When the world gets too overwhelming, too chaotic, too misleading, and too disappointing, I often retreat to my sanctuary and unplug. I seek refuge and comfort in who and what is familiar and unwavering when my reality begins to shake; I'm quick to hide and slow to surface. Sometimes my sanctuary is my gym or my sofa and a blanket with my dog and cat. At other times, I find peace and understanding within the walls of a private conversation with a trusted friend and, of course, in times of prayer, too. My haven, my sanctuary; my safe place...

Since the beginning of this scamdemic last year I ran so hard and so fast... away from the clutches of deception and straight towards what would soon be revealed to me as my sanctuary - The Healthy American (dot org), Peggy, Pastor David, and this amazing, fantabulous community of healthy Americans. No matter the asinine rules that befell our work place or the unlawful treatment of law abiding citizens exercising our rights, no matter the tyrannical fist pounding us into separation from our families and loved ones or the surprise of a drastically changing world, I sought refuge from the engulfing darkness of the unknown and took shelter at The Healthy American. Here is where I learned the truth about the laws to fight the enemy we call deception. Also here is where I learned what it meant to pour into labor that is truly for the betterment of others. I found peace and joy in knowing my boss and mentor had my back when everyone at my previous job had turned theirs away from me. I found hope during a time I was sure all hope was lost, I witnessed unity when I was sure all were divided. I danced in my fortress with my new healthy American friends and nursed away the ailments of a broken heart, mind, and soul. It's my haven, my sanctuary; my safe place...

Remember when we turned the tides and got those suffocation device signs off the roadways? Remember when we got together by the thousands in front of the Orange County supervisor's board meeting and rushed them with our education of the laws? And the time Peggy cried on her livestreams thinking about the children only to have birthed the beginning of Freedom Learning?! What about that time when one of the mothers got arrested for maskless shopping and we raised such heckin heck that the police station shut down their call center line? We 've done some incredible things here and we're so grateful for you! Time and time again, this community continues to amaze me with the astronomical level of grace, warmth, love and support that radiates outwardly to those who need it most. All weekend I sought peace, thanksgiving, and amnesty after a challenging time and, once again, found it all here waiting for me at the The Healthy American, my haven, my sanctuary, my safe place...

Where do you seek refuge when times get crazy? Let's meet there for a dance and a toast, shall we?!

xoxo - Nari, editor in chief