by Alyx & Sunny
December 14, 2020
Could we explore how we can bring sanctuary into our time and month?
| Welcome back to your New Moon Renewal with The Agenda.Period! As the holidays come closer we can ramp up in anxiety, spending and stress. But what if there was a different way? Could we explore how we can bring sanctuary into our time and month? First, set the mood: Do you need to head out to the park by your house, or climb into your closet or cozy bed? Grab a journal and some coloring goodies. Even burning a candle or incense can help your mind signal to your body that you are allowed to relax and settle in. Allow yourself this time to get settled and not feel like other things are a priority for 15 minutes. Centering: Take a couple of minutes to sit in quiet. Music can also help set the tone, For today, I recommend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFcSrYw-ARY to play in the background as it’s beautiful relaxing music without ads. Check in with yourself. How does your body feel? You can shake out if you need to, sometimes getting tension out of our body needs to be moved or stretched out. Try to breathe from your stomach instead of your chest. By placing your hands on your stomach it is easier to know when you are breathing deeply, as your hands will move with your breath. Any thoughts that come into your mind, acknowledge them and let them pass. Give yourself permission to just be in this moment, and not have to do for anyone, including yourself. When you feel centered in your body you can read on: |
| Journal: What does sanctuary mean to you? Sanctuary can also mean rest, refuge, or a place of safety like a nature reserve. Where have you found sanctuary in your life? Creative Endeavor: We can find sanctuary in a few places. Faith: Whether this is a meditation practice, belief in God or the divine, or your own path of belief in the world. Having truths or guiding principles can give us space to rest and take heart in when the world can feel upside down. Things/places: Soft blankets, a forest near your house, a room in your grandma’s house, or a memento from a happy memory. People: This could be a best friend, a partner, a parent, or a friend who gives good encouragement or a listening ear. Having people we can trust, or feel like we can let our guard down around can help us feel like we belong. Moments: Activities like reading a book, making cookies, watching a sunset with a loved one, or laughing with family can create moments that feel like they pause time. If you were to draw a visual ‘sanctuary’ as a representation of where you find sanctuary in your life, using the above as idea starters what does it look like? Is your foundation made of your faith and family? Are your windows that let light in good books and a best friend? Do you have a garden in the back that is created of little projects you do just for fun? Journal: Looking at both your drawn sanctuary and the four ways you can find sanctuary, what are three ways you can weave in sanctuary purposefully into your schedule this upcoming week and month? Maybe it’s 15 minutes to read before bed, or making hot chocolate in the morning as an extra form of goodness. Things to think about: *When everyone else is getting spun up with anxiety, how can you ground yourself or seek out sanctuary? *Sanctuary is one of the first things to fall off our list when we are busy. Can you tell a difference in how you react and show up in the world when you don’t schedule it in? Book recommendations: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Outer Oder, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin Each month we’ll release a New Moon Renewal for you to discover something new about yourself, learn about your cycle, and take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect. In Joy and Boldness, Aj |
| Aj Smit is the owner of In Joy Productions, and sparks joy and imagination through art, entertainment, and events. She has helped women flourish through red tents, retreats, and soul art workshops online, locally and internationally for the past four years. Her goal is to change the traditions and stories we pass down by creating brave spaces for women to grow together. Always learning how to love like Jesus and live with radiant joy, she lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband Jeremy, two pups, and a bucketful of glitter (Just in case of emergencies). You can find Aj at www.In-JoyProductions.com or Mermaid Harmony and In Joy Productions on Facebook and Instagram |