There are many things we do automatically.  In my life, I have noticed that breathing is one of them.  Of course you might say, we all breath, we have to if we are to live.  Yet on days when I am busy, packing a lot into my waking hours, this is precisely the opportunity to pause and remember that breathing is in fact a gift.  You see, when I'm running around in my automatic mode, my breathing is shallow and only provides the minimum my mind, body and spirit need to efficiently get done what my mind (well actually my ego) "thinks" it needs to (an entirely different topic!).  When I remember to "come up for air" and pause, as I finally did today, I notice that every fiber of my being wants expansion, and I begin to breath deeply.  It is when I begin this process, connecting to my body's wisdom that I become quiet, centered and feel the ground beneath me.  My thinking slows, I begin to feel energy flowing, and I connect to the act of breathing itself,  moving into a meditative state.  In this way I begin to consciously connect to spirit.  I awaken a bit more to the essence of who, my creativity, my sacredness as a human being, and I notice more joy in the moment.  What an incredible gift!  How are you breathing today?