By Samantha McKenzie

My beautiful space is sacred to me. It’s the place I go within my soul that gives me calm. It centers me and reminds me immediately what’s most important in my life.

My beautiful space is occupied with love for myself, my family and mankind. I use this peaceful time to replenish all that is good within me. I stock up on joy and happiness and look for meaning and purpose to tarry on. It’s here where I get a chance to rewrite my personal mission statement, to listen to my thoughts aloud and examine how and why I think the way I do.

It takes practice to offer a better prospective to life’s riddles. I ask myself the tough questions and challenge my ideals. I know, if I stay long enough, if I just give it time, I will discover new truths and new things about myself. It always works out that way.

In my space, there are no masks. Pretending is prohibited. There’s no hiding from myself. There’s no need to.

There are times in my life where I have struggled to protect this space. I’ve allowed work tasks, personal priorities and fleeting frustrations to get the best of me. It’s not easy shaking off the days’ worries. They have a funny way of holding on to you, hoping you will carry them into tomorrow’s future.

So I’ve fought for my beautiful space, time and time again. I’ve learned how to steal away minutes from the day and sit with the simplicity of silence. I shut out the outside noises. I turn off the TV, the phone and the annoying alarms. I dismiss the voice inside that’s reminding me of all the things I still need to get done. I quell the negative voice that just wants to heighten my irritation. I silence several other parts of me, searching, until I find my beautiful voice. I recognize her immediately. She’s the most authentic. She smiles when she speaks. And it’s always warm.

Find your beautiful space, and stay there, even if just for a short while.