“Remind yourself, you will have a final exhale, and you don’t know when.”

-Daniela Hess, YogaFarm

I was given the instruction to think about this quote every day for a week as part of my Spiritual Warrior training program. At first, I thought it was such a sad and morbid thing to think about. However, I quickly realized that it’s actually the happiest thought one can have. By remembering that every exhale is a gift, it allows you to realize that every moment is a gift. And when every moment is a gift, there is nothing else.

Mindfulness is the gift of rapture in the present moment. By focusing on our 5 senses (sight, touch, sound, smell, taste), we bring ourselves into the here and now. And oh, what a beautiful place it is! In fact, whenever I stop during my busy day to be mindful, I feel my heart swell with joy and love! And then the tears come. Such cleansing tears of joy for all that is right now, right here. Yes, I do cry every day. And yes, I am a psychiatrist telling you that you should too.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

-Oprah Winfrey

Our fabulous psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Giordano made a video about mindfulness with her partner Shounak. She shared it with me this morning and it brought me to tears. How can you bring joy and love into every moment that you’re alive? Please watch this video to find out. It’s a hell of a lot easier than you probably thought!