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March 23, 2003 In
this issue:
Aloha, feng shui friends: I have been emailing the past few days with a dear friend and fellow feng shuista, Evelyn Seed, about the fear, dismay, and uncertainty many people are feeling now that the U.S. is at war with Iraq. Although here on Maui direct threat seems remote (even Pearl Harbor is on another island not quite visible over the horizon), Evelyn is in New York City, where concern about possible terrorist retaliation is high. Here are some ideas we've shared about how you can apply feng shui principles to creating a sense of peace and calmness in your home: First impressions are tremendously important in feng shui, and paying attention to the symbolic effect of objects and imagery is one of feng shui's key principles. Make sure that the objects and imagery that you first see when entering your home are peaceful and reassuring. Make your front entry as serene and calm a space as possible. Another important area is the physical center of your home, because whatever is going on there will affect the entire space. Remove all clutter and any sharp objects or "busy" or "aggressive" artwork or imagery from these spaces. Round shapes and soft textures are welcoming and relaxing. For example, if the first things you see when you walk in the door are your gardening trowel and clippers, put them out of sight and place a beautiful ceramic bowl or hand-woven basket in that spot. Bowls and baskets carry the energy of the universal mother and of the earth, and in this subtle way they help us to feel cared for, grounded, and secure. Beautiful fresh flowers are another way to bring peaceful and harmonious energy into the home, and an indoor water fountain also helps to create a soothing atmosphere. Evelyn suggests: "a photo of a bird of peace/freedom, photos or quotes of Great Leaders such as Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Spiritual or political leaders who had empowering and enlightening messages for the peoples." If you are feeling particularly vulnerable, place an image of a guardian figure of some kind by your front door. Other good places for peaceful imagery are within your range of vision as you sit at your desk and where it will be the first thing seen when you wake up in the morning. Go around your home and look for imagery that feels soothing or spiritually grounding in whatever form that takes for you: a photograph of the ocean, a snapshot of your children or grandparents, or an image of Jesus, Buddha, Quan Yin, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. - anyone whose message and teachings resonate with you and help you to feel connected with a force greater than yourself. Place these pictures and objects where you will see them often as you move about your home. Evelyn and I also agree that keeping the TV tuned to all-news stations all day long will simply increase your stress and anxiety. Trust that if something truly significant develops you will hear about it, and can then tune in for all the details. It's fine to check in a few times during the day, but turn it off the rest of the time so you can focus your attention on taking care of the other aspects of your life. Feng shui is all about balance, so look for ways to fit a little "giggle therapy" into each ay. Balance each hour spent watching CNN or other news with 15-30 minutes of your favorite sit-com reruns (favorites in my house: Friends, Frasier, and Everybody Loves Raymond). Or stop by the video store on the way home tonight and stock up on comedies and "feel-good" movies. Choose to surround yourself as much as possible with reminders of humankind's positive qualities. "Pray, even if you've never prayed before," says Evelyn, "and know that this war, the fear associated with it, and the anxiety will not last forever, all things change. Let go and trust in the universe." My own first reaction to this war has been dismay and sadness that my country's leadership was not able to find a peaceful, cooperative solution to a difficult and threatening situation. On a deeper level, I know and trust that everything is happening according to a divine plan, and that whatever happens will be for the best in the long run--even if I am not yet able to see or understand it. I want to share with you one more comment from Evelyn: "We live in an interconnected web of life, where everything is related to every other thing. Throw a pebble in a pond, and watch the whole pond be affected by the ripples. What kind of ripple will you make in the world today?" Holding on to feelings of anger, aggression, and fear perpetuates and strengthens those negative emotions. In the face of anxiety, you can choose to feel peace. By feeling peace, you are helping to bring peace to the world.
Evelyn's website is:
Clutter's
Side Effects: [The second of our series of clutter articles is now available on the FastFengShui.com articles page:] Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate on a subconscious level. Clutter and untidiness within each of these areas causes constriction and inertia in the corresponding aspects of your life. CLUTTER IN THE KITCHEN Click here to read the rest of the article
Feng
Shui Q+A New feature! I get lots of feng shui questions in my inbox, and thought I would start sharing some of the more interesting and/or common ones here… along with my answers, of course. (Most questions will have been edited for clarity and length, and any identifying details have been changed.) Q. My house number is "592-1/2". I don't believe I can experience complete or good energy with "1/2" in my address, so I took it off my mail box. The mailbox reads just "592" now. I feel better, but is it really helping? A. If your address includes the "1/2" then that's still your address. Even if you take the "1/2" off the mailbox it's still on your lease or mortgage documents, etc., and it's still the official address for that location. You may even cause problems with mail delivery by altering the mailbox number. I don't think making that kind of change is good feng shui because it's confusing the address issue rather than clarifying it. What interests me is that you are seing the "1/2" as a problem, not an extra. Why not consider it a bonus? You get half a number more chi with your address than the rest of us. Remember, your attitude directs your experience! I suggest that, for the next nine days, you pay special attention to everything that happens to you. Look for indications that you are receiving a little bit extra from the universe in some way. This could be: - a few cents extra in change from a purchase
These may not be life-changing bonuses, but you get the idea. Gratitude is one of the best ways to increase your luck, so start saying "thank-you" for every extra something you receive, and watch that "1/2" on your house number turn into a blessing!
For more details about this new program--or if you are interested in becoming a Clutter-Free Forever Affiliate--please visit our dedicated website: http://www.clutterfreeforever.com
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Miscellaneous Newsletter Archives This newsletter is published approximately twice a month. If you missed our previous issues, you can read them here. ••• (c)
2003 Stephanie Roberts. All rights reserved.
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