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Feng Shui to the Rescue Ezine
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From My Feng Shui Window
Tulip Power
I want to start off with a big "Thank You" to everyone who registered for my upcoming
Modern Copin
g Skills for Women workshop on June 30. Tickets went so quickly, there are only 2 seats left as I write this. Wow, we certainly hit the right chord. In order to make sure everyone pays the same price, we've extended the Early Bird discount. Don't delay, register at bit.ly/ModernCopingSkills.
If you're looking for strategies to help you find calm in our chaotic world, this workshop is for you!
The workshop will be on the grounds of a beautiful resort, and that has me thinking about how wonderful it feels to spend more time outdoors after a cold early spring. Last weekend, I went to a neighborhood tulip festival and took dozens of photos. Tulips are my favorites, and I just couldn't stop. The blooms don't last very long so I want to appreciate as many of them as I can while they're here.
With tulips, it's all about the amazing
color variations. Thinking about that led me to write about spring flowers for this issue.
What's your
favorite flower? The color, shape, and fragrance of flowers all have Feng Shui meaning
ac
cording to the Five Elements they represent (i. e., Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, or Wood). Whether we realize it or not, most of us
choose flowers that activate the area of our life that needs a little bit of pumping up.
Remember how I'm always reminding you that you are what you see? Well, that's not restricted to artw
ork and objects you display in your home. Flowers play a big part as well. In addition to the relationship
to the Five Elements, when you display flowers, you connect with the outside world - the essence of Feng Shui.
Flowers are a big part of the May holiday of Mother's Day, which is why I guess prices for them always skyrocket this month. Such a shame, because it keeps people from filling their homes and workplac
es with the beauty and the language of fresh flowers.
Happy May and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I hope your month is filled with an endless supply of flowers.
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
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Feng Shui For All Seasons
Feng Shui Tip for May: The Language of Flowers
What's your favorite flower, and how does it speak to you in Feng Shui terms? The stronger your connection to the shape, color, texture, aroma, or meaning of a flower, the more powerful it can be as a personal Feng Shui symbol. You can also choose to surround yourself with flowers based on the Feng Shui meaning of their colors. For example,
red flowers represent passion and emotion;
orange, warmth and conversation;
yellow, truth and friendship;
green, growth and renewal;
blue, clarity and relaxation;
purple, spirituality and faith; and
white, innocence
and strength. It's preferable to
surround yourself with fresh, living flowers, but when that's not possible, display artwork that shows flowers, decorate with floral fabrics, or choose high quality silk flowers.
Here are a few of the more common Feng Shui flower symbols and the best
bagua area for them:
Peonies symbolize attracting love or restoring a relationship. Display a pair of pink peonies in your bedroom or Love Area.
Orchids symbolize the search for spiritual growth and purity in life, and are also a fertility symbol. Place an orchid in the Helpful People Area.
Tulips symbolize the perfection of love. Display a pair of tulips in the Love/Relationship Area.
Narcissus symbolizes the flowering of talents and abilities and career success. Display a white narcissus in the Career Area to get rewarded for hard work.
Chrysanthemums symbolize a balanced and easy life. Display mums in the Grounding Area at the center of your home to attract good luck.
Cherry, Dogwood, Peach Blossoms symbolize freshness and new beginnings. Display flowering blooms in the Health Area to assure well-being.
Lotus symbolizes perfection and healing. Display a lotus flower image in the Knowledge Area to assure a healthy and harmonious home.
Hydrangeas symbolize gratitude and enlightenment. Display these in the Creativity Area, and give them as a gift to an unsung hero.
Anemones symbolize warding off illness. Display them in the Health Area.
Lilacs symbolize humility and patience. Display bunches of them in the Helpful People Area.
Roses symbolize different things according to their color: red for love, yellow for friendship, white for purity, pink for admiration. When you display roses, match their color with the specific bagua area attributes you want to activate.
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Clutter Clinic
Tough Questions for Your Things
Erin Doland, founder of the Unclutterer blog, describes herself as being unattached to physical objects, and consequently, she makes conscience decisions when bringing new things into her home. She wants each object to exist in her space for a reason, and she spends time planning what to bring in and what she'll eventually let stay. "If I bring a non-essential item into my home," Doland says, "it ultimately will become clutter, and I am more interested in keeping a clutter-free lifestyle than one full of knickknacks and pointless objects." Erin's suggestions may be too minimalist for many of us, but they can act as guidelines for deciding what to keep and what to bring into our stuff-filled houses.
Questions for New Acquisitions:
1. Do I have something like this already that fulfills the same purpose?
2. If I own something like this, am I ready to get rid of the older item it will replace?
3. Will this item make my life easier/save me time/save me money/fulfill an essential need?
4. Where will this object live in our house?
5. Is this the best price, quality, and condition for the item?
6. Do I need to do more research about this object before I purchase it and bring it into my home?
7. If this is a perishable item like food, when will I use it and what will I do if I don't use all of it?
8. Does this item help me develop the remarkable life that I want to live?
Questions for Items Already in My Home:
1. Do I have something else like this that fulfills the same purpose?
2. If this is a duplicate, which item is in the best condition, and which will last the longest?
3. Is this item is in disrepair and does it need to be replaced or fixed?
3. Does this item make my life easier/save me time/save me money/fulfill an essential need?
4. Why does this object live in our house and is this the best place for this object?
5. Do I need to do more research to know if this is the best object to fulfill its essential need?
6. If this is a perishable item, has its expiration date passed?
7. Does this item help me develop the remarkable life that I want to live?
Read more.
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Success Story
Julianna's Missing Love Area
I did an off-site Skype consultation for a client I'll call Julianna, and when I saw from her video that her home was missing the Love/Marriage sector, it explained why she had been experiencing challenges in her love life since moving into the house. I suggested she correct for the missing area to bring the love back into her life, as well as make a few other changes.
Here's what Julianna wrote:
I've made many Feng Shui mistakes in the past and then I found your brilliant website,
which gives great examples of how to balance my home and not go overboard. As you suggested
after our consultation, I went outside and found the point where the walls of the home would come together if it were a complete rectangle. Then I marked that spot by placing a garden ornamen
t
at this point to symbolically anchor the house and return the
missing love area into my
house. I found a
lovely, inexpensive sculpture that had two beautiful birds. Now, here's the funny part - I found that I had left a ratty old chair sitting out there on its own right near that point. What a message I was sending, that my house was not ready for love. So, of course I got rid of that lonely chair. I also painted the adjacent walls inside my
house a lovely red color, and as you suggested I took down the art that felt lonely. I'm looking for a couple of new pieces that feel more romantic and paired. Soon, my home will be ready for love to find me.
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Ask the Feng Shui Maven
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Q: I'm getting ready to do some spring planting around my house, and I need to replace some bushes near the front door that we lost in a deep freeze, and a tree in the front yard that died. Anything I should avoid?
A: Avoid planting prickly plants with thorns and spikes near your front door because they "repel" visitors and positive energy. That means avoiding cactus and even roses because of their thorns. For the tree, avoid anything that has downward falling leaves, such as the weeping willow, because it can look sad.
Q: I'm in a mood to re-arrange furniture in our bedroom, which is a real challenge because of the number of windows and doors. I want to put the head of the bed where it would be under a window. Could I permanently enclose the window by filling the space with a fitted piece of Styrofoam covered with cloth and then hang a curtain in front of it? Would that be a considered a real cure, or am I just doomed to keep the bed in the same location?
A:
Having many windows and doors is certainly a bedroom challenge, because ideally you want to place the head of the bed against a solid wall. Your suggestion for filling the window with fabric-covered Styrofoam is fine, but you would be losing the natural daylight. Instead, choose window treatments that give a lot of privacy and protection, and then be sure to close them each night. For example, wood shutters, woven blinds, or lined drapes would would work to make you feel more grounded and secure when sleeping in a bed in front of windows.
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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
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED
ONLY 2 SEATS LEFT!
"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!
Modern Coping Skills for Women Workshop Saturday, June 30
9:15am - 3:00pm,
Sunrise Springs Wellness Spa
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.
Discount hotel reservations are available.
... 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
Health Benefits of Doing Puzzles
Do you want a fun way to elevate your mood, reduce stress, and prevent dementia? Research shows that doing crosswords puzzles provide benefits for your mental and physical well being.
1. Improve Your Mood.
The satisfaction of completing a crossword puzzle causes your brain to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel pleasure and bliss. Dopamine is often released as you're working towards a goal, with a final burst when you finish the puzzle. Top of FormBottom of Form
2. Lower Your Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's.
Mental stimulation has been proven to help prevent age-related neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. A study at the University of California Berkeley found the more someone engages in mentally demanding activities, including doing crosswords, the less buildup they have in their brains of certain toxic proteins that can lead to diseases like Alzheimer's. Another study found that the mental stimulation provided by leisure activities like crossword puzzles may also delay the onset of dementia
3. Enhance Your Verbal Skills.
The mental task of putting words together in a crossword puzzle can also help your language skills. An
Irish study looked at a group of university students who did one simple crossword puzzle per day for four weeks. They noticeably improved their verbal communication skills compared to those who did not do any puzzles.
4. Reduce Stress.
Crosswords hep take your mind off everyday worries for a while. They provide excellent "alone time" where you can safely decompress and unwind. Research shows that intellectually demanding activities like crossword puzzles or chess may be more effective for reducing anxiety than supposedly-relaxing activities like watching TV or shopping.
5. Make a Great Social Activity.
Crossword puzzles don't always have to be a solitary pursuit. Studies show that working in a team on puzzles can improve your speed of thinking and talking. You can also strengthen your collaboration and dispute resolution skills.
As an added bonus, everyone will get the same health benefits while creating happy memories together.
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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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