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Feng Shui To The Rescue Ezine
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From My Feng Shui Window
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On New Year's Day I usually tackle a major clearing of one room in my home. Longtime reader's of this ezine will remember the year I rearranged my home office and turned my desk around to change my view out the windows, which brought a flood of new clients into my practice. This year it was nothing quite so dramatic. I started with my closet. Among other things, I got rid of 9 sweatshirts, some of which had been in my closet since my son went to college (he's now married with a 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter). You can do the math and figure out how many years I had that sweatshirt in my closet. Then I moved on to my computer and that's where things got interesting.
First, I went through my email folders, deleting or archiving the emails within them, then deleting the folders. Dozens of them. Or was it hundreds of them? That felt so good I moved on to my website. I was shocked to find many of the resources in my Links section were outdated or led to that dreaded 404 error code. Out they went. Next, I moved on to the Media section where I post articles that have been written about me and my Feng Shui practice, links to my videos, press releases, and assorted other info in my digital media kit. And that's where I discovered a long-forgotten interview I had done with a Washington, DC magazine: "The Chi of DC: A Feng Shui Expert Assesses the Capital." The editor had asked me to perform a Feng Shui analysis of an aerial view of the layout of our capital city as designed by architect Pierre L'Enfant. Despite the fact that the article was written in 2008 and many things have changed around the National Mall, I was struck by the timelessness of my analysis of the juxtaposition of the Capitol and the White House. There's nothing political here, only a timely Feng Shui statement about how the layout of a city can affect what goes on within its boundaries:
L'Enfant called for a grand boulevard to connect the two seats of power, a direct line now disrupted by the Treasury Building. Olmstead also sees Pennsylvania Avenue as a symbol of communication flow, yet she would prefer that the White House and Capitol be sited at slight angles (directly facing would be too "confrontational"). The Capitol's elevation asserts not just its dominant position in the cityscape but the very nature of democracy: the president must listen to the people. Could it be that the founding fathers did have "a natural sense" of the capital's design after all?
If you read the
full article, please
email your thoughts and comments.
Happy February and Happy Chinese New Year! Be sure to check out my blog
"Wake Up to the Year of the Rooster," my annual report on what other Feng Shui masters are predicting the animal signs of the Chinese lunar calendar might face in this upcoming year.
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
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Feng Shui For All Seasons
February Tip - All We Need Is Love
It's hard to think about February without including
Valentine's Day and Feng Shui tips for love and relationships. Whether you are looking for a relationship or want to enhance your existing one,
here's a baker's dozen of my favorite tips for attracting and keeping love:
- Place objects in pairs in your bedroom to rev up your romance or marriage.
- Remove things from your bedroom that keep you from focusing on love - especially clutter, dirty clothes, and the cat's litter box.
- If you are single, make room in your closet, medicine chest, and pantry as a symbol you're ready to share your space with someone special.
- Hang artwork in your bedroom that has romantic, coupled, and paired themes.
- Remove photographs of your children, parents, and pets from your bedroom so they won't be "watching" you in bed.
- Display a current photo of you and your spouse or partner doing something fun together. If you aren't in a relationship, display a romantic image.
- Place a pair of night tables in your bedroom. For singles the second table invites a partner into your bedroom, for couples it encourages equality in your relationship.
- Remove artwork from your bedroom if it shows a solitary or lonely scene.
- Paint your walls a "skin-tone" color like ivory, beige, rose, brown, or chocolate. Avoid painting your bedroom lavender because this is the color of chastity.
- If your love life has gone stale, treat yourself to new, luxurious bedding to freshen your relationship and encourage your spouse or partner to linger in bed with you.
- Make sure you have the right size bed for your relationship; if the bed is too big, you could feel lost, if it's too small, you could feel trapped.
- Remove items from your bedroom that remind you of a past lover, including your ex's photo, old sweater, or gifts that could remind you of love that went bad.
- Remove the extra pillows and stuffed animals from your bed because they send the message that you have no room for anyone else to join you.
Feeling alone this Valentine's Day?
The upper right area of your home is the Love and Relationship Area of the
Feng Shui bagua, and it's also related to self-esteem and self-love. Here's a different kind of Feng Shui love tip:
This Valentine's Day, clear the clutter from this area and add some red items and objects in pairs. You just might reap romantic rewards beyond a box of chocolates and a red rose.
