Feng Shui in the Workplace

We often think of incorporating feng shui to gain a sense of peace and harmony where we live, but what about our work environments? 

According to Wikipedia, the definition of workplace stress is: ‘The harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.’
 
With added responsibilities many people are wearing several hats, and working 9 to 5 surely seems like a thing of the past. 

Increased hours are needed just to keep up with the pressures of fast paced technology and social media.  Continue Reading…

Clear the Barrage from Your Garage

“Whatever you do, please don’t go in there.”

These words, commonly heard during feng shui consultations, usually refer to the most disorderly of rooms – garages.

Often times it seems that these scary places are not considered to be part of our living space. Instead, they become storage sheds attached to our houses.

In some instances they are packed with so much stuff that a car cannot even fit.

Folks would rather park in a driveway and endure rain, cold and snow than participate in the daunting act of clearing out unused or unwanted items.

The room’s purpose goes from car protector to stuff collector. Continue Reading…

Pre-Spring Clutter Cleaning

I never thought I would be so excited to see a brown lawn. 

On the East Coast the snow is finally melted and there is but a hint of spring in the air. 

With morning birds chirping and daffodils sprouting tiny buds, I am so ready to trade in my fleece gloves for gardening gloves!

Give me just that little extra bit of daylight and I can already feel my energy increasing as we move from the stillness of winter to the growth energy of early spring.  All these subtle changes are gentle reminders of how much nature affects our behavior. 

Feng shui, literally translated as wind and water, is about how we respond to our environments. Imagine energy (or chi) flowing like wind and water in your home. Through this mental exercise, try to identify places where chi might get stuck.   Continue Reading…

2011: Restore, Renew, Declutter

Winter is the time for hibernation and dormancy. 

In feng shui, the element for this season is water.  With its introspective energy, water is considered yin. 

In a quiet state, we turn inward and nurture ourselves as we prepare for the approaching newness of spring. 

Emotionally, a new year offers a clean slate.  What better time is there for a little life review?  No pressure; no declarations.  Just some suggestions for potentially improving your lifestyle.

Change Your Mind

Negative thinking is very detrimental.  It keeps us stuck in old patterns and behaviors.  Make it a point to really listen to your thoughts.  Remind yourself that each thought is powered by you, and only you can change them to become the person you want to be!  Continue Reading…

Mother Nature – Let’s Connect and Show Some Respect

As I succumb to winter, it occurred to me that acceptance and appreciation go hand in hand with respect. 

Accepting the change in seasons and learning to appreciate the beauty each one has to offer is a way of honoring nature and trusting in the natural rhythm of life. 

In a state of surrender, I was recently clearing my deck and bringing in plants to protect them from the cold.  I was alarmed by one’s broken branch, but my concern soon turned to intrigue as it allowed me to notice the beautiful intricacy of the leaves.

It got me thinking about how Mother Earth is constantly nourishing us and tending to our senses.  She paints a beautiful landscape through flowers, plants, shrubs and trees.  She feeds us with fresh fruits and vegetables.  Continue Reading…

One Small Rug; One Big Change

I came to the conclusion that it was time to replace the area rug in my living room.  Quick and simple enough, one would think.  But, somehow hours flew by as I ended up completely rearranging two rooms in my house. 

I am still not quite sure how this happened.  The replacement rug was the exact same size as the one that I previously had so it should have been a quick swap! 

It never ceases to amaze me how the uncomplicated act of introducing one new item into a space can lead to a change in furniture placement, different lighting, rearranged artwork, and a huge cleaning binge.  A total shift in energy positively affected me and my entire home.  Continue Reading…

Goin’ Mobile

The bad news is I had a flat tire last night; the good news is that I was parked in front of a friend’s house.

I instantly felt very fortunate that it didn’t occur as a blowout during highway driving, and I was doubly reassured that the angels were indeed watching over me when the Roadside Assistance rep was aptly named Michael. Continue Reading…

Seeing the World through Feng Shui-tinted Glasses

As human beings, we interpret our environment through our senses.  It is reported that 70% of what we experience comes from our eyes.  Our sight impacts our experiences more than any of the other senses.  Basically, we pay more attention to what we see than what we hear, smell, taste or touch.

A basic concept of feng shui is that everything is comprised of energy or chi.  We are constantly giving and receiving chi.  We’ve all heard the expression what goes around, comes around.  This can be applied to the exchange of chi.  What we put out, we get back.  

To really know somebody, take a peek at what things they have decided to live with. This exercise is much more revealing than words in a conversation!  Continue Reading…

Stop That Puttering and Start Decluttering

While I am not one for establishing New Year’s resolutions per se, I do firmly believe in making commitments that result in self improvement.  Energetically, the fresh start of a new year does lend itself as an opportune time for retrospection, re-evaluation and change.

Feng shui teaches us that to make changes in our lives, we can start by making changes in our environments.  Feng shui is about tuning into our personal spaces and taking inventory of what works and what doesn’t – both literally and figuratively. 

Clutter clearing is a branch of feng shui that helps us to sort our lives and restore balance.  As we clear out old energies, we bring in the new. Continue Reading…

Getting Ready for Fall — Feng Shui and the Metal Element

Mother Nature is a wise teacher.  She is flexible and loving, and through her actions shows us the beauty of going with the flow of  life.

Outwardly, it may appear that there is reckless abandon, but an order of universal intelligence lies at her core.  The basis of feng shui is to harmonize with nature by reverently and respectfully tapping into that universal intelligence.

Merging taoism, astronomy, alchemy, astrology and shamanism, feng shui is the system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of nature.  It is about the flow of energy (chi) and how it affects the human energy field. Continue Reading…