This holiday was spent at my family sanctuary – Lake Sunapee NH. It has been in my half-sister’s side of the family for over 80 years. The beautiful old rambling Victorian home built in the 1800s, that was once an Inn, on the tip of a small island with a view of a lighthouse, mountains and the gorgeous crystal-clear lake has been a gathering place for multiple generations.
It was at Sunapee that I first learned that a beautiful peaceful place with supportive, appreciative people can restore and heal you from the inside out. Since then, I have sought to create my own sanctuary wherever I am.
Here are the benefits of creating your own sanctuary.
A PLACE TO RECALIBRATE AND RESTORE
Being at Sunapee allows everyone, no matter how many are present, the space and time to be alone, reconnects to nature, and be yourself. It’s that premise that I suggest you carry into your life. No matter where you are, it’s important to create your own safe place where you can center yourself and restore your sense of self. It can be a room in your home, an outdoor place, a vacation spot, or a corner where you read, meditate or pray.
Creating and designating space as your sanctuary is a step toward asserting and defining what you need for yourself. It helps you carve out time to spend alone, reconnect to your inner self, and calm yourself. The point is that it’s your place that you claim and place-specific value on its significance.
CREATING / PRESERVING TRADITIONS
Families usually have their traditions – for better or worse. Ours this year included fireworks in Lake Sunapee Harbor. When your sanctuary can include space for family, you have a place where special memories are created and preserved. Not only does it help define you within a specific context, but it also helps the family create its identity and history.
These traditions provide security, give you confidence and help you distinguish yourself amidst the chaos that is so prevalent in our culture. Like breathing a sigh of relief, your sanctuary and traditions become your touchstone for reconnecting to who you really are.
FILL YOUR SANCTUARY WITH THE VALUES AND PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT YOU
What is important is to clarify the values you want to live by, and the people who support and nurture you. Your sanctuary needs to support who you really are, a place of refuge and security. You get to define who is included in this.
This is not always easy, especially if you are not in that space currently. It means being willing to clear out or limit the time that you spend with those who are judgmental and unsupportive and offend your sense of values. Your sense of self will improve dramatically. Give yourself that gift.
Sunapee has been a personal and family refuge since I was young and has helped define the concept of creating a personal sanctuary since then. When you do this for yourself, you give yourself the space and intention to recalibrate and restore your sense of self. You create and honor personal and family traditions that help define who you are. And you become more selective in identifying who actually supports and nurtures you. These things help you become a happier and more confident person.
Does this concept of creating a personal sanctuary speak to you? If you would like to explore this yourself, reach out. My Transformational Coaching and Therapy reflect the values and processes to make it happen. Go to www.spectrumtransformation.com and use my Free Consultation link to reach me. I would love to hear from you.
