On the cusp of fall, we look forward to wonderful cool weather, beautiful fall colors, and most importantly - positive change.   Kiddos settle into the new school year, and the grown-ups gladly break their routines, getting out and about as often as possible, planning weekend getaways, and planting fall gardens.  The boost that a change can give us humans is undeniable.  But why leave this boost to our psyches solely to Mother Nature?

There is much that you and I can do to effect change in our lives that will cheer our souls, almost as much as a fresh, cool breeze.  Some of these actions are truly simple.  We can call those folks who keep popping into our thoughts, take a neighbor to a fun movie, or start a reasonable exercise program.  We can wait until something in nature satisfies our desire for a beautiful sight, or we can work a bit to create it as well.  I am lucky - I am surrounded by friends, colleagues and customers who inspire me in this last endeavor.  Always conscious of the positive effect that a lovely, workable environment has on the human spirit, these friends seem unusually aware that small changes in home visuals can make a big difference in our daily lives. Yep, take a moment to consider the possibilities.

Don't let your home stagnate: rework the focal points in your main rooms to help generate that delightful feeling that seasonal change brings.  Some folks decorate with florals with great success.  Handsome pieces by designer, Jan Barboglio act as focal anchors in my living/dining room.  To effect change, I play to the designer's strength with bold color in bowls of hard fruit, a colorful candle and fresh flowers. To pique further interest, we can shuffle smaller items in the room, and maybe recover a few pillows to compliment fall.  These simple changes always surprise and delight the eye when we walk through rooms that we have long taken for granted.  We should allow our homes to remind us that life is moving happily forward; yes, Mother Nature and we can work hand-in-hand on this one!