Renewal
Sarah Warda The Ferry Ride
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” - Anne Lamott
A couple of years ago, I built a ‘sanctuary’ in our barn, a room where I could read, write, and reflect. After watching the video above this week, I see that I was on the right track.
My Sacred Space.
I last wrote to share publicly at the beginning of the new year.
Since then, my downtime has been rewarding, allowing me to read, reflect, explore the art of retirement, and recover from severe burnout.
One of the books I read was Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Lamott is an American writer known for her reflections on writing and life. In her book, she emphasizes the importance of writing to understand and transform personal pain.
Mary Anne Radmacher adds to that wisdom, noting, "Writing during b”rnout is not about perfection but about permission—permission to pause, to heal, and to rediscover yourself."
Journaling helped combat my burnout by providing a space for reflection and a private outlet to vent my frustrations. Writing down what I was grateful for allowed me to see the beauty around me, even in the smallest details. A journal is a friend who listens without judgment and transforms wounds into sources of direction and hope.
As I reflected, I wondered why I felt compelled to write and share with others during this downtime. Journaling is one writing style, but writing to share publicly is a different challenge. It requires vulnerability, which can be uncomfortable.
Scott Peck wrote in his classic The Road Less Traveled, "Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. When we desire to encourage the growth of the human spirit, we challenge and encourage the human capacity to solve problems, just as in school, we deliberately set problems for our children to solve. It is through the pain of confronting and resolving problems that we learn."
I realized two things about why I feel a new need to write publicly: first, I have a creative impulse that seeks expression, and second, there is no hard financial cost in pursuing something creative like writing. (It's undoubtedly cheaper and less risky than opening a restaurant—trust me, I know, having done that four times.)
“In writing, we create a sanctuary for ourselves—a space to breathe, reflect, and find the strength to carry on.” - Henri Nouwen.
But there is an intense personal cost.
Anxiety, self-doubt, and external pressures can make writing stressful. The fear of judgment, perfectionism, procrastination, or not meeting personal or external expectations can create resistance. Yet, anxiety in writing is also a sign that the words matter. Finding the "right" words that work for both me and the readers is daunting and exhilarating. Despite the difficulties, I love it.
Words are the foundation of creativity and communication like paint is to an artist’s canvas, and a note is to a composer’s score.
Writing creates moments of flow where time fades, leaving me completely immersed in the rhythm of crafting something meaningful.
Through The Inspired, I aim to shape words that uplift, honour life, reveal the beauty around us, and spark fresh perspectives.
I hope my words resonate with you, offering connection and inspiration.
Five Inspirations
Positive Human: A waiter in Prince Albert, Sask., goes above and beyond his duties by learning the Cree language to speak with Indigenous customers. Click Here to Read
Health: Exciting’ new lupus treatment could end the need for lifelong medication. Click Here to Read
Science: Can rainbows form in a circle? Fun facts on the physics of rainbows. Click Here to Read
Being of Service to Others: A Charity joined forces with food banks, serving up books to browse, borrow or keep. Click Here to Read.
Home Design: The tiny house's design is ultra-practical. It is spacious and open while also packing a lot of function. A great feature of the home, though, is the conservatory, which not only significantly expands the living space but also adds beauty and character.
