Day 34 - Breathe Bravely Challenge

Finding the beauty in every breath.

As much as I do my best to live in the very moment that is given to me, I can't help but be consumed at times with the deafening pleas for tomorrow that fill my heart. The past few days have been filled with the clamorous sounds of my mind desperately pleading with my body: begging CF to just give me time. I get caught up in thinking and dreaming about the future, but there's a deep pit in my stomach that never seems to go away: a constant reminder grounding me to the realities of CF.

My internal dialogue tirelessly stirring within me: trying to make deals between my body and CF. It can be a mere cough that catches me off guard and reminds me that I am not invincible, waking to a pounding pain in my joints as I crawl out of bed for the first time every morning, or the suffocating humidity that makes me aware of every breath that passes through my lips. They all remind me of how quickly CF can change everything again. I think about how long it has taken me to get to this point again, and how devastatingly fast CF can undermine the life I so desperately love and cling to.

Today, I am doing all I can to quiet my mind and be present in the moment that I have at hand. That's truly all we each are given. I cannot see what CF has in store for me tomorrow, but I do know I must have hope in today to have faith in tomorrow. There are no deals, there are no pleas that can change the cellular make up of my body: I have no control over that, but I do have control over how I live each day grateful for the life I do have. The pleas for another tomorrow will always fill the depths of my heart, but that's just because I so love the life I've been given. I will never be ready to give it up for CF. Breathe bravely today my dearest friends. Love to you all.

Live for today.

Day 33 - Breathe Bravely Challenge

Finding the beauty in every breath.

It happens in a second, but lasts a lifetime and beyond. Memories fade, but the vibrancy of a photo can breathe life back into a moment frozen in time. They resurrect emotion. They awaken the past to be a part of the present and help influence our future.

Reminders

Far too many times I have come to the end of the day and wished I had taken a picture: a way to hold onto the feelings of that moment for eternity. A way for me to never forget the incredible events, people, and feelings that have made my journey its own. A way to know that I truly lived. A way to be reminded of the beautiful community that I am surrounded by.

So many times, however, we are too busy and consumed to stop and spare a moment to take a picture, or we merely feel awkward doing so. But days pass by, months, and then years: those moments unconsciously fade from our memories and there's no way for us to get them back. Those powerful feelings also dissolve into the passing of time, only to be reawakened by the sight of a moment fixed in a photograph. But what if there's no photograph?

Slipping Away

I used to hate taking pictures, hated asking. I still don't love it, but about a year ago I realized that those photos are some of the greatest treasures I have in my life. They were a way for me to feel not so alone when I'd close the door of the world behind me and enter my uncontrollable world of CF. They reminded me that I had so much more life in me and that my life was not defined by that of CF. I also knew that if my time came and my days were up, I knew I had truly lived. It would be a representation of how abundantly full my life was: filled with amazing people, opportunity, and endless beauty. Photos aren't important for their materialistic value, but because they are truly priceless. I realized that if I let a moment or memory pass me by without documenting it, it would be lost forever, never to be lived in its exactness again. I had that moment at my fingertips and had the opportunity to freeze it in time, but I didn't take advantage of it. I knowingly let it slip through my fingers. And what if that photo contained someone or an event that so impacted my life? What if I had never captured any of those moments? What if they were suddenly lost from my life? I fear that they might fade from my memory and I would live with such regret.

 

Living with CF, odds and time itself are daily working against me. I think about all those moments that could be so easily lost, those moments I did not capture. I have to make each moment count. In the darkest of days and in the brightest of days there is nothing greater than flipping through old photo albums, sifting through pictures on your phone's memory, or walking past a framed photo precisely placed on a book shelf. Those feelings that are born of each photograph cannot be emulated or recreated: they're one of a kind. Film or digital, find a camera and capture the beauty that fills every breath. You only get one life to live, so capture those moments and fix them into your memory forever. Love to you all. 

Say, "Cheese."

Day 32 - Breathe Bravely Challenge

Finding the beauty in every breath.

