Create your own Space

Lifestyle decisions are a lot easier when you have space to expand your ideas. An extra room in your garden may be just the thing you need to get started with a new hobby or even an exciting new business. Whatever your reasons a garden room could allow you to take your interests further and allow you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Just imagine how you would feel if you had the space to lay out your lovely art materials in a proper studio. Think about the incentive to get in shape in your very own state of the art fitness suite; just imagine long lazy afternoons resting, reading and talking in a beautifully fitted garden room. Idyllic - I'm sure you agree?

You might want a well equipped home workshop for jewellery making or silversmithing, Natural light, custom made benches and space to put an enamelling kiln. Perhaps you need a specially designed space for leatherwork or wood turning. Maybe a flower arranger's workroom with deep sinks; shelves full of vases and a huge table to create your dream displays.

The idea of a room that is part garden and part living room is definitely especially if your idea of a fun activity is bird watching or wildlife photography. Could you enjoy sitting in your favourite armchair and encouraging the wildlife come to you? Of course you could and why not?

But the great outdoors doesn't need to intrude on your leisure time if you don't want it to. What about a stylish den - the ultimate garden shed if you will - equipped with all mod cons? Think about an LCD projector built into the ceiling, big leather sofas, phenomenal sound system and a massive drop down screen for watching films or the big game.

If your taste is a little more conservative then maybe think about creating your very own snooker hall. Snooker enthusiasts can often find it hard to fit a full size snooker table into a modern house. The rooms are simply not big enough. No problem with a custom built garden room because you can choose exactly what you need down to specialist lighting, fitted bar area and even a slick Italian coffee machine. How cool is that?

Enough of leisure time - now think about work. How much could your lifestyle change if you were able to work from home? Do you fancy a gentle walk down the garden to your very own customised office space complete with all the comforts of home? No more commuting, traffic jams and frayed tempers. A custom built garden work place could make it all possible and it needn't cost the earth.

There are plenty of very tangible benefits. More time at home with your family for a start. Unlike your office-bound colleagues you could watch your children grow up and see them playing in the garden every day without leaving your desk. For any family person that has to be the ultimate reward.

For many people, building a home office is the first step towards financial independence. Improved technology now makes it possible for many people to work remotely no matter where they are in the world. A decent phone system and a good computer are all you need to leave the office behind - so what are you waiting for?

Do you sometimes wish you could just quit your job, and take off for a week (or more), and just get away. Pressures from finances and relationships can wreak havoc on your hearts and minds. And because of obligations and responsibilities there is often little time (or money) to do anything about it. So, why not create your own sacred space in your own home?

There are many things you can do to turn an ordinary space in to a sanctuary. If you do not live alone, pick a room or area that is yours – and put your mark on it. The idea is for you to have your own place where you can go to relax. What you do there is entirely up to you: read a book, practice some yoga poses, write in your journal, etc.

To get started you need to know what types of things calm you, and, at the same time, may inspire you. This is very personal, so if you have never thought about this before, it’s time you did. Your sacred place is meant to enliven your senses in a way that makes you playful and creative. This is your time to escape the rat race of the outside material world, and go within to your divine inner world (our inner Source) – where all the goodies lie.

Experiment with colors, scents and textures Set the mood with candles, fill the air with the scent of lavender, and lay red silky pillows on the floor. Adorn your space with a stone Buddha statue or a serene yoga figurine. See how their presence affects you. Be patient, and fun with the process.

Sit quietly in your space and feel how you are with the silence. Then try a little music in the background. Try Mozart or Deva Pemal (my favorite); musical tastes cover the gamut so pick something you like, which also puts you in a state leaning toward serenity.

You may want to have a pretty container with some luxurious and beautifully scented cream. As you settle in your sacred space scoop some into your fingertips, and slowly massage the rich lotion into your hands and on your arms. While you are doing this, breathe. Do not worry about deep breathing or whether you are doing it correctly, just focus on the act of breathing itself.

Have a glass of pure clean drinking water nearby. Treat yourself to a sip, and silently express your gratitude of being replenished in such a natural way. Look around you. Give yourself no expectations or goals to accomplish. This is your time to rest. If you feel the urge to write, pull out your journal or your big yellow pad and write. If you feel like laying on your back and letting go, do that. Listen to your intuition, and honor this divine message.

