The Hope Blog #19

A short scene for a play (Inspired by a wonderful conversation with Stephanie Engel):

Nick: One question: What do you do when your heart randomly beats too fast? What do you do to calm yourself?
Beth: Breathe.
Nick: I am breathing.
Beth: Breathe deeply.
Nick: It feels like my heart is punching my chest. How do you expect me to breathe deeply?
Beth: Okay…Close your eyes. Imagine the air is fully supporting your limbs. First, it’s holding up just your fingers. Then, it slowly moves up to support your elbow, your arm, all the way up to your shoulder. Your muscles don’t have to do anything. You can let them rest, and the air will hold you up. (Pause) Listen to your heart beat. What’s its rhythm? Imagine it as a musical instrument. Is it a drum? A cello? A trumpet? How is it being played right now? If it’s a string instrument, are the strings being plucked one at a time? Imagine how it would sound if you used a bow instead. Let the bow smoothly glide across the strings, creating a gentle hum.
Nick: (Sighs, almost like a weak hum)
Beth: (Quietly giggles)
Nick: Sorry.
Beth: No. It’s good. (Pause) Better?
Nick: Yeah.