The beauty of life is in the unexpected. Every moment, person, experience, heartache, and joy have led each of us to this very moment in our lives: it has precisely shaped us into who we are. 

If life went according to our very own plans would we truly be happy? No, I don't believe so. I think the truest most genuine happiness comes from the gratitude of living in every unexpected moment as who we are meant to be. Who are we? A reflection of the people that pour themselves into us, believe in us, and renew our souls with goodness and hope making us want to be better.  Stop and take a look at your reflection. What people are reflected in who you are and the life you live? 

When I think of the people in my life that have poured themselves into me, I can't help but well with emotion. There are no words that will ever convey just how thankful I am for each of them. The only thing I can do is live my life reflecting and sharing the goodness they've poured so generously into me: the real me. I want to be the most genuine and honest reflection of the amazing unexpected moments that have filled me life thus far. Yes, CF is part of the unexpected part of my life as well, but I will graciously take every breath it is willing to give me. It, too is what makes me who I am. I have found happiness in learning I cannot control life the way I want it to, but by being grateful for every beautiful breath I am given and each unexpected moment: each is truly a gift. Love to you all.

When you are amidst the unexpected moments of life, capture it and breathe in its beauty. After all, it's your unique beautiful unexpected journey.  

Join us for the second part of the Breathe Bravely 60 Day Challenge! 

Already being a rock star at it? Invite someone to join in and share the beauty in every breath for the month of May!

How to become a part of the Breathe Bravely 60 day challenge. 

Take a moment every day and capture the beauty that fills every breath.

1. Capture a beautiful moment every day. 

2. Each day share your picture with us: 

          Facebook - Ashley Ballou-Bonnema

          Instagram - breathe.bravely

          Twitter - @breathebravely

3. Add the hashtag #breathebravely60 to your post and tag Breathe Bravely in your photo!

Day 31 - Clothed in Bravery

Every breath we are given is clothed in beauty. It is magnificently wrapped in goodness and is a true unique gift to every one of us. It is the very foundation for who we are: conceived of courage, bravery, love, passion, sorrow, and unique spirit.  

Today begins Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month. This month is dedicated not to giving CF itself a spotlight, but to shed light on the dreams, hopes, unique lives, and beautiful individuals impacted by Cystic Fibrosis. It is to give voice and strength to every beautiful breath effected by CF. It is to give hope for tomorrow. 

Never would I have imagined my own life as it is today: it is far more beautiful and meaningful than I could have ever imagined. My life is merely a reflection of the impactful relationships that make up every beautiful breath. Thank you for pouring yourselves into me, making your lives a part of my own. There are some incredible things underway that cause my heart to well with emotion and I cannot wait to share them all with you as they happen. They are only possible because of your endless selflessness, support, and love. Thank you with everything I am. 

The first big thing is....

The first release of the "Breathe Bravely Apparel Line." I am so excited about this and is something I've dreamed of for awhile. Much thought went into every piece that was chosen: fabric, color, logo. I hope it quickly becomes your favorite shirt, not only because they're super awesome (at least I think so), but because they have so much meaning behind them. I hope you wear it proudly and share how Breathe Bravely and CF have impacted your life.

What is most awesome about this? Proceeds from the sales directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This apparel is a limited edition line so get your one of a kind piece today! (link is below)

What you need to know:

Click on this link to order your apparel: Breathe Bravely Apparel Line

* The Breathe Bravely Store will only be open from May 1- May 17. 

* Shirts can be shipped to you, or we will have your order available to pick up in-store or at the Great Strides Walk in Sioux Falls, SD May 30. Please let me or Dakota Lettering know. 

* Proceeds benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Information about the designs:

    *The Women's T-Shirt has the full Breathe Bravely Logo. (multiple color printing)

    *Men's, Youth, and Women's Tank have a streamlined Breathe Bravely logo. (solid color printing). 

(scroll to the bottom of the webstore to see the designs)

Thank you all for being a part of this amazing life: you each are so truly special to me and I couldn't do any of this without you. Clothe every breath in beauty and bravery and share it with the world. Love to you all. 

A very special thank you to the people that made this possible.