This time, this space is for you. You not only deserve it, you need it – we all do. All too often we think of our needs last. You may think, “It’s okay, I can handle it.” The truth is when you ignore self-care, it becomes harder and harder to recover from the damage. And then the ways in which you implement your care will require more time (and more drastic methods) to be effective.

Don’t wait until the universe forces you to focus on your needs. Stop, right now, and begin the process of envisioning your sacred space. Close your eyes, and visualize what your room will look like. Surf the net to get ideas, go to a nearby mall or art gallery, and call your friends and family.

Inspirational items for your home don't need to be expensive. Check out my website (our Inner Source) for a wonderful selection of unique and calming pieces to adorn your sacred space. Just click on the inspirational gift shop. Have fun, and approach your task like an adventure. Create your own little sanctuary with your new best friend – you.

Copyright 2007, Avenstar Enterprises, Inc./Our Inner Source

It is never too late to update the outlook of your home. Just choose an unoccupied space outside your house and turn it into a heavenly space. This space can be a haven for you and your family members after a tired, long day. How do you create such space? Simple, just by clearing the area and re-design the space to become a functional space called patio. You may add some nice patio furniture to your taste and some tasteful outdoor decorations. Your outdoor area would never look the same again.

Different decor creates different ambience and feeling to the patio. It depends on the house owner's own personal taste. If he wants to create an elegant aura to his patio, he may choose teak wood furniture for the decor. For a longer lasting effect, the owner may choose outdoor furniture that are made of iron. These are durable and heavy, making them a good investment for outdoor decor in areas with extreme climates. Another factor to consider is the owner's budget. If the owner does not mind spending on the furniture, he can choose patio sets that are customizable with the styles that he prefers.

Teak and wooden sets are also expensive. However, they are not water resistant like iron. As nature takes its course, wood would naturally age. Certainly, you can easily maintain your set as it gets older. Repainting or varnishing them from time to time should do the job. Covers will also help you protect your furniture and expand their lifespan. As wood and teak are rather heavy as well, you can try wicker as you can move these about effortlessly. Not only are they lighter, taking care of them will be less tiresome compared to wood.

If the house owner is cash-strapped, he may choose plastic material for the outdoor furniture. These are light and easy to move around. Just make sure they do not get blown away by strong winds. Plastic furniture can be conveniently tucked away safely inside the house when not in use. The owner has more freedom to change the style and designs whenever he wishes since they are so affordable and widely available.

A patio umbrella is one of the most important things in your patio. You will want to spend hours under it because it helps shield you away from the harmful rays of the sun. There are three main types in the market, an off set outdoor umbrella, market patio umbrella and a patio umbrella gazebo’s. For a table without hole in the middle, the first type of umbrella would be the best one to choose from. This type is also portable and you can use it when you are not using the table. The second type would be most suitable for tables that have a ready-made hole in them. Market umbrellas are light in weight and not difficult to deal with. They come in various different materials and ranges. However you can also find ones that are freestanding. The last category of umbrella is similar to a market umbrella only it comes with a cotton netting to ward off insects when you are spending your time outdoors.

Choose an outdoor umbrella that is most suitable to your patio. Nevertheless, there are a few points to consider before buying. The poles must be strong but at the same time not too heavy. The material must be durable so that it would not fade quickly. A faded umbrella could ruin the look of your patio. Other than durability, make sure it is easy to open and close the umbrella. Nothing spoils a mood for a lovely outdoor time than an umbrella that is always stuck. Lastly, ensure that you get a reasonable warranty with your umbrella.

You really need not look elsewhere to find solace and peace. Your own patio can be transformed into paradise with all the right furniture and furnishings. Patio cushions are just some of the essential patio furnishings. You can choose dramatic patterns and bright colors to create that dramatic effect in you patio. If you plan to leave the cushions outdoor for long period of time, you are advised to select cushions made from tough materials that are long lasting and easy to wash. Faded cushions can spoil the look of your patio. If you notice them fading, please quickly change to new sets to maintain the luster of your private haven. Your selection of designs speaks volume about you, so take special care to express your styles in the most beautiful and remarkable ways. So start wielding that magic wand of yours, turn your patio into a magical space of ultimate bliss and total relaxation. You will be the talk of your neighborhood.

