Huffington Post recently had a slideshow wherein its editors posted pictures of their most sacred place on earth. These images ranged from nature to religious imagery, children and even a book! And got me to think about the meaning of the word “sacred”.

Dictionary.com defines Sacred as:

1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.
2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.
3. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object: a morning hour sacred to study.
4. regarded with reverence: the sacred memory of a dead hero.

But to me, sacred goes far beyond the boundaries of religion – it’s much more spiritual. It could be a moment, a thought, a feeling, a word…

Like a particularly spectacular sunrise (or sunset), when the sky lights up in multiple hues that can only leave you gasping at the utter brilliance of the Creator…

Or the breathtaking beauty of a flower…

I find the sacred in the time I spend crafting, or when I lose myself in my art or photography

In the corner of the couch when I curl up with my journal

In the lyrics to a song that seems to speak to me

The sacred isn’t merely religious – it’s personal. It’s a feeling of bliss, of connectedness, of peace.

What’s sacred for you?