Creating a Personal Sanctuary

“Sanctuary”: a place of refuge or safety.

I’ve thought a lot about this word during the past few months.

I’ve been feeling exhausted. Physically, mentally, emotionally exhausted. I’m usually pretty resilient and resourceful. But now it seemed that everywhere I turned there was uncertainty.  I know friends and family who thrive in times like these and I envy their natural buoyancy. I’m not of this breed. My ideal environment is predictable, orderly, and secure. And right now that ideal isn’t easily sustained.

That’s when I started to think seriously about the word “sanctuary”. I began to feel that this was exactly what I needed. I ordered and read beautiful books on the subject. I listened to TedTalks. I scoured the internet for information.  And I did learn a lot from all of these. They educated me on how to create quiet physical spaces in which I could place objects that would calm me and inspire a peaceful state of mind – things like a candle, a soft pillow, a framed photo of a loved one or meaningful setting, a rosary or other meditation mala, a trinket to evoke a […]