Sanctuary, Reading and Resilience
In my last post, I shared about taking a short social media break. Honestly, it was magical.
The intention behind that pause was simple yet profound - to step away from the constant noise of the world and realign myself with a more mindful way of living.
In a world that keeps us so outwardly focused, the practice of sanctuary invites us to turn inward, to come home to ourselves.
While silence and meditation are beautiful ways to cultivate that awareness, mindfulness can also take many forms. Sometimes it’s found in a creative act like cooking or painting. It can be found through daily work and chores if they are done slowly and with focused intention. Other times, it’s through reflection, journaling or simply sitting with our thoughts. But for me, one of the most grounding practices has always been reading.
Plus, BOOKS!
I’ve written before about my love for books. They hold such power - not only in their stories and wisdom, but in the way they offer us a space to step outside of ourselves. Books invite empathy; they allow us to consider other perspectives, to feel what others feel. In a culture so focused on trends and likes, the act of slowing down to engage deeply with another’s story feels like a rare and sacred gift. Reading reminds me of the broader world around me, and of truths within myself that I might otherwise overlook.
In light of this rekindled appreciation, I wanted to share a few of the books on my shelf that inspire me:
A friend who struggles with depression brought this book to me. So powerful. Thomas Moore offers a revolutionary approach to daily life: seeing every challenge, routine, and creative act as an opportunity for growth and sacred connection. His words remind me that healing often begins not by avoiding struggles, but by leaning into them.
This guy rocks my world. Drawing on Stoic philosophy, Ryan Holiday explores how challenges can become pathways to unexpected opportunity. His message, that perspective can turn hardship into wisdom, has deeply influenced the way I meet difficulties in my own life. A business coach sent me this one and I think it should be required reading for all adults and repeated annually.
Thich Nhat Hanh, founder of the Plum Village Monastery, dedicated his life to bringing Buddhist mindfulness to the West. His How To series distills Buddhist practices into simple, compassionate tools for living with presence and peace.
My current read. So immersive. I’ve not considered the life of the people who write dictionaries before reading this book. But I love words and the way Pip develops her cast of characters is wonderful. I highly recommend.
Finally, one of my favorite books of all time. If you love myths or have even a passing interest in archetypes and being swept into an entirely new world, read this. A friend suggested it and it’s the only book I have read 3 times. Utterly magical.
There are so many more titles I could recommend, but these feel especially resonant for me right now. I’d love to hear what’s been on your reading list lately, so please share in the comments below.
With love and gratitude,
Lisa