One of the best ways to create more space in your house is to utilize outdoor space more effectively. Many modern houses can make their rooms look larger by using glass walls and other means to visually extend the room into the garden or lawn. Glass walls that use the same wall and ceiling materials as the interior room on a terrace and its eaves help to extend the visual line of the room. Any room can visually flow outdoors on wooden decks, brick terraces, or loggias with lattice roofs.

A terrace can be an inviting outdoor room if you make use of vines, fences, shade trees, flowers and shrubs as well. If you add a barbeque, you add another dimension, since you can then use your terrace, lawn, or garden as a place to dine in the great outdoors.

When planning a terrace, you should consider the installation of electric outlets for radios, an electric spit of the barbeque, and lighting. Vines can be used on a lattice roof to give a restful appearance. Additionally, vines like grape vines tend to leaf out in hot weather when you want shade and drop their leaves at the start of cooler weather when you do not need it anymore. They provide their fruit as a bonus as well! Any vine you select should be a fast-growing variety. Grape, hyacinth, and gourd vines are suitable for lattice roofs.

A terrace must relate to the rest of the lawn and grounds. This can be done by placing flowers and plants growing in pots, baskets and tubs around the edges of the terrace. The lines of the terrace, walls, or paving can be softened by using rows of potted plants. Including dwarf trees on the terrace and blooming shrubs in the retaining walls can help with the transition between terrace and lawn as well. You can also create visual interest by changing levels. Flowerbeds can be constructed around steps, walls, and trees, for example. A hard floor is essential for an outdoor room as well.

You will want your outdoor room to be enjoyed by all family members, so provide a play space for young children, perhaps by having a sand box that can be filled with plants later, or a small pool for sailing boats. And you do not need to depend on trees along for shade. A self-bracing roof for the terrace in an egg-crate design can be constructed using the side of your house and pillars made of metal, masonry, or wood. Two of the most popular materials for this purpose is corrugated plastics and reinforced glass, which are watertight, but let sunlight come through.

Another type of roof that has become popular, especially in hot climates, is a parasol roof, which extends from the walls of a house about four feet or more. This provides shade to the surrounding area. Because glare that bounces back from the bare ground is a source of heat, having a carpet-like area of shaded grass under the parasol roof can keep a house much cooler.

Outdoor rooms are most successful if they are easily accessed, sheltered from traffic noise or neighbors, and protected from the wind.

When you clear your mind, express your emotions, and cleanse your physical body, you release what you are not. You create space for the Divine to enter and remind you who you are. The more space you have internally the easier it is to listen and tap into Spirit's wisdom and clarity.

When I worked with don Miguel Ruiz (author of The Four Agreements) our Toltec community did a physical cleanse once a year for Lent (40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter). This was always a sacred time for me, and a time of huge growth.

This year at Spiritual Integrity, Raven and I are starting a new tradition by setting intent for community cleansing from Candlemas (also known as Imbolc) on February 2nd to the Spring Equinox (also known as Eostar) on March 19th. Candlemas is a cross-quarter day that marks the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, and is a time of taking stock. For our ancestors who lived by the cycles of the land Candlemas was a time to feel into how much longer the winter was going to be, and how much grain and provisions needed to be saved to get through the final stretch. The light is returning, but we are still in winter, waiting for the shoots and buds of spring to appear. We can use this time of year to gently release what no longer serves us and gather our energy and focus as we prepare for a rebirth at Spring Equinox.

We invite any of you readers to take on a cleansing period as well.

There are many ways to work with the energy of this time of year to create space and healing. The focus is to lovingly break up old routines and remove distractions that keep you separated from Spirit. You can choose a focus for yourself, and make sure that you choose from your heart and desire for more space for Spirit, rather than a subtle punishment or creation out of frustration, judgment, or self-punishment. This commitment is to yourself and is a prayer and offering, a sacred gift to clean your temple to receive more of the gracious presence of the Divine in your being.

Here are some ideas for cleansing in the three areas of your life: mental, emotional, and physical. When you choose one, or brainstorm other ideas, choose a solid focus that takes into account where you are on your path. Challenge, but don't overload yourself.

