Welcome . . . to another Friday in the Sanctuary.

May you find a few moments of peace and respite here today. Life is tough. We all need to protect our peace.

C’mon in.
Take a break with me.

First, let me explain where I am . . . right now.

I’m actually in a kind of interesting place right now. About a month ago, I got a notice that Typepad, the old blogging platform I used for my original blog, Stepping Away From the Edge, was ceasing operation (had already ceased operation?) and that my former blog would disappear forever at the end of September. The notice came with some (pretty lame) “instructions” for exporting the site, which aren’t really workable for me. And, besides, I went through this whole thought process back in 2022 when I moved to WordPress and started blogging . . . here.

So I’ve been trying to figure out what to do . . . about my old blog before it disappears. I mean, I blogged – a lot – in that old space from 2009 until 2022. I’ll be blogging more about that whole . . . thing/process . . . in the weeks to come. Because, as you might imagine, there are metaphors and interesting life-lessons ALL over the place as I look over my past blog posts. (But those are not stories for today.)

Today, it’s enough to know that looking over what is essentially “old journals” . . . has put me in a mood. Not a bad mood or a sad mood or anything. Just a . . . thoughtful mood. About the passage of time and the perspective that can bring, y’know? As I re-read and sort through my old blog posts (which essentially cover the period of my life AFTER cancer) (which is an interesting slice, for sure) what stands out loudly and clearly is that . . . everything IS temporary. Everything. And that we really shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that . . . we should make the most of what we have today.

So what do I have for us today, here in the sanctuary?

First, I’ve got a message from Maria Shriver . . . about leadership.

And, really . . . about BEING a leader in today’s world. I know that every day, there is a new outrage; a new “thing” that sucks all the air out of the room. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and hopeless and consumed. So maybe . . . play this on repeat. It’s a powerful message, and one I really needed to hear this morning.

The images in this social media post are lovely and poignant, so I encourage you to watch it. But I’ve also included the text of the message as a quote if you want to save it for yourself, too.

Today, our country feels leaderless. The temperature is rising, anger is boiling over, and truth itself feels fragile.

But here’s the truth: each of us can step into that absence. Each of us, in our own way, can be the kind of leader this moment demands. Call it pastoring, call it tending, call it guiding whatever word resonates. Real leaders don’t bully or extort. They don’t pit us against each other. They listen. They allow silence. They speak truth. They hold space for grief and for hope. And every single one of us is capable of that kind of leadership right now, in our own lives.

— Maria Shriver, via social media 9/19/2025

Next, I’ve got a little Art Break for you. . .

I have long been fascinated by the work of artist Robert Strati, who takes shattered plates . . . and turns them into incredible pieces of art!

Now THIS is the kind of “rabbit hole” I can get stuck in for . . . a long time!

You see more of Rob’s work on Instagram. Or you can see more examples of his work here on his gallery website. (And, y’know . . . pick up a piece for yourself . . . if you have a spare $17,000 . . . ) And there are a series of short interviews with him on YouTube, too . . . should you want to hear more of his story and background.

What happens when a plate shatters? For artist Robert Strati, it’s the beginning of whole new worlds.

In his series Fragmented Realities, broken porcelain and delicate china become the foundation for intricate ink drawings — transforming destruction into surreal landscapes and dreamlike blueprints.

His art reminds us that even shattered pieces can build something extraordinary.

— Rob Strati, Instagram

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

I hope you’ve found some . . . Sanctuary. . . here today.
At least for a few minutes.

Enjoy your weekend.
Rest.
Do what you can.

And remember . . . even shattered pieces can build something extraordinary.

Protect your peace!

(Also . . . enjoy one more for the road . . . see below)