Make the Connection 

In my consultations, people always hear me say “What’s going on in your environment is going on in your life.” I want them to understand the importance of this connection, because it really does effect what’s going on in their lives.    

Here’s a fun exercise to help open your eyes to clearly see that there are connections that work for you and against you in your everyday environment.  I call it the Make the Connection technique.

To do this cool technique, you’re going to start paying attention to your complaints – more specifically, the exact words you choose to complain.  Whatever you want to change in your life can be described as a kind of complaint, right?  Well, instead of being frustrated by your inner or actual voiced complaints, use them to your advantage as guideposts, or a call to action. There is valuable information hidden within those complaints, because whatever you are complaining about will be expressed in the home – often quite literally. (And if you’ve got someone in your life that’s a big complainer, whip this technique out on them and see what they think!) This technique is quite empowering, and your life will definitely change for the better if you take care of the constant negativity inside and around you.

If you’re having trouble doing this alone, it might be helpful to enlist a friend or family member to help you with your complaint list. Ask them if they can identify any of your frequent complaints, and ask them for your exact words. Or take five minutes to sit down with them and ask them to write your complaints as you rant – especially writing the key words or phrases that you use that seem odd to them. Get it all out now and be quick about it, and then consider it done. There will be no more time and life wasted on stuff you don’t want from here on. 

Complaints all written down, right?  Good. Now, take one giant step towards your Life With Zing by quickly rearranging, removing, or reworking the stuff around you that mimics your constant or biggest complaints. For example, if your complaint is “I’m not as sharp as I used to be,” or you simply want to maintain your mental “sharpness,” sharpen all the knives, scissors and other items that are supposed to be sharp. If there is no essence of sharpness in the home, there is no sharpness in your life. A knife that can’t cut butter or a razor that can’t cut stubble is not helping your mental sharpness, get it?

Here are some of the most common complaints I have heard. I’ve listed the items in the home, as well as the “inner environment” thoughts in the mind that need re-working.

 “I’m stuck.”

Outer environment review list:

Remove clutter, especially anything that makes doors not open fully.

Un-stick any doors, windows, closet, and cabinet doors that are stuck.

Move stuff in your house that has not moved in a long time.

Add something that moves, like a fan or a clock with a second hand to a still space.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I flow effortlessly through life.”

 “I’m so drained all the time.”

Outer environment review list:

            Check plumbing for any irregularities, especially drips and leaks.

            Close drains that are not used on a daily basis.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I always have the perfect energy for any situation available to me.”

 “I feel out of balance.”

Outer environment review list:

Repair any furniture that is wobbly, weak, or teetery like bookcases that are shaped like parallelograms rather than rectangles, and four legged chairs that have only three legs touching the floor or office chairs and furnishings that have a wheel missing.

Repair sidewalks and stones in paving that are loose.

Review rooms to see if there is an imbalance of furnishings, like all the big, heavy pieces of furniture and a stone fireplace on one side of the room, and the other side is empty or simply has a big glass window

Hang pictures straight on the walls and avoid a stair-step layout.

Re-level a foundation where the floor is no longer level.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I am even keeled, confident, and trusting.”

 “I’m not seeing things clearly and I’ve made some poor decisions.”

Outer environment review list:

Wipe down the TV, windows, computer monitor, windshield, and any other items that need to be viewed clearly.

Repair any windows in your surroundings (car, home office, etc.) Remember, windows are eyes!

Inner environment sample affirmation:

“I see and think clearly and effectively. Good decisions always come to me at the perfect time.”

 “I don’t feel like I have a handle on the situation.”

Outer environment review list:

Repair any broken or loose door, drawer, or cabinet knobs and pulls.

Check and repair suitcase, briefcase, purse, etc. handles.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I am always handling myself correctly and confidently in any situation.”

 “It’s like I’m running into walls with whatever I do.”

Outer environment review list:

Look for walls immediately in front of you as you enter doorways. If they are closer than you are tall, then hang a mirror on that wall in such a way that you see yourself in the mirror (at least from chest to about six inches above the head) instead of the wall.

Turn your desk around if you are sitting many hours with a wall (or even a window) right in front of your face.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I constantly experience unlimited potential and opportunities.”

“I keep getting tripped up…”

Outer environment review list:

            Repair any cracks or grade changes in sidewalks and hardscape outside.

            Look for maintenance with steps (loose rug, wobbly tread, etc.)

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I flow through situations and circumstances with ease.”

 “I feel crummy.”

Outer environment review list:

Sweep up the crumbs and debris on the floor and from the cracks of the upholstered furniture.

            Clean out the refrigerator and food cabinets.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “My body, mind, and spirit are blissfully healthy.”

 “I’m burned out.”

Outer environment review list:

            Fix the pilot light on the stove.

            Check/clean/repair the fireplace.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “The fire of life’s passions burns eternally within me.”

 “I can never find commitment in a relationship.”

Outer environment review list:

            Commit to a style in your home’s interior and exterior design.

            Make a commitment to nurture, love, and take care of your home.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

            “I celebrate the commitment in all the relationships in my life!”

 “I’m so wired all the time.”

Outer environment review list:

        Consider removing cordless and wireless technologies from your environment.

        Avoid spending a lot of time around electrically-powered objects.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

        “I bring calmness to every situation.”

 “My money flows out as quickly as it comes in.”

Outer environment review list:

            Repair leaks inside and out.

            Keep toilet lids down and bathroom doors closed.

Inner environment sample affirmation:

“An ever-flowing and overflowing income is consistently maintained in my life! I am free from financial worry.”

           Here’s one of my favorites. One couple hired me to assess their situation, and while the three of us were walking through their home, the wife leaned in real close to me and whispered to me, “Help my husband get his sh*t together!”  I stopped and said, “Where’s all his sh*t?” (Hey – Not my word choice, but it was hers and I had to go with it!) I then asked to see the bedroom closet. As I had suspected, she had taken over the entire double walk in closet, and he had his belongings scattered here and there in little closets and cabinets all throughout the house and garage.

            She was sorry she mentioned it when I told her that a great cure for the situation was to allow him to place all his things together in the master closet where it was supposed to go! Do you see where we’re going with this exercise? Stop, look and listen.

Now go have fun making your connections!