This Month’s Theme - Creating Sanctuary

July 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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“Serenity isn’t freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm”

— Unknown

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, Breathing Space 

April 07 - The Space

July 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Everyone needs a little bit of calm to restore their batteries and renew their spirit.

The more deliberate we are in crafting a sanctuary – a retreat – a way of renewal – the more benefit we receive in our busy lives.

Our lives are so busy, so chock full of activity, it is sometimes hard to get enough of what restores us. We all seek an equilibrium, where the draining influences of busyness and stress and giving to others are counterbalanced by those activities or places or people that fill us back up.

Sanctuary can be found on many levels.

We can find sanctuary in a spa – wallowing in treatments and indulgences that restore not only our body but our spirit as well.

We can find sanctuary in our homes – a home that has been consciously created with retreat and renewal in mind can be like taking a deep, deep breath as we arrive home after a busy day.

We can find sanctuary in nature – at the beach, trekking through the bush, or sitting in our own little piece of nature in our backyard or on our verandah. Sometimes it is enough to find a park bench on which to sit and feel the sun and the gentle breeze on our face, to find the strength to go on.

We can find our sanctuary in the privacy of our bathrooms – nothing beats a good soak with a beautiful scent to soothe away the stresses and help us relax.

We can find sanctuary in the company of our family, in the laughter of good friends, in participation in a team sport, or in the arms of the one we love.

We can find our sanctuary just by having some quiet, alone time.

So, where do you find your sanctuary?

This month in Sanctuary we’re talking about creating sanctuary – restoring body, mind and soul so that we are able to cope with anything life throws us with calm and grace.

In The Reading Space, Marj again shares two great books on creating sanctuary; I share with you one of my all-time favourite albums in The Music Space; in the Career Space we briefly discuss the concept of finding respite in the workplace; and in the Guest Space, Angela again joins us talking about creating your own little corner of the world…

I’m thrilled to introduce you to our third new regular contributor for Sanctuary – Chris Owen. Anyone who has been around a little while will have heard me talk about Chris, as she is a dear friend, a colleague and THE woman to turn to for talk about relationships – the intimate kind and the business kind.

This month, Chris shares with us some possibilities for creating sanctuary in our personal relationships. I love how she asks a series of questions that alert us to what is possible in a relationship – and that she helps us realise that we need more than one person (even if our spouse is truly wonderful – like mine:) to satisfy those needs in our life.

Please join me in welcoming Chris – we’re thrilled to have you on board!! Chris…

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If sanctuary can be found in the company of those we love, who is your sanctuary?

Who in your world provides you with a safe haven? Who is your harbour, where the beating waves can be kept at bay?

Who understands you with little or no explanation? Who accepts you just as you are, warts and all? Who loves you with your erratic bits, your neurotic bits, your quirky bits, your endearing bits?

Who can you tell the unappealing “stuff” to? Who can you reveal your mistakes to? Where is it safe to go to reveal just how badly you stuffed up? When you tell them, you’ll survive them telling you that you’ve been dumb - but know also they’ll still be determinedly on your side and ready to fight beside you if necessary?

Who’ll just listen and only ask for the details if they think you’re ready to give them? Who’ll help you work out what to do next so you can leave the harbour without feeling the waves are swamping you? Who’ll remind you of how successfully you hurdled the last problem, and rebuild your battered confidence?

Who’ll pour a glass of wine or hand you a beer? Or know that it’s better to give you a cuppa this time? Who’ll offer you their best chocolate, or make you a meal, or invite you to stay for dinner?

Who will distract you from the chaos for a while with some entertaining stories that allow your brain to rest a bit? Who’ll send you a card to tell you they love you and/or appreciate you, just because they thought you might need it? Who’ll send you an email joke that somehow puts the world back into perspective?

Who’ll give you a hug when you feel unlovable? Who’ll offer the soothing rub to your shoulders, or the foot massage?

Rarely does all this come in one package and if it does for you, then you probably have a fantastic relationship with someone. There aren’t many people who’ll give you all of that unless you’re giving to them in THEIR time of need, and being their safe harbour in return.

But just because it’s not wrapped up in one package doesn’t mean you can’t find sanctuary. You may just need to be selective. When the waves seem sky-high, you just need to choose the safe harbour that’ll fit the problem of the moment.

And if, after reading this, you’ve realized you don’t have ANYONE, then it’s really time to take action.

