MAKING YOUR SPACE WORK FOR YOU.

As a Feng Shui Consultant the most common problem I hear is what do I do about my clutter? There's never enough space for our things and us.  Moving is one solution.  That's the expensive solution. Before your decide to move look around.  There has to be something you can do about organizing the space you're already living or working in!

[ Do you still have a framed poser from college on the wall?
[ Do you have books that are no longer relevant?
[ What about the coffee table your mother gave you, with the chipped top?
[ Think about all the gifts that were given to you that you never use.

What about the bedroom?

Does it always look like a war zone with clothes, papers, books, and records piled everywhere?  These things, strewn all over the room need to be organized and put away.  Why buy sexy sheets when you can't even see the bed half the time?

Clothing

If it is too small, too dated, too faded, torn, not fixable and you  haven't worn it in two years……It's time get rid of it.

Think about your space….

This is your home or office, and since you spend a substantial part of your life there, your surrounding should offer you a pleasant, peaceful and functional sense of well being. 

[    Use available organization systems to help organize your space.
[ Book shelves with doors.
[    Hooks to hang clothing as wet as utility items (mops, brooms etc)
[ Functional furniture ( eg: drawers with organizational inserts,)
[ Closet organizers can double your space.
[ Schedule housework or get someone else to do it.

Know what to throw away and learn to let go…….

One of the most difficult things to do as you organize is to learn to let go.  As lives change, needs and wants change, but somehow objects accumulate with no regard to our changed perspective. 

Do you have any of the following in your home?

[ Worn out or out of style clothes.
[ Pencil sharpener that hasn't worked for months or years.
[ An old pop corn popper that you don't use because you hate popcorn.
[ Bundles of old letters, and cards,  you'll never read twice,
[ Stacks of old magazines that should be tossed or given away.

These and other items are taking up valuable space and giving you nothing in return.  Just because you like something doesn't necessarily mean you should keep it. How many items do you have that don't work or serve a purpose?

Ask  yourself …

Is it useful and functional?

Do you want it or need it and why?

Does it serve a purpose or enhance your life in a meaningful way?

If not unless it has a very special meaning to you let it go. 

The less you have the less you have to clean.   

Want  vs Need

You might not want to trash some thing you need because you don't really need them you just want them.  Every time you pick something up and tell yourself you have to keep it because you need it stop right there. 

Is this need or want?

You want the old collection of 78 records that you haven't played in 20 years.  You don't need them.
You want these clothes in the closet that fit three years ago.    You don't need them

Fill in the blank

I want the ____________________________________  I don't need them

How many items could you enter?

The garage is not the answer!  Don't pack up your don't needs and put in the garage.

Learn to see through "Feng Shui Eyes".  Everything has energy attached to it. (either positive or negative)  If you don't throw out the old you will not make room for the new.  Be aware of the effect your pictures have on you.  Have you placed a picture of a seal hunt in your bedroom and wonder why you can't sleep at night? How many items do you have in your home that you don't like or were given to you by someone you don't care for?  Keep in mind whether you have these items exposed or behind a closet door they still have an effect on you. Try to place objects in your home that will be uplifting and supportive. Keep in mind this old saying "less is more".

Clutter is one of the main causes of stale energy in and around a home and workplace.  E.g.:  piles of paper, overstuffed closets, over-filled drawers, messy counter tops etc.  A good rule to follow is if you don't like it, don't need it, or haven't used it in two years, get rid of it.  Clearing clutter is one of the most important successful steps of balancing the energy in your space.

"Harmony in Business"

The Secret to Business Success is Good Feng Shui.

What makes one business do better than another? Why do we feel more comfortable in one room than another?  What can be done to improve a business that is having trouble? Are the various departments or functions of the office located in their optimum space?

Are the business owner and staff members located

in the best direction?

When people are not located in the best locations

It is harder for them to focus and be productive.

Location:

·        Ideally a business should be sited on a street corner with the entrance on a diagonal, drawing in Ch'I customers and money from 2 directions.

·        Path to front door should be easy to access well lit and unobstructed.

·        Find out history of previous occupants. Their success or failure may have been influenced by the space.

Entrances:

·        First impressions are most important. 

·        Entranceways should be uplifting and welcoming.

·        Attract clients with healthy green plants on either side of the front door.

·        Display something significant to your occupation at the front door.

Design:

·        The ideal office design encourages the flow of Ch'I by eliminating dead corners with plants or cabinets. 

·        The office should be designed for comfort and empowerment of the staff.  If the work force is content, the clients will be too. 

·        Fill the office space with proper lighting.

