Have you ever looked at something ordinary–something you’ve glanced at hundreds or thousands of times–and suddenly seen it as extraordinary? It’s almost as if I’ve just landed on this planet from some far-away galaxy and I see something as common as the trunk of a tree–in this case it’s a crape myrtle tree–and I think, “How lovely!” I understand for a moment just how miraculous it is to be alive. My friend Jose would say, abandoning himself to the moment, “Que bueno!”

If it’s happened to you, let it happen again today, maybe even right now.  If it’s never happened to you, hold still, take a deep breath, and look at something or someone familiar, as though you’re looking for the very first time.  Stay with the experience for a few minutes.  Enjoy.

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