Peaceful Places

Peaceful Places

Creating sacred, personal spaces to go escape within and pray or reflect upon life can be as simple or intricate as you’d like to make it. The wonderful thing is about creating spirited places for yourself is that such space can be made at home, at the office or anywhere out in the wide world that you choose...

Stress and anxiety seem to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind these days. There is always something that needs to be done or that could be done better. Demands on us to always be “On” can be draining, to say the least. Thus, the need for sacred spaces and personal “Time-Outs” to help find happiness is in higher demand than ever. When the need arises for you to take or make some sacred space, it is possible to go there physically, emotionally or spiritually. Enjoy these suggestions to help you create sacred space for yourself in needed moments:


Headspace: When I am at the office, the greatest tool I have for personal enhancement is my set of headphones. If I need to create inner peace and am unable to leave my desk, I put them on with or without sound. Web radio stations have all kinds of material available – from ambient music to church services and more. Try this option at the office, the next time you feel the need for some serenity.
Find Your Spot: Remember that special secret spot you used to go to as a child? It was somewhere that you could let your imagination run free. Just because you're a grown-up doesn’t mean that the need for that spot isn’t still there. Perhaps installing a bench in your garden that you visit each morning or evening, or a certain spot you stop at on your daily walk – all of these are scared places to help you find inner peace. For me, when I groom my horse and turn him out for exercise, it’s my playtime as well. At work, there is a complex across the street where I go and sit in the afternoon to have tea. A friend of mine finds happiness by climbing to the rooftop of her building on her afternoon break and looks out over the city where she lives. Find a spot to visit at least once a day.

Prayer Place: While the preferred place for people to pray or meditate may be in a church, temple, mosque or other place of worship, you can create a personal prayer space just about anywhere you feel the need. In the corner of my living room, I have a place to sit in the lotus position and practice meditating techniques, with a bookshelf for spiritual literature as well as inspirational sayings and pictures. Another idea is to create a spiritual “bag” that contains a shawl or pillow, some small spiritual books, candles and pictures that you can take with you on a hike, picnic or trip. A friend has a special “prayer kit” that contains a small Bible, rosary beads, a white candle and small pictures of Jesus, The Virgin Mary and the Saints, and is contained in a shaving kit bag. She only uses this for traveling.

These are just some examples of small ways in which you can nurture your spiritual, emotional and physical lives on a daily basis. If you take the time, even if it’s just ten minutes twice a day, to find and enjoy your sacred spaces, you will reap the infinite benefits of balance and heightened spirituality.