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