"Maybe we can use a metaphor for it, out of dance. I think for many years I was aware of the need, in dance and in life, to breathe deeply and to take in more air than we usually take in"

In this quote, poet Sharon Olds uses the metaphor of dance to convey a deeper understanding of life's rhythms and the necessity of welcoming moments with fullness and presence. Dance is an art form that inherently connects movement with feeling, body with soul, and in lots of ways, mirrors the dance of life itself. The act of breathing deeply is highlighted, symbolizing both an actual and figurative growth-- an opening up to experiences, feelings, and the present moment.

The reference of breathing deeply works as an effective suggestion of the value of mindfulness. Just as dancers must breathe to sustain their motions, people need to also 'breathe' in the more comprehensive sense to sustain their spirits and browse life's intricacies. This metaphor can be analyzed as an encouragement to pause, to take a moment away from the mad speed of daily presence, and to permit ourselves to be present and totally engage with the richness of life. Breathing deeply is an act of self-care and an acknowledgment of our capability to offer more to ourselves and others.

Furthermore, Olds speaks with our tendency to limit ourselves, to take in "more air than we typically take in". This suggests a regular underestimation of our own capabilities, whether emotional, intellectual, or spiritual. By urging us to expand our consumption-- our determination to experience and to feel deeply-- Olds is motivating an openness to development and change. In the dance of life, where every action has its function and every pause its location, breathing deeply ends up being an essential practice of grounding, resilience, and awareness.

Eventually, Sharon Olds' metaphor is an invitation to live more totally, to dance with life's unavoidable challenges, and to continuously reach beyond the normal to find depth and meaning in our every day. It is about embracing life with vitality and enabling ourselves the grace to grow and explore our potential expansively.