{"id":322,"date":"2015-01-30T06:50:30","date_gmt":"2015-01-30T11:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=322"},"modified":"2015-01-30T01:54:44","modified_gmt":"2015-01-30T06:54:44","slug":"week-20-how-about-a-breath-of-fresh-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=322","title":{"rendered":"Week #20 – How about “A Breath of Fresh Air”?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Breathing<\/a>

BOFA (photo credit: Vickey Finn)<\/p><\/div>\n

Week #20 –\u00a0How about “A Breath of Fresh Air”?<\/span><\/p>\n

I discovered a message in my “other” in-box last week. \u00a0Someone who knew Rob from Ocean Grove\u00a0tried to find him through Google — and found his obituary instead. \u00a0The news was as fresh as it was to so many back in September…and I welcomed the opportunity to chat about him. \u00a0As I read the messages coming at me, one phrase in particular stood out: “what a breath of fresh air he was…”<\/p>\n

“A breath of fresh air…” \u00a0It’s one of those phrases we throw around a lot — but do you ever stop to think about what it really means? \u00a0The literal definition is a breath of air (most likely from outside) that isn’t stale or stinky. \u00a0Figuratively — it’s a new, innovative, or imaginative approach. \u00a0But did you know there is another meaning? \u00a0According to American Heritage Dictionary, it also means “a welcome arrival” — replacing the terms “breath of Heaven” or “breath of Spring”.<\/p>\n

I found it especially\u00a0poignant\u00a0that someone who longed to take just one, long, easy breath — was remembered as a “breath of fresh air.”<\/p>\n

Mostly though — it touched a bit of a nerve. \u00a0Maybe it’s just that cabin-fevery time of year — but I am suddenly very much aware of areas of staleness in my own life: unpacked boxes,\u00a0undone to-do’s, and who knows what other unfinished business — all standing in the way of new ideas, new approaches, new arrivals, solutions, or just a clear and happy head (and heart)!<\/p>\n

How about you?<\/p>\n

Your assignment for the week (and mine): Are there areas of staleness in your life where you need “a breath of fresh air”?<\/p>\n