Seeing THIS Precious Moment for the First Time

Do you ever think about breathing? I mean really think about it? Sometimes, when I am having a particularly stressful day I make it a point to think about breathing. In and out... in and out... it is hypnotic. I was reading "Peace is Every Step" by Thich Nhat Hahn and in it he speaks out mindfulness and focusing on our breathing from which I made this mantra: breathing in I calm my body, breathing out I smile, breathing in the present moment, breathing out acknowledge this precious moment.

When I am driving to work and the traffic is intense I will use this mantra and when I come to the part about acknowledging this precious moment I look for at least one good thing I see directly around me. This morning it was the woman in the car next to me. She was singing like she was on stage! It was so cool to watch, but, I looked too closely because she became shy. Nonetheless, she made me smile and made the traffic bearable. 

Look around you in every moment there is one thing, maybe more that can make it easier. Sometimes it is something as simple as, my clothes fit well or I'm having a good hair day or at least I got a seat on this train. We can all find one good thing.

This has been my "new" for a while now and I am feeling it change me on the inside. Nothing big, but, I think it is happening a little at a time.

For now, I think I am a little less crazed and able to sleep a little better. That's good, right?