HOLDING SPACE AT GLACIER BAY

Marjorie Glacier (image courtesy of Tim Grutzius)

"Often the hardest thing about holding space is that it can feel like you're doing nothing." - Heather Plett.

Judy and I recently returned from our cruise to Alaska. Many we know had gone before us and remarked that the pictures they shared did not do the experience justice. We were told, "You have to go and see it for yourself." We learned that those who paved the way were correct - our trip was breathtaking. The highlight of our seven-day vacation was cruising Glacier Bay National Park.

The ship meandered slowly through the bay. Along the way, we saw seals and otters in their natural habitat, either floating on a chunk of ice or playfully entertaining us passengers on the Norwegian Bliss. The grand finale was a stop at the Marjorie Glacier. This majestic glacier extends twenty-one miles beyond the field of vision. The captain positioned the Bliss within the established limits and then - silence as the engines came to a subdued hum.

Several days before our trip began, my left hip and leg muscles spasmed, leaving me in extreme pain; I could barely walk. I was determined to go on this trip, and I used therapy balls, sea salt soaks, stretching, ice, and hot compresses to correct this issue. By sailing day, I could walk, but with limited mobility. Within hours after embarkation, I scheduled a massage, which offered more relief. However, this resolved once I held space for myself in the silence of this glacier. The following quote best defines this act of self-care.

"Holding space for yourself is understanding when you need to take a step back. It's understanding that you need to rest, it might be time to ask for help from others or time to make a change. It's treating yourself with the same compassion and empathy that you would treat a treasured friend or loved one." - unknown.

As the glacier settled into view and magnified by the binoculars I used to draw her closer, I became absorbed in the moment and lost track of time and space. I knew it was cold, and fellow travelers were talking from the balconies above ours. Yet, I was mesmerized by the blue sculpted ice. Like the glacier that calved with a thunderous explosion, dropping a piece of herself into the ocean, the pain I carried also melted away. Moving forward, I became one hundred percent mobile. I attribute this to the silent space I offered myself and the recognition of the rest I needed.

We cannot continuously go full throttle without running out of gas. When you feel pulled in several directions, pause, find your version of a glacier experience, and hold space- feel like you are doing nothing. Until next time -

Namaste,

Tim

Image Source: Tim Grutzius