Sweet Sanctuary – Where is Yours?
Sweet Sanctuary – Where is Yours?
The definition of sanctuary in the words of my dear friend Marianne Piotrowski is “A place of refuge, a place to feel safe & comfortable. A place where one can de-stress from the outside world & commune with God.” It means something different to each of us but serves us all in the same way. Sanctuary can be your home, work, family, friends, outdoors, church – anything, really. But what does it mean to you?
Most times, a person’s sanctuary changes depending on what stage they’re in at that moment of their life. When things are good, it can be family or friends. When faced with hardship – death, divorce, or job loss – many people find sanctuary in their faith. For years, my sanctuary was work because I couldn’t bear to be at home. Over the last couple of years, my sanctuary has shifted to my home. I have transformed it into a place where I enjoy being, though I don’t spend nearly enough time there. When I faced losing my home, it became very clear how much it meant to me & I fought with all of my being to keep it. Thankfully, it worked & I feel so blessed.
What are the characteristics of your sanctuary? Are you surrounded by people & things that you love? Is it simply going to the beach to watch the sunset? Is it escaping to the spa for an amazing massage? Maybe cooking a delicious meal for your cherished family or friends? Here’s what my sanctuary looks like:
Home. I have a tiny condo in Huntington Beach. To many it’s nothing special but to me it’s my escape. I’ve decorated it with antique furniture & vintage glassware- each carefully selected based on the feeling I get the minute I see it. If it takes my breath away, I must see it every day in my home. I love how I can either close all of the curtains & hibernate or go out on the balcony to soak up the sun or watch the stars. I’m just a half-mile from the beach so I enjoy riding my skateboard or bike on the boardwalk & watching the waves. I love where I live & Marianne points out that it’s not the house that is important, it’s what you do with it to make it HOME that is significant. She is so right!
Pets. I’m the crazy pet lady. 3 cats, 11 lizards, a frog, a fish & a praying mantis. It seems like it would be crowded, but it works- everyone gets along, each is well fed & loved. The antics of them all is hilarious, I laugh hysterically at the crazy things they do! The cats cuddle with me at night while the lizards, fish & frog just do their own things. The praying mantis kind of freaks me out but I’m dedicated to caring for him well.
Plants. I have an itty-bitty balcony where I keep my unique garden. I have a “black thumb” & manage to destroy all plants that require TLC. So, I have a succulent & cactus garden (they thrive on neglect) in which only the unusual looking plants live. My favorite is my Night Blooming Cereus– it’s large & fragrant blooms open for just one night then wilt as the sun rises. This plant attracts bats! Too bad there aren’t any bats at the beach…. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to sit outside at night & watch them swoop in for a drink of nectar.
Scents. I use aromatherapy in my home to enhance my time there. Wallflowers by Bath & Bodyworks are my favorite- the scents I use are Eucalyptus Mint for stress relief or Lavender Chamomile for relaxation. There’s nothing better than having a great smelling sanctuary!
Paint me a picture of what your sanctuary looks like & how you created it – I’d love to know! Maybe I can get some ideas from you on how to increase my enjoyment while in mine. Thank you for sharing!
– Carrie
27 Comments
Carrie,
What a great reminder to find a place to reflect. My place is either on the trails behind my house or at one of my kids sporting events.
Thanks for sharing!
Fitz
Carrie,
Great post and than you for sharing your sanctuary. My sanctuary is also my home, It is a place I can escape to, whether it is staying inside on a cold night curled up by the fireplace or enjoying the summer heat outside lounging by the pool. Thank you for sharing all your parts of your special place. Great Blog!!!
Shayna
Such a fun article and one that made me stop and think about what my sanctuaries are! For sure my favorite one is my new condo. I love coming home. It is so peaceful and serene and I love being surrounded by the many things I love. I feel like I am surrounded by old friends, family and joy. It is a place I renew, draw closer to God, and spend time with family and friends. It is a place for me to create and rest. For most of my growing up years I didn’t feel this way about my home. Maybe that is why I appreciate these feelings even more now!
The other places that bring me joy and serenity are the beach, the mountains or practically anywhere that is beautiful and makes me appreciate God’s amazing creations. They inspire and lift me in ways that no other places can do.
Thanks again for our sharing time together. You are an amazing woman and I look forward to getting better acquainted.
Sharon
Carrie,
What a great subject to write on. I am all about Sanctuary, and like you, mine is my home. It’s usually full of family & friends, one form of Sanctuary. I also enjoy it in the early mornings or late evenings when it’s quiet and peaceful. I light candles, put on some soft music, and read or just sit and take it all in. I surround myself with things and people I love, in the flesh or photos, no matter. I can be outside by the pool, working in the garden, or inside snuggled up in a chair or the couch. I take a deep breath and just enjoy, maybe even sneak in a nap! I have gone so far as to adapt my surroundings to the seasons. My husband and I just purchased a new home, and so I’ve got a clean slate to work with. Looking for this new space was all about finding that Sanctuary. This new home had everything we were looking for, and as a result, my home becomes my favorite vacation spot. EVERY DAY!
Cheers to you and your Sanctuary!!
Karilyn
Karilyn, congratulations on your new home! It’s so nice that you have a clean slate to work with in creating your new sanctuary- I’m sure it will be amazing based on the description you have given. Ours are very similar, our home & the lives in it. I can’t think of anything more perfect, thank you for sharing with me! Carrie
I can’t wait to visit your new sanctuary, Lucy!!!
Carrie,
Great blog, we all need a place to call our own or at least feel at peace when we are there. I guess for me my sanctuary has always been the Ocean and the outdoors. As you described it is all encompassing, sight, smell, sound, touch, all of it. It’s pull has been so great on me and the peace and freedom I feel when close to it inevitably led me to surf and play in it as much as possible. There are times when I just have to go to it, not necessarily to surf and play but just to be. I feel so connected with all there and that energy reminds me what it is all about. No projects, no work, no mortgages or bills, no screaming kids or speeding tickets, just the connection among all of us and how important that is. Just thinking about brings a smile and a sense of peace.
Chuck, it’s amazing when we find that special place where we can forget all of our worries. The ocean most definitely has that ability to soothe & carry away any of life’s worries. I love how you are re-energized by its power yet calmed by it simply being there. Thank you so much for sharing your sanctuary with me! Carrie