Author Archives: Megan Antlfinger

Master Secrets of Happiness & Harmony

Sunset ImageToday I had the privilege of interviewing 3 experts for the Home in Harmony Master Class summer series. What I have found, as we wrap up the final details of this season, is that each expert has such a unique and inspiring way of looking at the world. In some way or another they have created a distinct way of finding happiness and harmony in their life.  I am captivated by their stories, journey’s and messages. Although their paths and messages are so different, there is often a common thread at how they approach life and view their experience within the cosmos.  In this issue we take a look at what sets these experts up for success.

I have had the blessing of interviewing over 50 experts for the last 2 seasons of the Home in Harmony Master Class. It has been awe inspiring and fun!  Although each expert has found his or her distinctively individual passion and purpose there seem to be common threads that determine how they move through life. Let’s look at a few of these commonalities…

Heart Wide Open

First, they lead with their hearts wide open. Their view of the world is that of a playground or place to experience joy and love. They expect to have positive experiences and life rewards them with what they expect.

Opportunity of Growth

Most have had their fair share of bumps along the road. They have dusted themselves off from the disappointments and dips that life has supplied and become stronger from the experience.  They appreciate theses incidents and are thankful for the opportunity of growth.

Gratitude

They have a deep sense of gratitude that guides them through life. This inner wellspring fills them with a limitless reservoir of grace that feeds and nurtures their spirit. This presence of gratitude brings serenity and fosters a sense of fulfillment.

These are the inadvertent teachings and timeless gifts of inspired living that I have discerned from the Masters that are at the foundation of who they are and who they have become along their journey to living their passion and purpose.  I am thankful to have had the privilege to enjoy the enlightening, inspirational and heart-centered messages from these incredible luminaries who are beacons of light in this world.

PS: You will be able to sign up for the Home in Harmony Master Class Summer Series in a few weeks! Details will be coming soon!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Picture credit: amritapuri.org

 

Is Your Home Nagging You?

Welcome HomeDid you know that you can “use” your home to help you change things in your life! Perhaps you are hoping to find a sense of peace, manifest your dream partner, attract abundance in your life, motivate you to be the best you can be, create more self esteem, learn to relax, achieve your personal goals in life, think and act in a positive way, increase your creativity, find fulfillment, stop procrastination, have less stress, achieve success and improve your health! Your home can help you with all of these! In the following article we will begin to uncover how you can use your home to begin designing your ideal life!

Your home is constantly sending you messages on an unconscious level. These messages either support you and your hopes & dreams –Or– they create obstacles that hinder optimal vision. Think of it a bit like a nagging aunt who might tell you again and again that something you are doing is bad. This makes you feel uncomfortable, resentful and brings up a whole assortment of negative feelings. Eventually you tune out that person… but, unfortunately your unconscious is still getting those messages loud and clear! This brings down you and your energy. It is like a tire being deflated every time you see the person or are reminded of them in some way. This is analogous of your home.

This little exercise will help you determine what your home is whispering to you:  As you walk through your home think of it as if it were speaking to you. What is it saying? Does it match your vision, hopes and dreams for your life? Or, is it sabotaging you at every corner?  Are you feeling energized, relaxed and fortified? If not, why not?

The good news is that know matter what the current vibe it is giving you, you can begin to make changes today to support you in any area of your life. For example, if you are trying hard to lose a few extra pounds for the coming season, begin to really notice the items in your home and ask yourself, “Are they supporting my ultimate plan?” If you have cookbooks lining your bookshelves filled with pie and chocolate cake, maybe it is time to put those away and replace with a series on seasonal salads or smoothie recipes. Unfortunately, those calorie-ridden cookbooks literally ‘scream’ at your unconscious sending out messages that block your ardent attempts at weight loss. The same could be said if you are feeling down. Notice what items in your home align with these despondent feelings. Maybe it is time to remove the beautiful picture of the women wistfully looking out at the horizon trying to get a glimpse of her long lost love. Despite the regal beauty of the picture the unconscious connection to love lost and loneliness is evident when you begin to become aware that the items in your home speak volumes to you on many levels. Begin to notice what these items are saying!

Begin to fill your space with colors, furniture and items that bring you pleasure and delight! Find items to put in your space that uplift and align with your dreams & goals. Your home can inspire you to begin living the vision of the best version of you!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Quick Tips to Revitalize You

 

Bathroom image 500x331Do you ever forget to take time out for yourself? I mean real quality time? If you are saying, “Of course I do.” Let me challenge you to be really present with that question and dive a little deeper by asking… What is the one thing you do each day to take care of yourself? How about in a week? Do you spend more time absorbed in the commotion of daily living and the busyness of life or taking care of others? It is easy to get caught up in the hectic pace that whirls around you, especially as you begin to approach summer with the blitz of end-of-year activities, people excited for coming vacations and the turbulence that naturally comes with the seasonal transition. In this week’s article we will explore how you can make time for yourself. We are also gearing up for the Home in Harmony Master Class Summer Series! Details for this incredible event with more amazing experts will be coming soon!

