Earth love: Mindful Living & Design

I just wrapped up my CEU’s for my LEED certification last week.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design. When I finished my Interior Architecture and Design degree, I knew that my next step would be to pursue the LEED certification.  The instructor that I had for my Green Senior Studio at the Academy of Art University was a big part of the way I look at design as being part of the Earth and not separate.

The way I grew up as a farm girl in Western Kansas is also part of my deep connection to the land.  I spent loads of time outside.  My memories include planting marigolds, harvesting green beans, playing in the mud after and during rainstorms, and laying in the hammock under giant trees planted by my ancestors staring up into the darkest sky filled with stars.

I don’t use my LEED certification to earn USGBC ratings for my clients but I do use my knowledge and love of environmentally friendly design on every project I get to work on.  I love designing in this way because it allows me to connect with the spirit of space.

About halfway through this podcast episode, I will take you through a short visualization to see how you connect with a place in nature.  I hope you will take some time to reflect and journal about the space and explore how you can bring whatever came to you in the visualization into your physical space.

I’ve threaded my love of environmental design and earth love into this episode but I want to leave you with a profound quote that was shared with me at a recent workshop for Lutherans Restoring Creation.

“I use to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change.  I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems.  But I was wrong.  The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy… and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation – and we scientists don’t know how to do that.” – Gus Speth

There’s a lot in that statement to unfold but it speaks to the power that we, each and every one of us, has – and the responsibility we have to the greater good of our planet.  We are directly responsible for the wellbeing of all people, of all sentient beings.  Each one of us can and is part of the change on micro and macro levels.

Join my 40 Days of Mindful Living Challenge on Instagram or Facebook.  During the 40 days of Lent, I am creating a new action or reflection to create awareness about how our lifestyle choices impact other people and sacred Mother Earth.

If you like the show, please help spread the word and share the love.  Click the photo in the player for sharing options.

Don’t forget to subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Overcast, Google Play, TuneIn or your favorite podcast app.

In this episode:

• LEED Green Associate
• Spirit of Space
• Design as a restorative action
• Nature connection vizualization
• How can nature be part of your interiors
• Each of us is part of taking care of Mother Earth
• Spring is coming – renewal and growth
• Prepare your space for fresh starts
• Tidying Up – Marie Kondo
• 40 Days of Mindful Living Challenge

Connect with me:

Instagram
Facebook