As I sat down at my computer to write this week’s Sanctuary post, I decided to . . . count back. My first Sanctuary post was on April 4. I explained then that I was creating a sanctuary – a place for refuge and protection – on Fridays as a way to protect my peace . . . and maybe yours, too. (At least for a few minutes.) This post marks four months of Sanctuary. That’s a lot of posts. (This is number 17, if you can believe it.)

I really like putting the Sanctuary together. Knowing I need to create this space each Friday inspires me to keep my eyes open all week – looking for interesting, good, inspiring things to share with you all. That kind of “work” really does help me protect my own peace. I hope it brings you a bit of respite, too.

Okay!
Let’s shine some light this week.

First, let’s laugh together.

I . . . don’t like to laugh at the misfortunes of others. Mostly. Although sometimes I do enjoy a bit of Schadenfreude . . .  and I’m pretty much never disappointed when the Karma Wagon shows up. So I couldn’t really help myself when all those Coldplay concert memes appeared this week. They really did provide some much-needed levity in a difficult week, n’est ce pas?

Just in case you missed it, I think this was the best-of-the-best of the Coldplay genre . . .

Next, let’s invite Karma . . .

by speeding its arrival with a little “spell.” When it comes to witchcraft, I have very little knowledge or experience. Okay. Make that ZERO knowledge or experience. And I’ve never really even considered what I think/how I feel about witches. (Although I do know that, as a kid, I really would have loved to be Samantha of Bewitched.) (I mean, there are times when a spell could really come in handy, y’know?) Anyway. I follow @optimisticsoap on Instagram — not so much for her soap, but because she shares very down-to-earth suggestions about coping and advocating in These Times.

This week, @optimisticsoap shared some magic: a simple spell . . . that she got from a friend who actually does practice witchcraft. The spell doesn’t bring harm to anyone. Rather it calls for justice to be served. And with haste.

Karma come quickly.
Let justice be done.
The highest good for everyone.

Get stirring!
(Can’t hurt. . . )

Next, let’s Get Whimsical!*

* (Last week, I shared my newest summer mantra – Get Whimsical – which was inspired by a reel I saw on Instagram. You can read all about that here in my post in case you missed it.)

For years now, I have thought about adding charming fabric flag buntings to my patio/garden décor. But . . . I’ve never gotten around to actually doing it (despite having all the materials and a sewing machine at hand). So last winter, I just bought some on Etsy. I put them up on my patio this summer, and they have been a whimsical delight.

I’d like to make some triangular-shaped, bunting style flags, too.

I’m sure it would be super simple to make a set of flags, with not much fuss-and-bother at all. When I saw this little tutorial from Liberty of London on Instagram, I saved it for future-making. These would be quite fancy — and would last an age — but wouldn’t take much time or effort either. All you need is some fun fabrics, some cord material, and a sewing machine.

So . . . get sewing! Add some whimsy to your summer space!

(And if you’d rather add whimsy to your garden the same way I did – without any sewing at all, you can buy flags like mine from Joyful Flags here on their website – or from their Etsy shop.)

And, finally . . . let’s end with some music.

I didn’t really plan this ahead of time, but it does appear that I’ve got myself a little Karma/Schadenfreude theme going on here in the Sanctuary today. It seems appropriate, then, to end with this song from comedian Dana Goldberg (@dgcomedy on Instagram).

=====

And that’ll do it for this week, my friends.

I hope you’re (still) (after 17 weeks) finding some . . . sanctuary . . . here. At least for a few minutes.

Enjoy the weekend!

Laugh as much as you can.
Invite Karma.
(Go ahead! Cast a spell!)
Get whimsical.

And above all . . . protect your peace.