Spring is a wonderful time to transform a living environment into a sacred space—an organized, calm and relaxing reflection of our own individual styles that helps create wellness by replenishing our energy and providing inner peace.

It’s not necessary to be wealthy or have a large house to create a space that constantly reminds us of our own deepest values and hopes, and inspires us to realize them.

For example, the house I live in now has been furnished on a shoestring. My nightstands come from a hospital in Wyoming and were given to me by a great friend who delivered babies there. The coffee table in my living room is a wooden, hand-whittled chicken coop that is 75 years old. The most expensive feature in my whole house is an Indian poster I received as a gift.

Everything else I own was either picked up while traveling, discovered in thrift stores or garage sales—even back alleys on garbage—collection days—and from wonderful, reasonably priced stores like Pier 1. I mention this to make it clear that what’s needed to create a sacred space is not money, but what each of us already has: creativity, intuitive guidance, imagination and inspiration.

The Importance of Home

No matter what place each of us calls home, the very word strikes a chord deep inside each of us. Home means sanctuary, the place we can rest, relax, enjoy time with friends, learn, grow…and just be. Our homes say a lot about who we are and what we think is important in life.

Home is where the heart is but it goes deeper than that. Our connections to home are basic threads in our lives that pop up automatically in casual conversation. We use the word home to identify where we’re from (hometown), cheer on players who represent us in sports (home teams), describe a level of comfort (at home), relate to our national identity (homeland), and at the end of a vacation, name it as our favorite next destination (“There’s no place like home.”)

When we purchase a home we want it to provide comfort as well as be a place where we can feel safe and invest our hopes, dreams and wishes as the foundation for our future. Most of us have pretty similar goals and intentions in life no matter the size, design or geographic location of our homes. We want to start a life with a significant other, perhaps have a family, grow through life’s stages and eventually retire. That’s the American dream. As our lives progress, the daily demands of family, friends, school, careers—as well as all the unforeseen events we deal with over time—all contribute to the atmosphere in the places we call home.

Think for a moment of your home. If you were to describe it in a word or two, what would it be?

Peaceful and calm

Orderly

Disorganized and chaotic

Messy

Open and welcoming

How would you compare the way you describe your home to the life you lead? Our environments are often the exterior reflections of our interior worlds.

Everything Breathes Together

Richard Tarnas once said, “Everything breathes together.” This is especially true in the spaces we call home.

Everything we do affects everything else. It follows that every conscious decision we make about what belongs where in our homes—whether it’s the way the space looks, the sounds we want to surround ourselves with or the textures and smells that ground each room—everything contributes to the special grace that makes the sounds we want to surround our self with or the textures and smells that ground each room—everything contributes to the special grace that makes each of us unique.

10 things we can to do to invite transformation and new spring energy into the place we call home.

 1. When we learn to say “no” more often, it sets boundaries and clears repetitive patterns, allowing new energy to come in. For example: filling our calendars with too many appointments or events, not to disappoint the hosts.

2. We release psychic weight by letting go of physical weight: clothes that don’t fit or furniture we no longer use.

3. Bring Mother Nature inside: grow an indoor herb garden; put fresh flowers in every room; hang a sprig of eucalyptus in the shower.

4. When we add a splash of our favorite color into our home and wardrobe, it brings immediate joy and happiness. Feel the energy shift.

5.  We honor ourselves by repeating this phrase each day: “I am Sacred.” because we are. We can feel our moods and spirits shift ever so slightly each time we offer this grace to ourselves.

6.  We can heal the clutter and pain in our hearts by journaling and forgiving ourselves and those we know need to be forgiven.

7.  Fuel our bodies-our temples—with the freshest local, organic foods we can. Let’s say no to GMOs.

8.  Declare ‘electronic free’ moments, hours, or-better yet-days. In solitude, we hear the deeply nourishing silence that our soul craves.

9. While showering, we can recapture our awareness and energy by releasing anger, anxiety, stress and worry. As we lather and rinse, envision it all flowing down the drain.

10. By surrounding our Sacred Space with items that touch our hearts and essence-we tell visitors the story of our home.

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Editorial Assistant: Lauryn DeGrado/Editor: Bryonie Wise

Photos: elephant archives