I’ve been looking for space
more space
inner space
outer space
living space
breathing space
not exactly astronaut space
just more place
to move and breathe
and have my being

space to discover me
without judgement
without criticism
without rejection
ouch! that awful word and feeling

that made the me
withdraw
masks and pretense
is most of what
anyone saw
for years on end

the hidden me
lonely and sad
often brimming
with tears
what a mess
what a stress

trying to fill in the cracks
and keep the tears inside
where I was supposed
to hide

But Love came knocking
on my door
I was afraid to let Love in
I was simply
afraid
of everything

so glad I am
every moment
every day
for that tiny step
that giant leap of faith

words can never
fully describe
all that Love means
to me
what Love
has done and
does to me
I’ll give it
a pretty good try

Love made me
for Love’s own delight

Love gave me the space
to discover this
to learn acceptance
gratitude
and love of me

from that place
I see
with clear eyes
others, like me
some still trapped
some set free

Once I was trapped
in a whitewashed tomb
full of dead bones
and rotting flesh

Now I am me
still looking for more space
where Love can dwell
and bring
what is true
and fresh.

I wrote this back in October 2016 when I was doing the foundation course in Yoga. Even though I tried out yoga for the first time back in 2000 it was not till 2015 that it was my time to start a proper journey. I think I got to that point in my life where I was ready to practice a different way. Practice, not just talk about, read about, think about or dream about it, but practice.

With practice comes discovery and the desire to know more and practice more. The most wonderful discovery has been the sense of wellbeing, the freedom to observe what is and to simply be, without judgement. What I learn and gain from practicing yoga has added a deliciousness to as many breaths as I would surrender to acceptance and gratitude. With practice, the proportion of those breaths are increasing and deliciousness is spreading across my life, finding ways to infiltrate even the most distasteful parts, deeply buried but not successfully forgotten.

Every memory, dream, aspiration, pleasure, wound and chore is finding their place and my being feels integrated and inspired, rather than fragmented and frazzled, amongst it all!

I would like to know if you have a practice in your life that makes you feel wholesome?