·        Draw life and energy into the office with plants, flowers, aquariums, and fountains.

Positioning:

·        The ideal is to sit in the command position with your back to the wall and a full view of the entranceway.  This gives one a feeling of security.

·        A desk facing the window will be distracting.  Sit at right angles to the window so you can enjoy the view when you want to.

·        Bathrooms in the Wealth Corner-far left from the front door-means profits will drain away with the water.  Hangs a plant over the toilet or a mirror outside the door to reflect beneficial Ch'I back into the office.

·        Use a circular table to encourage creative thinking (meetings) and a square table for detailed work.

Feng Shui Tips

Appropriate use of colours assists in creating harmony.

Fresh air, natural plants and positive smells are stimulating.

Dirty windows, lights walls and doors block positive energy.

Clutter and piles of unused papers or equipment are constant

reminder of stagnation.

Rather than be frustrated and stressed

take these new ideas into consideration.

The secret to "that other business" success may be their good Feng Shui.

Many successful companies use Feng Shui to promote growth.

Others use Feng Shui to aid recovery and turnaround.

Five Element Theory

The five-element theory is an important principle of good Feng shui.  Each element is associated with direction, colours, shapes, and seasons.  Based on his or her year of birth each person possesses a dominant element. 

DOMINATION:  Wood consumes earth, Earth stops water,

Water puts out fire,  Fire  melts metal,  Metal  chops wood.

Wood- Furniture, Plants, Fabrics (cotton, rayon, floral prints),

             Art depicting o landscapes gardens and plants.

Fire - Lighting,  Art depicting people and animals.

          Animals and Animal products (fur, leather, bone, feather)

Earth - Brick, Tile, Ceramics, Pottery

            Art depicting deserts and fields

Metal -  Steel, Copper, Brass, Iron, Silver, Aluminum, Gold

              Rocks, Stones, Marble, Granite, Natural Crystals,

              Art and sculpture made of metal or stone

Water -  Streams, Rivers, Pools, water,

              Reflective surfaces, Crystal, Glass, Mirror

YIN & YANG

In Feng Shui yin and yang are based on two opposing yet complimentary principles.  Yin is dark and Yang is light. All things contain varying degrees of yin and yang but a balance is needed to create harmony. 

A bedroom should be a yin room.

Sleeping in a bedroom with bright yellow walls would be yang.

Living next to a grave sight would be too yin (dead).

Dark and Cluttered space would be yin.

Family Rooms and Kitchens are usually yang.

Crystals

Crystal balls are often used as sources of protection, breaking of concentration of blocked energy.  The round shape allows Ch'I to be disbursed evenly in a room.    Crystals of all kinds have an extraordinary capacity to activate energy.  A suspended Austrian crystal spinning in the sunlight can activate energy Crystal balls on stands placed on a side table or bookshelf will resonate with the same power as hanging crystals.  Place a crystal in areas with no windows to raise the energy. The larger the crystal the better, however a crystal should never be so large that it feels threatening.  Remember to keep your crystals vibrant by washing them weekly in fresh clear water. All cut crystals will encourage the dance of the elements but their form is significant as well.

·        Austrian Crystal - Leaded glass has faceted cuts.

·        Pentacle - Brings out creative talents and helps to clarify and direct creative thoughts.

·        Flute - Mystical.  Develops the sub-conscious.  Aid in remembering dreams a high psychic energy crystal.

·        Baroque - A great shape for astral projection, meditation, seeing in the future and freedom from worry.

·        Octagon - This crystal is the life crystal.  Aids in healing and bringing oneself back into harmony and balance.  Great for increasing vitality after illness or surgery.

·        Drop - Helps to develop intuitive senses, clarifies goals and aids in the search of past lives.

·        Triangles - A fire sign.  Helps to strengthen emotion.  It aids when seeking a balance of the physical and emotional.

·        Draedle - An old shape, is a fantastic aid for losing weight.  Strengthens the stomach area, and aids digestion and elimination.

·        Pyramid - Balances the physical with the spiritual.  Promotes self-confidence, develops deep conciseness and awareness.

·        Ball - this crystal is used to develop balance with the universe.  It is the most magical of all shapes because it reflects from all sides with maximum translucency and dispersion.  Also represents the cycle that we go through as earth creatures: always completing a life circle in our development.

Hindy is a sought after Corporate Motivational Speaker, teaching user-friendly techniques. Learn how office and desk placement can influence your personal power, career, employees and client relationships, prosperity and business opportunities.

On Site and Telephone Consultations for Corporations, Offices and Businesses.

For further information e-mail:  fengshuichi@yahoo.com