The spaces in between
In Ayurveda, space is the mother of all elements. The point of creation. The one that subsequently influences all other elements (air, fire, water and earth) and without which, the other elements wouldn’t exist. You shift space and everything shifts with it. Think about the transformation that happens when you rearrange furniture in your home — as the spaces in between your furniture shift, so too does the flow of energy in the room and in turn, your experience of it.
While I’ve always been fond of space (more like outer space with all of its mystery and magic), it’s more recently that I’m understanding the value of space in our everyday existence, right here on earth.
Making space in our lives these days can feel impossible, almost unrealistic. The world is moving faster than ever and we’re all trying to keep up, for whatever our personal reasons may be around why.
For me, it was not wanting to feel the discomfort of “falling behind” or the guilt that comes with prioritizing my own needs over the needs of others — whether that’s at work or at home.
When you live in a society that values conformity and urgency, its easy to fall into this pattern of thinking— only later to realize that doing so deprives not just you of your magic, but everyone around you. As you wither, so too do the spaces and people around you. It’s all a reflection at the end of the day, right?
With enough of us sacrificing and often times choosing to stay disconnected from our authenticity, our truth— I’m not sure how much of a chance we have at creating a world that’s truly alive and free. If there is anything I am sure of however, it’s that we can’t get there without cultivating more space.
Space in our schedules.
Space in our bodies.
Space in our hearts.
Space in our minds.
Once we get past the discomfort of the void that’s created as a result of the supposed “extra” space that wasn’t there before, we start to realize the benefits.
For starters, breathing more deeply and freely. Doing less, being more. Observing more and reacting less. Allowing the compulsive reactions to lose their hold as we introduce the beauty of the pause — a space to receive what’s happening around us and inside of us.
From here, we’re well on our way to tuning into our own intuition, allowing this inner awareness to guide us through all of life’s moments and inspire creations, both big and small.
I mean, without space — would music even be music? Or would it just be noise? Would that blob of paint ever turn into anything more than just that? Would a story really land with a reader if it were not for the paragraphs and chapters that provide both relief and deeper connectivity.
So the next time you’re wondering what you need to help you through a moment in time or a certain situation, try creating some space for yourself. If nothing else, I can guarantee you’ll be able to breathe a little deeper (once you get past the initial discomfort, of course). And once that breath shifts, everything shifts. At least that’s my hope for you, fingers crossed.
