Relationship
Message Boards
Breaking Up
Links
Home Page
Beauty
Health
Women
in Business
Romance
& Relationships
Parenting
Pregnancy
Single
and Loving It!
House
& Garden
We
Are Women!
Speak
Out
Entertainment,
General
Entertainment,
TV Shows
Meet
Our Staff
Contact
Us
HOME & FAMILY
RESOURCES
Cooking & Recipes
Family Tree
Home Improvement
Parenting
Real Estate
Crafts
Kids
Pets
Marriage
Students & School
Garden
Infidelity
JUST FOR
YOU!
Quizes
& Tests
Polls
The
What's New
Channels!
Life Saviors Infidelity
Forum
THE ZODIAC MAN!
This is a
great source of advice for
winning the heart of,
or winning back the heart of,
any man of the Zodiac.
Relationship
Book Store
Have a relationship question? STOP
using general search engines and start using the
Relationship Directory to
find the relationship answers you're looking
for!
Breakups.com
|
| House & Garden
Use your senses to create a sacred
home
Your home is a shelter,
a safe haven and a place to hang your hat. It is also a reflection of your
soul, of who you are and what you value. Your home should be a sanctuary
where you can feel nurtured and refreshed. Coco Chanel was fond of saying,
"An interior is the natural projection of the soul." Creating your own sacred
space in your home is as easy as using your five senses, sight, hearing,
touch, smell, and taste. Follow along as we tour your home and show you five
easy ways to begin creating your sacred home today.
What does your sacred home look like? What do
you see as you walk up to the front door of your home? Your entryway is the
important transition between the outside world and your home. Paint your
front door a welcoming color, place some flowering plants on your front steps
and hang prayer flags that flutter gently in the breeze. Now, step over the
threshold into the entryway to your home. Is it bright and joyful? Is it
inviting? If your entryway is dark or dingy try hanging brightly colored
artwork or mirrors to reflect light. Different colors can evoke different
feelings so consider using blue for relaxation, yellow for energy, red for
passion, and white for clarity. At a minimum, keep this area clean and free
of clutter. |
|
|
| What does your sacred home sound like? Step
inside, close the front door, stop and listen. Most people are surprised
to discover that the ambient sound level in their homes is quite high. As
you listen, consider what kinds of sounds you hear. Are they happy sounds
such as birds chirping or children playing? Is it the stressful noise of
traffic or neighbors? Is it the irritating noise of phones ringing? Your
living room is where the outside world bursts in through telephones, televisions,
radios and computers. As with any boisterous guest, don't let the din of
the world overstay its welcome. Create a retreat atmosphere by switching
off everything that makes noise. Don't leave the television on if no one
is watching and don't use it as background noise while you are busy
elsewhere.
What does your sacred home feel like? Walk into
your bedroom and run your hand across your bedspread and pillow. Do they
feel soft and inviting? Are they warm or sensuous? If you have difficulty
falling asleep, even little things such as the feel and texture of sheets
can have a big effect on how easily you doze off. You will spend nearly one-third
of your life asleep and the bedroom is your place to renew at the beginning
and relax at the end of each day. Make your bed using cool cotton sheets
during spring and autumn and crisp linen ones in summer for a peaceful sleep.
Cuddly flannel sheets and fluffy down comforters create a cozy refuge in
the wintertime. Have soft, fuzzy carpeting on the floor or comfy slippers
to coddle your bare feet and fluffy pillows to cuddle your head.
What does your sacred home smell like? Your
bathroom is the perfect place to explore aromatherapy with bath salts, candles,
oils and soap. Quality and not quantity is what is important, so shop for
pure oils and essences and beeswax candles with a pure cotton wick. Products
containing pure oils and essences have stronger healing properties than those
made from chemicals. Research has shown that one of the fastest ways to influence
mood is through smell. Some aromatherapy scents to consider: the heady bouquet
of rose for romance, the soothing aroma of vanilla for comfort, the delicate
scents of lavender, geranium or rosemary for relaxation, the fresh fragrances
of orange or peppermint for energy.
What does your sacred home taste like? Your
kitchen is the place to celebrate life; to nourish and be nourished. Honor
your family heritage and create a dish similar to one your great-great
grandmother might have prepared. Are you stuck in a taste rut with not enough
zest in your food? Buy a new spice like cardamom or turmeric. Use all of
your taste buds - sweet, sour, bitter, salty - and taste textures such as
crunchy, creamy or chewy. Eat slowly and savor your food. Experiment by creating
ethnic dishes together with friends to nourish and sustain both your body
and your spirit.
You can easily transform your house into a sanctuary
for your spirit by using your five senses. When you become aware of your
surroundings and trust your instincts, you can turn your home into a reflection
of your soul.
Copyright 2001
Lorraine Aho is the founder of
SacredHome.com
for the art and soul of your home® To learn other
tips for creating a sacred home, visit us at
www.sacredhome.com
MORE HOUSE & GARDEN
ARTICLES...>> |
|
|