9. Safe Harbour
Dear Sister in Islam,
81. A home is so much more than a mansion of brick and mortar. It is a safe harbour to dock your boat, in order to be able to rest in tranquil waters, in between your forays to the outside world. A home is built with love, trust, respect, kindness, safety, and laughter. A home is a sanctuary where a family gathers with warmth, comfort, cosiness, contentment, and peacefulness. Safety and security are priorities in a home. Therefore, this begs the question “Are you in good hands?”
82. Joy is gathering around the crackling embers of a fireplace, in the company of loved ones, while sipping a hot and fragrant cup of Ceylon tea with a side of home baked apple tarts.
83. Joy is found in the safe company of friends, who see you as you are, accept you as you are, respect you as you are, love you as you are.
84. Joy is found in long walks in nature with kindred spirits and in the deep and meaning conversations you have, as you sit to rest on fallen logs, holding space for each other and your stories.
85. Joy is cultivated in the garden of your own heart and found in the peacefulness within, even if there is no one to share that garden with.
86. Ask yourself what simple practices bring you joy. Make time for that. Do more of that. Just for you. Remember you are your own caretaker. Only you will be your own travel companion from birth to death. No one else.
87. Your time, energy, and personal space are incredibly valuable. Your time, your youth and your good health are gifts that you will never get back.
88. Long walks, hiking in nature, sitting by the ocean, journaling, expressive writing, psychological counselling, trauma body therapy, physiotherapy, movement, yoga, music therapy, art therapy and finding a support group to hold space for you are all options for working on your own healing.
89. Find avenues of healing that work for you. Be consistent. Build a routine that you can manage and adhere to in the long term. If you fall off the boat, climb back in and try again. Giving up isn’t an option. Healing isn’t a short term solution. It’s a life long commitment.
90. People will tell you that ‘Time will heal.’ No. That’s not true. It’s what you do intentionally and consciously during the time you have that allows you to heal.