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Feng Shui to the Rescue Ezine
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From My Feng Shui Window
You Gotta Stop Watering Dead Plants
I wish I had come up with that line, but it's not mine. I borrowed it from my Feng Shui colleague in Denver, Tanya Jahnke, who posted it on her Feng Shui for the Om Facebook page. Tanya's post resonated with me because I'm seeing a lot of variations of that sentiment these days. Sometimes, clients refer to their actions as "beating a dead horse" or "hitting my head against a brick wall," or even "trying to push water uphill." I could go on with more clichés, but you get the idea.
Lately, many of the inquiries I receive are wrapped around this theme of feeling powerless and out of control in the face of chaos. As Tanya writes in her post, "Whenever we find ourselves feeding negative thoughts, toxic connections, useless worry...we get drained. With Feng Shui we can shore up these energ
y leaks and instantly improve the quality of your life." The kinds of things we Feng Shui practitioners typically recommend to restore balance go well beyond giving up on those dead plants. They include getting rid of the
annoyances that seem like little things but actually pull down your energy in important ways. Some of my favorites include fixing doors that stick or don't open completely (blocked opportunities), replacing burnt out light bulbs (low energy), and repairing leaks (draining wealth). I've included 9 of my favorite ways to stop the energy drain as the lead article this month.
But for the longest time, I've been looking for another way to share advice for distancing yourself from negativity in order to achieve inner peace.
That's why I've teamed up with my colleague Nancy Olson to create a new workshop, "Modern Copi
n
g Skills for Women," that will help you harness the power of art, personal energy, and Feng Shui to find inner ca
lm in a chaotic world. I'm especially exciting about the beautiful and healing location we've picked, because it will help me teach about creating your own "home sanctuary." That's a personal space where you can be free from chaos. I mentioned the workshop in las
t month's issue, and registrations are already coming in. So this month, I'm including the official announcement of the June 30 date. Look for your personal invitation to follow and another email.
Happy April. I hope you got a big tax refund and you're spending at least a small part of it treating yourself to something that helps you relax, unwind, and let go of stress.
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
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Feng Shui For All Seasons
Feng Shui Tip for April: 9 Ways to Grow Your Wealth
Whether you paid too much to the IRS, got a smaller refund than you expected, or vowed to keep more of what you earn next year, it's natural to focus on wealth after you pay taxes in April. Here are nine of my favorite Feng Shui tips for attracting and growing wealth and mastering your money. Yes, my list starts with clearing your clutter - doesn't it always?
- Clear Your Clutter. You've heard me say it before - in Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. Try this Feng Shui challenge: clear out the junk drawer, the messy hall closet, or the garage, then step back and watch the opportunities flow into your life to fill the space you've made for them.
- Clean Your Front Door. The front door is the "mouth of chi" where all wealth enters your home. If your door is dirty or faded, your ability to attract wealth into your home will be diminished. Dust and clean your door frequently, stain or repaint if needed, or replace it if it's too far gone to repair.
- Clean Your Windows. Windows are considered the "eyes" of your home, and dirty windows represent cloudy vision. When you clean your windows, you bring clear vision of present and future opportunities back into your life.
- Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs. Light bulbs last longer these days, but they do still burn out. If your rooms are dim, your financial future will be dim too. When you replace burned-out bulbs, you symbolically brighten your possibilities.
- Tighten Knobs and Door Handles. If your door handles and knobs are loose, in Feng Shui terms it means you can't get a grip on your money and finances. Tighten knobs and handles and replace broken ones, and you will strengthen your financial future.
- Replace Dead Plants. Dead plants represent dead energy, so replace them with healthy living plants to symbolically grow your wealth. Avoid Bonsai or other miniature plants since they represent stunted growth. If your plants always die, display high-quality silk plants instead.
- Fill Gaps. Whether it's cracks in your walls, broken shingles on your roof, or gaps in the fence around your property, when you have a place where energy can escape it represents wealth leaving your home. Money spent on making these repairs will be returned many times over.
- Clean Your Mirrors. If your mirrors are hazy, it symbolized not being able to see your finances clearly. However, when you clean your mirrors on a regular basis, they reflect a clear image, and clear insight into your future opportunities.
- Fix Drips and Leaks. Water is associated with wealth in Feng Shui, so leaking water means you are losing your wealth. When you stop the leak, you also stop the drain on your finances.
Read more.
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Clutter Clinic
5-Minute Desk Clutter Clearing
A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.
--Eleanor Roosevelt
What does the top of your desk look like right now? Is it so organized that you can quickly find whatever you need, or is it a chaotic mess? Can you even find a place to work at your desk? Whether you work in a corner suite, an open-plan, or a home office, when you give a little attention to the Feng Shui aspects of your desktop, you help assure that your career will flow smoothly. This is especially important when there's so much "stuff" on your desk that you feel overwhelmed rather than motivated.
Try these
"5 For 5" tips throughout the day. Work five minutes at a time until your desk is clear again:
- Take 5 minutes to: get rid of any objects that are driving you nuts, like drippy pens and markers, the mechanical pencil that always breaks when you try to write with it, the outdated cartoons and jokes on your bulletin board that no longer make you laugh. What are you saving these things for?
- Take 5 minutes to: file or scan excess paperwork that's stacked on your desk, like bills, receipts, or client folders. Get rid of anything you really don't need to save.
- Take 5 minutes to: Look in your "to keep" or "save" folder and decide whether you really need all that stuff, and throw away hard copies or delete as much as you can electronically.
- Take 5 minutes to: review the stack of business cards on your desk, decide which you need to keep, then enter or scan in the information to your address book and toss the cards.
- Take 5 minutes to: put away specific tools and equipment you needed for today only, then set out the tools you need for tomorrow's agenda.
Read more.
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Success Story
Brianna Makes Room for Mr. Right
The first thing Briana talked about when I arrived for her home consultation was how she was ready to meet the right guy, and the first thing I noticed was that her closets were so overloaded, there was no room for his clothes. When I asked what she was holding on to, she admitted she had trouble getting rid of things from past boyfriends. She pulled down a box of costume jewelry from her bedroom closet that included things like a bracelet from a high school boyfriend. I explained to Briana that in order to make room for a new relationship, she needed to get rid of everything she was holding on to from all those "Mr. Wrongs," to make room for the one "Mr. Right."
Here's what Briana wrote:
Your message came through loud and clear. I started with the dreaded master bedroom closet. I couldn't believe what I found there, like a tee shirt some guy had given me when we played on the same softball team at my old office, photos with guys I hardly remember, and some more pieces of jewelry where the sentimental meaning was long gone. I took no prisoners...the jewelry went to my little niece for dress up and the rest of the stuff went out. You guessed it, not long after I finished the bedroom closet I met this really great guy at a party in my apartment complex. Not sure why I hadn't noticed him before; maybe everything was just too cluttered for him to find me.
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Ask the Feng Shui Maven
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Q: My daughters sleep in bunk beds, but my younger one doesn't like sleeping in the bottom bunk. Is there anything I can do to help her feel more comfortable?
A: Is it possible to replace the bunk beds with a trundle arrangement, where one bed pulls out from under the other at night? This would be the best Feng Shui adjustment. If not, the classic cure is to place a mirror facing up under the top bunk (that is, when your daughter is in bed facing up, she sees the back of a mirror). This will symbolically push the top bunk up and away. But, since I worry about the mirror falling, my more modern Feng Shui adaptation is to paste those glow-in-the-dark star and moon shapes to the underside of the top bunk. Or, drape fabric from the underside of the to bunk to create a tent-like feeling and cover up the slats from the overhead bunk.
Q: I have started to telecommute from my home office 3 days a week. My home office desk is much smaller than in my other office. Is that OK?
Thanks!
A:
Ideally, you would have the same size desk in both locations to symbolize the equal importance of the work you do in both places. What's more important is to have the right size desk for wherever you do your work. A desk that's too small makes you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, while a desk that's too big makes you feel you aren't up to the challenge of your job. Like Goldilocks, you need to find the desk size that's "just right."
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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, an
d
transform your life. I offer on-site consulting for home or office and business. My off-site consulting options include phone and Skype consultations, floor plan analysis, and the popular Room Rescue, designed for one room of you
r
home or a single office.
All sessions include 30 days of free Feng Shui coaching by phone and email to help you continue to make changes and move forward.
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
ANNOUNCING
"Modern Coping Skills for Women Workshop"
Using art, personal energy, and Feng Shui to find inner calm in a chaotic world.
LOOKING FOR CALM IN A CHAOTIC WORLD? THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!
Registration is open for the "Modern Coping Skills for Women Workshop," Saturday, June 30, 9:15am - 3:00pm, at the Sunrise Springs Wellness Spa in Santa Fe, NM.
Feng Shui Master Practitioner Carol Olmstead and Clinical Mental Health Counselor Nancy Olson will help you distance yourself from negativity, clear mental clutter, and achieve inner peace - all in a beautiful, healing setting. The workshop includes an opportunity for gourmet lunch at the Blue Heron Restaurant and spa appointments.
... Identify your own "energy vampires"
... Distance yourself from negativity
... Reinvigorate your coping skills
... Use the support of friends & community
... Experience art as healing
... Create a Feng Shui home sanctuary
... Enjoy the power of place as relaxation
... Thrive despite troubled times
... Develop a positive world view
... Find guilt-free self-care strategies
People Are Talking About Carol's Workshop
s:
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 who couldn't 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
That was super workshop this morning - and YOU were my favorite speaker on the panel. You are such a natural speaker. --BT
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Feng Shui Media
Books, Videos, Classes, Podcasts
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! When I read it at home, I read a bit and then start scouting for places in our little loft that I can declutter!
--SE
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
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. 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 opens the door to 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
Making Art Reduces Stress
Whether you're Van Gogh or a stick-figure sketcher, a Drexel University study found that making art for as little as 45 minutes can significantly reduce stress-related hormones. Although the researchers, from Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions, believed that past experience in creating art might amplify the activity's stress-reducing effects, their study found that everyone benefitted equally.
For this study, 39 adults, ranging from 18- to 59-years-old, were invited to participate in 45 minutes of art-making. Cortisol levels were taken before and after the art-making period. the higher a person's cortisol level, the more stressed a person is likely to be. Available materials included markers and paper, modeling clay, and collage materials. There were no directions given, and every participant could choose any of the materials to create any work of art. An art therapist was present during the activity to help. Of those who took part in the study, just under half reported they had limited experience in making art.
The researchers found that cortisol levels were lowered in 75% of the participants during their 45 minutes of making art. While there was some variation in how much cortisol levels lowered, there was no correlation between past art experiences and lower levels.
"It was very relaxing," said one participant. "After about five minutes, I felt less anxious. I was able to obsess less about things that I had not done or needed to get done. Doing art allowed me to put things into perspective."
Going into the study, the researchers believed the type of art materials used by participants might affect cortisol levels. They thought the less-structured mediums, like using clay or drawing with markers, would result in lower cortisol levels than the structured like making a collage. That, however, was not supported by the results. Rather, it was the power of making any kind of art that reduced stress.
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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.
©2018, Carol M. Olmstead
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA
Feng Shui For Real Life, LLC
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