Join us in our Breathing Spaces (23 Nov-12 Dec 2022)!

Join us in our Breathing Spaces! One-hour spaces of reflection and sharing, from 23 Nov to 12 Dec 2022.

Register at https://bit.ly/BreathingSpaceSY22-23.

“Fourth year, second semester was definitely not easy for me. Up until that point, I tailored my whole life to the pursuit of medicine. I took pre-med subjects; I volunteered in medical programs and became an officer in medical organizations. I aimed for consistently high grades to gain better med-school opportunities. I eschewed other possibilities because I thought being a doctor was my destiny.

Boy, was I wrong.

Something major happened. Long story short, I found myself opting out of my medical track in Psychology. I did not rejoin my medical extracurriculars. I stopped caring too much about grades. Somehow, I realized medicine was not for me.

Never in my life did I feel so lost. I barely have skills in other fields, so the fear of not getting a job after graduation often haunts me. I grabbed different opportunities and tried to specialize in several disciplines, but nothing seemed to stick. I did all of these to the point of extreme burnout.

Then, I came across the Breathing Space of the Office of Campus Ministry.

What is Breathing Space, you ask? The program allows people to share their life experiences, sit in silence, reflect, and pray. Three to four people join in a group, and the sessions last about an hour. You can pick the schedule you want, and you can join whether you are down, afraid, and lost; whether you need someone to talk to or to simply be with you. Or even when you are contented or happy.

Indeed, Breathing Space is one of the Office of Campus Ministry’s gifts to the Ateneo community: its quiet environment, calming background music, compassionate facilitators (shoutout to Sir Arvin!), and occasional prayers provide mental, emotional, and spiritual sanctuaries to those who seek it.

Thanks to Breathing Space, I was able to detach myself from my life’s daily hustle, especially since I usually struggle to separate myself from my work. I bonded with other participants due to our shared experiences, despite not knowing each other before then. Apparently, they also struggle with academics (e.g., thesis, math, heavy workload) and their dreams (e.g., if medicine was for them) and wanted rest and clarity.

Furthermore, I felt assured that my emotions were valid. I realized I did not need to rush because I was just starting out and I have my whole life to figure out my career and to build skills.

In the end, Sir Arvin, the other participants, and I prayed for each other. We beseeched that our problems may pass and that we may flourish. Most of all, we thanked each other for the comforting and enlightening experience.

Yes, that was one Breathing Space session, but to me, it was more than that. It was another chance at life, allowing me to meditate and reconnect with what matters most.”

Mary Rahnee Faye L Negros
5 BS Psychology