Anam Nostos House Blog

What is your Inner Hermitage?

What a striking question? Do you even know what your inner hermitage looks like?
Are you taking enough time to pause within your day to consider this sacred place and time?

We are guilty of falling prey to the chaos that can fill our mind and body daily. If we don't take the time to be still, find our peace and embrace a moment to nurture our inner hermitage, then we are going to pay for it down the road.

Take a moment to consider what your Inner Hermitage is for you.

How do you live it, hold it, and let it surround you? Then go create a physical hermitage that balances your inner self.

Where can you go and find this time?
Where can you sit and surround your spiritual self in this mental image?
What sacred space can you create no matter how small that will guide you back to what is important?

One day this week I was feeling overwhelmed by thoughts, lists of things needing to be done and worry over life responsibilities. I decided to take a drive to one of my places that brings me a little joy, Trader Joes. Yes, a grocery store, but it really can bring me small amounts of joy. It is a two-hour drive and I planned to listen to a book and zoning out. 

Well, my plan had a few holes. For one, I was not into the book at that moment and changed to music. Then I encountered construction for most of the beautiful drive, which brought me more stress. I just realized in that moment that I had the power to change my day or let it sink me down. I started to sing a bit with my music and quickly let a little joy in. I think everyone should try car singing alone. There is something so freeing about releasing through music that I felt a bit better.

When I got to the store, I had a bit of anxiety for some reason. I wanted to get in and out without interaction. Was this even possible? My first stop was the flowers. I love flowers, but rarely buy them for myself. They are financial non-need. Today, I decided to buy the tiny bouquet for $4. It is small but filled with immeasurable joy and light as it sits on my desk right now. Then I began to shop. First off, this adorable girl came bouncing in front of me grabbing two salads and her joy was infections. I do not know what got in me, but asked her, 'are those good?' She exclaimed vibrantly, 'oh my gosh, soooooooo good!' It was so sweet as she held onto that sooooooooo that I said, 'ok' and picked up her suggestions. The rest of the shopping went on like that without being planned. I interacted with people quietly, but with simple joy. At one point I heard a salesperson say to another woman, 'no dancing in the store' as she was clearly having fun with the music. Everyone laughed then more people danced. I proceeded to check out and the man helping me was clearly full of his one engaging joy asking me about my purchases and intrigued that I drive so far for the store. It was not a lot, but it was enough to being a welcome calm and happiness.

As I was leaving, I was walking to my car and encountered a woman who has a strong stern look on her face. I do not know what she was thinking or dealing with but felt her energy. I really loved her blouse, so in a split second I piped up and told her so. Her entire face lit up, she smiled and exclaimed, 'thank you!' I was so moved that a simple sentence could change someone's entire day! The rest of the day, I simply was aware of my interactions and noticed how I came across people. 

Is life busy? Yes. Is life stressful? Yes. But, in the end we still choose how we walk through each day. You can let a mood take you down, or you can find one small thing to make it better. Life does not always have to be like this, and some days we just need to be in our quiet days and embrace whatever emotions we are feeling. It is plainly important to remember that you can also choose to let the light in at any given moment. You can choose the little things and joy