The beauty of the natural world takes my breath away. The first time I ever saw Yosemite Valley, the tears poured down my cheeks, I was overcome by the overwhelming beauty. For me, this confirmed the existence of GOD.

Yosemite Valley

I find myself venturing out into the natural world when I need to quiet my mind, connect to spirit and simply for renewal.

So interestingly enough, I found myself in the Muir Woods on a misty morning filming an interview with Actor/Activist Peter Coyote.

Actor/Activist Peter Coyote

The interview was about what it means to “Live your best life”. Peter spoke about his love of the Muir Woods. In the 60′s when he “dropped out” and became part of the Hippy Culture in San Francisco, Peter lived in the woods. I mean, really LIVED in the woods. He said a couple of things that really stuck with me. He spoke about the natural world being “magnificence manifest”. That was a WOW moment for me. Because what is the wonder that is our world, ourselves, our love if not a manifestation of magnificence?

Misty Morning in the Muir Woods

Do we take timeout everyday to stand in amazement at our lives? Or do we just exist. Life is what we are here to experience. Take a breath, slow down and gaze in child-like wonder at all that is around us. It will make your life fuller and richer… richer beyond your wildest dreams. Take time to pay attention to what Peter refers to as “Ceremonial Exchange”.

As Peter stood wiith our small crew in the misty woods, he looked at the redwood next to him and said, “This redwood gives off oxygen so we can breathe.” Sure we all know this… we couldn’t live without plants giving off the oxygen that we breathe, but do we think of it as a “ceremonial exchange“. Or the food we eat, nourishing our bodies… Do we view this as a ceremonial exchange? How about the love we give and receive?

These can all be viewed as something magnificently manifested in a spiritual sense… A ceremonial exchange.

Imagine a world where we take notice or these “small” treasures, instead of taking them for granted.