After dropping the phone, I sat down on the stairs. Why had my airways slammed shut? It wasn't like I had choked on anything. There was nothing to dislodge. Fifteen plus miles separated my rural home and the nearest ambulance dispatch. If I didn't act quickly, I would die alone.
Time sped up­­­­­­­­­­­­­. There was not enough oxygen for me to text anyone for help. Even if I could've reached out for help, I would've been dead or had brain damage before help could've arrived.
If asked prior to this event, I would have thought I'd panic and/or call out to God. What happened next reminded me of a quote I'd heard some years earlier, Don't believe everything you think. I remained calm.

Sitting on the stairs with zero oxygen, I began a meditation exercise. I closed my eyes and started relaxing my body. Starting at my scalp, I began tightening and relaxing each muscle down to my forehead, face, neck, and arms. By the time I had reached my chest, my airways opened and I began breathing.

Author's note: The next chapter will tell you what an Arizona retreat and meditation had to do with the way I reacted.