Take a Breath

Summary

The website content is a reflective poem and accompanying essay by Adam Deitsch, which emphasizes the importance of appreciating the small yet vital aspects of life, such as the molecules of oxygen we breathe.

Abstract

The article titled "Take a Breath" is a contemplative piece that encourages readers to recognize and value the minuscule yet essential elements that sustain life, particularly the oxygen molecules in the air we inhale. The author, Adam Deitsch, an Environmental Scientist and Climate Speaker, delves into the significance of these tiny oxygen molecules, each less than a nanometer across, which are critical for our survival. He points out that every breath we take consists of approximately 25 quintillion molecules, a fifth of which are oxygen. The poem serves as a reminder to take a moment and appreciate the intricate workings of our atmosphere and the non-toxic environment it provides. Deitsch's work is a response to a prompt by Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 on appreciating the small things, and he invites readers to explore and contribute to this theme through their own writing. Additionally, Deitsch provides links to his other works on Medium, ranging from poetry to shortform and humor pieces, inviting readers to engage further with his writing.

Opinions

Adam Deitsch expresses a profound appreciation for the often-overlooked molecules of oxygen that are fundamental to human life.
The author conveys a sense of wonder at the sheer number of molecules we breathe in with each breath and their microscopic size.
Deitsch acknowledges the atmosphere's non-toxic nature, which is something we often take for granted.
The essay reflects a call to action for readers to pause and reflect on the small, life-sustaining elements that are easily ignored in the hustle of daily life.
There is an underlying message of gratitude for the natural world and its intricate systems that support life on Earth.
Deitsch's participation in the prompt about appreciating the small things indicates his belief in the importance of such reflection and its potential impact on our perspective and well-being.

A Prompted Poem on Appreciating the Small Things

Take a breath.

It’s not something we think about all that often.

The air rushes in.

That cool flow of our atmosphere fills our lungs.

25,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules.

About a fifth of that necessary for our survival.

Tiny little Oxygen.

Each less than a nanometer across, but so important.

Take some time to think.

Appreciate those small, little things that run our lives.

Take a breath.

Thanks to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) for inviting me to participate in this prompt on appreciating the small things. I decided to talk about things that were very small indeed. A molecule of oxygen gas. We don’t often appreciate it, or the atmosphere we breathe every day that is incredibly non-toxic (for the most part). So, take a breath. Take in all those little O² and appreciate the fact that they are keeping you alive.

If you’d like to check it out the prompt and write your own poem, you’ll find it here:

Adam Deitsch is an Environmental Scientist and Climate Speaker. He writes things too. You may want to even read some of them. You can check them out below.

Poetry:

Shortform:

Humor:

Take a Breath

A Prompted Poem on Appreciating the Small Things

Appreciating Boring Things

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Through the Chasms of Time

A Poem About Geology

Photographic Memes

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