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  • Home
  • Body
    • 7 Healthy & Clean DIY Substitutes I Use
    • Healthy Summer Desserts
    • Favorite Summer Salads
    • Gardening for Dummies: Tower Garden is the Answer
    • One Dish Stove-Top Recipes
    • Organizing My Pinterest Recipes
    • Keeping the Bugs Away!
    • Essential Oil Recipe for Migraine Sufferers
    • My Weight Loss Trials
  • Mind
    • America … Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
    • Unexpected Changes ~ Making Something Other than Lemonade
    • Heart Communication with My Adult Children
    • Writing Your Story in 10 Words
    • How I’m Refuting Election Fears
    • A Time to Laugh
    • 10 Steps for Healthy Conflict Resolution
    • Be Present ~ What Does That Really Mean?
    • What I’m Currently Reading — Summer, 2020
    • When People Just Need a Listening Ear
    • Quarantine Reflections – Positives We Can Take Into the Future
    • Strengthening Family Connections as Adults
    • Doing the Next Right Thing
    • What Does Marriage Commitment Look Like?
    • Fear … Living in an Uncertain World
    • Parenting Challenges ~ From Tigger to Pooh!
    • 7 Tips to Get Out of a Funk
    • A New Perspective on Parenting ~ Guilt vs. Grace
    • How I Remember the Good Stuff I Read
  • Soul
    • The Gift of Friendship
    • A Look Back to Look Forward
    • A Christmas Letter Legacy
    • Beyond Your Borders
    • My Favorite Podcasts – Words That Fill My Soul
    • The Value of a One-Word Prayer
    • Living Above the Clouds
    • Timeless Truth–Poems to Encourage
    • Serenity Prayer: Lessons from the Last 8 Lines
    • Dream Big Dreams
    • Daily Time with Your Best Friend
    • And This Too Shall Pass … Surviving Today Because of Tomorrow
    • When You Get a Nudge
    • Dear Younger Me ~ Teen Years
  • Home Coaching
    • What is Home Coaching?
    • Home Coaching Services
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    • Creating Spaces to Nurture Your Home & Soul
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Creating Spaces to Nurture Your Home & Soul

clutter How many of you have heard of the word hygge (HEW-guh)? Hygge is a concept from the people of Denmark. The Danish people have consistently been known to be the happiest people in the world over the last many years. One reason for that is hygge. This word that does not translate into English – to sum it up in 2 words – it’s cozy contentment. Basically a practice that centers on slow living, shared moments and fostered friendships. It nurtures beauty, contentment, and well-being. Something we all long for, right?

So maybe you're wondering ... why does it matter? Your outer life always affects your inner life. Science shows that our cortisol levels increase when we are faced with cluttered rooms and piles of excess. We can learn from our Creator. The Garden of Eden was the very first home. It was orderly and well-managed. It had purpose. But it was also extravagant, enjoyable and pretty.

There are seven components to hygge that I want to summarize for you as I believe there is so much value in them for our lives in general.

o Hospitality – inviting people into your home for the purpose of relationship. Small gatherings around a table with great conversation. Reports from the Danish people show that only 3% lonely describe themselves as lonely. Quite a difference from what Americans experience!

o Relationships – being intentional about connecting with other people. A safe place where everyone feels equally valued and that their voice matters and will be heard.

o Well-being – slowing down so there is time for hospitality and relationships. It allows you to take the time to get outside in nature and walk or bike ride.

o Atmosphere – having quiet spaces and owning less to appreciate what you do already have. Choosing what is beautiful but functional, and quality over quantity.

o Comfort – finding comfort in physical protection and emotional pleasure; in routines and traditions. The Danes recognize that life is hard, so they choose to be intentional about finding simple things that brings joy. Such as cozy clothing and fuzzy blankets, family games and activities, cooking and baking together.

o Contentment – choosing to put off negative thought patterns and put on positive ones. Value is placed on people instead of things.

o Rest – an intentional balance between work and rest; slowing down to focus your energies on your home and community.

Anything come came to mind as you hear these descriptions? Did you find any areas you may need to improve on? Are you seeing how these elements correlate with your home? I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on these questions as they relate to your home.

Let's focus on atmosphere for a starting point. Why? A chaotic home puts people on edge and creates emotional disarray. My challenge to you today is to create a home that is meaningfulistic. When God asked Adam to “dress and keep” His home, the new homemakers were to mimic the lavish creativity displayed by their creator, nurturing a home atmosphere that would lead to life, a home that had both form and function, was purposeful yet pretty.

What is keeping you from having the atmosphere you desire? For most of us, it’s too much stuff and no cohesiveness for what we do have. The Danes intentionally quiet their spaces, avoiding the urge to fill a room with trends and momentary passions. Owning less helps them fully appreciate what they do own even more. They choose beautiful yet functional, quality over quantity.

     My proposal is to learn the art of decluttering -- use it, get rid of it or repurpose it.

Homes have become the place where things like backpacks, lunch boxes, electronic devices, mail and bills, etc. are stored for the many activities that happen outside the walls of our homes. My hope is that you begin to  recognize the value of cultivating a home that is the center of family life, relationships, productivity, ministry, and service. A home that provides an atmosphere where people can unleash their burdens, find refuge, and be fully fueled and supported to go back out into this world to do the work God designed for them.

So let's get started! Choose one area to work on this month and schedule it!

And if tackling it on your own proves overwhelming, that's what I'm here for! Reach out for a free 20 minute phone consultation to learn if there is a way for me to come alongside you in this journey.

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I'm Brenda

Thank you for visiting! God allows experiences in our lives not only for our own growth but to share them with others. My passion is to encourage you in all your relationships … your relationship with yourself, your body, your mind, and your soul. My home is the heart of my closest relationships, so I also love to share how you can create that cozy, comfortable home for yourself. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share where I’ve grown in each of these areas, and I pray they will be a blessing to you as well.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on CornerStone Life is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice or treatment for specific conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a physical or mental health issue without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. CornerStone Life is not liable for how the information is used and cannot be held responsible or guarantee any results. You alone are solely and personally responsible for the results.
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