When I was in grade school, we had margins on the left hand side of our notebook paper, a space deliberately left empty where we could not write. It seemed to have no purpose—just an empty space on the page.
Lately, I’ve begun to see the purpose of margins–empty space, open time in our days, a chance to release the incessant busyness, relax, reflect, and renew ourselves.
Margins are countercultural. Caught up in habitual busyness, many people feel guilty about stepping back, taking margins, afraid they’ll be marginalized, discounted, left behind in our compulsive, competitive culture. And it’s easy to have our margins invaded by 24/7 connectivity.
Have you given yourself a margin today? If not, here’s an invitation:
- Turn off your phone.
- Close your door.
- Close your eyes.
- Take a deep breath and release it.
- And then another.
- Breathe out stress.
- Breathe in peace.
- And feel your body relax.
May this subversive practice bring greater peace to your day.
Namaste,
Diane