Safe Place

Have you ever had recurring destructive, unhealthy and ruinous thoughts about yourself or others? Do you ever ask yourself where and how do I begin to change my thinking? Reforming our thoughts is a daunting task, but it is possible. Finding a safe haven where we can sort out our thoughts, may be a good place to start.

Renewing our mind is a life long process. There is always something that pops up in our thinking that requires time, attention and perhaps reconstructing. 

Though our world applauds accomplishments, being busy, racing around and checking things off our “to do” list is a great way to accomplish some of our goals, but our busyness can also act like a distraction. Marking things off my list that I need to complete gives me a good feeling. But, if our goal is to sort out our thinking in order to reform, reconceptualize and redesign our thoughts then a different way of doing so is necessary. 

Finding a safe place to examine what we are thinking long enough to ask ourselves questions and explore the truth may be a good place to start.

When our sons were youngsters, I’d steal away for long walks whenever possible. Early mornings before my husband left for work and while the kids were still snug in their beds, I’d head out into the quiet pre-dawn day. 

Later, as our sons grew older, I could leave them alone for a bit and take off for a long bike ride. Peddling my bike down county roads became my safe and quiet haven where my thoughts flowed freely.

Then there was the time where I retreated frequently to a monastery, a four hour drive away from home, but a necessity for a season. 

Inevitably, while alone with myself whether walking, riding my bike or staying at the monastery, my worries voiced themselves loud and clear. But, just listing my worries, I knew, would solve nothing; reframing those worries with truth would. 

In the various stages of my life and in my various safe places one thing remains constant; ruminating on bits and pieces of scripture or songs that ring true with and for me. 

There will always be heavy thoughts that weigh me down, but having a safe place to acknowledge and articulate those things to myself and to The One who is ever present and ever ready to help, is a great place to begin. 

Why Bother?

Why bother finding your safe place? Everybody should have a safe place, somewhere to sort out the thoughts that weigh us down. Finding such a place may be the first step toward reconstructing, reconceptualizing and redesigning our recurring destructive, unhealthy and ruinous thoughts about ourselves and others.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they need to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.