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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Safe Haven

Safe Haven
#22 GBE2

As people wander through their lives seeking success or happiness or fulfillment, they often also seek safe havens.  A place where one can just be comfortable and free from any fear or any pain.  Someplace sunny and bright on the gloomiest day.  


For some it's an actual place.  Maybe someplace in their own home or even the entire house.  Just a safe haven because it is their own piece of the rock, so to speak.  It is the one place in the world where every THING that they own is located.  No one outside of the family can claim that spot because it isn't really theirs.  Friends may come there for their own safe haven, if you're lucky.  You may be the kind of friend who's home offers the kind of comfort and peace that makes others want to be there in their time of need.  That might be the very reason it is your own safe haven, as well.  


For others it might be a place in their mind.  When life spins out of control and a safe haven is required or desired, perhaps just closing their eyes and mentally visiting a seaside or a woods or a particularly peaceful spot anywhere in the world can bring the safe haven to them.  A place where outsiders are not invited or welcomed.  I believe therapists often refer to this as "taking oneself to a happy place"  where whatever is happening in your real world can't touch you.


For many it's going home.  Home where they grew up or home as in, where their parents live.  Something about being with the people or person who gave you life makes one feel safer sometimes.  If the relationship is a good one, this can be the safest place on earth.  Who ever loves you more or better than the parent who has known you and loved you since before you arrived?  If you have that kind of parent in your life, you have a gift, one you should thank God for daily.  It isn't really all that common in this day and age.  Maybe it never was.


Safe Havens can be bars, restaurants or other gathering places where friends can be met or one can just sit and know they are among people who care about them.   Maybe your salon or your book store.  Any place that might be occupied by people who share your interests.


Whatever your safe haven is, I hope it works for you because I think we all need one.  I think we all need to hide away every now and again and just regroup ourselves.  Get our poop in a group, so to speak.  Or just forget about life in general and hang out.  I prefer solitude to handle these times, but I understand how others might prefer support of some sort for their sessions.  Regardless, at some point in everyone's life there must be a safe haven from pain, despair, disappointment, devastation and anything else that just overwhelms your spirit.  If it's never happened to you, I would guess you have never really loved or been loved. I would guess you have a lot of living left to experience and I hope into your life a small amount of rain falls so that when the rainbow appears, you take time to enjoy and appreciate it's beauty and rarity.


For me, a book to get lost in and a warm blanket to curl up in while wearing my p.j.'s and drinking my coffee will do just fine.  That's my safe haven.





Jo

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful safe haven to me! There is something comforting about being home. Teehee - Tonight I got hot (it comes with my age), and in this safe place called home, I simply ripped my shirt off and didn't worry about others!

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2011/10/gbe2-safe-haven.html

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  2. Joyce...been there and done that! lol Thank you for always taking time to read and comment. It makes me :)

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  3. I hope I can take this one line of yours with me forever "I hope into your life a small amount of rain falls so that when the rainbow appears, you take time to enjoy and appreciate it's beauty and rarity." that is awesome and so helpful.
    thanks Jo

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  4. My sun sign is Cancer so I know all about retreating into my shell to find safe haven. I too would rather be alone to work out whatever is going on, and come back to the world when I am ready. Think that you have given me what I will write about for this prompt! Thanks, Jo!

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  5. Nothing quite like a hot cuppa coffee, a warm blanket and a good book!

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  6. I have two havens you mentioned here, one where I retreat to a place in my mind and a physical place, which is church. But both "haven's" take me to the same place, God. I would never make it without Him.

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  7. Jeanne...Thank you so much. I love when one sentence touches someone. :)

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  8. Cherie...I love being someone's muse! Good for me. he he Thanks for the kind words and thanks for sharing your thoughts. :)

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  9. Angie...Thank you for sharing your thoughts about my post. I always enjoy knowing what readers think. :)


    DwV...Ain't that the truth! :)

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  10. My safe haven in the Pink Palace, my bedroom, but when I am mobile and traveling I have my music. I cam addicted to music, like writing and reading, music creates this safe environment. I do enjoy these 'in the mind' sort of posts, they are home, like blazing fires and hot chocolate.