The first step is to start selecting who amongst your lover, friends, and family, are ripe candidates. Start loving them authentically by offering THEM some of these gifts. It’s amazing what comes back in return!

Chris Owen
Pink Apple Connections

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, The Space 

April 07 - Career Space

July 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

What does Creating Sanctuary have to do with our work?

No matter where we work, it is always possible to bring a little Sanctuary with us to help us through our day. And in the workplace, the demands on our time, our energy, our very soul can be very draining – never has there been more need to continually top up our batteries and restore our equilibrium than in workplaces today – no matter where they are, or what they look like.

If you have a desk to call your own then a photo or a gorgeous scene as computer wallpaper can add that little touch that restores you in a moment of chaos. A plant in a pretty pot, even a great pen to write with or a tidy, organised desk can create that sense of calm and remind you to take a breath. Inspirational quotes can also help to uplift you when you need it most.

If you have an office of your own, you can add music or aromatherapy, plants or pictures to the mix.

For those without a desk or a computer to call their own and those on their feet most of the day, creating sanctuary can take a little bit more ingenuity. Whilst you are on your feet – could your restoration come in the form of comfortable shoes, or some of those great cushioning insoles? Consider a spritz of your favourite perfume on the back of your neck, so you receive wafts of it throughout the day (guaranteed to make you smile). For these workers, the task may be hard, but it isn’t impossible. When you have time for a break – take it outdoors if at all possible, no matter what the weather. Take a moment to sit and breathe. Think of something that calms you – be it imagining you are sitting on the beach, or at the top of the mountain about to ski over the edge, or cuddled up in front of an open fire. Your mind is your best ally.

And for those that work as mothers and carers – a little touch of sanctuary in a place of our own is vital in restoring your soul at the end of a harrowing day. Take time whenever you can to top up your reserves, take a deep breath and relax.

Creating your very own sanctuary is about giving yourself relaxation moments. Moments where you remember to breathe deeply and relax your tense muscles, if only for a minute – regularly throughout your day. With a sense of sanctuary, you’ll get to the end of your day with an enhanced sense of calm and well-being. And you may even find you’ve been more productive, to boot!

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, Career Space 

April 07 - Guest Space - Angela Esnouf

July 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

In Guest Space this month, we welcome back one of our new contributors – Angela Esnouf from Creating Order from Chaos – as she talks about creating your own little corner of the world as your own private Sanctuary. Thanks Angela!

Your own little corner of the world

Every one of us needs a place to call our own. Somewhere we can feel safe, calm. Somewhere we can reflect, ponder. Somewhere we can retreat to when the world closes in. Somewhere to sit, take a deep breath and relax.

But what if, in your home, there is no such somewhere? The answer’s simple, create one. Follow these simple steps to create your own little corner of the world.

  • Choose the right location. It should be away from main traffic areas.
  • Think about what you want from your space. Do you want to soak in the tub, sit in a comfy chair or lay on a pile of soft cushions? What tools do you need? A light to read by? Bath salts and candles? Mood music? Gather these for later.
  •  Just as important as knowing the things you want is knowing what you don’t want. Anything that will overstimulate the mind or make you feel you should be doing something else should be banished from your sanctuary.
  • Clutter is the enemy of the peaceful mind. Purge as much clutter as possible. Anything you don’t need, use or love doesn’t belong. So out it goes.
  • Anything that belongs somewhere else goes as well.
  • Now it’s time to deal with what’s left. Hide loose objects in pretty boxes or baskets, keeping like objects together. For example, bath toys can be stored in a plastic basket, makeup sorted by category into plastic drawers, loose coins and keys in a ceramic dish, magazines tucked into a cane basket. Anything large and unattractive can be covered by a pretty scarf or tablecloth, or perhaps a room divider.
  • Bring in the things you gathered earlier to make the final touches.

All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy your little corner of the world.

Angela Esnouf
Creating Order from Chaos

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, Guest Space 

April 07 - Music Space

July 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Medicine Woman

Medicine Woman -
Medwyn Goodall

I’m going to recommend one of my favourite ‘new age’ music performers this month to help Create Sanctuary. Medwyn Goodall has a huge range of CDs, but this is one I consistently turn to when I need a little serenity in my busy life. I love this music.

Medwyn uses traditional instruments and rhythms to celebrate the power of the Feminine. Through this balance we can achieve a greater harmony with the expansive, nurturing side of our nature. A lively, authentic performance of traditional South American instruments.

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, Music Space