“Breathe. Let go. Remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Over this past year, I have had more than just a few people ask me, “How do you do it?”

And, I’m always and inevitably left with this feeling of  wondering, “what does it really mean?”

In my own head, I’m not doing anything special save for savoring each and every delicate bite of this, my own present moment. I am simply appreciating my life. I am appreciating the gift of this life.

I suppose it becomes easier when something comes along to take your breath away; it’s in that moment that you suddenly realize just how precious that single breath is.

And so, I breathe. Long, slow, sweet beautiful breaths—I take them in as if it was both my very first, and very last.

Breathing takes on a much different meaning when it is that you can think of it like that. Every breath, becomes a gift—cherish this.

And in doing so, just watch as this world comes alive again with the fullness, excitement and vibrancy of life.

It’s that life, that fills my soul with gratitude.

I am grateful to just simply breathe.

“Instead of chasing happiness like a hamster on a wheel, I say slow down. Sit. There is nothing you need to buy, and there is nowhere you need to go. Just a few minutes each day of taking inventory of everything in your life worth appreciating, is the first step we can take to guiding the next generation away from this growing sense of entitlement, and toward a deeper appreciation for life itself.” ~ Timber Hawkeye

In the following video, Timber Hawkeye author and founder of the Buddhist Boot Camp, provides his most brilliant insight on living a more meaningful and mindful life. And his simple prescription is ‘be grateful.’

And as we all know in this world and in this life—gratitude…changes everything.

Video: Timber Hawkeye, Author, Buddhist Boot Camp

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Ed: Kate Bartolotta

Image courtesy of Sandi Pike Foundas at Etsy