Are you Living Your Dharma?

My journey with dharma began at the onset of the pandemic and has continued to unfold in the most fascinating ways. As the world slowed down, I chose transformation and growth, immersing myself in personal development and business courses while recharging my spirit with daily online dance sessions. It became a path of deep enrichment and well-being.

Through my courses, the idea of dharma kept surfacing — a word I hadn’t even known before. But there it was, appearing again and again, almost as if calling out to me: “Hey, you! I’m your dharma… are you paying attention?”

 

 Well OK, now I am. Who are you and what do you want?

“I am your purpose in life. Your true calling – what you were put here to do”. OK, well, you are a little fuzzy and nebulous. Could you make yourself a little clearer?  “Yeah, but you have to do some work to help make that happen.” OK, I have time. Let’s get to it.

Are you Living Your Dharma?

At the time, I enrolled in Jim Fortin’s Transformational Coaching Program, hoping to elevate my design business. The heart of the program centers on a powerful truth: “Be more to do more and have more” — a refreshing shift from the conventional “have, do, be” mindset.

What I didn’t expect was how much personal transformation would lead the way. Like many others focused on business growth, I soon realized that inner change was the real catalyst for outward success.

Since beginning this journey, I’ve revamped my diet, lost 10 pounds, quit smoking, found a deeper sense of peace, and embraced the philosophy of doing less — but doing it better — all while cultivating a greater sense of gratitude for the life I already have.

Investing in this program during the uncertain times of the pandemic made it even more profound, reminding me that the journey into ourselves is just as important as any destination we hope to reach.

Inspired by the principles of Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning, I crafted a daily practice rooted in silence, visualization, exercise, reading, and writing — a ritual that nourishes both mind and spirit.

As I journeyed through the book, a powerful quote from Jim Rohn stood out to me: “Your level of success will rarely exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become.”

It was a moment of clarity. I realized why so many, myself included, come seeking business growth but find personal transformation leading the way.

While my path has woven together both personal and professional evolution, it’s the inner growth — the quiet, steady unfolding — that I treasure most.

Are you Living Your Dharma?

One theme that kept surfacing in the program — and truly captivated me — was the idea that wealth doesn’t come solely from hard work, but from the universe itself. At first, I found this concept puzzling. How could that be?

The deeper message revealed itself: when you are fully engaged in your passion — the work you would do even without a paycheck — and it creates value for others, prosperity naturally follows.

One day, a business coach shared a quote from the legendary dancer Martha Graham. As a dancer myself, I thought, Now you’re speaking my love language. I’m listening.

Are you Living Your Dharma?

And now it makes more sense. We are all unique in all of time and space. We all have our individual voices. If we can just get out of our own way and out from under all the personal stuff that holds us back, by Being better, we can open the channel and let it come through. That is our dharma. When it happens, the money will come.

A fellow Interior Designer, Leslie Carothers said  on Facebook once, NO ONE is YOU. NO ONE has your heart, your soul, your exact combination of the *magic* that makes working with you such a special experience.

Are you Living Your Dharma?

In truth, we don’t need to define our dharma. We simply need to stay open — receptive to its flow — and allow it to reveal itself through us, naturally and effortlessly.

For a long time, I believed my dharma was to bring joy and growth into people’s lives by creating beauty — through vibrant Interior Design, the rhythm of dance, the shimmer of handmade jewelry or stained glass, and the energy woven into my art.

My art celebrates vivid color and rich texture, honors the environment, nurtures our connection to nature, and embraces the diverse beauty of global design.

But as I looked deeper, I realized that these were simply the vessels. My true dharma is something more: to channel messages of universal energy that guide people back to their authentic selves — helping them awaken to their full potential.

When you feel drawn to my energy art or seek my design expertise, you’re not just experiencing beauty — you’re connecting with these deeper messages. You’re helping me live my dharma. And for that, I am truly grateful.

Now, I invite you to reflect: Are you living in alignment with your dharma? If not, perhaps I can support you on your journey — through the transformative power of Aligned Design.

My Dharma In Action

Here are some examples of some of my energy art and Interior Designs that I am inspired to create.

https://youtu.be/Ha0e7-NUpE4?si=TCVwcZKJBms3Th7f

Aligned Design is an Interior Design system that aligns art, science and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.


Why Work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

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Healthy Home-Feel Good with Biophilia

Our intrinsic desire to connect with nature and living entities is encapsulated in the term “biophilia.” Coined initially by Erich Fromm and later popularized by Edward O. Wilson, this concept has found a renewed emphasis in contemporary interior design.

 

Throughout history, our bond with nature has been pivotal, not only for sustenance and survival but also for spiritual rejuvenation and inspiration. Nature, in all its splendor, offers a plethora of colors, shapes, patterns, and textures that have always intrigued our aesthetic senses. Beyond the visual delight, nature nourishes our well-being. Plants, for instance, not only beautify our spaces but purify our air and offer sensory pleasures. Similarly, our reverence for animals can be traced back through art, religion, and their cherished presence in our lives as companions.

 

My personal journey as a wildlife biologist for 33 years, trekking the terrains of Arizona and Alaska, deepened my appreciation for nature’s designs. Be it the intricate patterns of plant parts under a microscope or the harmonious color schemes, I’ve often been inspired by nature’s unparalleled creativity.

 

In an ever-evolving technological world, the essence of biophilia reminds us of the solace nature provides. So, the question is, how can we bring this comforting connection to nature into our homes through interior design?

