The Other Day

The other day I found myself alone in my mind, and it was no longer a scary place to be. In a moment of stillness, with no music, no TV, no work email in my eye line, or book in my hand I found my mind a safe place to be.

There were no thoughts of needing to do more. To be more productive, to do more, to be more, to appear as more. There was just peace.

The other day I found myself alone in my body and I found myself at home. No fancy outfit, not scale to define my worth, no mirror dictating my beauty, just me, in the skin that has held me as I’ve grown, loved, lost, and lived.

There were no thoughts of weight loss. No belief that I’d be happier at a smaller size. No crippling fear of what others thought of my body. Simply gratitude that I get to experience life in this masterpiece.

The other day I looked into the mirror and finally recognized the person staring back. She was older, her eyes lined with the marks of smiles and happiness. She smiled wider, seemingly unafraid of her reflection. Her eyes were brighter, as if the heaviness that weighed on her for so long had lifted, leaving no burden.

There were no wishes for a return to youth. No desire to turn back the clock and relive another time, rather ardent peace at being present, at being alive, at finally knowing myself inside and out.

The other day I saw myself and realized that every single part of me was whole, beautiful, smart, special. Now the other day gets to be every day.