Breaking Through
cbr, 2025
Hey there, fellow warriors of faith and self-discovery.
Let’s be real.
I’ve been there - those seasons when depression feels like a heavy blanket, when getting out of bed seems like an impossible mountain to climb. Two weeks of darkness, of feeling stuck, of wondering if I’ll ever find my way back to myself.
But this morning? This morning was different.
Cardio and yoga - these aren’t just physical practices. They’re my personal prayer. A conversation between my body, my spirit, and the divine presence that walks with me.
Landscape of Movement
As I stepped onto the treadmill, each step became a declaration. Breath by breath, I was reclaiming my space. The rhythmic motion of cardio wasn’t just about burning calories - it was about burning away the lies depression whispers. Those lies that say I’m not enough.
And then, yoga. Oh, yoga - where my body meets my soul in the most intimate of conversations. Each stretch was a surrender. Each pose a testament to my resilience. Connecting breath to movement, I felt Christ’s presence in the most unexpected sanctuary - my own body.
Grace in Every Breath
Yoga taught me something profound: flexibility isn’t just physical. It’s spiritual. Just as my body bends and finds new edges of possibility, so does my faith. Depression tries to make me rigid, but grace? Grace makes me flexible.
What I Learned This Morning
Healing is a practice, not a destination. Some days it’s cardio, some days it’s stillness.
My body is a temple of resilience. Not a place of punishment, but a space of healing and grace.
Movement is a form of prayer. Whether it’s a sprint or a gentle stretch.
Prayer for My Struggling Self
To me, a warrior wrestling with mental health, with motivation, with the daily battle:
“When the world feels overwhelming, when my inner critic gets loud, when comparison tries to steal my joy - breathe. I am loved. I am seen. I am enough - RIGHT NOW.”
My Invitation
This isn’t about perfection. This is about showing up. This is about grace. This is about understanding that my spiritual journey is holistic - physical, mental, and deeply, profoundly spiritual.
Stay curious. Stay humble. Stay connected.
With love and radical grace,
Mitchell Royel