Harmony in Home
A sample of my writing submissions
Harmony in Home
Home is more than the childhood house. It’s the feeling of nostalgia. It isn’t just a home-town memorized by heart. Home is culture and community. It is a place that serves as a safe-haven symbolizing comfort, security, and well-being. A place where a person is free to be themselves. Without a sense of home people feel isolated, possibly even out-of-place. Loneliness can eventually weaken a person’s motivation, or damage their self-esteem and intellectual achievement. Having a sense of home helps establish purpose as it shapes stronger individuals, families, and communities. Home is the center of a child’s universe; the foundation where they begin making memories, building principles, and acquiring personal values. For adult’s, the home reflects a person’s interior self. Yet a house is not always a happy home. Besides structuring a stronger community, having a sense of home is vital for human well-being, developing a sense of belonging, and forging an identity.
In pursuit of a meaningful life, having a sense of home enhances the human well-being. Although there are cultural variations in what is defined as ‘well’, typically, the term well-being is characterized by good health and prosperity. According to Garry Crawford, in the Dictionary of Leisure Studies, “[well-being] is an extremely ambiguous, multifaceted, and subjective concept. At its most basic level, it refers to a state of happiness, health, and satisfaction, and relates to a person’s welfare” (Crawford). Improving human well-being, begins with improving the immediate environment and creating a sense of home. A healthy sense of home provides comfort and protection in times of pain, and stability in times of chaos. If the home is physically unsafe or emotionally strenuous, it can damage one’s self-confidence and outlook on the future. In an article published in National Geographic, Dan Buettner, an expert on longevity argues that “[the] secret to long-term health. . . has less to do with diet—or even exercise—and more to do with the social and physical environment in which we live” (A Healthy Lifestyle). He suggests that the quality of environmental conditions directly effects happiness and life expectancy. Consequently, healthy homes and neighborhoods shape stronger communities which help achieve an improved quality of life.
In addition, having a sense of home provides an empowering sense of belonging. People have an inherent need to feel as if they are a part of something. For some people, their sense home is the community in which they participate in. Home is not always a person’s residence. According to Sheila Marshall in the article Home, “It is inappropriate to use the terms house and home interchangeably” (Marshall). The term ‘house’ is confined to being a physical structure, where “a place is a home if it is familiar” (Marshall). A house provides shelter and protection, but home is “. . . a complex symbolic concept” (Marshall). Naturally, people form attachments to their homes and neighborhoods when the begin creating authentic connections within their community. Assembling a strong community is advantageous. It encourages citizens to interact, engage, and develop meaningful relationships with others around them. The encouragement of nurturing neighborhood allows the economy to flourish, promoting better opportunities and stronger social networks. Continuous public support and familiarity give individuals a sense of fitting in, and an understanding of the value of life.
A psychological sense of belonging also generates a deep sense of interconnectedness. It powerfully impacts intellect, social skills, and individual vitality. Essentially, “[the] definition of the home also includes the idea that it is a place to which family members return” (Marshall). It is imperative for people to feel included and have a sense of personal space where they can safely return, to have a sense of belonging. According to the article “home is a retreat from the strange, dangerous, or polluted external world (Rybczcski)” (Marshall). Home represents a person’s sacred territory, often etched in perpetual memories. In times of grief or disaster, the home remains a place of privacy. It is more than dwelling place, home is a refuge where one can reminisce and gather thoughts or emotions. It is a place to recharge the spirit, laugh, and develop dreams for a more satisfying future. Creating a sense of home is essential for happiness because people will always to have an intrinsic desire to feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Lacking a sense of personal space and social support is detrimental to long-term physical and mental health. Loneliness can cause depression which distorts a person’s thinking habits and ambition. Without a sense of home, people may feel vulnerable or worst of all, invisible. Having a sense of belonging and acceptance is vital in pursuit of a meaningful, happy life.
Most importantly, a sense of home encourages people to forge their own identities and truly thrive. Establishing a stable home requires work ethic and self-discipline. Maintaining a life with self-discipline and responsibility results in a sense of direction. Having a tangible sense of one’s self-influences behavior and decision making. Eventually, the responsibility that comes with creating a home, guides individuals towards life-changing opportunities. The comfort of home brings harmony and a sense of control over life. For children, home is the foundation where they begin building personal philosophies and values that ultimately carry into adulthood. For adults, the home becomes a reflection of individual lifestyle choices, personality, and social standing. Home is typically filled with sentimental value and the decor is an expression of personal lifestyle. A person’s home showcases their personal style, memorabilia, and achievement. With time, hard work, and dedication each person has an opportunity to create a healthy, cozy atmosphere of their own. By creating a sense of home individuals develop a strong sense of identity and pride.
Forging individual identity is a crucial part in establishing self-worth and inner sense of personal fulfillment. Possessing the understanding of one’s own value is the most crucial aspect in personal success. According to an article in Good Word Guide, ‘home’ “. . . [conveys] an affectionate, even sentimental, sense of ‘place of refuge’ or retreat from the world” (Home or House). When people lose their home, they lose their sense of identity as they distort their view of their own self-worth. A sense of identity guides individuals and acts as life’s blueprint. Ultimately, lacking a sense of home effects the way individuals perceive themselves and how other people treat them. Sadly, without a sense of home or identity, it’s easy to develop a negative outlook on life. Without a sense of direction, the value of self-worth is underestimated. Achievement is directly related to how a person feels about themselves. Without a sense of home, people are vulnerable to having an identity crisis.
Having a sense of home not only strengthens the communities, it enriches human well-being, develops a sense of belonging, and forges identities. Home is more than where a person lives. Home is a feeling of familiarity, etched in the back of the mind. Home is a sanctuary where a person is free to be themselves and a supportive community. Having a sense of home provides more than security and protection. Without a strong sense of home, people are susceptible to loneliness. If the home is dangerous or emotionally strenuous, it can damage confidence and cause a distorted view of self-worth. Well-being consists of balancing pain and pleasure (Crisp). It is the foundation where people begin shaping philosophies and personal values. The coziness of home provides a deep sense of interconnectedness and is a key to happiness and life expectancy. Home represents comfort and security. Home also reflects personal style, achievement, and social status. Home is where children discover their imaginations, and adults begin shaping their purpose. Ultimately ‘home is where the heart is’.
