Life: Captured in 5 Minutes

Eric Handler | September 23, 2012 | Inspiring, Living, Loving

I think the video below can speak for itself in a lot of ways.

I’ve watched it a few times and am constantly amazed by the overwhelming peace that surrounds me for the full five minutes of the clip. There is something untouchable and indescribable about what happens in this video as the baby gets its first bath. Even in writing this, I am still looking for the words to say it.

I first thought about the miracle of life. We live in a world that so easily forgets how amazing it is just to be alive and how very precious this life of ours is. It’s short. It’s unpredictable. It’s a miracle, really.

We’ve all been there—just as small as the baby in this video—but why do we stray so far away from the magic and wonder captured here?

This is one simple moment caught on camera that brings me back to square one—minus the clutter and stress of the day. Every gentle action floods me with peace and convinces me that life is about so much more than “just getting by.” It is important to slow down and stop every once in awhile to stand in awe of this fact: We are alive, and we have the ability to rediscover life as the miracle it has always been.

I would love to hear what kind of reactions you have from watching this video. Does it make you think about the miracle of life? Are there other precious moments in your life that remind you of this one? Does it call you to look at things in your own life a bit differently? Share below!

* P.S. As today is my birthday, I thought this would be a very fitting blog for the occasion.

Eric Handler is the publisher and co-founder of Positively Positive. Check out his TEDx talk. Follow Eric on TWITTER.

84 Comments

Tags: babies, Birth, Children, Eric Handler, Life, Miracle of Life, Miracles, Moments, Peace, Perspective, Time

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Constance Marie

Wonderous and beautiful!! Happy Birthday, how lovely if we could all go back to amazement of the miracles of birth to be reborn to tender hands of this woman. Thank you for sharing this!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  You are welcome! And thanks for the birthday wishes as well.
Jorbear

That was simply beautiful. No other words needed.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Agreed!
http://www.facebook.com/susan.m.shannon.9 Susan McCafferty Shannon

Happy Birthday, Eric!
Wow! I cried…how gentle and soothing. It was rapturous the immense tendernous and care given to that sweet tiny babe and the trust fostered in those few moments (like recreating the womb). When we are ‘just getting by’ we forget hold others and ourselves in this cradle of love; that deep inside we, all of us, are this miracle of life.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Susan! And I love your insights!
Jams

very soothing music, too. May I ask the title and the artist? Thank you for sharing this. I feel peace.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  You are welcome! Not sure about the music but it is absolutely very soothing!
Jams

by the way, happy birthday!! lots of thanks and love …
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thank you Jams!
Twiggy

Peace,Trust and Love are the three things that came to my mind.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Love that Twiggy!
Bridget

Brought tears to my eyes…Reminds us to stop and remember how amazing we are..and what a special blessing this life is. The good the bad, everything we have experienced in this life is what gives us life. When we learn to appreciate ourselves for all that we are, then we begin to see beauty in everything around us. “The beauty of life is to experience yourself”
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  I agree with you 1 million percent Bridget!
JANE CREEL

If only we could retain the total trust and peace that is this! Made me cry! What beauty is this! How wonderful and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks so much Jane! Makes you wonder at one point and why we “lose” that total trust and peace… The good news is with awareness we can come home to that
Guest

I speak for any and everyone that contributes to, reads, and helps work on this UNBELIEVABLE website when I say Happy Birthday to the man who makes it all happen, never looses his cool, and talks the talk and walks the walk.
http://twitter.com/MariePilates Marie Delcioppo

I think everyone that contributes to, reads, and helps work
on this UNBELIEVABLE website feels the same as me when I say Happy Birthday to the man who
makes it all happen, never looses his cool, and talks the talk and walks
the walk. We are all so blessed to have you in our lives and wish you nothing but many more filled with love and laughter!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks so much for the VERY kind words Marie. That means a lot… It all happens because of you, the readers, fans, contributors, sponsors, mentors, etc. Team effort! xoxo, Eric
http://twitter.com/TheMehulPatel Mehul Patel

Eric, Everything you have done so far is Magical….I am more then confident you have touched hearts and uplifted million on soul on this beautiful planet….Wishing you infinite abundance at all levels of life Now and forever, So Be It, Amen.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thank you SOOO much for those words Mehul. That means so much to me
gigi

creo es ver que el baby al estar en contacto con el agua siente como si estuviera en el vientre de su madre, el agua siempre el agua,maravillosa.
gigi

creo que el milagro es el agua.
Madeline

Just had my first grandchild, 2 months ago and found this such a reminder to be mindful of every momement~ Mimi
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Congrats to you and your family Madeline!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=732669881 Joan Horlacher Tsamas

It’s my birthday too! Happy Birthday Eric The video brought tears to my eyes. The wee one was so trusting and relaxed. The woman was so tender and loving. Simply beautiful <3
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Joan! And a big Happy Birthday to you too Joan!
Rowena Starling

