Why I Stop To Feel Grateful For My Breath
Finding Calm in Rice Fields and River Air
 |
| The rice fields near my home – where I first learned to notice my breath. (Photo by me) |
My house sits close to rice fields and the Walungan (ᮝᮜᮥᮀᮔ᮪ᮌᮔ) – a word in our Sundanese language that means river or stream. Most mornings, I wake up to the sound of farmers working the land and water flowing gently along the riverbanks. The air here is thick with life – carrying the smell of damp soil, fresh kemangi (basil), and the clean scent of moving water from the Walungan.
Last month, when my family and I made the long climb to Kebun Téh (we don’t go often because it’s quite far on foot), I was walking through the rows of tea bushes when I paused to catch my breath. The air up there was cool and clean, carrying the scent of fresh tea leaves – and in that moment, I closed my eyes and said a quiet thank you to God for every single breath.
HOW MY NEIGHBORHOOD TEACHES ME TO BREATHE
 |
| The land moves in rhythm – and my breath follows suit. (Photo by Ashutosh Sonwani from Pexels) |
Even though I don’t climb up to the tea plantation every day, I don’t need to go far to notice my breath. When I step outside, the cool morning air fills my lungs, and I can feel how the land around me moves in rhythm – farmers bending and straightening as they plant, water flowing downstream in the Walungan, wind rustling through leaves.
Here in my place, rice fields stretch out as far as I can see, all irrigated by water from the Walungan. When the wind blows through the young shoots, I can feel the air moving around me – carrying the damp, earthy smell of soil and the faint, clean scent of river water.
Some mornings, I’ll walk down to the riverbank and just stand there. The air here feels alive – mixed with the smell of growing rice and the freshness of moving water. When I’m feeling busy or worried, I step outside and let the rhythm of my breath match the slow, steady flow of the Walungan. Inhale – feeling my feet solid on the ground. Exhale – letting go of whatever’s weighing on me.
My grandma used to say, "The earth breathes, so we breathe too." Now I know what she meant – every inhale ties me to this place, to the Walungan that feeds our fields, and to the people who share this land with me.
WHEN WE DO GO TO KEBUN TÉH
 |
| Up high, we see how small we are – and how big every breath is (Photo by Bluesea Tea from Pexels) |
When my family and I make the trip up to the tea plantation (we call it kebun téh in Indonesian), it’s always special. The climb is steep, and by the time we reach the top, my chest is tight and my breath comes fast. But as I look out over the hills, with the Walungan snaking through the valley below, I stop to take slow, deep breaths.
The air up here smells of tea leaves and mist – different from the river air at home, but just as grounding. My little cousin once asked me, "Why do we stop to breathe here?" I told him, "Because up high, we can see how small we are – and how big every breath is." That’s when the thin mountain air really makes me notice how my breath works to keep me going.
Every time we reach the top, we’ll find a spot to sit and just breathe. My dad will say, "Up here, you can really feel how God gives us everything we need – the air in our lungs, the river that feeds our fields." He’s right – being up there reminds me that my breath is a gift I carry with me, no matter where I am.
THE WALUNGAN (ᮝᮜᮥᮀᮔ᮪ᮌᮔ) RIVER IN OUR LIVES
 |
| The Walungan carries more than water – it carries our stories. (Photo by me) |
In Sundanese, "Walungan" (ᮝᮜᮥᮀᮔ᮪ᮌᮔ) refers to a natural, flowing body of water that travels from higher ground to lower ground – moving steadily upstream to downstream. But for us in Sumedang, it’s more than just a name for moving water.
It isn’t just something that flows past our homes – it’s been woven into every part of my life. When I was young, my friends and I would sneak down to the river to play in the water and swim, splashing around until our clothes were soaked through. We always got scolded afterward – my mom would say the current was too strong, and we needed to be careful. But those were some of my happiest memories – feeling the cool water on my skin and breathing in the fresh river air as we laughed together.
Even now, when I walk along its edges in the early morning, I can still hear our laughter echoing off the rice fields nearby. The Walungan carries more than water – it carries our stories, connects our homes, and feeds the land that keeps us all together.
WHY I THANK GOD FOR MY BREATH EVERY DAY
 |
| Every breath is a chance to be thankful. (Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern from Pexels) |
It’s become a small habit that means so much. To me, being grateful for my breath means:
- It’s my anchor in chaos: When the house is full of people or I’m rushing to get things done, three slow breaths bring me back to peace. I can still find calm right here, by the river and fields.
- It ties me to this land: The air I breathe carries the smell of the fields I’ve known my whole life and the fresh scent of the Walungan. Every breath connects me to home and my childhood memories.
- It’s a reminder of God’s care: Some days feel hard, but when I take that first deep breath when I wake up, I know I’ve been given another day to live and love. That’s something I never want to take for granted.
- It teaches me to slow down: When I’m waiting for water to boil or helping my mom fold laundry, I focus on my breath and remember not to rush. Every moment is a chance to be thankful.
IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY
 |
| Like the Walungan that keeps flowing – my breath is always there, even on hard days. (Photo by Free Nature Stock from Pexels) |
There are days when I get caught up in work or chores, and my breath gets fast and shallow without me noticing. But then I’ll look out the window at the rice fields, or see the Walungan glinting in the sun, and I’ll stop. I’ll sit on the same stone where I used to play, and watch the water flow by. I put my hand on my chest, take a deep breath, and say thank you.
It always reminds me: breath is free, it connects me to this land, and it’s the one thing I can always count on. Just like the Walungan that keeps flowing, no matter what.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
 |
| What helps you feel grateful for your breath? (Photo by Vietnam Photographer from Pexels) |
💬 Do you have a place near your home that brings back happy childhood memories, or helps you feel grateful for your breath? When was the last time you stopped to feel grateful? Share your moment below! I’d love to hear – drop a comment below or send me a message.
Comments
Post a Comment