 


Healthy Home- Feel Good with Biophilia by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Design by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Natural Materials

Opt for eco-friendly and sustainable materials in both your construction and interior design choices. Discover more in my article on Eco-Friendly Interior Design. Embrace nature by integrating unique finds from your outdoor excursions – think branches, rocks, or shells – into your home decor. Elevate your space with indoor plants that not only beautify but also purify. Enhance your home’s synergy with the outdoors by strategically landscaping visible from your interiors. Design outdoor sanctuaries that beckon you outside. Seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces with design choices and window placements that frame nature as living art.


For example, in this office design, the focal point is the desk area. The focal point is a combination of the hot pink desk and unique green fractal art on the wall behind, creating an area with drama that harmonizes with the dramatic outdoor view and colors. The focal point draws you into the room but also extends your focus outdoors at the same time.
Office Edesign and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Plants

Incorporate native plants in your garden to not only attract local wildlife but also ensure sustainability. These indigenous species are tailored to thrive in local conditions, ensuring they’re resilient and eco-friendly by preventing the spread of invasive species that could harm native ecosystems. On my Alaskan adventures, I’ve handpicked native perennials like wild roses, blueberries, and geraniums, which beautify my garden, attract wildlife, and even offer delicious treats. Indoors, adorn your space with houseplants that enhance aesthetics and purify the air. Choose flowering varieties for a burst of vibrant color!

Animals

For many, including me, a home feels incomplete without the affection of a pet. Their presence greatly enhances our overall well-being. When designing interiors, consider pet-friendly choices that not only facilitate but celebrate life with animals. Opt for durable upholstery and washable rugs to minimize pet-related wear and tear, reducing any stress that may come with adding a furry friend. Moreover, cultivate an outdoor space that’s both visually pleasing and teeming with life. Plant flora that captivates the senses and invites wildlife. Thoughtfully positioned plants near windows can provide natural ‘entertainment’, as you watch birds, butterflies, and pollinators drawn to your garden.

Living with pets feels great and can be easy with the right design elements. Photo from Unsplash.

Color

  • Incorporate nature’s hues into your home’s interior and exterior. As a certified color strategist, I’ve often drawn inspiration from the landscaping colors of clients’ gardens, converting them into paint shades for walls, front doors, or interior palettes. Think of the calming blues of the sky, lush greens, earthy browns, muted grays, and soft off-whites. Highlight with vibrant shades inspired by garden blossoms in pinks, purples, yellows, and reds or the autumnal tones of foliage like golds and oranges. While stark black and pure white are rare in nature, they can accentuate and uplift these natural shades. And remember, if a color dominates your view—even from a neighboring property—it’s worth integrating into your decor palette.

What does the color of your house say about you? Pick paint colors that tell your story. Get help from a certified color strategist that uses both the art and science of color. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. #colorstrategist #certifiedcolorstrategist #colorfulhome #exteriorpaint #pickingpaintcolors #moscowmidnight #sherwinwilliams #forwardfucsia #bedandbreakfastdesign
In this home the color of the front door was created from measuring the colors of the roses in front of the house. The home is adjacent to the ocean, so the exterior color and metal art of sea gulls connects it to the surroundings. Color palette by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Art

  • Get great photos of your outdoor adventures that evoke the feeling you had while you were there for art.
  • Consider art that shows landscapes, plants, animals or other natural elements that bring you joy and work with your design and color palette.
  • Incorporate energy art that connects energetically and spiritually to nature.

Office Edesign and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Spring Energy Art
Office Edesign and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Scents

Scents can have a huge impact on the way you feel.

  • Try a diffuser with natural oils of lavender, orange or other scents related to herbs or fruits to make the connection through smell.
  • Flowering plants add a beautiful scent to your indoor space.
  • Avoid products that emit harmful odors.

Lighting

  • Use full spectrum bulbs to get the quality of natural daylight, especially in northern climates where light can be very limited in the winter. Living in Alaska, I can personally attest that they work and affect your mood.
  • Lots of strategically placed windows provides an abundance of natural light.

How to Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Edesign and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Get the Look and Feel Good

Even amidst urban sprawl, it’s entirely possible to forge a natural sanctuary in your living space. Let’s explore how I transformed rooms with views of nothing but an adjacent brick building into rejuvenating havens. By leveraging earthy tones like greens, blues, and browns, incorporating artwork showcasing flora and fauna, and introducing real plants, I managed to evoke a “feel-good” ambiance that resonates with the calming embrace of nature.

Healthy Home- Feel Good with Biophilia by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Design by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

We spend more time in our homes in general than we do anywhere else. Why not make it feel great with some of these tips! If you need help with your design, check out my local and online Design and Color Services.

Get Connected to Nature in Your Design


A transformational design experience that aligns Art, Science and Energy to Make Magic Happen in your Home and Life. Includes Interior Design, Color and Energy alignment advice to create a space perfectly aligned with you. We'll use Energy Art, personalized to reflect your true self, as the foundation of your space's transformation.

Why Work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Aligned Design©– All Rights Reserved.

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer |  Brochure

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

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Healthy Home- Feel Good with Biophilia. #edesign #edesigntribe #edesignrevolution #onlinedesign #virtualdesign #interiordesign #homedecor #interiordecor #homedesign #interiordesigner #colorfulhome #interiorstyling #moderndesign #modern #globaldesign #bohemian #globalstyle #contemporary #boho #biophilia #greendesign #sustainabledesign #fractal art #nature
Healthy Home- Feel Good with Biophilia. #edesign #edesigntribe #edesignrevolution #onlinedesign #virtualdesign #interiordesign #homedecor #interiordecor #homedesign #interiordesigner #colorfulhome #interiorstyling #moderndesign #modern #globaldesign #bohemian #globalstyle #contemporary #boho #biophilia #greendesign #sustainabledesign #fractal art #nature