You’ve said it all for me. Precious.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Awww, thanks Rowena!
caral

It made me think of the comforts of the womb. The baby/babies were quite comfortable for the most part! I love babies and I love positively positive; thank you for it and best wishes for a Happy Birthday!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks so much Caral! I love both as well!
http://twitter.com/ragneyi Sampathkumar Iyengar

Great one. The best of things happen out of simplicity and some where we forget as we grow up. Thanks for sharing and have a great birthday
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Sampathkumar
Erin Stafford

I was captivated and in awe. The baby did not have one ounce of fear or discomfort. Although the water came very close to covering the entire face, there was never a moment of worry on the baby’s face or in the body language. There was such trust and faith in the moment. You could see the love between the baby and the woman. She was taking such gentle care and sending such love to the baby. The baby felt it, embraced it and was completely at ease. Just beautiful! Breathtaking. Happy Birthday to you, Eric! May your day be just as pure and lovely as this video.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Erin. I love your insights and thanks for the birthday wishes
- http://www.facebook.com/sam.parrotto Sam Parrotto
  
  I saw the same thing – the implicit trust – the longing to reconnect with that moment – you said it very well – I loved the touch – the way that we need to be touched – our whole lives – took me back to my birth – Happy Birthday to you as well Eric – my birthday was yesterday – I found it quite fitting to celebrate, as well…
Maundrelle

so i’m not the only one who CRIED =) i couldn’t stop the tears of joy streaming down my face. this was truly exceptional, and yet about something so simple and so obvious that we take it for granted. we ARE miracles, and life is one big blessed miracle.

Happy Birthday Eric!!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Maundrelle! I think many of us cried. xoxo
Eric Tomei

Happy Birthday Eric! Wonderful video. It really makes you think that every minute you are alive you can truly make a difference in so many lives. Important to never forget. There is nothing like having kids to make life fulfilling on a whole new and great level:)
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  So true Eric! And thanks for the birthday wishes
Shivee Aggarwal

Literally awesome!! Thanks for sharing. And yeaah a very happy birthday. God Bless!!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  You are welcome! Thanks Shivee
Aruna Handique

Thank you so much Eric for this, one of the nicest videos I have ever watched. So much clutter in life, and everyday struggling with those. This video brings in so much peace, can’t thank you more.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  I totally agree with you Aruna
http://www.facebook.com/peggy.batt Peggy Anderton Batt

This is what life is all about. So peaceful. Thank you for sharing!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Yes! You are welcome Peggy
Alfidio Vitiello

A truly wonderful video, I got lost in the moment. Thanks for posting it. And Happy Birthday !
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  I got lost in it as well. Thanks for the b-day wishes
Valerie Lee

I LOVE this video – I’ve watched it more than few times to calm me and get me through some rough moments….Thank you Eric and Happy Belated Birthday to you!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Valerie! So happy to hear that
Lisa Pyka

I truly love this beautiful baby, so sweet. It reminded me of being pregnant; the life you feel moving inside you. Really well done. I have to add it gave me a little anxiety the baby almost submerged, I had to look away I’m just neurotic!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  LOL!
Drea

Just amazing! It reminds me of giving my babies baths and infant massage with Burt’s Bees Oil. I loved this bonding ritual, so sweet and loving. I also love how the french embrace the idea of newborns and water, as it is so natural of an environment for them like the womb. I’d love to see more American hospitals embrace this ritual rather than the bathing we currently do in hospitals. Thanks for sharing!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  I agree with you completely Drea. Thanks for sharing
Chelle

I have never seen this before! I find it absolutely amazing how small and innocent and cute we were. I mean, what was that like for the baby? Feeling everything new? How gentle the woman was with her. How were we that small! I find babies to be extremely fascinating. I wish we could remember what it was like then. What a feeling! Thanks for sharing and Happy (belated) Birthday! xoxo
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks Chelle. I felt the same way when I first saw the video.
Betsy

I absolutely loved this video. It was beautiful. I felt like I was floating on a cloud while I watched it. There is nothing in this world that brings more comfort than gentle human contact, warm hands, soft skin, a tender touch. We should all be so lucky to experience that feeling. Happy Birthday.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  What a great feeling Betsy! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa

Happy Birthday! thank you! This was so soothing to watch. I took this in and felt myself as this newborn. How comforting. I will watch again.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Awesome Lisa! And thanks for the birthday wishes.
Guest

This is amazing…I mean…Whow! Just thank you for sharing it… This video is full of Joy, peace of mind, love, and it makes me think that we should focus on those feelings, instead of rage, selfishness and hate. Yes, we have techonogy. But how far have our hearts gone? I think there’s a long way to go for human values. Until there won’t be food, peace, happiness for all of us, all over the world, I don’t think we could consider ourselves to be evolved. We can change it. From ourselves. So, thank you guys for making such a big difference with this video, it really impressed me.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks for your thoughtful comments
YKW JustLove