Read more Feng Shui Tips For Love.
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Clutter Clinic
12 Things To Remove From Your Closet
In Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. Clutter holds you back, and this is especially true with the clothes and other things you stuff into your closets. Writing for the Apartment Therapy site, Arlyn Hernandez suggests you remove these 12 things from your closets:
- Old costumes. If you haven't worn that costume since you bought it 10 years ago for your office Halloween party, it's time to say goodbye.
- Bridesmaid dresses. No matter how much you want to believe that you'll wear that merlot-colored ruched bodice chiffon cocktail dress again, you won't, and you know it.
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Things someone gave you as a gift that you never liked. Take solace in knowing that your mom/aunt/grandmother/friend probably doesn't remember giving it to you in the first place.
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Stretched out clothing. Enough said.
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Things you're holding on to just because you spent lots of money. If it never fit right or you never wore it for whatever reason, admit you're never going to wear it. Donate it where it will do some good.
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Shoes that leave you limping, no matter how cute they are. If it's "two steps and an about-face back into the closet" because you know you won't survive the night in them, it's time to let your shoes go.
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Tangled or discolored costume jewelry. You know you'll never wear it again.
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Free T-shirts. How many of these do you really need?
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"Painting" clothes. It's OK to keep
some junky clothes for painting, gardening, or other dirty work. But since you can't wear more than one outfit at a time there's no need to have a drawer full of them.
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Your perpetual "fix it" pile.
If you were actually going to take those shoes to get resoled or that dress to get hemmed, you would have done it by now. You're probably not eager to wear these things because you would have fixed them by now if you loved them enough.
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All those free tote bags.
You know the ones. Get them out of the back of your closet and either put them in your kitchen or car for grocery shopping or donate them.
- Those things you kept the last time you cleaned your closet. If the same pile of "can't-decide" items is still hanging around, this time you really have to let them go.
Read more.
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Success Story
Why Can't I Sleep?
Bill had trouble falling asleep and then often woke during the night. The first thing I noticed in his bedroom was the clutter on his nightstand -- his phone, a clock radio, a stack of books and office reading. I moved the phone to the farthest end of the nightstand away from his head. Since the clock radio had a remote, I relocated it across the room because continuously running AC power right next to his head could be interrupting his sleep pattern. Second, Bill's television was located directly across from his bed, so we moved it to a location where it wasn't the last thing he saw before going to sleep. I also advised Bill to avoid watching the late news right before bed. Third, we relocated the stack of work-related reading to Bill's home office and suggested he keep only one book for reading before bedtime. The result?
Here's what Bill wrote:
Thank you for the Feng Shui advice. Now I fall asleep easily and sleep comfortably through the night. Who would have thought that those few things you moved would make such a different - but they did! Next visit, we are going to work on my office.
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Ask the Feng Shui Maven
Q: It isn't advisable to store moving boxes under your bed, is it? I'm assuming this can block the flow of energy, but does the fact that they're moving boxes make it worse?
A: The Feng Shui recommendation is to avoid storing anything under your bed so the chi can circulate around you. Storing moving boxes anywhere in your home sends the message that you aren't settled, and it's especially inauspicious under your bed because it can lead to sleepless nights. If you must keep things under your bed because you need the space, store only soft things like out of season clothes or linens.
Q: We just moved into a new house and placed the bed with the window behind it. We haven't slept well since the move. Do you recommend that we move the bed over so that the window is not behind it?
A: Yes,
the Feng Shui recommendation is to avoid placing the head of the bed in front of a window. Move the bed where you can place the head against a solid wall, with a clear view out of the door, but not facing directly out the door.
Q: My business has been losing a lot of clients lately. Any ideas that will quickly stop the losses?
A:
Based on the photos you provided (not included here to protect confidentiality), try these quick fixes: Replace the weak-looking plants at the reception desk with flowers because a sick-looking plant creates a poor first impression with prospective clients. Make sure your logo in the lobby is well-lit so it makes a shiny impression. Assure that each office in the suite has a branded object that shows your logo to connect everyone to the company. Offices for the CEO and CFO should be at the back of the space (in the power/wealth position), while your PR staff can be closer to the front.
