Many of the things we take for granted are often the greatest of miracles. Water is a primary substance of life without which we would not survive, yet we rarely remember how sacred it is. The same for the air we breathe, the earth upon which we walk, the sun in the sky and the food on our plate. Every plant, insect, bird and bee is a miracle of life, as is each and every human being… including you.

Remembering the sacredness of all that is, and allowing little things to remind us – even astonish us – throughout our day, is a high form of Yoga. Through this practice we build mindfulness, we enter more fully into the present moment, we cultivate gratitude and inner peace. It is the essence of the practice of Ishvara Pranhidana, a constant awareness of the Divine.

I invite you to be astonished this week in these simple ways:

• Remember the sacredness of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space and celebrate your relationship with them.
• When doing the most mundane of activities, look for the beauty and grace in them.
• Take a walk around your neighborhood and get to know the plants and trees.
• Be amazed at how incredible it is to be you.