Mental Cleanse

* Opinion fast
Refrain from sharing any opinion you have with others. This is especially useful for controllers. Start by defining what is an opinion, and have a focus for what you are going to do instead of sharing your opinion. Where you are moving towards is not even having the opinion arise in your mind.

* Silence
Partial or Full Silence: Pick one day a week to be in silence, or go into silence for a longer period of time. It is possible to continue to work and interact in silence; it just takes creativity. Read more about my 40 days of silence online in Spiritual Integrity's articles section.

* Mindfulness practice
Pick a place where you tend to go unconscious and create a mindfulness practice, such as saying a prayer before eating and giving your food your full attention, staying conscious of your breath throughout the day, or sitting quietly instead of reading or watching TV.

Emotional Cleanse

* Repression fast
If you tend to bottle up your emotions this is a good cleanse to take on. The fast is from any type of repression of your emotions, which means you consciously express any emotions that arise in the moment. You might dance, vocalize, or beat on pillows. This does not mean "going off on" other people and venting your emotions; it means allowing your own energy to move, in a way that is safe for you and those around you.

* Expression fast
On the other hand, if you tend to cycle emotions or stories, getting caught in emotional drama, then choose an expression fast. This cleanse invites you to pick one emotion or feeling state (e.g., anger, fear, being a victim) and consciously choose not to express it. You will need to give yourself a focus for what you will do instead of expressing that emotion or story.

* Distraction fast
Pick your favorite distraction (TV, video games, alcohol, looking in the mirror) and stop doing it. Choose what you will replace it with, i.e. what you will do instead with all that time.

Physical Cleanse

* Refrain
Pick one food and stop eating it. Practice staying open hearted and soft around the item, not closing to it. For example: if you pick chocolate, after a week or so put yourself around chocolate or people eating chocolate and watch what arises when you refrain. Be curious about its purpose and effects in your life.

* Partial Diet Cleanse
Choose a category of food to refrain from: sugar, bread, coffee, etc. See notes above for staying open hearted.

* Full Internal Cleanse
Commit to a thorough cleansing program and stick to it. We recommend Arise and Shine, which is the best cleansing program we have found. For this cleanse you first need to get your body alkalized. For any full cleanse make sure you start slow so the detoxification process is gentle. Educate yourself first.

All of these cleanses, from mental to emotional to physical, are interwoven. When you do a mental cleanse, emotions may arise and you will have the opportunity to cleanse your emotional body. When you do a physical cleanse you will get to find loving discipline with your mind. Whichever cleanse you choose, from the most simple to the most challenging, be conscious about how you set it into motion. Identify the length of time you will do it, and plan a ceremony to initiate yourself into your commitment.

Be impeccable with your word: Watch how you think and talk about your cleanse. Remember it is a joy to make more space, not a chore.

Most people need to create more space at home. This is a fact, and the lack of it is probably part of the whole clutter problem. If you don’t have space to put things away in, then you can be sure that everything will somehow or other wind up taking valuable counter, table or floor space, elsewhere in your house.

What can you do to create more space at home? Just like this article heading says, folks. Create more space at home! And before you ask how you do that, I’ve outlined it for you here; Step 1: Look above, Step 2: Look below, Step 3: And in some cases, look around you.

It’s as easy and simple as that to create more space at home. If you look closely you will find that there is space above things like cabinets and shelving units. When you’re pressed to create more space at home, all of these little places can come in handy.

The same thing applies for step 2 in your quest to create more space at home. Once you clean out the dust bunnies from under your bed, you would be surprised at the amount of space that you have under there, and what exactly you can fit in inside it. That is of course unless you have a bed with storage space, in which case, use it properly!

Step 3 might sound odd, but it is in fact very practical aspect to create more space at home. There are places all around us which we wouldn’t even think about to use, but which can hold all your clutter. You will need to be careful when carrying out step 3 however as sometimes it becomes too easy to get carried away and overfill your shelving units and cabinet space.

To create more space at home, you will want to keep as much space as you can in the area which is about eye level as this will create an impression of spaciousness. And if you have only minimal items here, you can even look uncluttered to boot! Use this space wisely so that you can accomplish your decluttering efforts without a hitch.

