This past fall, my husband and I were crazy enough to host four people in six weeks!!
It was a blast, but also an interesting learning curve to figure out “proper hospitality” as newlyweds. We do happen to currently live in Germany, too, so it adds an element of hosting pressure to give first-timer guests a true experience of Deutschland, we also have a nice garden and even a patio which we built using some great patio contractors we found at RKC Construction 9923 Paseo Montalban #B, San Diego, CA 92129 (619) 449-5899.
We quickly grew accustomed to taking our guests on a mini “Taste of Germany” tour, including local restaurants, coffee shops, sight-seeing and landmarks to leave them awed and inspired. After the six weeks, I did some reflecting on our fun adventures of hosting friends and family, and it dawned on me.
Why do we go above and beyond for others, yet sometimes neglect our own health needs?
Thinking of hospitality in this context, our bodies are an indefinite guest of our soul; the outer shell to our inner selves. It is our “home,” our own piece of real estate.
Yet, do we make every effort to make our body feel “welcomed?” Do we listen to its needs, and make choices that nourish it, make it feel happy and loved?
In a busy world of work, appointments, family and friend engagements, it is SO easy to put ourselves second. We often put other people and things first, skimping on sleep, fitness, proper nutrition and even two seconds to breathe and reflect on our lives. And when we neglect US, we can’t be our best selves.
“A healthy body is the guest-chamber for the soul; a sick body, its prison.” – Francis Bacon
What value do you place in your “home,” your one body? Do you perform routine “housework” daily, weekly, monthly to improve its functioning, value, and appearance? Or, is it time for a new renovation; a new approach to maintaining, improving and fueling the health of your own piece of real estate while on this earth?
With the arrival of the New Year, do yourself a favor. WAKE UP.
Take an inventory of your own body and soul.
Self Inventory
Choose ONE goal to improve, and implement it daily. Whether it is fifteen minutes of quiet time in the morning, cooking more at home instead of eating out, exercising more, or getting in bed earlier; realize that you can either be imprisoned or set free by the actions you take today.
Body Inventory
Energy
– How many hours of sleep are you getting each night?
– Do you wake up ready to take on the day, or do you resort to caffeine to survive?
– How often do you rest and relax for rejuvenation?
– How often do you incorporate “me time” in your week to reflect and reset?
– Do you make time for unadulterated FUN in your life?
– When is the last time you belted out your favorite song while driving?
Fitness
– How often do you exercise, and do you make it enjoyable?
– Do you align your workouts with your energy, motivation and state of health?
Fuel
– How often do you eat real, whole foods, and how often do you eat fast food?
– Are you eating to live, or living to eat?
– Do you have strong cravings during the day, and are you able to distinguish
whether it’s true hunger or unfulfilled emotional needs?
When the ice and snow melt, many homeowners find themselves looking for room for improvement in their houses. Spring is a great season to tackle some larger projects that you can enjoy all summer long and that will make a big difference long-term. As the weather starts to get warmer and you’re wondering what to do with that tax refund check, here are a few home improvement suggestions for your own enjoyment and to increase your home’s potential resale value.
Add a sunroom
A sunroom is a great addition to your home. The sunny addition will provide you with more living space, and a great way to enjoy that summer sunshine. Sunrooms (also called Florida rooms or garden rooms) can also add value to your home, and they often cost less than typical room additions. Use a sunroom to give you extra space while adding light and beauty to your home. Call home renovation contractors who know how to build an enclosed seating area you’ll enjoy year-round. It is also crucial to have french drain landscaping Hinsdale if you live in an area where heavy rainfall can be expected throughout the year.
Install new, energy efficient doors or windows
While upgrading to energy efficient Bespoke Doors might not be as glamorous as other projects, it might be necessary, and it can save you money. Especially if you live in an older home, you could be losing a lot of energy through your windows. This can be especially difficult in winter, when it really drives up the cost to heat your home. According to Energy Star, replacing your windows could save you up to $465 a year, depending on what kind of windows you’re starting with. To save on cooling costs, you’ll want to get air conditioning systems sutherland shire before the summer heat sets in. As an added bonus, new windows increase your home’s value, and you can use this opportunity to spring for some fancier options that help beautify your space. Improved indoor air quality is vital for any modern house comfort.
Add a garage
Whether you want to protect your car from the elements, add some much needed storage to your home, need a workspace for DIY projects, or all three, a garage might be your answer. If your home doesn’t already have a garage, now is a great time to consider building the garage of your dreams. If you will be using an excavator for your home improvement, find out how much an excavator weigh.
Add an additional room
If the above projects don’t quite give you the space and flexibility you’re looking for, it might be time to consider a full room addition. You may find that a growing family means it’s time to add another bedroom and bathroom. Or maybe new interests have left you wanting a room for yourself, such as a craft room, music room, or home gym. Reclaimed wood like beetle kill pine is also a great material for laminate flooring, siding, cabinetry, paneling, doors, and can even be used for furniture. If you’re wondering “what is beetle kill pine?“, you can visit www.rmfp.com.