Anima Monday

I am totally loving the Anima Monday website: https://animamonday.wordpress.com/

So much of it resonates with my personal way of relating in this world. But finding the following paragraphs tucked away in the article entitled ‘A Relationship With The Home’ (published 15 July 2019) has particularly touched my heart and fired my enthusiam to share…

~ Start of Quote ~

When my son was little he used to go to a friend’s house while I worked. And it was always a delight to see how he would lovingly touch the door frame as he entered. Each morning that house said, “Welcome, little one!” I always felt good about leaving him there because I knew he was in good hands.

I want that kind of spirit in my own home.

How can a house become en-spirited?

To build a relationship with my home I’ve started a few simple practices. I try to say hello or goodbye when I pass through the door. I open the windows daily to let my house breathe fresh air. I imagine it enjoys being touched by sunshine and being able to hear the music of birds and of people passing by.

I try to see housework as less of a chore and more like care giving. When I wash floors or walls I thank them for their stability and for keeping us safe. When I wash the windows I do a little ritual based on a Marie Kondo teaching. Before I begin, I set my intent. I imagine what it is I want to see on the other side of the window. I ask myself about the energy I want to invite into the home. As I clean the windows I thank them for all they do to protect us from harm. One can add this kind of intent and imagination to cooking, to repairing things, to decorating … to our whole lives.

Some people set up an ever changing decorative display on a shelf or table. Some set up altars. Setting aside a space devoted to beauty and harmony seems like something a home would like.

Some people always eat dinner together. The really busy may choose to set aside one day a week for family fun time. I think every home wants to hear people laughing.

~ End of Quote ~

The reason this particularly speaks to me is because it’s how I like to live intentionally in my home and work environments.

These ‘inner’ spaces are where I truly relate to the sacred and attune with my inner world. There are very few people who get this, and even fewer who understand how it feels when the inner spaces I care for are carelessly disrupted. Which does happen from time to time. However, it’s those challenging moments that reveal where my attachments lie and what I need to release.

Flip that back again and it gives me a tiny insight into the lives of our ancestors, particularly the ones who have had their sacred rituals and environments gradually stripped away through disregard or misappropriation. Sometimes to the point where they are left feeling bereft and homeless in this crazy world.