This is amazing…I mean…Whow! Just thank you for sharing it… This video is full of Joy, peace of mind, love, and it makes me think that we should focus on those feelings, instead of rage, selfishness and hate. Yes, we have techonogy. But how far have our hearts gone? I think there’s a long way to go for human values. Until there won’t be food, peace, happiness for all of us, all over the world, I don’t think we could consider ourselves to be evolved. We can change it. From ourselves. So, thank you guys for making such a big difference with this video, it really impressed me.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tammy-Jenkins/100002075431206 Tammy Jenkins

I was emotionally touched by this video. I expresses the love and beauty of lifes simplicity. The importance of cherishing each moment. Happy belated birthday.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Thanks @facebook-100002075431206:disqus
Fran

It is very loving moments being expressed. The taking away of fear and being eased into a loving cocoon, trust being built. I could truly place myself there in the care giver’s palm as she loving swaddled that infant in the warmth of her hands and the caress of the water. So lovely. Thank you, you’ve given me a sense of stillness and restful peace.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Wonderful observations @991d9ff32b3dd898a6b01234a0bb06a2:disqus xoxo, Eric
Fran

I take it this is what your special day brought you to. Happy and Healthy birthday…year to you.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Yes Thanks for the bday wishes @991d9ff32b3dd898a6b01234a0bb06a2:disqus
christina

today is my birthday and i feel like reading this post and seeing this video now was the perfect way to be “reborn” in my new year…thanks for sharing eric! and a VERY MERRY UNbirthday to you too!
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  You too @c4fb47e855f2b09064e2f4035c6a57a2:disqus xoxo, Eric
http://www.facebook.com/ainsley.brink.1 Ainsley Brinkman

Perfect Miracle of Love and Peace.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  YES @facebook-694953012:disqus !
Erica

Absolutely amazing. 30 seconds into the video and I started tearing. So beautiful..so beautiful.
- http://twitter.com/EricMHandler Eric Handler
  
  Me too @312f2757613c802e6f67f01155251a55:disqus
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lisa-Thompson/1451838291 Lisa Thompson

brilliant – I read every book I could find,watched all the TV shows, even took couple classes, none of which prepared me for the thing that shocked me the most how much I wanted; and how little I wanted to do anything else – laundry, dishes – you must be joking – the baby might loose a wrinkle, or yawn or OMG smile again and I don’t wan to miss it to I’ll just sit here cross legged on the bed w.my baby in front of me and stare at him, and later, her,if we run out of clothes or dishes we can order more! the shape of their noses and ears was mesmerizing -the light in their eyes was pure joy, look what I made, look what I did, look at these fingers, those toes, surely no one on the planet had produced such a marvelous and delicious thing – ever, it’s simply impossible of course there have been other babies I had been one myself I was sure, but surely none that compared to this one!! oh look he’s yawning – it’s a tough life being a baby – all that growing and adoration is tough to take in
Midette

i shared this and i posted on my wall “while watching this clip, my world just stopped and calmness sipped in…so beautiful, so pure…”. i have five kids and i have taken a million baths for them and as i watch this, the whole feeling just came back to me. such pure joy, the innocence and calmness in their faces as water, pure and clean, gushes their whole being. the true magical essence of life…
lucy

made me panicky as he forcibly kept making the babies face wet and dipped in the tap and water etc na gave me anxiety! poor baby! lol but then i do have a newborn
Susan Stevens

So awe-inspiring……peaceful & magical..thnx for sharing!
Karenindixie

The purest love and trust. They enter our lives with open hearts and minds, and we can only hope that we raise them with those qualities and that they are not lost along the way to the bigger world.
davisvicki5086@yahoo.com

it made me nervous i was afraid he was going to drown that baby!
http://www.facebook.com/dwolver.khoo DWolver Khoo

There is an amazing tranquility to life. The first shower evokes many emotions and questions.
How do the nurse feel? – jaded? Motivated, inspired at welcoming a new life?
How do the newborn feel? – wet, sleepy?
How do the father feel? – proud, empowered, responsible
Tracy G

What a beautiful way to evoke such raw emotions and to sense a knowing of how precious we all are. The emotion felt here can easily be applied to the ones we love, at least this is my experience as a mother.
Curiously I also wonder how we can apply the emotion to ourselves, for ourselves. I am in a place of rebirth and from this place relearning to nurture my spirit and all that I am, which so many of us are going through.
So I invite you to watch this again with your heart open to allow that love in for yourself, and an eye of seeing as though you are the baby, who knows what healing may be sparked.
Dani

This was so sweet and pure. It made me smile and opened a new door for me…kids..