Long before it was the name of my business, it was a phrase I’d heard in a Bible study. Those words resonated with me. Three small words that expressed a big longing in my soul. In the busyness and hardships of life, we all need pockets of peace.

I began saying it to friends at work when we paused for a cup of coffee on an overnight flight to London. We enjoyed the quiet time after serving dinner on a full flight. I’d experience it on a solo run, or walks with friends on nature trails. It became an intentional noticing of the moment, a time of savoring the good around me.

I’m creating a quiet corner

My own little pocket of peace

A place for praying and pondering

A place to nourish my soul

Where there is space for my thoughts

But room for just me

Lined with begonias and peace lilies

The stars shining above

Hemmed in by happiness

The more I practiced, the more I noticed and made space for it. While working in the yard for hours I began taking breaks to have a glass of lemonade on the porch and read for a while. Or I’d squat down to watch a butterfly flit from flower to flower, sometimes stopping long enough for me to take a picture. First thing in the morning I’d head to my yoga mat for prayer and gentle movement, working out the kinks of body and soul.

While still in yoga teacher training I began inviting friends to my home for free classes, wanting to share what I was learning. It makes me happy to help people with balance, strength and flexibility, but what I enjoyed most was the look of peace on their faces at the end of class. That was the real payment for me, and a sign that what I was sharing had value.

Now it’s become the name of my business, and it’s also the way I live my life. At times my calendar fills up quickly with many good things, leaving me a bit tired and less creative. It’s then that I have to start saying no to some activities, or saying yes in smaller ways. I need to leave margin in my days, and perhaps protect a few empty squares on my calendar in order to cultivate peace.

How do you make time for a pocket of peace?