The drama in this high-rise model unit comes courtesy of the lighting system. (Photo by NOEL PABALATE)

The ability of people to start over and move forward is one of the great but overlooked gifts that we often take for granted in life.  The pressures and worries that pile up over the course of a given year can sometimes obscure the wonderful truth that life is teeming with abundance.  Thus, the path to greater prosperity can begin with a simple willingness to consider other perspectives that could help us grab the wealth of opportunities out there.

The Chinese calendar assigns each year with a combination of animals and elements.  The year 2010 is designated as the Year of the Metal Tiger.  George Sison, an internationally-renowned motivational specialist, has some specific guidelines on how we can optimize our living spaces to attract the positive energies that the Metal Tiger brings.

In general, George advises to base your home design choices on the defining characteristics of this year’s theme. The tiger is an elegant and much-revered animal in Asian culture as it represents raw power, fiery passion, incredible courage and a sense of daring.  This is further complemented by the element of metal which symbolizes razor-sharp awareness and acuity.  

Thus, this year will be a time for adventure and drama. “That’s why your home should evoke the dramatic qualities of a stage or movie set,” George explains. For instance, his own home has a three-storey waterfall which adds a remarkable flair to George’s living space. However, infusing your home with a sense of boldness can also be done without the need for remodeling or having to install elaborate structures.

Budget isn’t too important since you can add excitement to your home whether your design approach is high-end or minimalist.  What’s important is that you’re going with your own idea of what dramatic is.  The concept of daringness is relative, so you can be bold in a way that’s personally relevant to you.

There are practical ways to achieve drama, such as changing the color scheme of your walls.  Think of loud and audacious hues that clash in order to create an eye-catching ambience.  Using wallpaper with a quirky theme is a good alternative to having your rooms repainted to a different color.  To keep a consistent dramatic feel in your home, choose the right lighting and select pieces of artwork and furniture that will match your wall colors.  

George also points out that “drama can be created through the contrasting presence of both the male and female energies.”  According to him, the number 10 best embodies this duality; its individual digits represent both man (1) and woman (0).  “Putting these together is an analogy of reproduction, so you’ll be attracting the right energy by being productive,” George adds.

The masculine essence is defined by clarity of purpose, the drive to achieve and the strength of focus.  In terms of design, this could be interpreted through hard, straight lines and strong colors.  On the other hand, the feminine essence is all about playfulness, a sense of nurturing and adding delicate beauty to life.  Soft and curvy lines as well as frilly patterns best invoke this train of thought.  “If your rooms combine elements from these polar opposites, you’ll create much drama at home,” says George.  

Nevertheless, we should remember that the spirit of a home is an extension of the owner’s personality.  So, we should not only implement drama in our homes, but also in the choices we make and our lifestyle in general.  George stresses: “If you’ve always wanted to do something but fear is holding you back, this is much more of a reason why you should go for it!”  

Boldness is not just limited to home design; it also applies to our decisions.  If you feel it in your heart, then this year is the perfect opportunity to leave your comfort zone and achieve the goals you yearn for.  Therefore, it’s no coincidence that the Chinese New Year for 2010 fell on Valentine’s, a day commonly associated with emotions. 

Ultimately, we all stand to benefit greatly by acting on feeling rather than pure logic.  Thus, let us all start with a clean slate and welcome the New Year with the heart of a tiger!