I wanted to write about something that happened on my brother's birthday. His girlfriend and I invited him to dinner at Oliva,  an Italian restaurant right in front of Black Dog and near his apartment. At one moment after we sang "Happy Birthday," I held his hand. I wanted to tell him how happy I was to see him so healthy. I started to and then I couldn't because I was crying. He has been through so much, and to see him happy is a miracle. I told him that "he is doing so well" and he returned the compliment and said "we both are." And there we were, the three of us holding hands right there at an italian restaurant, our arms circling the pizza and the pasta e fagioli. I was holding back tears, looking down at the food. When suddenly, unprompted I started to silently chant "Om Nama Sivayah." Anusara yogis know that that ancient mantra means, "I bow to the goodness within and without." I honor and salute the goodness that resides in me and in the universe. No one knew I was singing this mantra and I was surprised by her appearance. But there it was, "Om Nama Sivayah." Just like my breath this mantra has become an essential part of my life. It makes surprise appearances on my day to day existence, reminding me of the goodness within and without.