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Feng Shui To The Rescue Ezine
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From My Feng Shui Window
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The Last Word About
Spring Cleaning
I'm writing this month from my apartment on the 37th floor, and the day I started this issue, the fog was so thick I couldn't see the high-rise that's across the street. Then came the cold, blustery wind. Now, only a few days later, it's going to be near 80 degrees. That's April for you!
I've been reviewing past issues of my ezine to collect Q&A for my next book, Feng Shui To the Rescue. I found that almost every April, my "Feng Shui For All Seasons" article was about the spring holidays, Passover and Easter, or my "Clutter Clinic" article was about spring cleaning. I've given you tips for cleaning your home, your office, your closet, and your deck. There have been articles about green spring cleaning and cleaning for safety. I've also written about spring fashion and spring allergies. This month I'm writing about clearing tax clutter and then that's it - I promise - enough about spring cleaning and clearing. I think you already got that message.
My April article this year is about something more trans-seasonal: mirrors. As I review past ezine issues I'm finding that questions about mirrors predominate. Readers want to know where - and where not - to hang them or place them. Mirrors have been called the "aspirin" of Feng Shui. Some people assume that a Feng Shui practitioner is going to come into your home or office and hang mirrors everywhere. Wrong! Well at least it is in my case, because I think that mirrors, like aspirin, should be used sparingly and only as needed. This month's article summarizes the good and bad places for mirrors.
If you still want some holiday tips, you can find my Passover and Easter articles in the "Articles" section on my website.
And, if you still can't get enough of my cleaning and clearing tips, check out my series of spring cleaning videos on MonkeySee.com.
And now that is my last word about spring cleaning.
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
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Feng Shui For All Seasons
April Tip: Do's and Don'ts for Mirrors
Mirrors are one of the nine powerful tools of Feng Shui that I use in my work. Mirrors are sometimes called the "aspirin" of Feng Shui because they can cure so many problems. But like aspirin, mirrors should be used sparingly and only when necessary. Mirrors can be used to attract, move, or redirect energy, so it's important to choose the right type of mirror and best location. The general Feng Shui rule is that a mirror doubles the energy of what it reflects. That means if a mirror reflects a pile of unpaid bills, it could symbolically double of your debt, but if it reflects a family vacation photo, it doubles family harmony.
Mirrors keep a room "awake," so it's important to limit them in a bedroom to no more than one, and make sure you can't see yourself in the mirror from the bed. If your bedroom closet has mirrored doors, hang a curtain above the doors that you can close at night and tie back open during the day. Avoid placing a mirror in a child's bedroom where it could interfere with restful sleep. If your child must have a mirror, hang it on the inside of the closet door.
A bagua mirror is an octagon-shaped mirror that's used outside to redirect energy. This type of mirror can be so powerful that it should never be hung inside
a home, only outside.
I recently recommended that a client remove the convex versions of this mirror that she had hanging in every room in her home. She "read somewhere" (I hear that phrase a lot) that hanging a mirror will bring in good energy. But, the convex mirrors she used were doing just the opposite and they were deflecting the positive chi she was trying to attract.
As with any Feng Shui change, the intent you have when you place a mirror will determine its effect. Whether you hang a mirror to attract, move, or redirect energy, if you are clear in your intention for the mirror it will help you achieve your goal:
Attract:
- Hang a round mirror near your stove to symbolize wealth. The mirror symbolically doubles the number of burners and consequently, symbolically doubles prosperity.
- Place a flat mirror on the wall in a dark room to attract and reflect extra light.
- Place a mirror on the right hand side in your foyer (as you look into the foyer from the front door) to symbolically attract new opportunities.
Move:
- If you have any rooms where you must step down to enter, place a square mirror opposite the stairs to symbolically move the wall and correct this imbalance, especially in bi-level or split level homes.