If you are one of those who has been caught up in the whirlwind of daily living it is sometimes important to take a moment out to reassess and re-calibrate so that you don’t end up depleted emotionally and physically. It is amazing that as a culture we don’t have an appreciation for the importance of self-care or rituals around revitalizing our emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. It is of the utmost importance to continually take time to replenish the wellspring within ourselves so that we can be the best we can be. Somehow the mentality of continuously pushing ourselves to the breaking point without rest and rejuvenation is not only ok but, the norm. You might even feel touches of guilt when you do take time out to care for yourself! Studies show that when you and I take time to renew ourselves we are more productive, creative and loving. This supports the notion that it is critical to take time for you! Let’s look at a few ways to make it happen…

Assess it!

Determine what fill you up! For some it might be bowling, someone else yoga or perhaps gardening is your passion. Deciding what activity or preferably activities you are going to make a priority in your self-care routine are critical for success. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a big endeavor. It can be a simple bath with candles and a book. The important thing is that you determine what brings you pleasure and soothes your soul.

Schedule it!

We are so over scheduled that sometimes looking at the list of items on one’s calendar can be daunting! What if you penned (not penciled) in time for you! You would actually smile at that item on your calendar. This is a critical first step that can help you stay on track to take time out for you. Otherwise it is too easy to get caught in the commotion of daily living and have things or people pull you away from your restorative time.

Design it!

Sometimes it can be helpful to design a space that is dedicated to self-care. Creating a space that is nurturing and supportive will entice you to spend time there. An inviting space will help you make self-care a priority.  This will help you to instill the habit of self-care! Habits can be beneficial and assist you in finding more harmony, ease and grace in our life. The added benefit to the strategy of creating a sacred space is that your brain automatically connects the space with feelings of rejuvenation and well-being. Just the site of the space triggers these feelings. Your environment has a direct and subtle impact on you and your well-being. Use this to your advantage.

These are a few simple solutions to help you find the time and space to prioritize your emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Give yourself permission to take the time you need to rejuvenate you!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Breathe Easy

Healthy Home ImageIf you have heard me speak at any point, whether in person, on the radio, Internet or TV you have inevitably heard me say, “Your home either supports and nurtures you or it drains your energy.” This is true on all levels… psychologically, physically, and spiritually.  Today I want to make the connection between your home and your physical body.  Most people don’t realize what an important role your home plays in your level of health. In this article we will focus on the health of your home & body and give you simple solutions to create the healthiest environment for you.

The air you breath as you walk around outside is filled with industrial pollutants. Studies have shown that the 5 most toxic industrial chemicals were found in the tissues of 100% of those sampled. 100%! This is an important statistic to understand because it suggests that as you and I go about our day we are inadvertently breathing in toxic substances as we walk down the street or go to the park. Unfortunately these toxins become stuck in our bodies and create havoc including dis-ease.  Well, if that statistic isn’t bad enough, studies have shown that our indoor environments are many times more contaminated with pollutants than the air we breathe outdoors.  The average person brings home 80,000 chemicals in the products they purchase.

Let’s look at two…

Fragrance is in so many products that literally touch our lives. According to the National Academy of Sciences, 95 percent of the compounds used to make fragrances are synthetic materials derived from petroleum or petrochemicals in a laboratory. These chemicals are known to create dis-ease in the body.  Fragrance has been categorized with second hand smoke.  It is in everything from toilet bowl cleaning products to perfume. Begin to eliminate the amount of items that you bring home that have fragrance in them.

Although there is greater awareness in recent years about VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), ambiguity still exists around what they are and the degree to which they impact health.  Let’s clear up any questions.  “Organic” in “volatile organic compound” signifies that the substance contains carbon. “Volatile,” means that the compound evaporates easily at room temperature.  This means it is easy to breath in.  Unfortunately, VOCs are actually linked to cancer; respiratory issues; and damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system.  Unfortunately VOCs are in many household products including cleaning products, hairspray, dry-cleaning, carpeting and paint (just to name a few!) VOCs also have a cumulative effect on the body. The more exposure creates more damage. With so many household items off-gassing noxious VOCs, it is important to be proactive in decreasing their impact—or to eliminate them, if possible. One simple solution to diminish the level of VOCs in your space is to choose no-VOC paint. Milk paints and recycled paints are a great option. When you do decide to paint that perfect hue for your home haven, make sure you throw the windows open and ventilate for as long as possible!

Begin to develop an understanding of what you are bringing into your home and breathing in. Your home either nurtures and supports your health or it depletes you and creates dis-ease.  Designing a healthful haven will positively impact your health, vitality and overall well-being.

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary