from the Providence Journal 04/04/2011 01:00 AM EDT
Whether women chant, meditate, pray, or do yoga, we need a space of our own to decompress, seek solitude, and listen to the voice within us. I have always believed that houses with nooks and crannies were designed by architects who knew the value of secret places — the closet with a window, the space behind the stairs, that special attic. These were treasures of intrigue when we were children, but as adults we learned to cherish them as our private hideaways.
In the country, I had a closet with a window overlooking the lake where an osprey fished each morning and two blue herons pranced at night. There I kept a small desk, prayer journal, and a candle. My other favorite desk was one that I used for collecting note cards to pen off correspondence to friends.
When we moved to the city I was space-challenged. To figure a way to put in my prayer desk first, then a computer desk, and note writing desk into a small unit, I decided to photograph every corner of the rooms from different perspectives. First standing in the middle of the room, I photographed each corner. Then standing in each corner, I snapped more photos from different angles.
Really assessing each wall and corner helps identify the perfect spot for a retreat. Through photos, or even a critical eye, you can see the section of a room that has unnecessary clutter or an awkward emptiness just waiting to serve a silent need.
In Beacon Hill, I found that my prayer desk could fit perfectly under the bedroom window overlooking the river. However, it took hours of moving the bed, nightstands, and Martha Washington chair several times over to achieve a “Feng Shui” look of clean lines and balance.
There I can meditate and listen for the cardinals, the chickadees, and the red-headed woodpeckers to arrive for breakfast on the terrace. Towering trees within the courtyard help me to feel grounded. The sky and clouds frame the heavens and inspire. And the river is a peaceful reflection of purpose — to light a candle, open my prayer journal, and begin writing a thank-you list for the day.
Sometimes just sitting there quietly I am reminded of who it is that I should be writing to, or writing about when I settle at my computer. To find the perfect spot for a writing desk I had to shift the living room furniture many times, even after photographing. Now standing in tall, Shaker-like elegance, is the desk from my parents home, a relaxing piece where I savor the simple pleasure of staying in touch.
Rita Watson is one of the Journal’s relationship columnists. She holds a master’s degree in public health from Yale, and the writing is adapted from a forthcoming book.