The Season for Sanctuary
It’s Season in Florida! What does that mean? Well, in addition to the influx of snowbirds, a busy rhythm ensues as we help our clients prepare their homes for the holidays. Hectic, but gratifying.
I know for myself that hosting can bring a mix of joy and pressure—we want everything to flow seamlessly, to create moments of celebration and connection. Yet, at its core, this season isn’t actually about perfection; it’s about gratitude. It’s a time to reflect on the people who enrich our lives and to celebrate the community of love and care that surrounds us.
Ahhhhhh. It feels so good to write that.
Gratitude has long been a cornerstone of my sanctuary philosophy, but my journey with it began during a rather difficult season in my life. At the time, business was slow, my personal life felt fragile, and even maintaining friendships seemed exhausting. In an act of quiet rebellion against those dark feelings, I sat down and began to list the people I was thankful for—those who had offered kindness, support, and love. As I made my list, something remarkable happened. Slowly, gratitude shifted my perspective and I felt the lift of hope and optimism return. Simply feeling thankful helped me see the beauty and strength in the connections I had.
What started as a private reflection turned into something transformative.
I decided right then to write heartfelt notes to the people who had touched my life, expressing my gratitude in a highly personal way, directly to them. Delivering those cards became a powerful act of connection. Not only did it deepen my appreciation for these relationships, but it also offered a gift of acknowledgment to others, reminding them of their own value. Gratitude, I realized in that moment, is inherently communal—it uplifts both the giver and the receiver.
Whoa. The power of this still brings tears to my eyes.
Gratitude is like a snowball rolling down a hill. You start with a small ball and it gathers mass and momentum as it rolls down the hill. By the time it reaches the bottom it’s huge! And it impacts the entire landscape.
Since this original dawning of gratitude awareness, I’ve made practicing it into a tradition. Each year, I activate what I call Project Gratitude. Whether through a handwritten card, a soft blanket to offer warmth, a grounding crystal, or a special bottle of wine, I seek to share gratitude in ways that are personal and meaningful. This practice isn’t just about recognizing those who support me or my business—it’s about fostering a ripple effect of appreciation and care throughout my entire community.
And the reverberations are astounding.
Sanctuary, I’ve come to understand, is deeply tied to the connections we nurture with others. It’s not just about creating spaces of peace for ourselves but about extending that sense of belonging and love to those around us. And gratitude is a lens that reveals a softer, kinder world—a world infused with sanctuary and harmony and peace.
I love this so much!
By honoring and uplifting the people in our lives, we create a shared experience of warmth, appreciation, and connection. To me, this is bliss.
As we move through this season of celebration, I invite you to take a moment to pause, to reflect, and to express gratitude for the blessings of community and love. Together, let’s create a season—and a world—rooted in sanctuary.
With love and gratitude,
Lisa