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  11. I love to cuddle up with a book and a warm mug of coffee. If there happens to be a little Bailey's in there, so much the better. :O)

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  12. Brenda...Thank you so much for reading and sharing with me you thoughts. I can see you in your pink palace with music playing softly and one of MY books on your Kindle! :)


    Beth...I am right there with ya! mmmmm Bailey's in my coffee on a cold morning or afternoon or evening or in between. :)
    Thanks for sharing, you know I love that.

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  13. My safe haven is in my writing. It doesn't matter what happens during the day, I can work it out though imaginary people. If I have a problem, one of my characters will help me work it out. If someone steals my parking space, I will write them in as a slack jawed inbred idiot deserving only of pity.

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  14. Katie...lmbo...That sounds just about perfect! If it works for you, I'm all about it. Thanks for reading and commenting. :)

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  15. Great take on the topic. It's interesting how one's safe haven can be someone else's place of threat. For example, home for an abused child or a bar for a socially awkward person.

    I'm thrilled to see you on Entrecard!

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  16. Joyce...Thank you. I had that same thought as I was writing this. I don't see myself ever find solace or peace sitting in a bar alone or with my best friend, but I have seem many others find it there.

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  17. I too love the safe haven of solitude. This may sound funny, but I love being with myself! Just me and a project or book, maybe music in the background. I treasure it!

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  18. and don't forget to turn the cell phone OFF! LOL

    absolutely! a blanket, a good book....who needs Hawaii anyway! Marc :)

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  19. I love the cup of coffee in jammies and a book, for me it's my laptop and reading all of these great blog posts.

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  20. Linda...Exactly!

    Marc...Well, Hawaii is nice, but I can't just take an afternoon there, so the Kindle, the blanket, the coffee...Oh, yeah!

    Laura...I agree with the laptop and blogs to replace the book or Kindle...yep!

    Thank you ALL for your wonderful attention! I love it!

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  21. #1 safe haven for me is my home. My Dad's house was a safe haven when he was alive. I could go to visit my Dad and leave the world at the door step. I miss him. #2 safe haven is in my mind. I often joke about living in my head and liking it there... Well, not really kidding....LOL... I do like my solitary time. I do DEMAND my solitary time. I can be very difficult with anybody who infringes on my solitude... Not to my credit, but that is the way I am.

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  22. I know exactly what you mean. I love my home and I always feel comfy cozy there and I must have my alone time. Alone time sometimes means getting away alone. Solitaire road trip! Oh, I'm on one right now! I do enjoy traveling alone, just another one of my wierdnesses. :)

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  23. I have two real safe havens. The bedroom I share with my husband and being in my Grandma's company. There is nothing better in this world than either of those two places.

    Wonderful post, Jenn.

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  24. I love this line - get our poop in a group. I've never heard that. I'm like you, I like solitude. A book and a warm blanket sound good too.

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  25. Great post on safe havens!! I have given you an award! Please stop by to pick it up!

    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/2011/10/tell-me-all-about-yourself-award.html

    Kathy

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  26. I just re read this and cracked up again...get your poop in a group!! LOLOLOLOLOL I am going to have to remember that...spring it on my kids. LOLOL Love it!!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

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  27. I have moved so many times, I wouldn't consider where I live as a safe haven because it changes too much. However, I do have a safe place. Read more at http://kbalbify.com

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  28. Jenn...Grandma's house should always be a safe haven!

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  29. Langley...peas in a pod! Thx for sharing.

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  30. Kathy...Thank you for the award! I will stop by and try to be a good recipient, soon. I need to get my poop in a group soon, as well. thx for the award and for stopping by! <3

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  31. KC...Thanks for stopping by and commenting...I did visit your site already! Wonderful.

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  32. YES i agree........and what kind of coffee is YOUR fave to curl up with? hehe Your CD's came in WOOT WOOT, can't wait for next weekend to get lost in them!!

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  33. Brenda...I love good strong bold coffee with hazelnut creamer, lots of it. Please let me know what you think of the books when you finish! And thanks again. :)

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