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Feng Shui For Real Life Blog
More Views From My Feng Shui Window
The Chinese Year of the Fire Rooster 2017 is here. The yin nature of the Rooster forecasts a calmer year and should bring a lot of relief from the shock, strain, tension, and anxiety of last year. However, the Feng Shui Elements are still in opposition and many of the same issues are still around, but most new events will happen in a milder way. My blog tells more, and includes a summary of what each of the animal signs is expected to experience this year.
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Feng Shui Consulting
Home, Office, & Business Consulting
Find out how my Feng Shui consultations can help you rearrange your space, shift energy, and
transform your life. I offer both on-site consulting at your space and off-site options:
On-Site Consulting
I will visit your home, office, or business and help rearrange your space, shift energy, and transform your life. During the session I will teach you Feng Shui basics, then we'll go through your space and I'll make suggestions for changing the placement of furniture and objects and dealing with color, moving what we can at the time. All sessions include 30 days of free Feng Shui coaching by phone and email to help you continue to make changes and move forward.
Off-Site Consulting
When an on-site consultation isn't possible, I offer off-site and remote Feng Shui consulting by phone, Skype, and FaceTime for homes, offices, and businesses in the US and internationally. Off-site consulting packages include:
- Feng Shui Hotline
- Custom Phone Consultation
- Room Rescue
- Floor Plan Analysis
- Better First Impressions Consultation
Learn more about Off-Site Consulting
People Are Talking About Carol's Feng Shui Consultations:
I followed your suggestions and cleared out everything that didn't remind me of success. Thank you for helping me to enjoy going to work again and for helping me to triple my income. --JP
Yesterday, a person came who worked for me a couple of years ago. When she walked in, she said, "Your house feels so good. It always was lovely, but it feels even better now." How about that? I have only started to make the Feng Shui changes you recommended during the consultation and already everything feels so much better! --SD
Just wanted you to know the open house at my store was a huge success with the help of the changes you suggested at our consultation. Thanks again for all of your help. --JW
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Feng Shui Workshops
Custom Feng Shui Training
Bring one of my Feng Shui workshops, lectures, or seminars to your city. I will create a custom presentation for your group to help you make simple changes to attract wealth, harmony, love, and much more. From keynote speeches, to "munch and learn" workshops, to half-day or full-day seminars, my interactive sessions are full of practical advice, tips, and fun. Feng Shui workshops make great fundraisers and marketing events because they always sell out.
People Are Talking About Carol's Workshops:
My three sisters and I attended your workshop, and I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed it. It was packed full with such great information and the fact that you helped each individual at the workshop was incredible! The three hours went by so fast that everyone in the workshop thought you were just taking a break and we were all shocked to realize the workshop was over. We all purchased your book and got several copies for family members that could not attend because we love it.
--GW
Thank you for the terrific workshop. I learned so much about Feng Shui, and I especially loved that you shared success stories from your clients. Your workshop attracted such a great group of people.
--MT
Wow, what a great teleseminar this afternoon! You came across as poised, extremely knowledgeable, down to earth, warm, and your sense of humor sparkled throughout, too! And thoughtful answers to some really interesting questions. Encore, encore!!!! --LG
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Feng Shui Media
Books, Videos, Classes, Podcasts
Books
Feng Shui Quick Guide For Home and Office: Secrets For Attracting Wealth, Harmony, and Love
Winner, "Best How-To Book"
People Are Talking About Carol's Book:
Thank you for writing such a brilliant book. I have just finished reading it and thoroughly enjoyed every page. I am very much looking forward to trying out your tips. Although I am also a Feng Shui practitioner, I love that there is always more to learn and tips that I haven't seen or learned before. I will definitely recommend your book to my clients!
--PG
It's the first time in years that I carry a book with me just in case I can read another page or two at a stoplight or wherever! Best I read it at home, however, as I read a bit and then start scouting for places in our little loft that I can declutter!
