Fully Embodied

Wind whips through my hair, crisp air in my lungs, the Irish Sea spread wide before me. I stand atop the cliffs near Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór, in the Aran Islands, in the last days of my journey across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

I feel the elements in their raw beauty. Limestone, millions of years old, weathered by wind and rain, sun and the cold of night, worn and alive. Tufts of close-cropped grass warm my bare feet as I lie on the clifftop, watching pillowy clouds drift overhead. I feel rooted and grounded, fully in my body, breathing deep. The elements have their way with me, drawing me wholly into presence through this body I sometimes take for granted.

When I rise, I feel lighter, more aligned, and weathered like this place, but in the best way. There is space here for all of me, for my joy and for my sorrow. I feel whole and alive on this rugged hill above the wide Irish Sea, fully embodied and connected to nature.

When and where do you feel most alive?