The Rural Voice, 2003-11, Page 33•
Home Decorating
How to deal with a negative in
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
At a tender age in life I was
advised that as company, one should
always bring something, take
something, and leave something
behind. These "somethings" can be
material in nature as in food and gifts
or as simple as friendship, goodwill
and love. In essence this is the
"energy" we carry with us to be
shared with those we come into
contact with. Energy, as previously
stated can be either positive, negative
of neutral. Neutral, where we fail to
do or be anything to anyone,
essentially is a lack of sharing or
caring.
Just think of that last wonderful
time spent with family or friends
when all was peace and harmony
there seemed to be extra sunshine
within our spaces. But truthfully not
everyone enters our homes, offices
and even our hearts with goodwill.
This is what I'd like to explore this
month: just how negative attitudes
(energy) affects us within our
personal spaces and some way of
encountering such vibes.
It is interesting to note that there
are age-old traditions amongst both
First Nations and Asian cultures
wherein, upon arrival at the hosts'
home, a visitor symbolically leaves
their troubles at the entrance to the
home (either in washing their hands
or removing their road -weary shoes
at the entrance). The guest is then
entering only with fellowship and
positive possibilities.
How beneficial this would be to
the energy of the home and owner's
psyche. When I think about negative
personalities I always remember the
aunt who would visit once a year. At
my tender age 15, her greeting to me
was "well aren't you becoming the
fat young thing."
Negative comments equal ill will
and discord within the home and the
people who reside within. We
literally carry the essence of lightness
and joy, or negative hostility
wherever we go. Carrying these
energies into other people's spaces is
the truest form of home invasion.
Insults, unrequested coaching,
slovenliness, inconsideration,
personal opinions, harshness, lack of
respect for our homes, family, pets
and property are all the utmost in
rudeness. This is truly the epitome of
a negative energy assault.
Our best method of prevention is
to first set realistic boundaries and
principles upon which we base our
lifestyle and that of our family. This
essentially forms the foundation (the
truths) of our lives and the workings
of our spaces (homes, offices,
workspaces, etc.). If we don't have
standards and boundaries we are
continually being invaded and feel
manipulated. Negative energy is
continually bombarding us, and as a
result, we continually feel exposed
and ill at ease.
Our next move is to reject all that
which does not serve us. (Please
remember we're warding off
negativity not counteracting it with
more negativity and getting hostile.)
So, when someone enters your space
and brings forth a comment or
suggestion that just does not work for
you a breezy retort as in "thank you,
I'll take that into consideration"
implies "You've crossed a boundary
and your negativity is not welcome in
this space." This puts the issue to bed
and you can pick up with a worthy
topic that will do everyone's spirit
uence
benefit.
Often, relatives visit and become
too well meaning. Our best line of
defence is to understand that a
leopard does not change its spots.
Rather than buying into negativity or
shifting into neutral, it's very
powerful if we become very mindful
during the visit, practicing emotional
control, with the positive energy traits
of caring remaining uppermost in our
minds. This is no mean feat!
Interestingly, there are a few olden
practices that I find personally
helpful. Firstly, I bring a bouquet of
fresh florals combined with cedar or
pine boughs into my home. Both pine
and cedar dispel negativity and
charge the air with peace and
protection. Next 1 light a candle, once
again cedar and pine scents work well
but a spicy cinnamon scent is also
optimum with the connotations of
cleansing and purification. Every
time I look at the candle I'm
reminded I'm not alone.
My intentions are peace and love
and personal preservation. My goal
being, to dispel all negativity from
my space. In essence this too is
another way of cleansing our living
spaces making them healthy, happy
environments for family, friends and
pets. A place where all is possible. A
safe haven!
Truly, it's our choice how and
where we live, and life is way too
short to fill our spaces with
unhappiness and hurtful stress that
result in negativity. It is a mindset in
which instead of living our lives as if
"something is wrong" we start living
everyday with the attitude
"Something Is Right!"0
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
NOVEMBER 2003 29