As I write this, I sit in one of my favorite spots, the Little Stone Church, our original church building, built in 1895, where I now do some of my office hours. When I pastored in Florida, I loved to sit in the church courtyard, such a peaceful place. I often sat there at the end of a workday just to center myself before moving on to other activities.
In Tennessee, I loved sitting on the screen porch, drinking in the sounds of the woods. My meditation space in the house was a comfort to me, my Balm in Gilead. Terry and I have developed such an area in our house now where we do our quiet time after breakfast. We are also blessed to have generous neighbors who invite us to sit under their pergola in their beautiful garden.
I think of other times when I had reflective time before I even knew what I was doing. In first grade I was a latchkey kid for 30 minutes or so before my older brother got home. I loved the quiet of the house and enjoyed the solitude. When I was 10, I was a taper lighter at my uncle’s wedding. I kept the candle and would light it at night and lie quietly in bed for awhile before I blew it out and went to sleep. Sometimes my father would come in and sit with me awhile and we would talk. I have no idea what deep thoughts I might have had as a ten year old or what those conversations with my father might have consisted of. But I know the memory is embedded in my heart and brings me such pleasure now to recall it.
Blaise Pascal is quoted as saying “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit in a room alone.” Perhaps he was right.
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
Hope’s Café Bonus: 7 ways to create a meditation space in your home
- Choose soothing colours “It is a very modest space decorated in chalky whites and earthy tones with only a few accessories in natural materials like linen, wood and wicker. …
- Add soft furnishings for comfort …
- Create soft lighting for relaxation …
- Make scent a part of your ritual …
- Connect with nature …
7 ways to set up a calm meditation space at home | Calm Moment
http://www.calmmoment.com/mindfulness/how-to-make-your-own-meditation-space-
Hope's Cafe 
Thank you for the spiritual lift🫶🏻❤️🤍💙as we beg
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fred and I are so different. He always has lights on – even in the rooms he’s not in! And he always has some kind of noise – the TV (even if he’s not watching it) or the radio or some source of music. I conversely love being home alone – where I never turn the lights on and rarely have any kind of background noise. Fred often comes home to find me sitting in the quiet darkness. (And he immediately wants to start turning things on.) I don’t think I’m necessarily meditating – I think I’m just enjoying the peace and quiet. I love the pictures you posted of your “new” space.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have always been somewhat averse to lights also. When I had an office at Pilgrim church in Chattanooga people would often ask if I didn’t want the lights on. I do like soft lamplight. When Terry and I would finish a long day at the office, he would turn on the radio. I would be ready for silence or something very soothing after a day of therapy. What was relaxing to him was hard rock!
LikeLike
We need these quiet spaces more and more these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person