Mind, Body, Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time (26 page)

need?

• What feeling do you get when you access your attic?

• How easy or difficult is it to access your attic?

• Did your childhood home have an attic and, if so, was it used to

store items?

C h a p t e r 9

Structural

Components:

The Bones of the Home

Follow your bliss and the Universe will open doors

where there were only walls.

—joseph campbell



• Framework

• Flooring

• Ceiling

• Roof

• Walls

• Stairs

• Windows

• Doors

• Fireplace

The structural components of a house are the ‘bones’ or ‘skeletal’ structure of the house. Structural components of a home would include the

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160 Structural Components

framing, walls, doors, windows, ceiling, and other aspects that give

structure to the house. Our own physical skeletal system is the archi-

tecture that houses, or gives support to, our organ systems. Our bones, in conjunction with muscles, tendons, and ligaments, keep us upright,

sturdy, and solid. And so is the case with the structural component of

a house that hold the space for the individual rooms, which are akin to our organs as discussed in the next chapter.

Framework

The framework of most homes are made of wood, called “stick” con-

struction, although some homes may be made of steel, concrete, or

adobe. Like our own bones, it is important to have a strong, sturdy

framework. The frame must also be conducive to its environment.

Just as different cultures have different body structures depending on

the weather conditions of a region, so do our homes. For example,

an adobe framework would not work well in the southeast because

of moisture issues. Likewise, a wood-framed house in the southwest

would not make sense due to limited access to wood and the inefficien-

cies in cooling and heating.

Areas prone to earthquakes or hurricanes must use stronger fram-

ing than areas with less severe conditions. Usually framing materials

are standard within a region for this reason. Homeowners generally

don’t think too much about framing, unless they are specifically drawn

to a particular aesthetic finish. However, when a problem arises within the framework, it is usually a major problem and in severe cases can

threaten the integrity of the entire structure. The issue can be sudden as the case of a tornado. Or it can be an issue that slowly eats away at the home, such as unknown water leak or termite infestation.

The framing of a house is representative of our bones with the dry-

wall and other connecting and supporting components being the mus-

cles, tendons, and ligaments. From a mind-body perspective, our bones

represent our major belief systems. When someone breaks a bone,

there has most likely been, or going to be, a major shift in one’s life.

Belief systems or perspectives come to the surface to be examined. A

Structural Components 161

bone break or fracture could also represent a major misalignment also

causing one to take a closer look at their life. It is not coincidental that such an incident causes one to slow down physically, especially in the

case of a foot, ankle, or leg injury. As a result, they are forced to remove themselves from their ordinary patterns and routines, slow down and

look within.

An ‘injury’ to a home’s framework brings up similar issues. In the

case of a slow deterioration of the framing, signs eventually rear their head in the form of hairline cracks in the drywall. As the framing loses support, all that is attached weakens. To remedy the problem, usually

the wall is cut into and the insides exposed. What you see is often ugly as it has been ignored for too long. It is most likely that anyone who has dealt with problems with their home’s framework also underwent their

own internal shifts. Instead of manifesting as an injury in the body, a structural problem shows up in the home. Either way, it calls up similar themes in one’s life.

Problems with the framework of a home can also relate to not feel-

ing supported in life. My client, Andrea, was renting her home out dur-

ing the housing market crash in order to purchase another home in

a desired location. She rented the home with ease and rarely, if ever, heard from her tenant, receiving the rent on time each month. Toward

the end of the tenancy, Andrea went inside to check on a lighting issue he had mentioned. When she walked in, she was appalled to see an

entire wall not only cracked, but deep cavernous patterns entrenched in the drywall from sustained water damage.

Although she was not currently living in the home, her energy was

still a part of this space as she had renovated and lived there for many years. In fact, parts of our energy remains with our homes that we have had a deep connection with for years, if not lifetimes, following the

time we actually lived there. It’s as though we leave a part of ourselves in the space, perhaps our DNA is implanted in the space. As the home

undergoes transformations, we do as well.

In the case of Andrea’s home, both her issues and that of her ten-

ants manifested as a deteriorated wall. Her tenant was clearly living “in the dark” with his head in the sand to the point he didn’t even notice

162 Structural Components

the Grand Canyon-like valleys in the wall, partially because the light in that area had stopped working. Meanwhile, Andrea was dealing with

her own issues that manifested in this 1930s bungalow. It was at a time when she was overwhelmed with the finances of owning two homes

and overall felt unsupported. It was also not coincidental that the force that weakened and rotted the framing of the wall was water. Water is

representative of our emotions. Anytime it shows up in our home in

the form of a leak, or other problem, it represents our repressed or unexpressed emotions.

Mind Body Home Connection:
Framework

• Do you feel supported in your life or have adequate support sys-

tems in place?

• Are big issues coming to the surface that you have been ignoring?

• Do you feel physically weak, particularly in the legs or hips?

• Is there something that is emotionally eating away at you?

• What are you ignoring in your life?

• Where are you out of alignment in your life?

• What aspect of your life do you need to take a closer look at?

• What belief systems are currently being challenged for you?

Flooring

The different levels of the home were discussed in the previous chap-

ters, but the flooring material is also important to mention. The actual flooring of a space represents the division between the levels of consciousness. Having solid flooring can help in having clear boundaries.

