SANCTUARY

Recently, I have thought a great deal about ‘sanctuary.’ A sanctuary is a place of calm and stillness, a place of grace and perhaps anonymity, secrecy and maybe even mystery. It is a state of mind. Sanctuary can be found anyplace. But most of all it is a place that centers us and grounds us to the present moment. And then sometimes it is a place where we seek shelter to quiet the internal noise and to feed our soul. It doesn’t have to be a physical structure. Sanctuary can be carried with you where ever you are.

Writing is my sanctuary. It centers me, grounds me, quiets the noise and feeds my soul. It keeps my mind alive and sometimes it keeps me alive. I have friends that are a sanctuary to me, friends who love me, respect me, listen to me, don’t judge me, and care for me unconditionally.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux says, “We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place for those who love us.” That is sanctuary.