I've been practicing deep breathing and lovingkindness meditation this week, aiming good vibes at myself and others around me. This morning I heard on the radio that a pilot had to crash-land his plane on the side of the road in Kansas City because his engine failed in mid-air. He talked about how he had to just keep thinking, keep breathing -- he couldn't believe he was alive. The radio announcer said someone told him he should buy a lottery ticket.

I think he's probably alive because he was able to keep himself calm.

It's becoming more and more apparent to me that this ability to stay calm is a much more important survival technique than I had given it credit for, and breathing really is the key to calm. Air is important to calm.