During my recent yoga teacher training, I was deeply inspired by one of the instructors who introduced a simple yet profound concept: leaving spaces more beautiful than we found them. This idea stuck with me, not just because of its simplicity, but because of how it invited us to be intentional and present in our surroundings.

At one point during the training, we were in the woods, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty. Our teacher asked us to take a moment, walk around, and gather whatever spoke to us—stones, sticks, flowers, leaves—and then, as a group, we created a mandala on the forest floor. Within minutes, we had a stunning little piece of art made from the earth itself.

What amazed me wasn’t just the mandala, but how others passing by would stop, admire, and appreciate what we had left behind. It was a reminder of the beauty we can create when we slow down, observe, and engage intentionally with our environment.

This practice of leaving spaces more beautiful challenges us to pause in our busy lives. It invites us to be mindful of our surroundings and to think about how we can contribute to the world in simple, meaningful ways. Whether it’s creating art with natural materials or offering a kind word, this practice shifts our focus from ourselves to the space we share with others.

What if more of us took the time to leave a little more beauty behind in everything we did? I’m carrying this lesson with me, and I hope it inspires you to pause, connect with your environment, and think about the beauty you can add to the world, one small action at a time.