Posted in Homes of Tranquility
Webster's Dictionary defines Tranquil as being: "1. free from disturbance or agitation; calm, serene, peaceful, placid, etc. 2. quiet or motionless; steady."
Tranquility, therefore, would be the state of being calm, serene, steady. how many of us can truly claim that our homes are free from the disturbances of the woutside world? How many of us can rightly state that each and every person that lives in our home feels as though their troubles melt away until another day when they step inside our home? Do guests feel welcomed, warmed (in spirit, as well as body), and wanted?
I propose that we take a good look at our homes and our hearts over the next few months, because without a warm heart our homes will be nohting but a shell.
Today let's begin at the beginning: your front porch/ front door area. I attacked mine just the other day, for the bushes were out of control, the flowers in their pots downright sad (due to an error on DH's part when he forgot to reset the water timer), the rug was in need of a good banging, the birdbath in need of a good cleaning, the outdoor furniture was winter-dust dirty, and the winter door ornament was sorely outdated. One hour later, with some helpers, I was hosing off the final bit of sidewalk, enjoying the fruits of labor before the heat became too much. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures before I began my project, but I did take 'afters.'
In order, Front Porch, New Wreath, and Bird Bath:
I hope that this inspires you take even 10 minutes a day for a week to pull a weed, spray the hose, cut to trim, or decorate. How our homes look when approached from the outside does two things: it prepares the guest for what the inside will look like, and it sets the mood of the visit. If your guests have to dodge bicycles, sidewalk chalk, or any assortment of children's toys, they will be slightly agitated before even entering your home. It only takes moments for a trained child to return their toys to their proper spots, or to rest them off to the side in an orderly fashion, but the tone that is set is everlasting.
One final thing for today. A lot of women have been and will be heard to say something along the lines of: "When I die, no one's going to care how clean I kept my house." Any woman would love to believe that's true, but in fact, this is what is true: I have a cousin who told me one day of a lady who lived next to her while she was growing up. My cousin visited this lady frequently, and this lady believed in that idiom. My cousin said to me, "She's right, no one cared how clean she kept her home, but I'll never forget how dirty it was."
I don't want people to remember the unkempt home I lavished on my family, but the tidy, orderly one. That is a legacy to be proud of, and that is what I'm striving for. With that in mind, it's time to de-clutter our homes and minds, and this week we begin with the front porch. Have fun!
If you follow along with me through this series, please leave a comment so I can visit, encourage, and celebrate right along with you!
