The one you have with you

Many practicing photographers will tell you that the best camera is the one you have with you. The most sophisticated camera in the world is useless if it’s not there to take the shot.

Conversely, for much of my life I didn’t see the point of vacations because what I really needed to get away from was myself — my own nagging thoughts and feelings of emptiness. If anything, I felt better when I kept myself busy and distracted.

This is why learning to work with the breath for focus, for cultivating awareness, and for coming home to ourselves is so useful. It’s free, it’s ours, and it’s with us all the time.

The breath also encourages gentleness for those of us who may not want to come home to ourselves and face what is inside of us. The gentle rhythm of our breathing reminds us that we can take on the challenge of getting to know ourselves one breath at a time, wherever we happen to be.