Healing HOME

Thumbing through Sacred Space by Denise Linn, I paused at a suggestion for the reader to assign or receive a name for their home. What a great, simple way to deepen one’s relationship with the home, I thought, and pondered only briefly before the name Harmony came to mind. It’s perfect.

A few days later, I went thrifting in Morgantown with a friend while some of my cats were being neutered. Not so fond of clutter, or “stuff” in general unless it is meaningful or purposeful, I start flooding with a strange brew of sensations: intrigue, a sudden unhealthy degree of the nesting instinct, and guilt for walking against my talk! So I committed to acquiring nothing that wasn’t purposeful or didn’t jump out at me as an immediate “must have” (of course, there’s little in life that we must have).

So as I walked around in a dreamy haze of overwhelm and the too-good-to-be-true-ness of “everything by the pound,” literally cheaper than chicken, I kept my goals in mind. I want a home that is warm, soft, and approachable – more so than she has been, as an upright Victorian.

I’ve noted, ironically, for the many nice accessories in our home, a perennial favorite of guests is a plastic Felix the Cat clock that hangs in stark contrast to its surrounds. I decided to lean into that whimsy with this silly cat pillow, which helps me to lighten up.

And I softened the Red Salon with this throw, which combines masculine and feminine elements with its ultra-soft texture and free-flowing placement.

Best of all, I had been wanting an aromatherapy diffuser for the bathroom and, lo and behold! She bore the new name of my home around her neck. (One might say it was destiny, but I say it was harmony.)

All that I acquired we have put to use, except for two things, which have already been donated to a local church.

For readers who are like me and get excited around too-good-to-pass-up bargains, consider the following to avoid taking home too much when temptation is high:

Do I absolutely love it?

Can I already see in my mind’s eye precisely where it will go?

Does it align with my values (beauty, practicality, goals, etc.)?

We can also practice “One In, One Out.” Find something that speaks to you less than that which you’ve newly acquired and make a trade. Donate whatever you have outgrown. (Much of it will mean something more to someone else. One person’s old t-shirts will be another person’s cleaning rags.)

In this way, we keep the home fresh and interesting, and reflective of who we are – not who we were yesterday, but who we are today. It keeps the home alive! In my case, her name is Harmony. What name would you choose for your home?