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Sacred Spaces

My project style is "spreader." I scatter my supplies around me, and then if I have to stop before I'm finished, I'll stack everything and leave it in place. This is a somewhat maddening trait to others if those I'm sharing space with are of a tidier inclination, and a dangerous one for me if those I'm sharing space with are under the age of three.

Both of those parameters are currently in place, so I've discovered trays and carts. A little three tiered cart currently acts as my nightstand, each bin assigned a different theme, and perfect for dragging to wherever I'm working and then putting away safely when I'm finished.

I've also started getting up before everyone else in the mornings to take online classes, write these posts (and other things), and ease my body into wakefulness with a gentle yoga routine. Especially this year, when we're all stuck inside together, I think it's important to maintain sacred spaces for the individuals in our household. Even if they're small - a predawn hour, a tray of inspiration or in progress project - they can still make a big impact.


In the winter we all move toward the back of our little house, where the bedrooms are, as the Sun shifts southward. A few weeks ago I put prismatic vinyl clings on the kids' windows so that along with the sun we get rainbows. Tiny encouragements for the introverts and extroverts alike. It's nice to round the hall corner and look down to see rainbows dancing on my feet.

Near the beginning of the year I rearranged the contents of several bookshelves and found myself with some extra books that I had read and enjoyed but no longer needed. I stacked them up, intending to take them to a Little Free Library, but then there was a pandemic and they closed the one I was planning on taking them to. But the week of the election I got out a plastic bin, put a sign on it that said "Free anti-stress Library, please take a book," and filled it up.

I've been putting it out every day that hasn't rained, and it's ended up being pretty popular. There's a little boy who always checks for puzzles, and five copies of Where to Begin have gone (I had a stack of those). Coloring books and devotionals are also popular (I've been graphing the results each evening when I bring it in). The daily average jumped from one to four, so I actually bought a few books to put in, and someone gave me some puzzles for it.

When our within-walking-distance public library closed several years ago, I wanted to put up a real Little Free Library box, but never did. That idea has now been resurrected, plans have been made, and hopefully soon we'll have a nice permanent library box that doesn't have to be brought in at night and can withstand the elements. 

I love literature of all sorts, and the way that it can transport the reader to new and interesting places, regardless of their actual situation. I value my books and my spaces, and I recognize that not everyone has those things, even if they want them. So I'll continue cultivating sacred spaces, within my home and outside it - although, I hope the rest of the neighborhood steps up with books once we put the LFL up or I'll have to add a donation box!

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Juliann said…
I want one of those carts for our family room to hold my projects and books. I also love the morning for doing a bit of reading and watching and learning.
November 20, 2020 at 7:33 AM
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