Photo by Philipp Torres on Unsplash
Five word to carry into 2026: “Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Feel the words as you say them, paying attention to your body.
Does this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh shift anything?
Like me, you might have always focused outward. Life’s ups and downs remind me that slowing down, smiling, and breathing fully is beneficial.
Five simple words. A daily practice that can change our whole perspective.
Smile
Our lives don’t need to be perfect to be smiling; they just require mindful awareness.
You’ve likely seen babies laughing or cute animals and smiled.
There’s probably a special person in your life, and you feel your heart lift and your face light up.
Maybe it doesn’t even need to be someone you know. I’ve had this happen to me with a complete stranger. When you see someone smiling from ear to ear, filled with joy, you can’t help but smile too.
Life is better when you approach it with a smile. You don’t know how much you can brighten someone else’s day with something so simple.
A smile would make things better in most situations, but sometimes it feels impossible. That’s okay too.
Look for reasons to smile, whether it’s loved ones or strangers. Smiling breeds more joy, and who doesn’t want more of that?
Give it a try and see how much lighter and happier you feel. Your smile is a beautiful gift; share it. Do you feel different?
Breathe.
We all breathe, but are we really?
When things seem chaotic, remember to breathe.
Be aware of your breath as it flows gently in and out of your body. When stressed, return your focus to your breath.
For me, just breathing means concentrating solely on nourishing our bodies with air and fostering a deep sense of internal safety.
Breathing exercises are now an important part of my daily routine. I can’t start or end my day without them.
If overwhelmed, forget about everything and take one slow deep breath at a time.
If scared, forget about what might hurt you and take care of yourself, one slow deep breath at a time.
The world inside our heads is often more chaotic than the outside world. We have power to calm it by remembering to breathe.
Breathing consciously has helped me overcome anxiety and provided a gateway into peace, reminding me that every day is filled with choices.
The breath is our anchor. Every breath is a chance to begin again.
Go slowly
How often do you feel overwhelmed? Is there a way to slow down?
I’ve known about creating space, slowing down, and simplifying for a while, but I only recently understood their deep impact.
We fear quiet self-reflection, so we keep the lights on and the dance floor full. We worry we’ll dislike our thoughts in quiet moments.
Slow isn’t dull; it’s contemplative and considered. It’s the yin in a yang world. It’s the strength of surrender, and surrender can be the most powerful victory.
Taking time for self-reflection is necessary for learning and growth, despite our busy lives.
As we close this year and open to the next, may we remember: "smile, breathe and go slowly."
