BREATHE DEEP AND LET GO OF THINGS -- alternative to "Keep Calm and Carry On"

Adam Greenfield's "Breathe Deep and Let Go of Things" tee is a nice variant on the classic WWII "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters that crowded graced England's streets during the Blitz (by contrast, today's posters warning you that the man next to you on the bus is probably a terrorist and inviting you to go through your neighbours' trash-cans looking for evidence of bomb-making might as well read, "When in trouble/or in doubt/run in circles/scream and shout").

It would make a good companion to Matt Jones's Get Excited and Make Things poster.

Breathe deep and let go of things (via Die Puny Humans)

[Anonymous October 20, 2009 10:13 PM]

The "Keep Calm and Carry On" Posters were never officially released, and only a handful made it to the London streets:
http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/pages/history

[Aloisius October 20, 2009 10:55 PM]

They were great posters though even if they were never used. Still I'm getting tired of the whole 'keep calm' posters. The slogan is plastered over everything these days.

[neftaly October 21, 2009 12:44 AM]

"BREATHE DEEP AND LET GO OF THINGS"

This might not produce the desired effect during an Anthrax scare.

[haineux October 21, 2009 12:47 AM]

I am frankly delighted at this two-verb approach to Buddhism.

"For things exist by being merely labeled."

[giryan replied to comment from Anonymous October 21, 2009 1:07 AM]

More interesting info on the poster at Barter books, where the original was found:
http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/kc_home.php
(Incidentally a really great second hand book shop that if you're in North-East England I can heartily recommend)

[Anonymous October 21, 2009 1:34 AM]

You do know the difference between the UK and England don't you? The Scots/Welsh/Northern Irish weren't just sitting, minding our own business you know?!?

[george57l October 21, 2009 4:28 AM]

Pedantry alert

"... and Let Things Go" reads/sounds better.

I'm less bothered, but the grammar nazi in me prefers "Breathe deeply"

But on balance I'd buy it if it said "Take a Deep Breath, and Let It Go"

I really want a T-shirt that just says "GET A GRIP FFS!"

[franko October 21, 2009 6:51 AM]

sorry, george571, speaking as a buddhist, it's correct in its original phrasing. it's a buddhist thing.

i find it easier to let go of wanting this shirt so badly when i realize it's gonna cost me $42 + shipping to get one. : ( i'm glad that 80% goes to the human rights watch, though.

[Diatryma October 21, 2009 7:14 AM]

A friend of mine made Keep Calm and Carry Yarn posters for our local yarn and fabric store. I tried to find a picture, but couldn't.

[Anonymous October 21, 2009 7:22 AM]

While I appreciate thae sentiment I'm thinking that if I'm injured and in a hospital I'd rather have a doc keep calm and carry on rather than letting me go. Perhaps desire is natural and perhaps so is suffering. Perhaps attempting to eliminate either is not desireable.

[Rich Keller October 21, 2009 5:59 PM]

The Dharmacakra at the top gave it away as a Buddhist thing to me. How's *that* for pedantry?

[george57l October 22, 2009 4:21 AM]

"Breathe deep" is not correct unless "deep" is a noun. What is this "deep" thing of which you speak and how do I breathe it?

Breathe deeply.

And what has a picture of an old-fashioned ship's wheel got to do with it? ;-)

Hold firmly and steer straight!

[Anonymous replied to comment from george57l October 22, 2009 6:48 AM]

That "ship's wheel" is The Dharmacakra, "Wheel of Dharma" or "Wheel of Law" the symbol that represents dharma, the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment.