Home Sanctuary

I Propose A Campaign for Sanctuary

 

I tell you what. These people who are campaigning for public office right now are just tireless. Honestly, I don't know how they do it.

Up at the crack of dawn, they travel, give stump speeches, rally their troops, try to stay on message, kiss babies, organize people and budgets, give interviews, take selfies, tweet, and make promises. Then they go to bed at some ungodly hour, only to get up and do it all over again.

The tenacity! The relentlessness! The courage! The audacity! The unshakable confidence in their platforms!

I've got to say, I'm impressed. No matter which side of the party aisle you're on, you've got to admit that it takes total commitment to a campaign to work this hard.

 

I applaud you, Donald and Hillary. Your stamina astounds me.

 

Watching the presidential candidates each relentlessly pursue their vision for our country, and boldly ask for the people's support, has gotten me to thinking about my own little "nation-state," which is considerably smaller than the whole U.S. of A.:

 

Of course I'm talking here about my home and family.

 

What vision do I have for this place, and for these beautiful people who are entrusted to me?

What am I willing to tirelessly work for?

What kind of "platform" am I running on here?

 

Well, that's easy to answer. My campaign has always been about sanctuary.

 

I've run on this message for a couple of decades now. 

Making home a sanctuary for the people I love has been my guiding mission. It's the thing I return to over and over again.

Peace. Order. Beauty.

A soft place to land.

 

 

Now, I've logged a few stump speeches to my bored constituents over the years. I've kissed babies. I've organized people and budgets, made promises, tried to stay on message, and I've made my own "unforced errors" along the way. Probably done a bit of mud-slinging, which I'm not proud of.

But my point is that it's necessary to have a vision. It's important to have a platform you can always come back to when you get off track.

 

Do you wish your home felt like a sanctuary? Do you long for change, for the freedom to live and grow and flourish within your four walls?

I propose that you start your own campaign. Throw your hat in the ring and get in the race.

 

Campaign for that sanctuary.

Run on that vision.

Ask for your people's support.

Be bold. Relentless. Tenacious, even.

 

Put a goal on some paper, and then start taking some steps to make it happen.

Listen, sanctuary is a worthy goal.

Your soul needs a place to breathe free. Your children long for a safe haven from the storms outside. Your marriage deserves a chance to thrive. Lord knows you could use some better pillows and some organizing bins.

In light of that, I hereby nominate you for President of Your Sanctuary! Cue the balloon drop! Start up the band!

B-b-but...where, oh where to start, you ask?

 

Well, let me give you some reading material for your platform development. Here are some blog posts that I hope will inspire you.

 

Home Sanctuary: Peace, Order, and Beauty 

 

And hey. I believe in you. I will vote for you. I'll stick your sign in my yard.

You can make your home great again, or, maybe even great for the first time ever.  

You just needed the right campaign.

 

A question for you: would you be interested in me reviving the daily Small Things here on my blog to help you create sanctuary? I'm thinking about it for 2017. I'd love to know your thoughts. Comment here or drop me an email!

 

Small Things with Great Love - The Letters

 

"We can do no great things; only small things with great love."

Mother Teresa

 

I found this quote years ago, during a time when I felt particularly insignificant in the world. I was knee-deep in parenting, which took all of my personal resources and most all of my brain cells. I was tired. Or, as we say in Texas, "tard."

Back then, I could barely drag myself from the couch, where I crashed after a long work day, to the stove to try and make some kind of magic happen in a skillet for dinner. 

I could not imagine having the energy to go out and change the world, when changing bed sheets on a somewhat regular basis seemed almost impossible. I was reduced to thinking in terms of small things - bite-sized tasks I could complete that would help make life feel good for my family. Despite my exhaustion, I still wanted them to feel loved and special. I just knew I couldn't pull off anything too grand.

Do a load of socks and underwear.

Make one batch of cookies.

Make my bed.

Wipe down bathroom counters.

Fluff the couch pillows.

Pick up shoes left in living room.

Pack a Christmas shoebox for a child in need.

Put some extra dollars in the offering plate on Sunday.

Make a meal for a new mama.

I did small things, because that's all I could manage.

And it felt so inconsequential, so insignificant.

One day, I came across the quote by Mother Teresa, and it was like a light bulb came on inside my head. I even created the canvas art piece (above) with the quote on it, so I could be reminded of it each day.

 

Small things....with great love.

 

Suddenly, all those little things I did each day felt important. I saw them in a new way. Each task, each act of service, each pound of hamburger fried, each pair of socks folded, each card sent to someone sick, each time I rocked babies in the church nursery...these all became acts of great love.

 

And love, I believe, changes the world.

 

There is a movie coming out, called The Letters. It's based on the life of Mother Teresa through the personal letters she wrote over the span of forty years.

I can't wait to see it, because Mother Teresa has been an inspiration to millions of people. I admit I have not known much about her story, other than that she served the poorest of the poor in India, and lived a life dedicated to loving the "least" by the world's standards. She is considered one of the world's greatest humanitarians of modern times.

 

 

 

The Letters is a movie I hope people will go see.

 

At a time when religion has become political, and when faith is rocked by cynicism, it might just be a good idea to be reminded of the power of small things done with great love.

 

Simply watching the movie clip has made me pause to think about ways I can serve others.

I still feel little. I still feel tired. I'm overwhelmed by the immensity of the world's suffering. 

And yet, I'm inspired to keep thinking small. If each of us, millions of us, did whatever small things we could, perhaps we would see the immensity of God's redemptive love overtake the world.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Rachel

 

p.s. you can help spread the word about this movie by using the hashtag #TheLetters and the handle @TheLettersMovie on Twitter and Facebook. It's a small thing we can do together.

 

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The Letters (Film). The opinions and text are all mine.

Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

 

Hat Birds Know the Secret of Sanctuary

Courtesy of Wendell Long

The Hat Birds are back.

Tiny little House Wrens, they made a luxurious nest in an old straw hat that was left in the breezeway last year. Back then, we hadn't noticed the nest until the babies had hatched, and the sounds of eager chirps filled the porch each time the mama or papa would arrive with food.  

We stood on a chair, held our breath and tilted our heads so we could peek into the soft cavern. Ridiculously large beaks opened wide in unison at any movement beyond the opening, especially fingers wriggled in a gentle tease. Amazingly, the gawky, awkward babies with their sparse feathers would jump the nest for independence in a matter of days.

And now the mama and papa are back with another batch of blue eggs to tend. They've been remodeling, fixing up the place and making it perfect for their new brood. I think they've added on. I know they've certainly worked on the curb appeal.  

It is charming.

Oh, the delight of finding a glorious nest so close to our curious eyes! 

 

We can peek in and see the feathers, bits of grass and leaves, some string and even some dried moss from a nearby window box.  Tufts of fluff, twigs and petals make this carefully crafted structure sturdy, yet simply welcoming to the small family of perky-tailed birds.

I have to hand it to this little wren couple.

 

They've managed to make their home a sanctuary with creativity, ingenuity and flair.  Of course, finding the right location, high atop a hat tree and nestled inside a straw chapeau, was a wise choice. But the tending, the decor and the creature comforts are what make this place such a wonderful family home.

These wrens know the secret of sanctuary.  

They know that using what you have, no matter how modest, is the key to sleeping well at night.

 

They know that good food, and lots of it, is a perfect way to strengthen the little bodies who will soon take flight.

 

They know that families must be tended by both parents, and that protecting and caring for their brood is their most important job. 

 

They do fuss and scold, but their cheery song tells me that they find joy in their existence. 

 

The fluff and tufts show that even the tiniest of creatures need a soft place to land.

What is Home Sanctuary to you? 

 

 

 

Is it a place that smells good and has good food on the table? 

 

Is it a place that reflects your family's personality - all crazy aspects of it? 

 

Do you enjoy walking in the door after you've been away? 

 

Beyond the unmade beds and toothpaste on the mirrors, does your home give you a sense of belonging?

Today, take a moment to create a bit of Sanctuary for yourself. 

 

 

 

Fluff a pillow in an easy chair, pull a lamp close and open a book. Cuddle up with a sweet-smelling, freshly bathed child. Pour a cup of tea. Cut a flower from the garden.  Pick up the toys with gratitude for the children in your tending. Fuss a little over the placement of a picture, or vase, or a memento. Fill a tub with bubbles and lock the door to the outside world.

Take a few moments to do something that delights you. 

 

Find sanctuary in the tufts and fluffs, the sticks and leaves that make your house.....your home.

 

What will you do to create Sanctuary today?

 

 

*this post first appeared in 2010, but I had to repost when I saw the return of the little wrens...this time atop a ladder which was set "temporarily" on the porch. Now the ladder is there permanently...until the babies fly.

Shhhhhhhh......

 

I’m not sure why I thought of this the other day, but a small memory surfaced that gave me a little sense of longing. A feeling of sentimentality and wishing. The recollection wasn't much, really; just a fleeting remembrance of a sound I used to hear. 

I thought of the record player we once had - the one that was in a Hi Fi cabinet. It was a little old fashioned for the late 1970's, but it had a good sound (we thought), and the decorative chest that housed it fit nicely in our living room. Perfect with the avacado green divan.

I loved listening to a stack of records as I went to sleep at night. My room was near the living room, so I could hear the music while I lay in bed. My parents had a fine collection of classical, as well as gospel music. Quartets, George Beverly Shea, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. No pop singers, nope, not for us. Just music that was enriching - “edifying” - as my dad would say. The Grand Canyon Suite was my favorite symphony piece, especially the “On the Trail” movement. I blame that piece for igniting my love of donkeys as I pictured them clop-clopping down the trail, then balking with the violinist's “hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw.” With each movement I could just see the sunrise over the canyons, feel saddle sore on the trail, then run for cover as a storm passed, and finally, sleep under the brilliant stars. It was music for the imagination.

But that sound thing I remembered. The thing that’s made me feel a little bit tickly inside. It happened when the music came to an end, but the record kept going around and around. You could hear the sound of the needle on vinyl, the speakers amplifying the “shhhh” as it floated over the the wide shiny space in the center. I suppose that sound didn’t last more than fifteen seconds, before the needle would lift and return itself to its arm rest.

And I would wait. Shhhh.

Here it comes. A click as the next record, which had been suspended like an umbrella top, was released. With a quiet “plop” it settled on the turntable and got up to speed in anticipation of the magic needle lifting and moving to the exact location of the thin, shiny space at the outer rim of the record. Again, the “shhhh” of the needle. What record was this? I couldn’t remember. I would have to wait a moment to find out. Shhhhhh. Oh, yes. There it is. Mahalia Jackson. I'm going to sleep well now.

I would close my eyes. Most nights, I made it through the entire stack of records, until the final shiny space at the center of the last one. The needle didn't always lift and there would be that long, "shhhh" as the vinyl went around and around and around. I'd hear my dad's footsteps and the cabinet lid squeak open. Then a "vvvvt" as the needle was swiftly lifted with his index finger and pushed to the side.  A click of the knob, and the lid closed tight. Slippers on carpet, lamps turned off. 

The memory of that sound  - the "shhhh" - made me remember the pause that came with it. The waiting for the next record. The wondering about the order they were put in. The anticipation of what was to come. Just a few seconds in all, but enough. Enough to appreciate the end of one record before starting another. Enough to wonder if the needle will get stuck? Oh, good, there it goes. Whew.

Sometimes I think we need those old-fashioned pauses again. We don't really live in a hi-fi world anymore. My IPod will play continuously on shuffle. Cable news is 24/7. Walmart is open all night. I can work throughout the weekend. Customer service is always available. I can call ahead for carry out. I can take care of emails on airplanes, and coffee shops and waiting rooms. Amazon delivers tomorrow. Everything is seamless, unbroken, uninterrupted. Everything moves at the speed of light. We juggle and hustle. There is no "shhhh" when a turntable goes around and around, as a needle waits to be lifted. No intermission in the noise and activity and bustle.

Shhhh. 

But you know what? I'm making a conscious effort to stop. To pause. To appreciate an event, or a song or a movement, before rushing to the next thing. I'm paying attention to the person in front of me, listening instead of scrolling through my texts. I'm tweeting and Facebooking less - because they eat up the pauses that are good for my soul.

Shhhh.

Today, I encourage you to choose quiet.

Allow pauses to enter your day without rushing to fill them. Stop all the multitasking. Quit feeling guilty for watching clouds, and listening to tree branches sway, and laying with your babies on the floor. Because in the pauses there is appreciation, and anticipation, and wonder. There is rhythm, and peace, and contentment. There are clicks and pops and whispers of God that you can only hear in the shiny spaces on vinyl, while a needle waits to be lifted.

Shhhh.

 

 

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The Power of Sanctuary to Change the World

Sanctuary: Peace, Order & Beauty

Imagine if every person in this world had a roof over his head, a tummy that was full of good food, a job that provided for his family, and chance to pursue his dreams? What if there was no fear of being hurt or persecuted for one's color or faith or language? What if each child was loved and cared for by someone? What if when that child closed her eyes at night, she knew that tomorrow would hold a bright future?

I'm describing sanctuary - and it's what every person in this entire world longs for, fights for, hopes for and works for. It's why we go out and earn money, and look for a spouse and create families. It's why people defend their land and way of life...so that they can have a small piece of sanctuary on this earth. A place of peace and acceptance, satisfaction and joy, beauty and order.

We were created for sanctuary.

I believe it is written into our souls. Ultimately, it makes us long for heaven and an eternal relationship with God, but on this little world, it can feel much smaller in scale.

I believe that sanctuary is a powerful force for good. In families, it means that there is a sense of well-being that permeates relationships. It means that there is enough structure and organization that children can go into the world with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It means that each person can be who they are without fear of rejection or ridicule. There is beauty in the surroundings that stirs each soul to think higher thoughts and dream.

Sanctuary isn't an absence of conflict, it's a commitment to listening and understanding. It's not a zen-like existence, but it's a place where there is a decision to shut out some of the noise of the world outside. It's about creating a home where each individual can thrive.

Sometimes that means doing loads of laundry so that my kids can find clean clothes to wear. Sometimes it means waiting up for a teenager to come home and listening to tale after tale of high school drama when your body is crying out for sleep. Sometimes it means cleaning toilets, making lunches, changing diapers, checking homework, pulling weeds, straightening closets, or kissing boo-boos.

There is work that goes into it.

But when there is a purpose to it, that makes all the difference.

As moms, so much of sanctuary is in your power to create.

You can choose a lifestyle that promotes peacefulness and order, no matter what is going on around you. You can bring beauty to your home, no matter what your budget. It's a mindset that is proactive, rather than reactive. It's a decision to make something good happen inside your four walls.

 

Sanctuary, simply put, is this:

 

Peace, Order, and Beauty.

 

Each day, choose to do something that promotes these pillars of sanctuary. This simple decision will revolutionize your home and family, I promise. And I believe there is a ripple that affects our communities and the world outside.

 

Oh, look. I've gone long this morning. So I'll continue this in a short series instead of cramming it all in today. Let's take a little time to unpack this idea and see what it really looks like, ok?

 

Let me ask you: what does a home sanctuary look like to you? Is this something you long for? How can you promote peace, order and beauty in your life today?

 

Simplifying, Slowly

I'm simplifying.

I'm trying to clean things up and pare things down.

I started with the guest room, which I'm now using as my office. After Christmas, I hauled out a bunch of accumulated stuff, and brought in a small desk and computer.

And I painted the walls. I could NOT WAIT to paint the walls!

I found a soft gray color and went for it. It feels so fresh and clean and new. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

The vintage door with the framed print above is in the corner of the room...I will post complete "after" photos soon, I promise. Until then, I'll keep primping just a little bit more.

 

I'm trying to simplify around the blog as well.

Did you know that I've posted daily Small Things for SIX YEARS? That's a lot of little tasks and prompts!

And I love the Small Things. I believe in them. I believe in their power to transform our homes. I believe big things happen in small steps, every single day.

But it's time for a change. A freshening up! A paring down and simplifying.

So I'm changing up the daily "Small Things" just a bit. Oh, I'll still bring them out to nudge us along, but I don't want to be tied to them when I feel like yakking about something else. Some topics just don't fit into a neat, small task...and it will be simpler for me to have the freedom to branch out...to talk about things like parenting, marriage, creating, blooming and making things beautiful. OK, maybe also some cleaning and organizing, but you get the picture. :)

And don't worry. I'm still here to hold your hand and tell you that you can do it. I've got lots of encouragement, tips and ideas to make your home a GREAT place to be. Let's keep journeying together as Company Girls.

I'll be back on Monday for another week of Home Sanctuary goodness. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Love, Rachel

What would YOU like to hear me talk about? Is there a question you'd like to ask me? Where are your areas of need, when it comes to creating a home environment that feels like a sanctuary?

 

Men and Mountains

My husband and son went on a trip of a lifetime this summer. Together, they conquered a mountain that haunted them for eleven years.

See, eleven years ago, Grayson was eight and already dreaming of summits. Tom promised a climb up Mt. Elbert; though a Class One hike suitable for a beginner, it is the highest peak in Colorado and a famous "Fourteener." It would be their great adventure.

 

Tom and Grayson, 2002

 

The climb went smoothly up until they got within sight of the summit. Suddenly, Gray was overcome with severe altitude sickness and could not take one more step. He doubled over and held his head, crying in pain. Alarmed, Tom picked him up and carried him four miles down to their camp, half running as he went, so he could recover. Summiting would not happen for them.

The years passed by, and the regret over failing to reach the top lingered. The summers were full of other activities, and somehow the two never could make it back for another stab at it. Until this year.

Now 19 and taller than his dad, Grayson is a young man with a streak of determination. He and Tom put a plan together that would take them not only up Elbert, but nearby Mt. Massive as well.

This time, it was Tom who struggled. And in a fitting turn, it was his son who helped him to the top. They made it. The summit held special meaning as father and son took in the incredible views and savored the victory.

 

Tom and Grayson, 2013

 

 

Grayson made a beautiful video of their climb. It is as much a tribute to their journey, as to reaching the top...and I love that. Turn up the music, hit "full screen," and enjoy. Tom's speech at 7:28 is priceless.

 

 

Men and mountains.

Somehow I think they are purposed for each other. Maybe it's the difficulty, or the challenge, or the quest, but I guess there is something in men that needs to battle hard things. I'm so proud of these men who pressed on - to climb their own mountains and fight through hardship to victory.  

Here is the Mt. Massive climb. The footage is epic, and the journey is sweetness.

 

 

 

Do you have boys? Sometimes it's hard for moms to step aside and let them fight their battles. But giving them space (and faith) to become men is an important part of them taking on their roles in life. Let fathers and sons do some special things together without asking if they have kleenex or hand santizer. Let them go, mama.

They have mountains to climb.

Related articles

Darn You, Kid

5 Ways to Simplify Your Life Today

We all want to simplify our lives -- starting tomorrow. We would start today, but we've got too many things on our plate to begin the process, right? I hear ya.

Here are five things you can do today that will make a difference immediately, regardless of how complicated your schedule is.

 

1. Decide what's important. Make a list of the three or four essential things in your life. What would happen if you eliminated everything else today? Imagine the "worst case scenario" if you didn't make that batch of brownies for the PTO, or if the laundry didn't get done, or if you didn't chaperone the field trip. Chances are, life would go on. Do the essentials first, and THEN fill in with the extras.

 

2. Be a Uni-tasker. Do one thing at a time. Multi-tasking has become a way of modern life, but it actually makes you less focused, less engaged, and less efficient. It robs each task of your full attention, energy and creativity. Doing one thing at a time means that you are present and able to make the most of each moment. When you stop juggling "the next thing," you'll find the beauty and joy that's in front of you right now.

 

3. Unplug. If you start having heart palpitations every time your phone or device is not in your hand or on your person, it's a good sign that you're addicted to it. Limit your email checks to a few specific times each day, and consider that the Twitterverse can function just fine without your current status. The constant bombardment of updates, news and information does not add quality to your life...it overloads you with mind-clutter and consumes valuable time. But you already knew this.

 

4. Embrace "Enough." In a culture that celebrates the "new and improved" versions of everything, we can easily get sucked into thinking we need more and better stuff than we already have. Do you have food to eat? Clothes to wear? A car to drive? You have more than billions of people on this planet. You have enough. Practice gratitude and model it to your children. Less stuff = less to take care of, less to worry about, less to spend money on. Less stuff = freedom.

