Now for Your Challenge

Take one room in your house which you spend at least 2-4 hours in during the day (Bedroom, Den, or Living room may be a good start), and take a deep hard look at it. Critique every object, arrangement, color choice, and texture. It may even help to have someone you trust with you to get their emotional input and walk around with you. Try and keep your emotions and sentimentalities out of the process. Step away for a few minutes if you begin to feel emotional and come back when you feel a sense of calmness and clarity. If this seems overwhelming, it may be helpful to get a picture matt at your local art supply store (maybe one with an 8x10" or 11X14" rectangle in the center) and visually section off areas of your room in a way that may be easier to manage. Even taking photos of the areas may be helpful. Then proceed as follows:

  1. If there are photos, drawings, posters, or paintings in the room look very closely at each one. What is the FIRST thing you think about when you look at the photo? No judgment here, just acknowledge the feelings you get and if they are negative, then take a large storage box and put the photo in it and move to the next item. If it is powerful keep it where it is.
  2. Then move onto the furniture, do you know its history? If so was it positive or negative? If there are any negative memories that come forward in your mind remove the piece if possible or mark it as a possible negativity emitter and move on.
  3. Continue through every object in the room using the same technique. Remove all the negative items you can and if at the end of the cleanup there are items which must stay for various reasons, then look through the rest of the house to try and find a balancing piece that brings up in you feelings of happiness, love, or joy which will be a positive energy to help balance or neutralize the remaining items in the room.
  4. Find objects which you feel are inspirational or uplifting…items which stimulate hope and passion within you. Place a few of these items close to where you sit within the room. Also, if you are lucky enough to have an item from a person whom you feel is on a spiritual, emotional, or physical level you are striving to reach you may place this item closest to you.
  5. Now…live with the room for the next 30 days and be aware of any changes in feelings you or others may experience.
  6. If wall color is an issue, take time now to paint or have it painted to a color which is more nurturing to you.

A day taken to improve your environment will pay you back in ways unimaginable. You may find that you experience a new clarity or restfulness that was missing before or you may find that the change in your space actually helps you make that final push to break through barriers or obstacles you've been facing. You will be amazed at the changes which will occur around and inside you.

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© 2011 Amanda Webster all Rights Reserved