Space To Breathe

I  need space to breathe, it is vital for me to function properly!  Of course, breathing is vital; so is food, water and rest, I know that.  But, I have also come to learn that the way I am wired, the manner in which God made me, requires SPACE to breathe.  I think of breathing space and breathing room differently. The room required to breathe is within my body, as much area as it takes for my lungs to fill and expand; that's the literal definition for breathing room.  The more common "room to breathe" phrase is figurative; as in: "back off, I need room to breathe", when one feels boxed in or crowded.  When I proclaim that I need space to breathe the knowledge behind that statement comes from my requirement for tidiness and order.  If my desk is cluttered and my quilting projects are piling up and weighing me down, I cannot breathe;  I have lost the comfort and peace that space provides for me to make it through the day, I gasp away, one breath a a time.  Can I function in a cluttered and disorganized environment?  Yes, I can; but in the same way that someone might suffer through respiratory challenges it is a constant struggle and I find myself worn out and exhausted in no time. On days when that breathing space is compromised I feel tense, frazzled overwhelmed, and distracted, not a fun person to be around!  So, how do I go about creating that much-needed breathing space?  My challenge is an ongoing one. I began on Monday evening by cleaning off my desk, the place where I begin every day. I put away, or threw away, notes and clutter that were distractions and infiltrating my breathing space; the effect was immediate, I could exhale!  Next: my cutting table, I can only work on one project at a time so why am I looking at the pieces and debris from half a dozen UFO's that only overwhelm my senses? Much like weeding a garden, the noxious offenders were pulled and pitched.  I can, once again, take a deep breath and feel the peace that accompanies space to breathe. My challenge in the coming weeks will be to create space on my calendar, on my "to do" lists and, ultimately, in my daily routine; it is a deliberate and conscious step for me toward living "lighter" and less encumbered, which should equal space for breathing easier.  With God's help, I can thrive in that created space and be the woman that He had in mind. After all, He created me in this manner, I recognize that and gratefully request His guidance to lead me down the daily path; I've spent far too long cluttering up the way, leaving precious little space to breathe; the peace-giving space that I need!

Life is Good!