Peace

Standing on the shore of the lake, with the rounded edges of the pebbles pressed into the soles of my feet, looking out across the water that is as smooth as glass. The reflection of the moon and stars glimmers across the surface and a tiny ripple in the water holds my attention. The chill of the night breeze feels cool against my sunburnt skin but the warm air of summer still lingers, causing my body to feel cold and warm all at once. I hear the crackle of the wood in the hot flames of the fire up the trail back at camp, and the laughter of the people I love that are sitting around it. The world feels so small but so large in this moment. And here I am...naked...willing to risk being seen just so that I can be here, in this moment. An overwhelming sense of calm takes over my body, starting in the center of my stomach and working its way up and out. I take in a deep breath, and settle into...the peace. The peace of feeling my breath flow throughout my entire body. The peace of knowing I am where I am meant to be, even if it is only for this brief moment in time. I am here, and I need this. And with that peace comes a nervous smile that masks my desire to let every emotion that I am holding locked up so tight inside of me, overflow from every part of my being, so that my tears can wash away who I was and create a clean space for me to be me. I don't have to be anything other than me in this moment. I don't have to feel anything other than how I feel. I can cry, I can laugh, I can sing, I can dance, I can just be. Because I am safe, I am accepted, and I am worthy.