A Peaceful Sky: Growing Our Roots in Gratitude

Anchored in Hope

There is a profound beauty in the way a woman’s journey can become a map for others to follow. This month, we had the heart-opening privilege of connecting with Laura Savinska, a cherished member of our community. Laura’s life has been a series of deep transitions — from her native Ukraine to the spiritual landscapes of India, and finally to her new home here in British Columbia.

In our conversations, Laura shared a perspective that touched us deeply. She spoke of the search for a "soul family" after being uprooted — a search for people who speak what she calls the "language of the soul." To help us understand the heartbeat behind this journey, Laura shared a moving reflection on a simple childhood blessing that, in a moment of crisis, transformed into a life-saving realization.

In Laura’s Own Words:

I am grateful for the peaceful sky above my head. 

Growing up, I often heard people exchange wishes on birthdays and special occasions, hoping for “a clear, peaceful sky above us.” I understood the sentiment—our parents and grandparents had lived through the Second World War, and their words carried a deep longing for peace. Still, over time, especially while living abroad, that phrase faded into the background of my life. 

Everything changed in 2022, when the war in Ukraine began. 

I was overwhelmed, watching in shock as events unfolded in the streets of Kharkiv—my hometown. Though I was far away in India, I was physically safe. My family was safe in British Columbia. And yet, that contrast hit me with unexpected force. 

That day, I pushed myself to attend a yoga class on the beach, hoping to calm my nervous system. Lying on the mat, I looked up at the sky—and suddenly, I understood. 

Above me stretched a clear, quiet blue. Completely peaceful. 

At the same time, my cousins, friends, and their children—along with millions of others—were fleeing Ukraine. In that moment, I grasped what it truly means to lose a “peaceful sky.” It is the terrifying reality that danger can come from above at any second, that bombs and missiles can shatter ordinary life without warning. 

I am deeply grateful that my family is safe in Canada, and that my grandchild was born far from the reach of war. 

I also hold in my heart the awareness that, for many people today, a peaceful sky is not a given—it is a fragile and distant hope.

Building a Home Away from Home

For many, moving across the world is a matter of survival, but for Laura, it became a profound act of "awakening." Having navigated these transitions twice, she has mastered the delicate art of starting over. She reminds us that while we cannot always control where we land, we have the power to choose what kind of soil we plant ourselves in.

“It’s like you have to start all over again,” Laura reflects. “And it’s very like 'grow your roots where you are.' Create a home away from home, just where you are... and it’s great when those roots are gratitude. All the beautiful things you find where you are. Simple.”

This is where her "soul family" comes in. For Laura, this connection isn't about native tongues or shared geography; it is about finding a community that sustains the spirit through deeper conversations about healing and transformation. We are so incredibly honored that she found that shared language within our circle. Today, she stands as a reminder that even when we are uprooted, we can find our way back to ourselves by choosing a foundation of belonging.

An Invitation to Embrace the Present

Laura doesn't suggest that gratitude is a shield that stops the storms of life; rather, it is the anchor that brings you back to center when the wind picks up. She describes gratitude as a "strategic ritual" — a high-vibration frequency that intentionally shifts the focus from what is missing to what is present.

When life feels overwhelming, she returns to the small things: a clear morning, the calming presence of her pet, or the joy of her granddaughter. By moving our focus toward what is positive, she believes that "solutions come faster."

"Whatever happens around, whatever storms are coming your way, it’s the way of coming back to yourself, coming back into that calm and peace through the gratitude," she explains. "It creates a feeling that everything will be all right somehow. Hope."

Today, when Laura looks up at the sky, she carries the awareness of those for whom peace is still a distant hope. Her journey is a gentle, powerful invitation for us all: to look up, breathe deeply, and remember that no matter how many times we are uprooted, we can always choose to grow our roots in the land of gratitude. We invite you to take a moment today to breathe in that peace and let yourself feel truly embraced by the hope that tomorrow will be all right.

Do You Want To Share Your Story?

Who or what are you grateful for? Reply and tell us. We may feature you in an upcoming issue of Rooted in Gratitude, helping other women find their own strength through connection. Click here to share your story.