When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so sad
If you have ever watched
the classic feel good movie, “The Sound of Music,” you will surely remember the
song, “My Favorite Things.” The last
three lines of the song sum it up perfectly…. “When I’m feeling sad, I simply
remember my favourite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.” I just love the sentiment behind the
song.
It should not surprise
anyone that home reno stores like Rona and Home Depot have been doing extremely
well in recent years, not just because people are trying to save money but
because they are trying to create a stronger sense of family and “home” in
this fast-paced world. Studies have shown a strong correlation between the
economy and the need to cocoon. In fact, the worse the economy is, the more people
spend money and attention trying to make their homes more cozy and
inviting.
Shortly after moving into
our house, I had a friend come over to help me figure out window coverings for
my living room. We never did get around
to the window coverings as she spent the entire time telling me what was wrong
with my house. In some ways, she was
bang on. I had so much stuff. Nice and expensive stuff … but too much
stuff. Her final thoughts were, “You
know you CAN just leave some of the things you like at the store. You don’t have to bring everything
home.” I laughed but there was merit in what
she said. We removed everything from the
room and I only put back the things that I absolutely loved or made me feel
good. She took the rest to her house –
lol.
These days, my house has
mostly things that I really appreciate or make me happy when I walk by them. There are always things that you have to work
around (existing furniture because it doesn’t make financial sense to replace
them for a while) but the extras that give you a sense of what you are all
about should be up front and personal. I
once had a neighbour over to my house and boy, was she disappointed in my
décor. She said, “Hmmm. I thought it would be fancier.” But truthfully … I’m not a fancy person. I have 4 kids (3 being boys) and fancy didn’t
work when they were all at home. Did that route years back and it was not a
joyful experience for me. I didn’t like
the person I was becoming and I certainly didn’t want my kids going down that
path.
Everyone has a look they
like and if I had to say what mine was … maybe “tailored country”? I’m not a knick knack person and so the cute
little ducks and country animals are not seen here. I do have a wooden giraffe above my kitchen
cupboards, though. I like tidy and easy
to clean. For me, less is more, so the
things I have, I love. I’m not into the spartan or minimalist look – just don’t
want to dust anymore than I have to! I have
things like a wrought iron JOY hanging from the backside of our main floor bath
door, black metal letters hanging above my kitchen window that reads H O M E, and family photos
and pictures collected from vacations over the years. I think you get the idea.
I had a painful reminder
of the importance of surrounding yourselves with things that matter . . . I had been rushing around trying to get
things done and was in a foul mood (which is code for barking orders left and
right at my family). Suddenly the plaque that was hanging above the entrance
door came tumbling down onto my head. Let
me tell you that hurt – I actually saw stars!
It slammed down onto the floor face up.
The sign read … SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY. Ouch (in more ways than one!) So – it’s nice to surround yourself with
things that epitomize what you are trying to embrace.
Most things in my house don’t match. They blend. Some people might like it classier, bolder or newer … to each his own. I like a sense of calm around me and so the colours I’ve chosen are not overly bold or bright. They are just calming. Here and there I have a little “punch” of something a little bolder. Most people who really love their homes seem to have spent little money but have invested far more in including things that have become meaningful to them – a favourite auntie’s antique dresser, a grandparent’s old bible, a unique framed mirror made from barn board from a family farm, a childhood toy, an amazing picture from a memorable holiday, a gift from a special friend, or a terrific find at a neighbourhood garage sale. Your home is a work in progress – just like your family. I hope you will join me this week as I continue to fill my home with things that I love, make me smile, and bring me peace.
Food For Thought:
Watch out for falling life lessons!
Hope you can join me next week for my Integrity Challenge
– Practicing What We Preach!
Images
from: suaviloquy.blogspot.com; http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thesoundofmusic/myfavoritethings.htm;
autumnsunshineandgabrielleangel.wordpress.com; edupics.com
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