Spirit of Place (Healthy Living DIY)

Spirit of Place. One of the first places that comes to mind when I think of a public place with a striking personality is the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, part of the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina.

Ever been there? I have, and I'll tell you about it in just a moment. But even if you've never been to that specific place, you've probably been someplace like it.

Acadia National Park on the Atlantic coast of Maine.
The native pueblos of the American Southwest.
Yellowstone Park.
The wilderness areas of northern Scotland.
Your local casino or watering hole.
...Just to name a few...

What do all those places have in common? Spirit of Place. What the Romans called Genius loci: "the unique, distinctive and cherished aspects of a place," according to Wikipedia.

Spirit of Place changes how you feel. It changes how you are. It's an effortless and automatic way to enhance (or detract from) your quality of life. Which is the reason for this article.

If you're tired of struggling to feel good, you're really going to enjoy this!

Joyce Kilmer, a poet and soldier, wrote "Trees," which starts out:

"I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree."

After he was killed in action during World War I, the VFW initiated a process to set aside a living memorial to their fallen comrade. And quite a memorial it is. A stand of virgin forest; old growth hardwood trees. As you walk up into the memorial forest from the surrounding area, there is a nearly palpable change in the energy of the environment. You can literally feel the difference.

Upon entering a place such as this one, seemingly without effort your cares and worries drop away. You are changed by the place. Even after you've left, it's possible to recall the spirit of the place and reconnect with the peaceful state it evokes. Places of striking natural beauty and places of worship commonly evoke these feelings. Just entering the place is enough to effect a change.

The same thing happens, in a less desirable way of course, when you enter a bar or casino, a former battle ground, an urban ghetto, and other such places. We've all been there, too. Spirit
of place affects you whether you're aware of it or not; whether you like the place you're in or you don't.

I can still remember vividly the first time I was overwhelmed by Spirit of Place - on a mountaintop in northern Scotland some 21 years ago. It was a profound experience that directly changed the course of my life.

As I've thought about Spirit of Place over the years, it somewhat naturally occured to me that we'd all find life so much easier if we could consciously create sacred space in our own homes and yards. Choosing plant material for the energy it provides, just like Dr. Bach did in creating his flower essences. Choosing colors, textures, shapes, elements, sounds, and scents for the effect they would have -- not only on the space itself, but on us. So we would be consciously, naturally, and effortlessly influenced by the place where we spend the bulk of our time.

Your environment creates and affirms you. You're a different "you" in a different environment. Why not create the very best environment possible to effortlessly support the "you" you want to be?

That's the premise behind my new "Landscape With Spirit: Connecting What's Around You With How You Feel." It's available separately or in a package with 4 absolutely delightful affirmation cards (Garden Delight!) with art by Judith Greenwood. The package is on sale now through May 1st. Check it out: Landscape With Spirit -- the Spring Fever Special!

Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!

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