Twelve years ago today I published my very first blogpost here.

It was about Patanjali’s parable of the silkworm breaking out of its cocoon. I saw it as a metaphor about growth and change and taking on new things. I used it as inspiration to be less anxious as I embarked on my yoga and blogging journeys.

What I didn’t mention then- but I know with absolute certainty now– is that we have the opportunity, and obligation, to break out of that comfort cocoon all day, every day.

We break out every time we speak to someone new, and every time we speak to someone not so new. Every time we leave the house, and every time we get up off the couch. Every time we turn off the devices, put down the cookie, decide not to have a drink. Every time we speak our mind, or speak our heart. Every time we set a goal, or set a boundary.

With every single action we take, every shedding of self-doubt, of hesitation, of fear, we break out. When we do take the opportunity to break out, we don’t simply become butterflies and fly away. We break out, fly momentarily, and wrap ourselves right back up in comfort again, as soon as possible.

There are thousands of moments each day where we have the opportunity to move out of our comfort zones, to be active, healthy, kind, strong, compassionate and brave.

Take a leap of faith. Trust in yourself, and trust in the universe.

Over 20,000 times a day we take a tiny little leap of faith, when we trust that the air outside of our noses will be there, waiting for us to inhale. And over 20,000 times a day we trust that the universe will accept our exhale.

Every moment of every day we can practice breaking out of the cocoon that is made up of our desire and search for a comfortable easy existence, by breathing consciously.

Breathe in, trusting the universe. Breathe out, trusting the universe. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out slowly. Breathe in. Hold your breath for a second. Break out. Repeat.

Today’s earworm, Breakout by Swing Out Sister