To create more space at home, you will need your tools of the trade, but in this case they need to be made-to-fit tools of the trade. A crate is all well and good under a table or in an unobtrusive corner where you can’t see it properly, but the very last thing that you will want to do is to place a crate right at eye level where it will undo any good that you have been doing so far in your decluttering efforts.

A crate is probably also very impractical as tool to create more space at home since when placed above cabinets and the like, it becomes an eyesore for the simple reason that it might be too tall to fit in the space. These days however it is very easy to lay your hands on boxes and things which you can use to fill the remaining space in your house.

You also have the choice of buying double-duty furniture to create more space at home, like a bed with storage space underneath it, or a coffee table with storage space underneath it. You can get a shelving unit that doubles as a TV stand, and if you’re pressed for space you can even use a futon to act as your sofa and bed.

When you’re looking at all of this ways to create more space at home, you might also want to look into hugging the walls with such things as shelves, because what you really want to do is to stay away from crowding the center of the room.

Lifestyle decisions are a lot easier when you have space to expand your ideas. An extra room in your garden may be just the thing you need to get started with a new hobby or even an exciting new business. Whatever your reasons a garden room could allow you to take your interests further and allow you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Just imagine how you would feel if you had the space to lay out your lovely art materials in a proper studio. Think about the incentive to get in shape in your very own state of the art fitness suite; just imagine long lazy afternoons resting, reading and talking in a beautifully fitted garden room. Idyllic - I'm sure you agree?

You might want a well equipped home workshop for jewellery making or silversmithing, Natural light, custom made benches and space to put an enamelling kiln. Perhaps you need a specially designed space for leatherwork or wood turning. Maybe a flower arranger's workroom with deep sinks; shelves full of vases and a huge table to create your dream displays.

The idea of a room that is part garden and part living room is definitely especially if your idea of a fun activity is bird watching or wildlife photography. Could you enjoy sitting in your favourite armchair and encouraging the wildlife come to you? Of course you could and why not?

But the great outdoors doesn't need to intrude on your leisure time if you don't want it to. What about a stylish den - the ultimate garden shed if you will - equipped with all mod cons? Think about an LCD projector built into the ceiling, big leather sofas, phenomenal sound system and a massive drop down screen for watching films or the big game.

If your taste is a little more conservative then maybe think about creating your very own snooker hall. Snooker enthusiasts can often find it hard to fit a full size snooker table into a modern house. The rooms are simply not big enough. No problem with a custom built garden room because you can choose exactly what you need down to specialist lighting, fitted bar area and even a slick Italian coffee machine. How cool is that?

Enough of leisure time - now think about work. How much could your lifestyle change if you were able to work from home? Do you fancy a gentle walk down the garden to your very own customised office space complete with all the comforts of home? No more commuting, traffic jams and frayed tempers. A custom built garden work place could make it all possible and it needn't cost the earth.

There are plenty of very tangible benefits. More time at home with your family for a start. Unlike your office-bound colleagues you could watch your children grow up and see them playing in the garden every day without leaving your desk. For any family person that has to be the ultimate reward.

For many people, building a home office is the first step towards financial independence. Improved technology now makes it possible for many people to work remotely no matter where they are in the world. A decent phone system and a good computer are all you need to leave the office behind - so what are you waiting for?

In our basement is a place for our kids to learn and create. It's not a fancy space, but it's practical, spacious and kid friendly. A kids' art and craft desk, a computer just for children, a piano keyboard, a bucket of instruments, an easel, and two kids' tables with kid sized chairs fill the space. The floor underneath our "Learn and Create Space" is linoleum that holds up well against spills and abuse. Messes can be made here and explorations are welcome. It a good place for noisy play too. Our "Learn and Create Space" welcomes children to come, play and discover.

We call this basement space the "Art Area," but a lot more than art is made here. The art easel is used to play school, our kid's computer teaches keyboarding, the art desk sets the stage for creative exploration, a band plays using the available instruments, and the kid's table and chairs are perfect for crafting and other projects. Once I filled the space my kids moved right in and began to play. Today, it's a "hot spot" in our home. Everyone small loves to do what they do best in our "Art Area."

