One of the best ways to enrich and energize your environment is to infuse it with beautiful and inspiring light. Doing so not only brightens up the look and feel of any space, it encourages you to play and work with more vigor and enjoyment. It eases eyestrain and clears away the clouds of muddled thinking. There are several ways that you can bring this gift of brilliance and light into your life. Here are a few:

1. One of the most dramatic changes you can make to the light in your environment is to paint the walls a lighter, brighter color. Even without increasing amount of light getting into the room, a highly reflective and warming tone on the walls can magnify and deepen the already existing light and imbue it with the characteristics inherent in the color chosen. Give it a try - you'll be surprised to discover how much "hidden light" already exists in your space.

2. Bring in beautifully designed and naturally scented candles. Nothing is better for meditation and relaxation than to bathe your mind, body and soul in the heartbeat flicker of golden candlelight. Compound that with the aromatheraputic benefits of natural essential oils and it brings a warmth and radiance to your life that few other sources of illumination can.

3. Bring in a gorgeous lighting installment. Whether it is as sophisticated as a fabulous torchiere, as impressive as a to-die-for chandelier or as simple and as playful as a lava lamp, adding lighting to your environment will help you focus on your needs, rather than the annoyance and energy drain of dusky shadows and gloomy corners. Find a light source that reflects both your style and the purpose of the room and turn yourself on to the joy of great lighting.

4. Reflect the available light back into the space with wonderful mirrors, either hung on the walls or ensconced in the back of shelves and hutches. A large single mirror can be a focal point or even an art piece, whereas smaller mirrors and mirrored objects can be placed around the room as accents or accessories. Use your imagination.

5. Increase the natural light coming in by putting in a new window or skylight. Although this may seem like a drastic step, it can be an affordable option when compared with the value of raised productivity, lowered energy bills and improved mood and health. Another option is the solar reflecting tube that "pipes" natural sunlight down with the lighting power, but not nearly the intrusion, of a skylight. And once you've added your window, don't forget to dress it up in an inspiring and light-enhancing fabric of the highest quality you can afford.

Taking the time to "light up" your life can pay big dividends in both the short and long run. When we are surrounded by the life-giving energy of light and it's power, we feel more fully alive and awake and we enjoy our pursuits all the more.