Five Seconds of Love

I’m working with a couple who, like too many others these days, worship the god, Stress.

They believe (because they are believers) that there is no choice. They work, raise their new son, and “do” their life, one task after another, until they finally arrive at the promised land: exhaustion.

Once there, they (finally) can advocate (a little) for themselves, and they do so in the prescribed way, they get angry at their spouse for not doing enough.

Then they come to me to mediate the “problem” they are having with their spouse.

Marriage is a sacrament and should be treated sacredly. Elise and I developed a morning prayer. Whichever of us awakens first, as soon as the other stirs awake, we start the process by saying: “Take a deep breath.” The two of us breathe together - the first breath of the day.

Then we say, “Our breath blesses this day.” Another breath.

This five second ritual starts the day in blessing, in gratitude, in sacredness and in togetherness.

Of course, you probably don’t have time to do this with your spouse. There’s just so much to do!