When I was a kid I lived at the kitchen table. I liked the space the kitchen table gave me. I could go back and forth between activities there. At one end of the table would sit some test questions that needed review. At the other end a watercolor painting might be drying. More towards the middle of the table an afternoon snack would, perhaps, sit half consumed. I was a kid, so my stuff had a way of spreading like spilled milk. By the end of the day the table was often buried in all my projects. I'm lucky my parents tolerated my tendency to spread out. The freedom to fill the kitchen, with all the activities for the day, allowed me a greater opportunity to learn and create.

I am thankful that my parents allowed me to take over the kitchen table. Today I like to offer my own children the same freedoms. This is pretty easy since there are so many new ways to set up a space that's just right for busy kids. My favorite new space maker is a kid's table and chairs. Children don't have to prop themselves at the kitchen table, or sit on their knees anymore. These tables are just the right size for comfortable sitting. The kid's tables are just the right height for a child, and chairs that are "just right" are easy to find. Today you can find matching table and chair sets, or you can mix and match if you prefer. You can also bring home a child sized kidney shaped table just like the ones in a preschool classroom. These tables are just the right height for children and they have loads of space for multiple projects. Chairs that match are readily available. You'd be amazed at the options that are out there.

When I set up a space for our kids to learn and create I was deliberate. I considered everything I had learned about kids, because I wanted to give my own kids a really good place to grow. I traveled back to my undergraduate years, when I studied art and education, and I thought about what I had learned about environments that fostered creativity. I visited my graduate school days when I read text books filled with suggestions for helping kids learn to read and develop their basic academic skills. I reflected on the many classrooms that I taught within. I remembered the spaces I created for students and I remembered the students that filled the spaces. I drew on my own experiences as a teacher and a creative person. I pulled all of this knowledge together to make the perfect space for my own children to learn and create. There's never been a day that I've regretted the energy and resources I tapped into to make our "Art Area." My kids love their "Create and Learn Space" and they use it every day. It's just perfect for them.

As I sit at my computer I can look at all the evidence. It's the evidence that my kids are learning and creating. Their art desk is covered in paper airplanes, buttons glued to construction paper, pipe cleaners loaded with beads, and feathers poked into a three inch diameter Styrofoam ball. The art easel is dressed with a newsprint pad that is opened to a drawing of stick figure people playing roller hockey. There's also a table, about two feet high, that's stacked with unfinished crafts that will soon get attention. A little chair sits and waits for someone to fill it. It won't take long before someone does fill it, because my kids can't wait to use their space to learn and create. They know it's just perfect for them, because they're the ones that use it and they're the ones that love it.

Take some time to make a "Learn and Create Space" for your children. You're children will love it and they'll use it. It's an investment you won't regret, and it will bring a lifetime of returns.

Whether you craft for business or pleasure, you must have your own space.

Having all your arts and craft supplies piled up on a corner of the kitchen table, does not count as your own space!. Nor does the couch or coffee table!..

If crafting is your passion, and what you love to do, to unwind from the day, then why not create your own space?.. I know we all can't have luxury studios on the property, but it is possible to create a space that is relaxing and completely your own, by getting creative and taking the time to set it up now!

If you must use a corner of the kitchen or living room, then take the plunge and purchase some of those great storage containers you can get, especially the ones that will fit on a small desk or table top in a corner, or will stack, with hundreds of little plastic drawers in them to house all your trinkets, supplies, tools, whatever you need to get creative and organized in one spot. (Don't forget to label the drawers or you will spend your nights searching thru them instead!)

If you are organized, then you will have more time to spend on your craft, and not spend half the evening trying to find your paint brushes in your kids room, or your jewelry tools in your partners workshop!.. Everyone in the household must be made aware that this is YOUR space, after all, they all have their space, so why not you?. I have seen people even take over parts of closets for their hobbies, by removing the doors and plopping in a table and lots of these storage units, and as long as you have good lighting, then you are set to go!

Crafting is suppose to reduce stress and relax you, so that you are a better person for yourself and your family, how can that happen, if you are crawling under the couch looking for the scissors, or finding your best art paper on the fridge as a grocery list!.. You do not need a lot of square footage to create this space, just a little corner that is organized, is clean, and a BEWARE OF STRESSED OUT CRAFTER sign if someone dares mess with your "space".