Refreshing Your Home

Constant change creates an abundance

Yesterday was a day of change. Especially this year, when we have spent the majority of our time at home, our environment is so important. Every so often, I like to refresh our surroundings. It happens on a whim. I may tire of seeing the same things day in and day out, and place another piece of decor there. By rotating things regularly, I can create new views. I danced around our home, putting a different tablecloth on the table, put one teapot away, and placed another in its place to enjoy. Like nature is ever-changing, so is our house. Just outside our window, I can see the final golden leaves hanging on to the branches of the trees. Plants and trees are getting ready to rest and grow their inner strength during this season, and so are we. Although from some vantage points, this season looks bleak as the colors fade outdoors, it is a time that we can go within to refresh our home and ourselves. This brings us abundance in so many forms. On my 100-day journey, I am studying the book: The Tao of Abundance: Eight Ancient Principles of Abundant Living by Laurence G. Boldt.

In the west, we exalt change we have intended. We call it “progress.” Yet we tend to fear the change that comes at the behest of others or through “acts of nature.” From the traditional Chinese view, change is a recurring cycle rather than a linear progression. Moreover, unintended change is viewed more favorably than in the West. “Change is gushing life,” proclaims the Great Treatise on the I Ching. -Laurence G. Boldt

I love the concept of change being a recurring cycle. Abundance comes to us when we freely circulate all that we have, including our creative gifts. There has been a lot of unintended change this year, but I choose to look upon it in a favorable light. It has given me time to focus on what we have here at home. We have a love for each other and beauty all around us.

As I was swept up in a ballet of refreshment yesterday, I was in awe of what we have created in our home. This year has allowed me to do lots of projects such as painting walls, floors, porch railing, and much more. We are happy that we are enjoying being in the process of changing our home all of the time. Over the years, we have taken this home and made it our own. If we view our lives and our home projects as a circulating, refreshing process, we will be much kinder to ourselves.

Here are three things that you can try that will refresh your home and your spirit. Give these a try when you have a chance, and you will see the difference in how you feel about your environment and the beauty it provides for you.

1. Rotate Your Decor: If you have had the same decor out for quite a while, put away some pieces, and replace them with something different. You can use things like plates, teacups, teapots, vases, living houseplants, and more. I love to use things for decor that I also use on occasion because it helps me to treat myself to using fine china on a more regular basis. In fact, for breakfast, every morning, my son and I eat on pretty floral china. I use a cup and saucer for my everyday coffee.
2. Create a Centerpiece: So often, and especially now that so many of us are homeschooling our kids, our dining table can be overrun with laptops, papers, and books. To prevent this from happening, place a pretty cloth in the center of the table. You can even use a nice cloth napkin or a fabric remnant. In the center of that cloth, place a houseplant, a candle, or a nice bowl. You could even keep a beautiful bowl of fruit there for snacks. This creates an environment of beauty and celebration. You will be less likely to allow too many stacks of paper here when you want to see the beauty of the center of the table. Centerpieces are not only for special celebrations; they are there for us to look upon the joys of our life every day.
3. Create a Joy Box: I have a decorative wooden basket-box near the dining room table that I call my joy box. I have my morning abundance journal, a current book, my laptop, a notebook with a pen/pencil pocket, and a folder of creative work in the box. This box is my lifeline and my joy every day. I know that I can find everything right there. It is visible, but it is still neat and tidy. It is beautiful, but not complicated. A joy box puts your life right where you need it.

My prayer and my intention for you today is that you find joy in the beauty of your surroundings. If there is anything in your home that needs refreshing, change it. Find some living houseplants to grace your space. Create some spaces that make your home feel cosy and refreshed.

Day #17: How can you refresh your home environment today?

I am tagging some amazing fellow writers on this journey. They joined me on my 100-day spiritual journey and it is an honor to have them here on this journey. I ask that you read their beautiful work here on Medium. Thank you for your generosity! Bob Jasper, Charlotte Zobeir Ali, Rasheed Hooda, Jenine Bsharah Baines, Amy Marley, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Chowa Sekai, Michele Thill, Terry Mansfield, Tony Young, Jr., Dr. John Rose, Vishnu*s Virtues, Noma Dek, Neha Sandhir S, Isha Tewari Srivastava, Art Bram, Joe Luca, Tree Langdon, Sherry S, Melissa Bee, Annelise Lords, Suntonu Bhadra, Henery X, Lanu Pitan, Selma, KeepingitrealwithAnnick, Taha Abbas, and many more! Thank you Illumination, Paper Poetry, and Medium Family!!

Joyful Minimalism. She guides clients on a personal growth journey through their homes.

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