 

5. Say "no." Truth: You will always be asked to do more than you can or should. Setting healthy boundaries around the things you value (your family, your time, your faith) means that you'll have to say "no" to good things in order to preserve the best things in your life. Make a habit of asking for time to think about a new commitment before adding it to your already-full life. Discuss it with your spouse and family, or a friend, before you commit to anything. Others can help you see your own limits when you can't. Learn that a healthy "no" brings a "yes" to peace and simplicty.

 

This year, I've committed to breathing. To simplifying. To letting go of the unnecessary. I've found that it takes a constant effort to keep chaos at bay and simplicity at the forefront. These five things are helping me make better decisions and enjoy each day to the fullest....and I am breathing. Are you?

How about you? What is YOUR best strategy for simplifying? What will you do today that will make life better? I hope you'll share!

Peace, Order and Beauty

The three pillars that create sanctuary.

I'm passionate about making my home a sanctuary for my family, and I've written a lot about it over the years. I've seen what creating a "soft place to land" does for the fabric of our relationships, and the strength that comes from knowing that home is a place that feels good and comforts the soul. My home has never been perfectly organized or filled with priceless treasures, but I've found that sanctuary is much more about an attitude of the heart than anything else. Today, I'm sharing some of my older posts with you as I prepare for another year of helping you create your OWN home sanctuaries.

With love, Rachel Anne

Sanctuary is a Three-Legged Stool

 

Why I'm Passionate About Sanctuary

 

Somethin' Dudn't Taste Right

 

Sanctuary in Suburbia: Not the Impossible Dream!

 

The Box Job

 

Sanctuary, Save the Day!

 

MapQuest, Find Sanctuary

 

And last but not least, don't forget that 2013 is the year we are going to learn to BREATHE together! See you January 2nd....have a wonderful and safe New Year!

Nature's Call, Part 4

Of all the Nature Calls that tug on our hearts, perhaps the strongest and deepest is the question,

"Am I loved?"

It's a question that echoes through the most private recesses of our very being. 

We need to be loved. Deeply.

And we need to FEEL loved. Meaningfully.

Gary Chapman, in his books about the Five Love Languages, teaches that we actually speak (and understand) specific love languages.  You are probably familiar with this idea, and it's brilliant.  It really revolutionized how we express love within our family, because we started learning how to "speak" each other's language.  In  nutshell, the languages are:

Quality Time: focused attention, sharing, talking, shared activities

Gift-Giving: visual symbols of love

Physical Touch and Affection: hugs, pats, hand-holding, etc.

Words of Affirmation: verbal appreciation, encouragement

Acts of Service: serving in a sacrificial way

It started making sense that one child would feel loved when I would spend time with him (watching him play) and another would feel loved when I would help her clean her room.  I know I sure feel loved when my husband washes dishes or fills the gas tank.  It's more than the words, "I love you," it's the actions that speak right to the heart.

There's a 30 second quiz here.  And here's how to spot your child's love language.

When we meet each other's emotional needs, we "fill our tanks."  In our children, we'll see better behavior (gimme a high five on that) and fewer conflicts (five on the side!)  When their tank is full, they are free to think and grow and BE.  The same is true in marriage.  Oh, I love it when we are speakin the same language!

Today's Small Thing is to spend a few minutes considering your child's (and/or spouse's) Love Language.  Does he beam when you help him with one of his chores?  Is she extra sweet when you've given her a lot of hugs?  Do encouraging words light him up?  Take the easy quizzes and then look for ways to speak their language.

Answering your child's question, "Am I loved?" with a resounding "YES!" will give him security and confidence to go out into a world that is often harsh and unforgiving.  He will have an inner strength and courage to face whatever life brings.

It's what we ALL want.  It's what we ALL need.  And it's ours to give and receive.

Happy Valentine's Day!!  I love you girls!

POINTS:  20 for taking the 30 second quiz

BONUS: 10 for each family member's language you can identify  (if you're single, go with a room-mate, sibling, parent or friend)

EUREKA!!  This would make a great game to play as a family!  Who's on??

And what's YOUR Love Language?