This morning, just after sunrise, I noticed a magpie flying across my field of view out the picture window. There is a pattern of wing movement unique to magpies. Finding pattern in nature (and in traditional stories) produces a sense of comfort in me. I could feel my body relaxing as I watched the magpie.

Our breathing also has a pattern.  In most traditions, watching the breath is recommended to silence the mind and bring us into the present moment. Pattern and mindfulness are linked. The pattern of the breath becomes an anchor for mindfulness.

Thank you to Magpie for reminding me to return to breath awareness today.