Listen. Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?

Listen. Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?

Mary Oliver, the beloved poet known for her profound observations of the natural world, often challenges her readers to reflect on the way they are living their lives. In her poem "Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches," Oliver poses the question, "Listen. Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?" This powerful line serves as a wake-up call for those who may be going through the motions of life without truly experiencing it.

Oliver's words urge us to consider whether we are truly living or simply existing. Are we taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, or are we too caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life to notice? Are we breathing deeply and fully, or are we just going through the motions, barely taking in the air that sustains us?

For Oliver, living a full and meaningful life means more than just going through the motions. It means being present in the moment, fully engaged with the world around us. It means taking the time to stop and appreciate the beauty of a sunrise, the sound of birdsong, the feel of the wind on our skin. It means breathing deeply and fully, allowing ourselves to be fully alive in every sense of the word.