Here’s what I pondered as I walked on a November day in Canada.
Letting go is an acquired, and necessary, skill. I foster it every time I receive a rejection to something I’ve written. If I let go of enough resentments, doubts or regrets, I open up room for other, better opportunities.
I happened upon a notebook from my Grade 8 English class. On the last page, I found this: a list of words to use instead of said. Way back in the 1970s my teacher advised me to liven up the story. Avoid using said, they said (proposed, urged, argued ….
Whatever life throws at you today, don’t rush, shop around, work in phases, and have faith.
In Canada we joke that we have two seasons: winter and construction. But as summer road construction slows down in our northern climate, we begin different kinds of winter construction. New school projects, new organizational meetings, new roads to new adventures.
Somerton Smith 
I, too, feel I was a hermit in another life. I’m finding being at home all the time is easy for me. Although I do miss spontaneously running out to the grocery, but other than that I’m good.
[FYI I follow a blog called Temenos of the Blessing Light. I was temporarily confused when I saw the title of your post. What are the odds of seeing that word twice among the bloggers who I follow and read?]
Considering that I had never heard of the word before I saw Robert MacFarlane’s tweet, it is interesting to see it twice. I guess you’re meant to have sanctuary today.
My husband has been the designated grocery shopper, so he’s the one taking care of that. I have missed spontaneous trips to hardware stores or home supplies stores though. With the cleaning and reorganizing underway, those are the spontaneous trips I’m missing.
I will also miss doing my book club in person next week. THAT is something that is not quite the same online.
My Gestalt training group uses a center near Philadelphia called Temenos; I loved learning the meaning of the word. It certainly fits. Thank you for that.
I too love being home. I live somewhat isolated here on 30 acres, surrounded by a few hundred more. I feel safe enough but I miss planning for the future — as in this summer. Will I see my children and grandchildren? But more than COVID; I fear my country will emerge from this unrecognizable. I listened to the WHO live call just yesterday —- I digress.
Thirty acres sounds idyllic. A beautiful sanctuary indeed. I agree, though, that the uncertainty is trying. Even in a place of sanctuary, the uncertainty nibbles on our contentment.
Temenos is a new word for me too, but I’m familiar with the essence. I love my home, my sanctuary, especially sitting in the blue-velvet chair where I write in my gratitude book. Outdoors, my patio where I see mother Cardinal building a nest. Unless it’s raining, like today, I can take a walk in the preserve where pines, oaks abound. I see the magnolia trees budding, something to look forward to.
I protect my sanity by reading headlines on my phone or viewing TV news in small doses. Very small doses. The BBC gives a broader sweep of events than network news, in my opinion.
Very timely post, Arlene, thank you!
Small doses! Excellent plan for balance. Your sanctuary sounds lovely – I can picture it. I envy you the magnolia tree. There are some in our city, but they have to be babied through our cold winters. I’m not the “babying” kind of gardener, so I am left to admire the ones in other’s gardens.
I need to add this word – Temenos – to my vocabulary. I just need to figure out how to pronounce it. I think I was a monk in a previous life. Total seclusion, chanting, meditating, gardening to grow produce for others, and maybe wine-making – all sounds divine to me. Now? My Temenos is walking along the beach, walking just about anywhere actually, or just sitting cross-legged in a room, eyes closed, and meditating. I also find Temenos snuggling with my guy in front of the fireplace, just relaxing together. He’s a sanctuary for me. ❤
I like your ideas of sanctuary. They are lovely. I could be a monk too – as long as being part of a book club was an endorsed activity. That’s one outing that I really miss. There’s nothing like a group of friends, a glass of wine, dessert and books – in person. That’s a sanctuary too.
Absolutely (group of friends is a sanctuary). My guess is that monks have a book club, and if they don’t, I’d introduce them to one. 🙂