If you’ve ever lived in an apartment with someone living above you or

below you, then you know how important this division is. When you

hear footsteps or music above you, it feels like a boundary has been

crossed.

In the case of a house, holes or cracks in the flooring are representa-

tive of energy leaks in your life. It is not uncommon in old homes with
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hardwood floors to have holes or cracks that have developed over time,

particularly around the baseboards. Usually there is no subflooring with only one level of plank wood between the main floor and the basement

or crawl space. Even small openings make a home vulnerable to un-

wanted air leaks or in worse cases, bugs and rodents. This is literally and figuratively represented of energy leaks within the homeowners.

It is important to fill in these openings. Also consider where in your life you are letting your energy escape?

To ensure proper grounding, make sure your flooring is in good

condition. For example, if you have carpet, is the padding underneath

in good condition, or rotted away? How many layers of linoleum are

you living on in the kitchen? Or what condition is the subflooring under the tile in your bathroom? The tile may be nice and durable, but what

about the surface that the tile is sitting on? Hardwood floors are a nice option because there is nothing hidden underneath them. They are

made of natural material and will withstand wear and tear. Consider

what condition your flooring is in and if it needs repair or improving.

Also simply sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming your floor can be a

grounding exercise. I find that when I start to get too “in my head,”

I instinctively grab the Swiffer and start sweeping the floor. By simply taking my awareness to the ground and my feet, I feel more grounded.

Ceiling

Ceilings represent our perceived limits or perspectives. It is no wonder why tall ceilings feel expansive. In spaces with lofty, tall ceilings, it may feel like the sky is the limit. For some, this perception may be a bit overwhelming or even lack a coziness that is often desired in a space. Spaces with lower ceilings have a cozier feel lending to occupants feeling protected. Lower ceilings also give the perception that life is under control with attainable goals. Depending on one’s personality, however, lower

ceilings could cause one to feel claustrophobic, limited, or restricted in their life.

Striking a balance between a sense of expansion and the feeling of

protectiveness is ideal. This can be accomplished by differing the ceiling
164 Structural Components

heights, or at least the perceived ceiling heights, within a space. I was recently in a condo space with soaring twenty-foot ceilings, and windows and skylights galore. It was an inspiring space that felt like anything was possible. This could feel overwhelming day in and day out to

some. The space was perfectly paired with a separate, cozy room with a

low ceiling perfect for watching movies or reading books.

There is a time to draw in our energy and a time to spread our

wings. Ideally, our home should allow for both of these. Balance is key.

To add expansion to a low-ceiling room, add lighting, preferably natural lighting. To make an expansive room feel more cozy and comfortable,

lower the lighting with either window shades or dimmed lighting. Feel-

ing grounded paired with the ability to soar is the perfect balance. For businesses, adjusting ceiling heights to correlate with their mission is also advisable.

Ceilings are generally problem-free with the exception of water

leaks. A leak usually originates from the roof or an upstairs bathroom or plumbing area resulting in water damage to the ceiling. In decod-ing what the message your home is communicating, consider from

what room the leak originated. Water represents emotions and when

it presents itself as a leak it means that we are undergoing emotions of which we are not consciously aware. Because the ceiling represents our

limitations or perspectives, then certain limitations are affecting you on an emotional level of which you are not aware. In this case, consider

whether you need to make an adjustment in your life.

Mind Body Home Connection:
Ceiling

• Have you reached your “glass ceiling”?

• Do you feel like you can adequately spread your wings?

• Are you feeling limited?

• Is there a new perspective that would benefit you?

• Have you created so much safety around you to the point of feel-

ing stagnant?

• Do you feel stifled in your relationship(s) or job?

• Do you feel the “sky’s the limit” or blocked?

Structural Components 165

Roof

The roof is the exterior barrier of the home which protects us from the forces of nature. It is also the point of connection between the physical world and the spiritual world. When the roof is damaged, we become

vulnerable to external influences. If the damage comes in the form of

a water leak, then it is on the emotional level. It could be unexpressed emotions triggered from annoyances or unwanted influences in your

life. In the case of a limb or tree puncturing the roof, it could signify a puncture in one’s deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. In the case of rain coming through the roof, the occupants are receiving a forced cleansing in which new ideas pour down like rain washing away old habits.

If the roof is falling in due to neglect, decay, or other damage, this may indicate that expectations are not measuring up or a loss of hope in some aspect of yourself. Perhaps you have given up in life, or God has let you down in some way. Once fixed, however, that aspect of yourself

has the opportunity for transformation and healing. Also, taking the

time to fix something before it becomes an emergency situation is also

healing because you are using your power consciously. For example, re-

pair the roof before it starts leaking. In doing so, you are being proactive in protecting yourself so that you don’t reach the point of feeling vulnerable to externals.

The roof also relates to our 7th chakra and is symbolic of our con-

nection with our higher self, spirituality, and/or God. The roof is that connection between the physical and spiritual—when it changes we

will have a new insight, perspective, or belief about our relationship with the spiritual. When you get a new roof on your home, whether

it is a result of damage or general wear and tear, it can mark a shift in your belief system with regard to religion and/or spirituality.

Mind Body Connection:
Roof