What is the atmosphere of *your* home?
The atmosphere of your home is *VERY* important... it tends to embed itself into all those that dwell there, and it welcomes-- or shuns-- each guest that takes the time to come visit. And be not mistaken, EVERY home HAS an atmosphere... whether it is intentional or "overlooked"-- it exists and it is there. SO... what is the atmosphere of *YOUR* home? Take some time and *think* about it. Is it *pleasing* to you and your family? Is it what you'd like it to be? Or is it something that has been overlooked and you're unsure about it? The good thing about the atmosphere surrounding you is you have an opportunity to AFFECT it! To change it or improve it :) Take full advantage of this valuable opportunity... it's a rare circumstance to have the power to *create*, and to *bless* so many people on a regular basis :) CREATE the atmosphere in your home that reflects all things that are good, safe, and happy. Let the atmosphere of your home be more than "words hanging on the wall"-- let it be REAL...
By far, the MOST important factor in the atmosphere of your home is *YOU*-- your attitude, your HEART. NOTHING else plays a bigger role in determining *how* your home "feels". BE INTENTIONAL in your attitude, not only toward your family but also toward your home-- your daily tasks and upkeep. A home is a blessing. It's not *as* important as your *family*, but it IS important. Show gratitude for your blessing by being diligent in its upkeep and by being pleasant during daily (sometimes MUNDANE ;) tasks :) As someone who has been withOUT a home SEVERAL times-- I can testify for the BLESSING that it *IS* when you have one!
(Granted, you can make "wherever you are" HOME~ and you should! :D And not everyone has a family... but even if you live alone you can make yourself a pleasant little abode that your tickled to spend time in and come home to! :) Life is short, and life is a gift! DON'T WASTE IT. *EMBRACE IT* Enjoy it! LIVE it...
*AFTER* you spend some time evaluating your attitude... spend some time thinking about what can be done in your home to appeal to the five senses. We were created to notice and love beauty :) And when you purposely strive to add elements to your home that cover all or *some* of these areas, you end up with rewarding results :) It's fun and it works!
Tips For A Welcoming Home~
*SEEING:
What can you do to *visually* make the atmosphere of your home pleasant? *KEEP IT CLEAN* PLEASE keep it clean... your family, your friends, and yourself *DESERVE* to have a CLEAN environment :) Maybe not "PERFECT"... but *CLEAN* ... THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT GOAL-- a CLEAN home :)
What else?
Colors and objects that make you (and your family) feel good or bring a smile :) These things will be different for different people, but it's important to allow your eyes to rest upon those things that bring joy, peace and rest :)
*Here are some of MY favorite things...
What can you do to *visually* make the atmosphere of your home pleasant? *KEEP IT CLEAN* PLEASE keep it clean... your family, your friends, and yourself *DESERVE* to have a CLEAN environment :) Maybe not "PERFECT"... but *CLEAN* ... THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT GOAL-- a CLEAN home :)
What else?
Colors and objects that make you (and your family) feel good or bring a smile :) These things will be different for different people, but it's important to allow your eyes to rest upon those things that bring joy, peace and rest :)
*Here are some of MY favorite things...
*Hearing:
The *best* sound in a home is *HAPPINESS* :D The sweet sound of loving words, considerate tones, and joyful laughter! :D It is so important that a *home* be a place of encouragement, comfort, and safety. There is enough "junk" out there-- let your home be the safe haven :) Fill it with love, honesty, and respect... a place of enjoyment and fun! A place that is comfortable and inviting. A place that is good and secure.
There is also a certain peace that accompanies times of quietness, and even silence (if it is not a silence of anger). In the midst of all the loud clamor of fast-paced society, there is a need for peace and quiet :) There's a *reason* for the well-known phrase "Silence is Golden" ;) Allow quiet times to be experienced in the home... a time and place of "stillness", slowing down and quieting down, resting, thinking, reading, or even talking-- without the distraction of gadgets and TVs/Sterios. It makes a difference :) Make room for hearing the birds singing outside, a wind chime's instrumental as it dances in the breeze, or listening to the rain pattering as it falls upon the roof :) Sounds that whisper joy to the heart :)
And then, of course, there *IS* a time for music, games, laughter, and fun! :D A time of clanking dishes of meals eaten together. A time for the chatter of silliness, the voice of reason, and the casual conversation. A time and place for all the different sounds that fill our hearts, minds, and lives~ to be experienced and shared in our home :) *Listen* to the sounds of *your* home... make an effort to ensure that they are good, healthy sounds :)
*Here are some of MY favorite sounds...
The *best* sound in a home is *HAPPINESS* :D The sweet sound of loving words, considerate tones, and joyful laughter! :D It is so important that a *home* be a place of encouragement, comfort, and safety. There is enough "junk" out there-- let your home be the safe haven :) Fill it with love, honesty, and respect... a place of enjoyment and fun! A place that is comfortable and inviting. A place that is good and secure.
