There’s a Stargate Atlantis episode titled Sanctuary. In it, Major Sheppard and the gang are being pursued by the wraith (for the umpteenth time), and the just happen to come across a planet which, among other things, offers them a safehaven from the wraith.
When describing a sanctuary (as opposed to a safehaven), I would usually err on the side of “spiritual/meditation/place to center yourself”, but really, anywhere can be a sanctuary, so long as it takes you away from the daily grind – whether that be work, school, or whatever you do for a living.
One of my friends also has their own sanctuary – every once in a while (okay, a couple of times a year), he’ll go away (often at the drop of a hat) and come back a little while later, refreshed and ready for whatever the next couple of days/weeks/months will bring him. Where he goes isn’t exactly public knowledge, but those that have been agree it’s an excellent place to shoot zombies, among other things. 
In my mind, a sanctuary can exist in the most innocuous of locations – a shack at the beach, a good friend’s house, even something as simple as your car. As long as it’s a place where you can get away from it all, escape from whatever’s on your mind and just *enjoy* and *relax* – that’s a sanctuary, and having one is just unbelievable.
I don’t doubt that there are a whole heap of psychological benefits to having such a sanctuary – it’s awesome to be able to take a break once in a while, and hopefully it means that you’ll be able to sort some things out, re-center yourself, and come back refreshed, renewed. I know it sounds a little corny, perhaps even a little zen-like, but realistically – isn’t that what a sanctuary is? Someplace where you can feel safe, untouchable, a place where everything has it’s own time and it’s own place?
The holidays have started, and it’s time to get down to business. Yeah, I’ve got a hell of a lot of things to do (and so many things to buy!), but this time, it looks like I’ll actually have time to do them (although it’s debatable about how much money I’ll have to buy them).
So many things, so little time…
Time to find my own sanctuary.
Have you found yours?