Space to Breathe Again

Reading Tommy Thompson's new book, Space to Breathe Again, is like having a private session with a life mentor for the price of a paperback.

As soon as I heard that Tommy was writing a book, I was eager to read it. Having known Tommy for many years, first as a Sunday School teacher, then through our kids' mutual love of golf, and finally as a fellow writer, I knew that whatever he wrote would be relatable and full of wisdom. He's the kind of writer and teacher whose lessons resonate long after one leaves his classroom or turns the page.

For years, Tommy has studied, practiced, and mentored others on how to lead a full and meaningful life without burning out or overloading, and his expertise is evident in Space to Breathe Again. The lessons offered in the book feel even more accessible and trustworthy because of how Tommy vulnerably shares his struggle to create margin, especially amid personal challenges such as the tragic loss of his sweet daughter, Perrin.

I've read the book twice now. After the first run-through, I found myself paying more attention to my breathing, taking deeper breaths throughout each day. It's been remarkable to see how centering this "unconscious" practice is, when brought to a conscious level.

During my second reading, I worked through some of the "Breathing Exercises" Tommy offers, which have been refreshingly helpful. It is easy to believe that it is an overly-indulgent luxury to have room to reflect on our actions, process the day, listen thoughtfully, or enjoy rest. But Tommy presents a compelling case that accommodating such activities is a need, not a want.

Even before reading Space to Breathe Again, I knew that my life often lacked space to fully pursue anything beyond "other care" and "house maintenance." Too often, my days have been overcrowded by tasks that aren't always important, but are often necessary. Trying to figure out how to create margin in such full seasons is challenging. In one of the classic "can't see the forest for the trees" situations, I struggled to figure out a solution for how to rest and create when my roles require frequent interruptions and work for others.

The first section of the book helped illuminate "forest areas" I had never considered, leading to several revelatory moments. Tommy caused me to question some of my assumptions and outlined areas of overload I have never considered. For example, I have often thought about ways to manage clutter in my physical spaces, but not clutter in my schedule.

The book offers a link to a helpful online inventory to assess status in several key areas of life. Completing it helped me to recognize problems I hadn't noticed. 

I would love to follow-up reading the book with an exploration of the spiritual connections to these areas. Thankfully, Tommy is offering a Bible study guide in addition to the book for those who wish to dive deeper into God's word on the subject.

In Space to Breathe Again, Tommy Thompson has created a compassionate and practical guide for identifying the enemy of overload while offering creative and reasonable ways to overcome it. We all know that time is one of our most valuable resources on earth. Using it more effectively – not just to increase productivity, but also to have space for physical and spiritual rest and refreshment, is critical to a life of peace and purpose.

As Christians, it's especially important to find margin, because in that "found space" we can experience relationship with God and others more richly and abundantly.