Don’t you love finding new resources and ideas to feed your curiosity? To nourish your soul? To stretch your mind? Learning new things energizes my spirit.
I am excited to showcase a new resource page on Healthy Spirituality. If you look above at the page tabs you will see the new addition: Literary Landmarks and Spiritual Spaces.
I love to travel and often on trips will seek out special spots – ones with history of fellow writers – the writers’ homes or the settings that inspired them – and I also love visiting the “thin places” – spiritual spaces where heaven seems a little bit closer to earth. Fun and educational places to visit and explore.
Literary Landmarks – I hope to personally visit areas where writers lived and drew inspiration and feature them with photos and information. The first post for today is from a stop we made a couple of weeks ago at the Mazza Museum in Findlay Ohio about one hour north of Columbus.
The Mazza Museum showcases original work of art from children’s picture books. It’s a delight to stroll through its whimsical world and I felt like I stepped into story land. There are more than 300 works of art exhibited in five galleries. Beside each piece is a plaque with the name of the illustrator, title of book and date. They hold multiple conferences each year and have a special area to display young students’ work. Check out additional photos on the Literary Landmark page.
Spiritual Spaces – These stops on our spiritual journeys, often called “Thin Places,” can be new and exciting adventures to visit on vacation or as simple relaxing in your own backyard. The first spot to be featured on the new page is a very special sacred place on earth – the Island of Iona.
Iona is a tiny windswept rugged island off Scotland’s western coast. Located in the Inner Hebrides, Iona is only 1.5 miles wide by 3 miles long, with a population of fewer than 150 permanent residents.
St Columba arrived here in the early 500 AD and brought Christianity to Scotland. He founded a monastery there that remained for more than 1000 years and at one time had about 600 monks. To this day, Iona is a place of retreat that draws people closer to God. Head over to Spiritual Space page to see some photos I took when we visited Iona a few years ago and the links to some blog posts about this sacred spot.
So I hope you like and enjoy this new resource as I continue to add to the resources when I write about different literary landmarks and spiritual spaces.
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So let’s share with one another: What is a favorite literary landmark or spiritual space you have visited?
My all time favorite place was anywhere in Israel, especially the Garden Tomb. When my mind is in a whirl I let it go back to the garden and the place I sit and watched others go in and out of the tomb. I thought, Lord I could stay here forever. He spoke to my heart that the lost were outside the tomb, that I needed to get out in the hedges and byways to tell others. Great post, comforting.
I have been there too!! A very peaceful setting and a strong memory of our trip there. Thanks for that reminder. I may add that one to the list.
‘Love that alternate name for spiritual space: “thin place.” Hadn’t heard that before! I’d have to choose Pachincha, a mountain peak on the edge of Quito, Ecuador. Quito is already located 10,000 feet above sea level, in the Andes Mountains. Pachincha is another 4,000 feet higher. A small group of us short-term missionaries drove close to the top, stopping at a spot with a breath-taking panoramic view of other mountain peaks, and valleys far below. I remember Psalm 121:1-2 coming to my mind: “I lift my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Indeed: the Maker of such mountains could surely handle my concerns! Thank you, Jean, for this new series–sure to inspire!
what a delightful place that must be. I too love the concept of a thin place though I think that could be within our own hearts too. But there does seem to be some magical places, something very special about settings at times that naturally and more quickly draw us to God. Would love to see your special place…
I love going to spend time at the Trappist Monastery in Kentucky where Thomas Merton lived and wrote many books on prayer. To me it is my little piece of heaven on earth. Merton has been for many years my spiritual guide. His writings bring me to a deep place of quiet in my busy world as a high school teacher
ooo that sounds wonderful Louis! I stopped by there years ago but never stayed there. A very special place and one I would love to revisit. Love Merton too. Blessings on your retreat there!
Hi Jean! Great idea about the landmarks and spaces. I do love being a pilgrim and walking through old spaces. Have you ever heard of Santiago de Compastela? It’s a very old church in Spain, and was and is a great pilgrimage for many Catholics and Christians. The walk to the site is called the Camino Santiago. My girlfriend did it and LOVED the experience. I did visit the church, but didn’t do the Camino.
Looking forward to your travels 🙂
Ceil
yes being a pilgrim. great concept. Yes I heard of the Spanish pilgrimage but never been there. I had the chance a couple of years ago and now kick myself for not going. miss opportunity. Ever see the movie “The Way” it is about that walk. Envious you were there – would love to do that.
Love the new resource you’ve included here, Jean! Personally, I’m in love with Thin Places as I believe they truly exist. Included it in my novels in The Glade Series. I’m looking forward to seeing more magical places in your future posts. Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I think it will be fun to explore and share. There are lots of places out there.