Summer is in full swing. It’s a time of growth, movement, change and action — a time to start new projects, commune with nature, leave old patterns behind and pave bold new pathways! While the sun is here to provide us with longer hours to pursue dreams and desires, take advantage of this naturally fiery, energetic time of year and soak up all it has to offer. Especially if you’ve been feeling stuck in a rut, throw your life out of reverse and get back into the driver’s seat by following these 5 fun ways you can rev up your Chi (energy) this summer:
5. LIGHTEN UP!
When we’re wanting to make any sort of changes in life, it’s usually comes down to adding new behavior and releasing the old. And since your home is a direct reflection of your entire life and belief system, you want to remove and release all those things that are no longer serving you or reminding you of old and limited thinking.
Home-work: Go through your objects one by one, starting with a small area like a junk drawer, cabinet, dresser or corner of a room. Ask yourself the following questions to help you purge, sort and off-load all your stagnant stuff: 1. Do I need this? 2. Do I love this? 3. Does this represent who I’m going to become? Surrounding ourselves with environments that only speak to our ideal futures can provide mind-blowing inspiration at every turn through your home (or office), catapulting you into a life you’ll love!
4. STRAIGHTEN UP!
You likely know what I’m about to say… Yes, it’s time to clean things up and begin to organize your “stuff” – especially if you managed to slip past the whole Spring Cleaning boom! The easiest and cheapest way to transform your home (and vicariously, your life) is to do some deep-down, hard-core cleaning. Touching and tending to all the nooks and crannies of your home can rev up the Chi and release old energy in a flash. And your mindset is important too – clean with reverence, joy, gratitude and thoroughness. My teacher Jackie has a saying that truly says it all: “Clean like God is coming!” I couldn’t have said it better myself…
Home-work: So what areas or objects around your home need some TLC? What hasn’t been touched, loved or dusted off in far too long? Look for those places that are out-of-sight and out-of-mind (like the tops of shelves, filing cabinets or underneath the couch)? Make a list of 3 areas that need some of your loving elbow grease this week and get to work! You’ll feel the difference, and your home will thank you too.
3. FRESHEN UP!
With summer being such an outdoorsy season — ideal for camping, sports, picnics and gardening – the more we can surround ourselves with nature, the better! Why? Because nature is one smart cookie — it has an order and balance built into it’s design that helps us stay healthy, grounded, light and uplifted. Not only does it create fresh air, water and food to nourish our bodies, but the precise shapes and colors have a calming effect built right into their cell structures.
In our modern age, we’ve moved farther and farther away from the innate wisdom of the great outdoors and more deeply into an artificial man-made world. Bringing nature and its healing effect into your life in any way possible will let you start breathing easy (in more ways than one).
Home-work: Do you have enough plants in your home? Or how about stones, bird baths or furry pets? If not, the easiest place to start is by bringing green living things into your space this season. Also consider opening up those heavy blinds and letting the sun flood in (at least for a few hours a day) – it’s an instant mood-booster! Or try diffusing high quality organic essential oils (straight from nature) to add an amazing jolt of joy to the air.
Also make sure to open up your windows each and every week — air can get stagnant, especially in air conditioned, sealed-off spaces. Start by opening one window in your home, continuing around in a giant circle until you get back to the starting spot – then begin to close them all up again. Adding this easy ritual to your weekly cleaning routine is a super-simple way to boost your home’s Chi!
2. CHEER UP!
Every person on the planet is after the exact same goal: to feel better. That desire comes through different forms, goals, beliefs or processes, but the end result is all the same. Adding in objects, artwork and items to your space that up your spirits and reflect your goals, loved ones, muses and mentors helps change your internal Chi by lifting your spirits and changing your entire biochemistry. Any time we view something beautiful or uplifting, we begin to resonate with the energy of that thing. Those of you well-versed in the Law of Attraction know that what you think about, you bring about. And as James Ray says, “Where your attention goes, your energy flows!”
Home-work: Walk through your house and look at each bobble, photo, painting or sculture. Try to move out of your head and down into your body to see how you feel as you view each one. Do you feel better, neutral, or worse? Note these responses, since they are the key to their effect on your life.
Try boxing up or giving way those that no longer uplift you, and feature those items that open your heart, put a smile on your face and make you want to boogie! Life’s short, and your home is the best and easiest way to inject joy, comfort, love and lightness directly into your life.
1. SHAKE IT UP!
I heard an old Chinese saying once: “If you want to change your life, move 21 things in your house”. Whether this is true or not, the point is still a great one. When you’re feeling stuck in a rut, the best thing to do is to make a change – and what easier way to do that than movin’ your stuff? It’s not important the number of things moved, but rather the change itself. Ever notice that after hanging a photo or posting a note, quite often you don’t even notice it a week or month later? Sometimes just the repurposing of something old can breath new life and excitement back into it…and us!
Home-work: Try moving around 21 (or more) things in your home this month. Using your home as a tool for inspiration can honestly be just like having your very own live-in therapist encouraging you forward at every turn, 24-7. Making sure that things stay alive, uplifting and energized in your home can sometimes do as much good as getting professional support (and far cheaper too). You’ll feel the difference, and you won’t have spent a dime.
WRAP IT UP…
Now it’s time to go lighten, straighten, freshen, cheer and shake up all the Chi in your home, putting these 5 points into action. Review the Home-work above and see how well you do. Notice any resistance or discomfort that comes up. Honor it, release it, take a deep breath and see if you can continue moving forward. Slowly over time, begin to allow your home to become medicine for your life – and trust me, you’ll be amazed at your own transformation!
