Today I am moved to share a personal story about how I was inspired to create something in my life, that opened so many doors to my healing and the healing of other people too. It is the story of my “Italy Room”.
When I traveled with my family to southern Italy in 2004, I found myself mesmerized by the warmth of the sun, the blue of the sky and water, the colorful pottery and the beauty of the fresh produce. I thought to myself, “How could this feeling be part of my life back in Cleveland in the middle of a frozen January?” I thought long and hard about this while in Italy, and upon returning home decided to create a transformation back at home.
My vision was to create the “Italy Room” in my sunroom off the kitchen. Fortunately my husband was supportive of my idea because I needed a little help. Thank goodness he loved my idea. We sponge-painted the vaulted ceiling a bright yellow and painted the walls a glorious sky-blue that reminded me of Positano. We furnished the room with framed photos from our travels, sunflowers, live plants, a fountain, two comfortable recliners, a café table for two, and some lovely Italian pottery pieces. I did it all on a tiny budget which was part of the thrill. The room soon became a spectacular haven for us in winter for reading and intimate dinners for two. Our project created so much joy and perpetuated the good feelings from our travel discovery. Our vision to bring the Italian summer to a cold January day was accomplished!
I often retreated to this room when I needed a quiet place to journal and make important decisions. It was in this room that I composed my first business plan for The Indigo Connection. It was here that I wrote my morning pages during my first independent study of The Artist’s Way. The Italy Room became my meditation place, where I practiced my speaking and still serves as my creative studio in every sense of the word.
Today I also offer my Italy Room for live coaching and healing sessions with clients, although the space was created long before I began the notion of having my own practice. My love for this space, the peace it creates, and how it facilitates the energetic connection that heals was a deliberate creative process that continues to serve me well.
How can you open yourselves up to more creativity?
My simple answer to this is to start paying greater attention to what you love and value. This would include things that make you feel great, items you have in your surroundings now that you love, memories of very happy moments, natural beauty, animals, colors, textures and scents. Take time to grasp what you enjoy and challenge yourself to look more closely at it. Is there a way to bring more of this into your life today to amplify the good feelings?
My challenge to you
How could you enhance your office, home, or other place you spend time in, so that it resonates with you and the images, colors, feelings or memories you love?
This need not be a radical adjustment, but simply an addition of a deliberately selected focal point or enhancement. Even subtle shifts can make a big difference. Also consider what you might choose to discard or give away so that you can make room for something new that brings greater happiness to you.
Make sure to set a healing intention
Ask yourself how you would like to feel, be, and function when in this space. Write an affirmation statement that communicates this creative desire in present-tense language.
“I have successfully created the experience of light, warmth and uplifted heart that feels just like summer in Italy. This energy restores the soul no matter what is going on outside. It is available to me and everyone who enters this space.”
Over the years I have had the chance to notice that when clients truly open up to creativity, they connect to their own power, and healing soon follows. The healing I speak of can take many forms including reduction of symptoms, better relationships, more confidence and greater joy in daily life. Creativity allows us to spread our wings and do new things. It allows us to stop trying to control the world and instead gain a sense of safety as we nurture ourselves in the moment and space we’re in.
Use your creative power to transform your life in ways that reflect what you value and what makes you happy. Know you deserve it and that it is possible. Enjoy knowing that as you create happiness for yourself, you may just find yourself changing the world around you. I never suspected by own self-serving creation of the “Italy Room” would someday become a healing space for other people, yet it happened anyway. You can do it too!
