Returning to the light, our true home

I find color fascinating. The light frequencies we experience as color define our world in wondrous ways. Visualize an azure ocean, a verdant forest or crimson sunset, these are all examples of color environments, which positively influence our emotions and restore our health.   

As an interior designer I know the power color has in defining a space and ‘creating a mood’. We have all experienced that instant chill when entering a ‘cold room’, which had nothing to do with its temperature. Conversely, we automatically feel more relaxed and engaged in a warm hued environment, think of a dining room painted a luscious burnt umber (dark red orange) - All around YUM (even without any food)! 

I am currently mesmerized by the blue winter hues and their accompanying reflections in snow, so dreamlike and otherworldly. This is the time of year we ‘go inside’ physically and figuratively. It is a wonderful time to do what the earth does, retreat deep within and cultivate inner renewal (hence, the perfect time for resolutions).

It is also during these short days many of us experience the ‘winter blues’. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is now recognized as a common disorder, affecting some people severely. There are ways, other than jetting off to a tropical island (which I also recommend), to make these cold days more bearable.

Light therapy, using ‘light boxes’ is a proven treatment for S.A.D. There is even a beautifully designed one in production.

 Many studies show that most of the US population lack Vitamin D, known as the sunlight vitamin. This nutrient is needed at proper levels for almost every tissue in the body, including the brain, heart, muscles and immune system. Supplements are an easy way to get the correct amount., and feel better.  

Light a fire. Few things trigger passionate, primordial feelings in human beings the way fire does. We symbolically honor the return of the light and new beginnings with candles and fireplaces in our homes. Easy and romantic!

Another great way to lighten up, both figuratively and literally, is to do more Yoga! I incorporate a few extra Sun Salutations in the winter, which creates body heat and expresses reverence for the life-giving solar energy. It is impossible to feel cold with an open (warm) heart, which is what yoga is all about. The gesture/salutation NAMASTE means ‘I bow to the light in you, which is also in me’, ~ a beautiful truth that we are all one when we live from the heart. 

It maybe hard to believe, with this being the coldest month of the year, but sunlight is growing stronger day by day. The more we connect and honor the natural rhythms of the seasons the more we increase the light within us.

 Let this winter be an extraordinary time to listen to your heart-fire, and tend your own sacred light. Remember, everything begins at home.  

Warm Home Blessings, ~ Cheryl Terrace

‘OCCUPY YOUR BEDROOM’

The recent snowstorm caught me by surprise. I was just gearing up for Halloween festivities (also my Birthday) and was unprepared for the power outage, bitter cold and dangerous ice everywhere - it certainly was not like any hallows eve I remember! All I wanted to do was to stay home (which is not like me), and keep warm. I must be getting OLD. Hey, it happens to all of us, birthdays are the time to remember what matters most…and this year what mattered was to be HOME, warm, with my man, snuggled in bed. I put thick flannel sheets on our bed, switched to a heavier down comforter, and put a soft blue grey blanket at the foot of the bed to pull up if we needed even more warmth. All of my bedding is organic, fair trade and luxurious - which is no longer hard to find. I love the look and feel of well-made bed. The amount of time most women take doing their nails/hair/ makeup/wardrobe is the time I spend on ‘home stuff’, but that’s my thing. I believe we escape the assaults of life by creating sanctuary in our homes, and become more balanced and centered from the outside, in. From this nurtured, fortified healthy place we can then take on the injustices of life, which are many. 

I contemplate Naomi Klein’s brilliant Occupy-Wall-Street speech from the comfort of my cozy bed (via laptop - no to TV in the Bedroom). Her words “Being horizontal and deeply democratic is wonderful” make me feel less guilty about not being more involved in this important movement. But I am in spirit! Her words of love and non-violence resonate with all that I believe. From my sumptuous loft filled environs I doze off with even loftier ideals of making the world a better place.

The next morning Andy walks sleepily into our sunny kitchen scratching his rumpled hair, smiles and says ‘You give good bed’. I smile back and think, we all have our battles to wage, small and large, and we all need to do our part - knowing, everything begins at HOME (with a good night’s sleep)..  

 “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” ~Gandhi

Warm Home Blessings, ~ Cheryl 

Thnx 4 all the ♥ ~ I share this (on the back of my medicine cabinet door)

This is the moment of embarking. All auspicious signs are in place.

In the beginning, all things are hopeful. We prepare ourselves to start anew. Though we may be intent on the magnificent journey ahead, all things are contained in this first moment: our optimism, our faith, our resolution, and our innocence.

In order to start, we must make a decision. This decision is a commitment to daily self-cultivation. We must make a strong connection to our inner selves. Outside matters are superfluous. Alone and naked, we negotiate all of life’s travails. Therefore, we alone must make something of ourselves, transforming ourselves into the instruments for experiencing the deepest spiritual essence of life.

Once we make our decision, all things will come to us. Auspicious signs are not a superstition, but a confirmation. They are a response. It is said that if one chooses to pray to a rock with enough devotion, even that rock will come alive. In the same way, once we choose to commit ourselves to spiritual practice, even the mountains and valleys will reverberate to the sound of our purpose.

–       from 365 Tao: Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao

http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/vortex/401/library/365/001.htm365 Tao: Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao

My Summer of Love

I am spending a good deal of time upstate in the Catskills where my boyfriend manages a two thousand acre estate (yes, two and a half times the size of Central Park!). This gilded age estate includes a once grand 20,000 sq ft mansion and riding stables. Needless to say, it is paradise for me, Nature Gal. The abundant wildlife (including bobcat and bear), fresh air, pure spring water, and total lack of light pollution has me ‘blissed out in the boonies’. I believe nature is our ultimate healer - it is the reason I incorporate all things natural into my design work. I have never felt healthier or happier in my whole life than this summer enveloped in this magical kingdom.

We are also very isolated on the mountain with so many acres around us and Andy suggested we have a party for me to meet our community (and vice versa). The party, he said, could be an ‘Old Fashioned Pig Roast’, which took me a little while to get my head wrapped around, being new to the meat eating scene. It would also help his caretaker’s new business venture (pig roasting), as well as support a local farm, and after all, this is the country. I love parties (and have been called the Eco version of Martha many times) and since so many people have never seen this grand old estate it could also serve as its introduction. I found a fabulous online invite and gathered names and emails of everyone I met. I bought a bolt of black and white checkered fabric for the 50’ long table (black saw horses with heavy decking on top). Being the Green Designer I upcycled everything, old metal feeding cans held utensils, giant old wood well covers were tables, many mismatched chairs – total farm charm. For a homegrown atmosphere I gathered dozens of various candles from antique hurricane lanterns, votives, mini star lanterns to Tiki torches that lit the parking field. This was a Big Country Deal and was all-the-buzz in our little ‘neck of the woods’. I wore a vintage black and white handkerchief full-skirted dress with high wedge sandals (very country chic). We planned the party to follow our local town’s Community Day in order to continue the festivities onto our property, which is fairy tale gorgeous. It was also a full moon! After everything was set up and perfect, Andy and I got dressed, nervous and excited (and incredulous that the two of us orchestrated this wonderful event). We began to greet our guests and mingle when a storm cloud gathered and sprinkled a few drops…

Although the forecast was cloudy with rain expected late that evening Mother Nature had her own agenda. It started raining, a real summer rain, just when everyone was arriving, the food set on the tables – and although everyone said it would pass, it seemed to just rain harder. It was a disaster! I quickly changed my fashion shoes for black boots and everyone grabbed a dish to bring into the large empty room, the old gym of the derelict mansion (luckily I cleaned just in case of rain).

The main table was too large and cumbersome to carry in but we had a few other makeshift tables that guests brought in. People were asking me were to put everything, ice coolers, food, candles (it was now dark!)…I paused, uncertain, “I don’t know, where ever you think best”. Since I invited ‘the world’, we had a very diverse group of folks: farmers, ‘flatlanders’ (city dwellers), locals, plain and fancy all tossed together in one big ugly room, dessert food next to dinner food, everything disorganized… and everyone started mingling! I stood there - soggy, hair flat, with my rain boots on and for some reason I smiled - my control and perfection issues dissolving with the rain.  Perhaps it was all of my yoga and Buddhist studies, or just all the curves life has thrown at me but I was happy. It was heartfelt to see everyone chipping in to help, saying ‘no big deal, it’s the country’, we’re used to this”, and still thanking us for having them.

And then, it cleared with a magnificent double rainbow. We all came back outside to witness Andy’s firework display, along with his secret paper lanterns that float up into the sky and follow the wind currents to amazed oohs and aahs. The evening ended with an enormous bonfire and the 200 or so guests dispersed into the lawns and fields after hugs, offers to clean up, handle excess food and compliments on the party. It was a success after all! I felt welcomed into this warm and wonderful community.

I truly believe home is in your heart, it’s not about the perfect sofa, table or lamp (somewhat unique for a designer). The most important ingredient in creating ‘home’ is love: for ourselves, our family, friends and community, and our larger home ~ the planet. This evening was a powerful reminder of all that I believe, what we seek is always already there. I am Home.

 The best laid plans of mice, men… & ‘Martha’., ~ Cheryl

Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen