Nomad 365 Club: Month 3: HOME
Boundaries & Sacred Space
"Create space simply to 'be' and clarity emerges for you to see."
- Gabriella Goddard
When I was a young child, one of the things I wanted more than anything was a tree house. I'd daydream, imagining this place separate from the house I lived in that’s away from everyone, and amongst nature that I could make my own. I believe I was motivated by watching some of my all-time favorite cartoon characters, like Arthur, the book-toting, story-seeking older brother who had a tree house that he and his friends could retreat to at any time to work on creative projects, read and study, debate, and simply...be. Or the misfit crew in the movie The Sandlot, who had a tree house where they had overnight sleepovers and plotted how they would get the treasured baseball signed by the great Bambino himself, Babe Ruth, back over the gate from "The Beast" next door before Smalls' stepdad noticed. Even Arnold from the heralded show Hey Arnold! had a rooftop bedroom that felt like a surrealist, futuristic safe haven for him and his friends.
My dream was to have a tree house that I would turn into a clubhouse where me and my friends could hang out, create our own rules and culture, and build the world that we wanted to see. I never did get that tree house, but I did create a few makeshift clubhouses as a kid. And now, as an adult, by the grace of God, I'm currently trusted to lead a community center, which you could say is our own clubhouse of sorts, with intentions to better everyone's sense of community and mental wellness.
Overall, I know that what I was in need of as a child is something that we all need, even as adults: a safe space of our own. A space where we can unplug from the regular day-to-day hustle and bustle. Where you feel free to be your full and flawed self. Where you can try things, dance, scream, cry, laugh, think, explore, and share with others whenever you wish to. It's a sense of home, but with a space that is specifically designed for your well-being. We need this. Even Jesus would often be noted taking time to go off on his own to recharge and pray. We need that sacred space and time for ourselves.
“ “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.””
If you haven't created a sacred space and dedicated time for yourself, it's time for you to start creating it today. Even if you have your own place of residence, have you made sure that you have a space within it for you to recharge? Do you have a space to explore, or to just simply be, without additional dopamine needed from your devices?
Having a place that is sacred for you is important. A place that is set apart and dedicated to your well-being. A place for your own self-discovery, incubation, inner stillness, and healing. If you don't have this space for yourself, now will be the time that you do. And even if you feel like you do have a space like this for yourself, we're going to take time this month to analyze and revamp this space.
What would a sacred space that best serves who you are right now look like? What textures would you feel? What colors do you see? What would you want to do in this space with no judgment or external achievement or validation needed? What's a realistic sacred space you can make, revamp, or find for yourself? We'll answer that question, and hopefully, we'll all have our own version of a tree house brought to life; and then exist fully inside of it.
