Holy *Foundation*!
Posted by Hari Berzins on Dec 12, 2012 in Recent Posts | 22 comments
We filled the last five post holes for our “big” house with cement yesterday. We now have a foundation of dancing posts! Man, I have new appreciation for Karl. He set the first posts while I worked on my e-book. Before I even edited the first 30 pages, he finished pouring cement into 9 holes. I helped fill the last five holes yesterday, and my body is tired! In total, we mixed over 6000 lbs. with a shovel, wheelbarrow, and the coolest old concrete mixer I’ve ever seen.
What’s cooler is that our friend who loaned it to us said, “It’s the community cement mixer, that thing came with our house, and it’s been away from our house more than it’s been here.” We drove way down a gravel road into the woods to pick it up from a local baker who gave us a tour of the bakery. The smell of bread baking in the wood-fired oven made me feel like we went back in time. The antique cement mixer confirmed it.
I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the old beauty; it was full of stories: I built his oven, their foundation, her walkway …
Once we filled the last hole, I looked at Karl and said, “Holy Foundation!” I could hardly believe we really did it. I immediately thought of the vision board I made a year ago as I was contemplating 2012. I’ve made these collages for years and I’m always amazed at their power–the power of intention.
Last year, I tore out the phrase, “Laying the foundation” and glued it to my collage. I dreamed we’d do that, but I wasn’t sure how. That’s the thing about collaging–the subconscious mind can take over. We can manifest amazing things if we trust life and allow ourselves to dream.
This year we have indeed laid the foundation. We laid the foundation for our “big” house, but in the process of saving and planning, we laid the foundation for a stronger family, a stronger marriage, a rich creative life, new work, and an ever simpler lifestyle.
I am grateful for life’s curve balls. Reshaping our lives out of the devastation of losing our restaurant baby, New Day Cafe, and our cute, 100-year-old purple house has caused us to rethink everything. We’ve been brought to our knees and are now stepping onto a firm foundation.
We’ve been cracked open. Raw emotion helps us find connection, and connection is really the foundation for a life of joy.
And so, my word for 2013 is connection. I am going to let my intention to cultivate connection drive my decisions this year.
What’s your word for 2013? I’d love it if you’d connect with me by sharing your word for 2013 in the comment section.
Make your own vision board.
- Gather a stack of old magazines. If you don’t have any lying around the house, check with your friends or your local thrift store.
- Flip through the pages and quickly tear out images that attract your attention. Tear out images that represent the life you want, the relationships you want, things you think are pretty, places you’d like to go, ideas you think are cool, words, phrases, colors, etc. Just tear it up! Go fast; this way you evade your inner critic. No judgment. Allow yourself to dream big!
- Once you have your words and images, glue them onto a large piece of paper. Use what you have on hand. I’ve used newspaper, poster board, paper bags, and cardboard boxes. Cover every inch of your paper with images.
- Hang your collage where you can see it all year. Trust that everything is already perfect, and have a fabulous 2013!
- Check-in periodically by examining your vision board. Are some of the images starting to make sense? I find that the images I don’t understand at all in January hold new meaning in December. Be open to new understanding as 2013 progresses.
- Expect the unexpected!
Simply,
Hari
P.S.
After helping over 250 people get started on the path to mortgage-freedom, we've learned a lot more about what it takes, the pitfalls, the tricks and triumphs of living a zero-debt life of intention. We're taking what we've learned and creating a whole new series of courses to help even more of you reach your dreams. Sign up for our newsletter to get first dibs on the limited seats in our new course.
22 Comments
What happens to your mind and heart when you move into a tiny house?
Photo by Veronica Santo
Google+
Love!
is all you need!
Wow! 16 x 24 sure looks big compared to the tiny house. It is going to be so much fun watching it grow up!
Hi Liesl! The house grew a bit. I will have to share more about that decision. So, There is a side “addition” of a room 18 x 16. It will house the grownups’ bedroom and a laundry room/family closet. I am excited to keep the clothes and laundry stuff in one location. Doesn’t that sound so much easier!? The total square footage of our “big” house is 828 sq. ft.
Looking good! And thanks for the Vision Board reminder. It’s been awhile since I’ve done one and it’s time!
Hi Tommy! Thanks for reading! Have fun with your vision board. 🙂
Rejuvenate is my word for 2013. It sounds really good to me.
Oh yes! It makes me think of a long soak in a very hot tub. Enjoy!
After searching my thoughts and my life throughout the day and night, I keep coming to the same word “commitment.” My one word “commitment” will be applied to all areas of my life and relationships and on my spiritual journey all the more. Thank-you Hari for such a well-written, thought provoking and yes very inspiring blog post!! I look forward to reading more and to your bigger house. Much Love and Peace to you ALWAYS.
Thank you for reading and sharing your word, Kelly! Commitment is a powerful commitment 😉 Awesome!! Much love and peace right back at ya. xoxo 🙂
I have never heard of a vision board but think that it is a totally cool idea. I am going to make one for 2013. Thanks for sharing the idea.
Will be eagerly watching for news and pics on the “big” house going up. Best of luck!
You are welcome! Have fun making your vision board! Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment! Happy days to you.
This is the first I have heard of a vision board. It is something that will help me finding my may through some personal concerns. I am going to work on mine starting this week. Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea. Now I can hardly wait to follow your new adventure in building the “big house.”
Hi Nancy!! I’m so glad you are making a vision board. Enjoy the process!! Thanks for visiting!
Saw an article about your tiny home on HuffPost. The house looks cool! The new one will be huge compared to your current one. What will you do with your smaller house?
Thanks, Janet! Our tiny house will become a guest house and writing studio. I have dreams of hosting b&b guests here.
Oh yay! When can we make reservations…? 🙂
We are considering being air b&b hosts. They have a great reservation system. I’ll definitely keep you posted! 🙂
Renewal of hope is one of the sweetest gifts we can give each other. I am looking forward to watching the “big” house grow.
Yes, it is. Thank you.
I’m inspired, proud, and genuinely moved by this blog. Great work family! I’m excited to pass your blog along to a few good mamas 🙂
🙂 Thank you, Jane.