- Low ceilings or heavy beams can be oppressive over your bed. Attach a quarter-size round mirror to the ceiling or beams to symbolically lift the heaviness. You can find these inexpensive small mirrors at craft stores.
- Bring any missing areas of your home back into your life by hanging a mirror on the inside wall to symbolically move it out and fill in the missing area, especially when correcting an apartment or office.
Redirect:
- If your oven is located directly opposite of your sink, the Fire and Water Elements "fight" each other, often leading to arguments in the home. Attach a small mirror to the oven door to reflect away the sink's energy.
- If you live on a T-junction where a road points directly at your house, you could be subject to negative energy that makes it difficult to achieve harmony. Direct this harsh energy away by hanging a bagua mirror on your home facing the road that points at you.
- If you have any negative energy directed toward your home, such as the sharp corner of a neighbor's home, a telephone pole in front of your door, or a nearby cell tower, hang a bagua mirror on the outside of your house to symbolically push it away.
Special Tip: Wherever you hang, stand, or lean mirrors, be sure your head is fully visible when you look in the mirror, so you can avoid having your "head cut off," which symbolizes loss of power.
Learn more about the other tools of Feng Shui.
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Eliminating Tax
Filing Clutter
A little Feng Shui clutter-clearing after you file your taxes can help make room for new wealth to flow into your life, particularly if you didn't get a refund this year. This is especially true when tax records still clutter your desk or the dining room table long past the April deadline. In Feng Shui, keeping too much paper clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. Everyone has to deal with some amount of record-keeping clutter at tax time, but in Feng Shui terms
extreme paper clutter
holds you back and keeps you from making progress.
The first US income tax was levied in 1862, when Abraham Lincoln signed into law this revenue-raising method to help the government pay for the Civil War. If you just filed your taxes it may seem like your records have been cluttering your desk or kitchen table since way back then. One of the basic principles of Feng Shui is that "nothing new flows into your life until you make room for it." Feng Shui is about attracting abundance into your life, but clutter blocks abundance from reaching you. When you open up space by attempting to limit paper clutter and getting rid of unneeded files and records, you not only go green but you can attract "green" as well.
Tax professionals recommend that you keep personal tax records for 7-10 years and keep anything related to real estate property bought or sold indefinitely. That means you can safely shred at least one box of old paper records after you file your return each year. How do you decide what papers you need to keep in addition to what is required by law? If you want to make space for prosperity to flow into your life, answer these three questions to help decide whether a piece of paper is clutter or a keeper:
1. If I throw this away, will I get arrested? If the answer is NO, toss it.
2. Did I need this during the last year? If the answer is NO, out it goes.
3. Can I get it someplace else, especially on the online? If the answer is YES, trash it!
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Success Story
Sleep Secrets For a Young Child
I received this encouraging note from my client Melissa, who was having trouble getting her young daughter to stay asleep in her own bed for the whole night. The child would start out in her own room, but some time in the middle of the night she would end up in her mom's bed. Neither one of them was getting a good night's sleep.
Here's what Melissa wrote:
Thank you for the fact sheet on children's room. Right after our consultation I started making some of those changes in my daughter's room to help her sleep better, and my efforts had an immediate payback-she is going to sleep earlier, staying in her room the whole night, and sleeping later! One thing I know helped was putting a photo of the two of us in her room as a reminder to her that I'm always there for her, even when we're in different rooms, Also, as you suggested I bought a storage unit with doors, and each night we make it part of her routine to put away the toys she has been playing with. It worked! I appreciate all the information you gave me. I can't tell you how excited I feel about the next steps. Seeing my house through your eyes has finally given me direction on what to do. I am looking forward to moving on with changes for the rest of my home.
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Ask the Feng Shui Maven
Q: I finally got an office with windows, and I arranged the furniture so I can look at the view. The problem is my back is to the door when I am working at my computer. A colleague told me this position is not good Feng Shui. What do you think is the best desk position for me?
