The places in which we are seen and heard are holy places. They remind us of our value as human beings. They give us the strength to go on. Eventually they may even help us to transform our pain into wisdom.

Rachel Naomi Remen

After a conversation with my friend, Jeff, about the above quote I did some google search on the word “holy.” I found the Hebrew word for “holy” is kodesh, which comes from the root word “Kadash” and in simple terms means to be set apart for a specific purpose. I personally like that meaning! But for some of us the word “holy” or even “sacred” refers to a connection with religion and we can recoil. I have been wounded by religion in my past. But I am realizing there has been enough healing that holy for me does not leave a negative reaction. I also believe Remen’s quote is focusing on the “places” and that we are seen and heard whether we call it holy, sacred, or whatever. I can easily refer to several places I connect with as beautiful places, enchanting places, magical places, inviting places, places for community, places of solitude and quiet, places of healing or forgiveness, places to be seen and heard. These places can be in nature, a coffee shop, my condo, my body, an open prairie, a mountain meadow and the places the story in a book can take us. I find myself grateful in embracing all these places, whatever adjective we place in front of it. Thanks, my friend, for the stirring conversation that led me to journal but mostly blog about this. It has been magical day today, perfect day for bicycling.

Here is where I found that Hebrew definition.