You walked in the door. 

You were not sure where to leave your shoes. 

You were not sure if you were wearing the right clothes

You felt like everyone else knew something you didn't 

You saw strangers in the mirror; including one right in front of you

You were pretty sure you couldn't do this. 

You did this. 

And then you did it again. 

You came back

You knew where to leave your shoes

You started putting your mat down in the same place 

You felt your breath for the first time

You felt your body for the first time

You started meeting your own gaze in the mirror, even when you fell down

You helped someone else figure out where to leave their shoes

And then you found that piece of yourself that had been lost

You came to class when your heart was broken

You came to class when your soul was broken

You came to class to celebrate 

You came to class to mourn

You came to class to be held

You came to class to hold another

You came to class when you felt like a tender moth drawn to that searing flame of the old life that was no longer serving you

And from that fire you created your new life

You felt a space crack open

You felt the breath move and the heart settle

You wanted to share the gifts that saved you

You wanted to be a light for someone who was in the place where you once were 

You practiced and you studied and tried to understand the mystery that will never be fully grasped

You stood up and spoke even though your voice shook, your hands shook, your heart shook

Your words came in the wrong order, the wrong speed, the wrong pitch

And then you stood up again

You slowly understood that it is the flaws, the insecurities, the insufficiencies, that make you whole and human

You understood that your journey, the whole glorious vulnerable mess of it, is pure inspiration

You understood that no one benefits from your perfection, but they are starving for your authenticity

You understood that the things that seem to set us apart, are actually the things that bind us together

You understood that we all need assistance along the path, not so much a teacher, but a guide, a vessel, a candle, an anchor, a home

And you made it so. 

For you. 

For them. 

For us.

- By Lisa Jakub