A: Sitting with your back to the door is considered the most vulnerable position in Feng Shui. Since things go on "behind your back," you can actually and symbolically be "caught off guard" by your competitors and even your colleagues. The ideal location is to sit at a desk that is positioned diagonally across from the door so you are in the command, or power, position. If you can't (or won't) move the desk, place a small mirror or reflective object near your computer monitor so you can see the door when your back is turned.
Q: I recently remarried and moved into the house where my wife lived with her 8-year-old son. My relationship with my stepson is good, but I would like to make it even better. Are there any Feng Shui changes we can make?
A:
One way to help create a blended family is to take a recent family photo of the three of you doing something you love to do together, and place a framed copy in your stepson's room and another in the Family Area of your home. Choose a wood frame to represent the Wood Element, to encourage growth in your relationship. To locate the Family area, download a bagua from the "Basics" section at www.FengShuiForRealLife.com.
Q: I am a firm believer in getting rid of clutter. Things like unused clothes and broken electronics are banished from my house regularly. However, I do have "stuff" that I want to save that I store in the basement, like extra rolls of wallpaper and furniture that is not currently being used, including the floor length mirror I used to have at the foot of my bed but read in one of your newsletters that it's a bedroom no-no. It turns out I am storing these things in the Wealth/Power corner. Does this explain why I haven't made any money this year??
A: Great question, which I will answer with more questions: What are you saving all of this stuff for? Nothing new flows into your life until you make room for it, so it might be time to sell or donate the mirror and the other furniture. Are you ever going to need the wallpaper? If the paper has been on the walls for some time, it is probably faded and won't match the rolls you are saving. And if you are storing unneeded stuff in your Power/Wealth area, what kind of message are you sending about the prosperity you want to flow into your life? A good rule of thumb is that if you have not used an item within the past year, get rid of it. Move these things out of your basement and then write back to let us know about all the good things that flows in to your life.
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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
9 Foods That Can Calm You
I seem to be focused on stress-reduction these days, so it's not surprising I was attracted to an article that recommended nine foods that can calm us. We all seem to be on such a dead run these days that we can't manage stress and levels of the stress hormone cortisol remain elevated. Several health dangers exist in the presence of high cortisol. One is that it triggers food cravings, which can send us dashing to the freezer for the ice cream or the pantry for a box of Thin Mints. That same cortisol can prompt an enzyme in fat cells to transform cortisone into more cortisol. The fat cells in the abdomen have more cortisol receptors than do regular fat cells, which means high cortisol can translate into more belly fat, which in turn raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But, the good news is that certain high-nutrition foods can help restore calm. Some are obvious, some are surprising, and one especially made me smile. I'm sure you can figure out which one that is.
- Asparagus. These veggies are rich in folate. A recent study found that people who ate the most foods high in folate had a lower risk of depression than those who consumed the least amount.
- Avocados. Not only do avocados have more folate than any other fruit, they also contain healthy fats and potent antioxidants, which fight cell-damaging free radicals.
- Berries. Berries are a source of Vitamin C, which has a long history as a stress reducer. Some studies show Vitamin C can reduce anxiety.
- Chamomile Tea. Drinking this tea is a well-know way to help achieve a sense of calm.
- Fermented foods. A healthy gut can mean a healthier and calmer brain. Fermented foods that contain reliable sources of beneficial bacteria can have a direct impact on brain chemistry.
- Leafy greens. Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, and other leafy greens are excellent sources of folate and magnesium, another calming nutrient.
- Oatmeal. This breakfast staple reduces prompts your brain to make the calming neurotransmitter serotonin.
- Seeds. Chia, sunflower, flax, hemp, sesame-seeds provide magnesium, which is a precursor for serotonin. Research also shows that a magnesium deficiency is associated with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
- Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is more than a comfort food; it can boost serotonin levels, as well as reduce blood pressure and provide a significant amount of antioxidants.
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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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