If it weren't for you, I would have more coasters on my coffee table than I actually need, to name just one of dozens of changes in our place! --SE
I loved your book. Thank you for making it a practical approach. My husband and are clearing clutter and it feels great! --SK
Your book is my bible! I finished your amazing book and constantly refer to it. Currently I am listening to your video class, which I find extremely informative. --TN
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Video Class
"Grow Your Business with Feng Shui" Video Class
My 90-minute, self-paced course includes tips for activating the Career/Work bagua area, along with simple changes you can make in your home that will advance your career or business. It includes tips and advice for everything you need to succeed, from choosing a desk, to lighting, plants, and art. You'll learn six amazing tips that will help you create a space that supports you and your business. Watch as I use Feng Shui principles to conduct a hands-on transformation of a client's workplace and create a dynamic home office that gives more clarity, less clutter and distractions, and ultimately, more success.
Watch the class preview.
Peop
le Are Talking About Carol's Videos & Podcasts:
Carol, you're a rock star! I loved listening to the
podcast of your interview with
"Law of Attraction Talk Radio with Jewels," so I took your class. You continue to be an inspiration to me and have forever changed the way I arrange each home I've lived in since I first heard you speak in 2012. Keep up the good work!
--GO
I took your class and watched several of your
videos. Excellent! You have an absolute warm and welcoming approach. No wonder you are so successful.
--CW
This video class is nothing short of a delicious treat for your career. I loved it! Great practical pieces of advice. Well-taught in a fun, inspiring way. --RW
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Beyond Feng Shui
Enjoy Stress-Free Living
We're living in a complicated world right now. Amit Sood, M.D., M.Sc., a Mayo Clinic specialist in stress and resiliency, has developed a stress management system that helps you live a more peaceful life. I had the privilege of studying with Dr. Sood a few years ago. Here is his 4-step plan:
Express gratitude.
Gratitude is more than saying thank you. It's a sense of wonder, appreciation, and thankfulness for life. It's easy to go through life without recognizing your good fortune. Often, it takes a serious illness or other tragic event to jolt people into appreciating the good things in their lives. Don't wait for something like that to happen to you.
Make a commitment to practice gratitude. Each day identify at least one thing that enriches your life. When you find yourself thinking an ungrateful thought, try substituting a grateful one. Let gratitude be the last thought before you go to sleep, and the first thought when you wake up in the morning.
Cultivate optimism.
Develop the habit of seeing the positive side of things. You needn't become overly optimistic -- bad things do happen -- but you don't have to let the negatives color your whole outlook on life. Remember that what is right about you almost always outweighs what is wrong.
Start by recognizing negative thoughts as you have them. Then take a step back and ask yourself these key questions:
- Is the situation really as bad as I think?
- Is there another way to look at the situation?
- What can I learn from this experience that I can use in the future?
Find your purpose.
People who strive to meet a goal or fulfill a mission - whether it's growing a garden, caring for children, or finding one's spirituality - are happier than those who don't have such aspirations.
Having a goal provides a sense of purpose, bolsters self-esteem, and brings people together. What your goal is doesn't matter as much as whether the process of working toward it is meaningful to you. Try to
align your daily activities with the long-term meaning and purpose of your life by asking yourself::
- What excites and energizes me?
- What are my proudest achievements?
- How do I want others to remember me?
Live in the moment.
Don't postpone joy waiting for a day when your life is less busy or less stressful. That day may never come.
Instead, look for opportunities to savor the small pleasures of everyday life. Focus on the positives in the present moment, instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about what the future could bring.
Order from the Mindfulness Bookstore.
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F Y I
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Share Articles From This Ezine.
Articles in the
Feng Shui To The Rescue newsletter are copyrighted, but I encourage you to share them. I ask only that you credit
Carol M. Olmstead as author and when you share the article please link to
www.FengShuiForRealLife.com.
Schedule a Space Clearing or House Blessing.
Carol Olmstead is an Ordained Minister specializing in Feng Shui house blessing ceremonies and space clearing Call 1.800.652.9038 or
e-mail Carol Olmstead for details.
Schedule a Consultation or Workshop.
If you would like to set up a home, office, or business consultation, or schedule a customized workshop, contact:
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA, was certified by the
Feng Shui Institute of America and earned Red Ribbon Professional Status from the
International Feng Shui Guild.
Feng Shui for Real Life, LLC, and the Feng Shui To The Rescue newsletter serve as a reference and guide for the principles of Feng Shui and as such bear no responsibility for results that a client or reader experiences. Individual results may vary based on the client's participation and intent.
©2017, Carol M. Olmstead
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA
Feng Shui For Real Life, LLC
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