A Secret Place

"The greatest thing in life is this...to love and be loved in return..." from Moulin Rouge



Growing up was painful. In the two villages that I spent most of my first 16 years I endured different types of pain.

The grandparents village was up in the West Wales mountains, my parents village was down on the coast. 

When I needed to escape myself and the pain I would go to my secret places. My favourite was a little waterfall, some five feet high, in a woods. It was a secure place, my safe place. I could sit on a tree trunk with the waterfall next to me and see the path clearly. Behind me was a deserted quarry and no access from it. Nobody could sneek up on me, and I was happy there. 

I would often imagine being a King sat on my throne, in the middle of my peaceful land. All I could hear was the water, the birds and the occasional rustle of leaves when the day was windy. I can still smell the place, damp moss, spring water and woodland flowers. 

Of late I have been imagining that place when I needed to escape from my memories. 

When I need to relax I close my eyes and imagine myself back in that woods. I picture it, I relax my muscles and allow a warm light to shine from me. It starts at my feet, works up my legs, as it spreads I become more and more relaxed. Then my abdomen, my chest, my arms are filled with light. Lastly it fills my head. I am totally bathed in a warm, relaxing, healing light. It grounds me to that place, keeps me there. 

We all have a special place, somewhere that we feel safe, at peace. It may be from childhood or after. 

When you too are feeling you cannot cope, or are afraid, or just need some YOU time, find somewhere comfortable, and picture yourself going back there. See, smell and even taste that special place. Know that nobody can hurt you, that you are in charge. It is your place, your time.

We are all equal on this planet, though it might not always appear so. We all have the right 
to live our lives fully, happily and without censure or condemnation. I spent so many years believing I was not worthy of happiness, that I was less of a human than those around me. 

I was wrong.

I am no better than you but equally you are no better than me.

I deserve love, I deserve happiness, I deserve success, I deserve to be allowed to be the very best that I can be and choose to be. So do you.

We all have a light inside of us, nurture it, embrace it. Let it shine brightly!

If someone doesn't like it then they can wear sunglasses. 

Learn to love and like yourself. Let love into your heart, allow yourself to give and to receive love.

Take chances.Tell the truth.Date someone totally wrong for you.Say no. Spend all your cash! Fall in love. Get to know someone random. Be random. Say I love you. Sing out loud. Laugh at a stupid joke. Cry. Get revenge. Apologize. Tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell the asshole what you feel. Let someone know what they are missing. Laugh 'til your stomach hurts. LIVE LIFE!