| iv> | | | | For instance,does saluting the flag or singing the |
| Did you know that our bodies can automatically | | | | national anthemever get you feeling patriotic, teary |
| reactto certain environmental changes and stimuli, even | | | | eyed or choked up? |
| tosymbols you might use as decorative accents? I | | | | If so, you are reacting to the symbolism, to that |
| havea little experiment for you to try in a moment so | | | | imagery,to those sounds. |
| you canexperience the power of this idea. Once you | | | | Now that you can see the power of symbols and |
| see thereactions that can occur, you may find you will | | | | howthey can prompt certain reactions, why not use |
| want toto use this idea towards creating more | | | | thisto your advantage in creating more soothing |
| soothingand peaceful home and office surroundings. | | | | surroundingsat work and at home? |
| You can try this brief experiment to see how your | | | | Here is a list of several symbols that have been |
| bodyand mind reacts to some changes... Right now, | | | | usedthroughout the ages to represent such things |
| pretendyou are angry for a moment- feel the tension | | | | aspeace, tranquility, serenity, balance, faith, hope |
| in yourforehead, the wrinkles starting to form as you | | | | andgoodwill. You may wish to consider one or more of |
| frown andall that... also, lean forward right now in your | | | | theseelements in your decorating plans since many |
| chair andclench your fists. Hold this and let yourself | | | | individualsreact favorably to these symbols and enjoy |
| think anunpleasant thought. But now, let's change | | | | their essence. |
| something-force your mouth muscles into a big smile | | | | -Dove of peace |
| and hold it there,smile! Now lean back in your chair. | | | | -Angels (some even have angels holding a dove of |
| Hold this reclinedposition. Also, loosen up your hands | | | | peace) |
| again and keep agentle smile... So, how are you feeling | | | | -Serenity prayer or other prayer for joy or peace |
| now? | | | | -Peace sign |
| Most people report feeling they are unable to | | | | -Bless this home |
| continuefeeling angry and that they become relaxed. | | | | -Native American peace pipes and such replicas |
| Yet all theychanged were positions of their own body | | | | -Water element or fountain |
| muscles! Didyou realize that there are certain things | | | | -Yin yang (balance) |
| our bodies becomeconditioned to with repeated | | | | -Peace crane |
| exposure? For instance, whenwe recline in a chair, our | | | | -Rainbows |
| brains interpret this posture as, | | | | -Color blue |
| "ah, I am relaxed." So, simple physical posture | | | | -Color white |
| changescan trigger automatic changes in a person's | | | | -Olive branch |
| thoughts andfeelings. | | | | -Chinese characters proclaiming peace, joy, love or |
| Here's an example of how things in your | | | | harmony |
| surroundingscan trigger changes in your thoughts and | | | | As you discover that your body and mind reacts to |
| feelings. | | | | soothingsymbols, you will want to consider including |
| Picture a place you have enjoyed visiting. It's like | | | | some of thesesymbolic elements when decorating |
| thesights and sounds there speak to your soul! Can't | | | | your office or home. |
| yousuddenly get lost in that place, feel lighter, more at | | | | Adding these accents will not only help you feel more |
| ease? | | | | relaxedand inspired, but will also help your visitors |
| There are certain symbols that many of us have | | | | experience yoursurroundings as more soothing and |
| becomeconditioned to throughout the years and that | | | | inviting. |
| promptchanges in our thoughts and feelings as well. | | | | |