at any moment, that fragile next breath may become a battle for survival. In these moments, we begin to understand that breath is not only a necessity of life but also a profound gift.

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Here’s to Breathing Easier, Eventually

MG interferes with communication between nerves and muscles, weakening the diaphragm and chest muscles that support breathing. This can cause a myasthenic crisis, a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment. Unmanaged breathing issues may require hospitalization and mechanical ventilation.

These warnings aren’t abstract. I’m constantly aware that at any moment, shortness of breath may turn into something life-threatening. Sometimes both inhaling and exhaling require focused effort. Machines and medications can help, but ultimately, being aware of the issue falls on us patients.

Our breath isn’t guaranteed, so each one must be treasured. I’ve learned to be grateful for the slow, steady rhythm of a morning’s first breaths, the sigh of relief when shortness of breath passes, and sleep that signals rest and renewal.

Life’s persistence

Breath has long had deep spiritual significance. The Book of Genesis tells us that God “breathed into [man’s] nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” The very act of breathing, then, is connected with divine creation and human identity. Writers and poets have echoed this truth. In his poem “Song of Myself,” Walt Whitman wrote, “The smallest sprout shows there is really no death, … and to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.” His words remind us that breath symbolizes life’s persistence, even in fragility.

In illness, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Breathing becomes a source of awe. Each inhalation is a reminder of resilience. Each exhalation is a testimony of endurance. Novelist Anne Lamott wrote that “gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior.” For the MG community, gratitude for breath is not sentimental. It is survival. It reminds us that our bodies, though challenged, develop survival skills that others who don’t have MG don’t need.

Breath is sacred. Each exhalation mirrors the incense burned in the ancient Jewish temples. Christian churches eventually incorporated the burning of incense into their services. Both religious traditions see the burning of incense as the breath of the individual rising to the divine, accompanied by our prayers.

For those of us with MG, each breath is fragile. With each inhalation and exhalation, we send our intention to grow stronger and to survive up into the atmosphere like incense. Breathing, for us, is an act of hope. May we treasure it as the gift it truly is.

Life begins with our first breath and ends with our last. This is why moments of difficulty breathing are so threatening. We are acutely aware that the next breath may actually be the last.

May our last breath be drawn in the presence of loved ones, peacefully, having lived many years, and content in knowing that our lives made a difference to others. I hope that when I draw my last breath, MG will exist only in the history books. I hope you have many more deep breaths yet to come.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.