There is also a certain peace that accompanies times of quietness, and even silence (if it is not a silence of anger). In the midst of all the loud clamor of fast-paced society, there is a need for peace and quiet :) There's a *reason* for the well-known phrase "Silence is Golden" ;) Allow quiet times to be experienced in the home... a time and place of "stillness", slowing down and quieting down, resting, thinking, reading, or even talking-- without the distraction of gadgets and TVs/Sterios. It makes a difference :) Make room for hearing the birds singing outside, a wind chime's instrumental as it dances in the breeze, or listening to the rain pattering as it falls upon the roof :) Sounds that whisper joy to the heart :)
And then, of course, there *IS* a time for music, games, laughter, and fun! :D A time of clanking dishes of meals eaten together. A time for the chatter of silliness, the voice of reason, and the casual conversation. A time and place for all the different sounds that fill our hearts, minds, and lives~ to be experienced and shared in our home :) *Listen* to the sounds of *your* home... make an effort to ensure that they are good, healthy sounds :)
*Here are some of MY favorite sounds...
|
|
*Smelling:
Scents have the power to transform you to another place and time-- good or bad. Make the scents that flow through your home be pleasant and comforting. The "smell" of *clean* is the best smell I know... next to the smell of sunshine and breezes from opened windows or line-dried clothes! :D MAKE SURE your home smells *CLEAN* :) Trash taken out (and litter boxes cleaned or doggies bathed!) REGULARLY :D It makes a difference! And remember... sometimes we become "immune" to the smell of our own home-- but others are NOT and can smell what "we" don't notice. So *make sure* you keep your home clean smelling :)
And WHO doesn't *love* the smell of "goodies" baking in the oven or "yummies" cooking on the stove? UM-HUM!!! ;) Keep it coming!! hahaha!! What an *excellent* smell of *HOME* :D
Don't forget the *wonderful* scented candles available... even from the Dollar Store. Trust me, if it smells *good* NOBODY cares "where" it came from! ;) Or *how much* you did or didn't pay for it... just light it... and *enjoy* it! :D AHHHH, YES!!!!!! :D I can smell it now! :)
*Here are some of MY favorite smells...
(wish they had scratch 'n sniff computer screens! LOL!! ;) )
*Tasting:
I didn't think we would EVER get to this part! ;) Tasting, tasting, tasting... yum, yum, yum! Why do you think restaurants love to use the phrase "HOME cooking"? or "Mom's HOME cooking"? or "Just like grandma used to make?" Because-- BEFORE everyone became SO BUSY and MICROWAVE-CONDITIONED/FAST-FOOD DEPENDANT-- meals, desserts, and treats were REGULAR at *HOME*... TIME was spent on them... and they were *GOOD*!!! :D Do the very best you *CAN* to give your home "memories" of good food and good love pouring from your kitchen... it will be well worth it, and you'll be glad you did :)
*Here are some of MY favorite tastes...
*Touching:
Soft, cozy, and comfy... that's what I want *my* home to feel like :) Warm and inviting in the cold... cool and refreshing in the heat. Clean and comfortable. All things that speak joy and peace :)
You can "feel" the *atmosphere* of a home just as much as you can feel the objects placed within a home... and I *hope* the atmosphere of my home is pleasant and happy... an atmosphere that says "You are truly WELCOME here" :) An atmosphere that tells my family they are cherished and loved... that tells my friends they are important and special... and that tells visitors they are welcome :)
Make your home a place that is REAL... not a showroom for a magazine or walk-through tour of a mansion or museum. Your home needs to be a place where your family and friends can feel comfortable to be real and to live. Clean, YES! ;) But a place where one dares not to even breathe??? NO!!!! Do *NOT* get the two confused. Your home is a HOME-- NOT a "museum". It can be "pretty" and it can be "clean", but it doesn't need to be a place where you don't want to sit down or move for fear of "messing something up". You can take care of your home WITHOUT making others feel like they may even "break the air" they breathe... on the other hand, living under piles and heaps of clutter or filth continually isn't comfortable, EITHER. There is a balance of clean and picked up/in order and lazy unkempt/un-kept. FIND the balance and reap the rewards! :D
*Here are some of MY favorite things...
*ADDING TO the atmosphere of your home~
Along with providing pleasantries for the five sense of your family and friends (and *yourself* ;) )... you can also do little "extra" things that make your home happy and special... like decorating for the change of seasons & weather, holidays, birthdays, special days, and events. This is something I've always loved to do!! It doesn't always have to cost a lot of money... if your low on funds, you can always find flowers, pine cones, or things outside to bring in for a few days to change things up a bit-- or you can make construction paper paper-chains and banners. Just use your imagination and make your home an exciting place to anticipate and enjoy special times and traditions in your life and family. Even picnics at home in the yard can be a fun way to "celebrate" any *fun day* :D Make living in *your* home special and fun! So... go and *enjoy* YOUR HOME! :D