Tag Archives: self care

How To Manifest Peace

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“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster’, I hear my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing there are so many helpers–so many caring people in the world.”
– Mr. Rogers

The tragedies that have pierced the heart of the world were such a force that I had to step back these past several weeks to think deeply how Feng Shui may empower us to create a world that is safe. The story we tell this time of year is about peace, goodwill towards all. I asked myself, “How do we maintain a peaceful coexistence throughout the year?” “Build it into the world!” whispered in my ear.

It is through H. H. ‘Professor’ Lin Yun rich legacy of Feng Shui and dharma teachings that I am able to share this wisdom with you. I have selected six Feng Shui precepts that I believe will help us to help each other live under an umbrella of peace. At the least may they be a foundation to harmonize our hearts and mend strained relations and not just the United States, but around the world too. Because when we show we care, we feel safe.

Solidarity In a sense right now we are all vulnerable. Professor Lin said planting bamboo will help vulnerable areas. Bamboo is an uprising force. It provides support. It can drive away negative forces and has the power to suppress evil Ch’i over time. Bamboo is hollow and soft inside, these characteristics symbolizes humility. When you plant bamboo, you add that quality to your own nature. You create solidarity and help your neighbors, near and far, when you place bamboo or the imagery of bamboo in your home and/or plant bamboo on your property. It will wrap its long limbs of peace and safety around you.

Safety New homes that consume an entire lot are on the rise in major and mid-sized cities. They create pressure among neighbors. Everyone feels the narrow space and tight fit. Like a pressure cooker that has to release steam an adjustment to your home can deflect a crisis before it happens. Plant greenery, especially plants with colorful flowers in your lot, both front and back yard. The colors release the pressure of being crowded. It is also vital we maintain our city parks and not let them be sold to developers. Stay up to date on city policy and stay closely connected to your neighborhood associations.

Stillness Take time to be still and shake off negativity by meditating. Start with chanting. The Sanskrit chant, Om mani padme hum, has been practiced all around the world for thousands of years. As you chant and meditate you may realize you have all the power, clarity and the omniscience of the Buddha. If you do not ascribe to the Buddha, then place your focus on God or your higher power. As you practice meditating you unify your inner being, your heart comes into coherence. You let go of divisiveness and inner conflict which is the pathway to peace.

Softness His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama has often expressed that feeling warm-hearted allows him to smile and be happy even in the company of strangers. Being kind and nice towards others creates an atmosphere  for them to be kind in return. A smile works wonders in a potentially unfamiliar situation. When you can help another person feel at ease neither you or they feel alone. Your lives become much easier. Practice kindness, sympathy and generosity daily.

Simple beauty A son and father interviewed after the Bataclan attack. The son is fearful the gunmen may return and he wants to leave. His father speaks calmly to him and says, “They may have guns but we have flowers.” The son feels reassured comforted and a look of peace washes over his face. 

In 2007, Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D. of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital and her research team investigated the effects of flowers in the home. Flowers foster compassion. Participants noted that they felt influenced by flowers emotionally, causing them to feel kindness and more compassion for others. Looking at flowers first thing in the morning, particularly in the kitchen, dissipates anxiety and feelings of depression. Having flowers at home can have a positive carry-over impact on your mood at work too. They energize your time at work.

In the Chinese culture flowers served as a significant vehicle of communication. They convey epic messages that express powerful positive emotions. A peony, the national flower, stands tall and symbolizes prosperity, happiness and peace. Plum blossoms, the harbinger of spring, represent firmness and solidity. The lotus whispers, that which may not be sullied. Chrysanthemums brave the frost to bloom in a vast array of colors. The narcissus is known as ‘the fairy over ripples’. They speak of the correct way of living, indicating being clean and healthy. If you want a flower’s quality to support your endeavor, display a picture purchase flowers and usher in the force they represent. For those suffering from acid reflux Professor Lin shared The Flower Cure.

Self Care If you are suffering from stress or depression caused by the tragedies or you can’t quite put your finger on what the stress is but you feel pressure, make an adjustment in Helpful People. It could be the house, office, bedroom, or any Helpful People gua. If you need more strength, place three cures, one in each of three places. If you live in an apartment, one could be the home, bedroom, and desk. If you live in a home with property, you can adjust the bedroom, house and lot.

Have questions about your home? Minimize stress by designing it with vitality and beauty with Feng Shui A La Carte.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

 

Right Brain Approach To Clear Clutter

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5 Self Care Tips That Move Your Stuff

“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.”
– Barbara Hemphill

If clutter is overwhelming you and you can’t see a way to move forward; if your anxiety has pushed your limits because you think your home should be free of stuff; if your self esteem has dropped to the point where you can’t pull yourself out of your mess, breathe and find your balance again with right brain nourishment that clears clutter. 

Clutter is a consequence of unconscious emotions. When they settle in your mind they migrate to your desk, overflow in your kitchen and fill up your garage. If you’ve worked with an organizer and still mess invades your home, it’s time to first let go of the shame of what you cannot control and then change how you think about your stuff.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that left brain organization is the only solution to clear clutter. This isn’t about taking twenty bins, a friend and a weekend to sort, cull, cry and deny. There are any one of underlying causes: a traumatic event, shift in brain chemistry, nostalgia for the past or a difficult family history. These may trigger confusion, anger, anxiety, self loathing and blame and your life begins to lack lightheartedness. But there is hope, the  key is awareness. Begin with these five self care tips to mentally release and rebalance your Ch’i because ultimately life is about connecting to your birthright of joy, pleasure, freedom and balance. 

• Nourish your brain. Need an immediate solution to overwhelm? Using both hands, place all ten fingers on your scalp and tap 108 times. Nine is the vibration of completion. You are pulling excess energy (cul-de-sac thoughts) from your brain and releasing it outside of your head. Notice the space you feel in and around your brain and the clarity you will feel.

• Lighten your mind. To create a smooth process of clearing closets, drawers, the basement and garage, clear worry and anxiety from your mind. Go to bed and in the drowsy state, just before falling asleep, direct a visualization to your right brain. Replace worry with a positive vision of what you look forward to–a trip, a funny movie–lighten your mind. Then see the things you love but have difficulty letting go find their way into boxes and binds, perhaps going to a friend or neighbor whom you know would be excited to receive them. You will wake up with an energized mental attitude and be able to face any problems presented to you. Do this over a period of nine nights to see results. 

• Seek your level of balance. It’s hard to sort through your things with an unclear mind. During the day stress and clutter accumulate in your energy. Before you can adequately address your messy room, your mind needs to be clear. Take an orange peel bath. Cut nine circles from the skin of an orange and wash your entire body, even your head. Orange fruit is auspicious. Its clarifying essence removes worry and uplifts your Ch’i helping you to balance to focus and clear clutter.

• Overcome self loathing. Place a mirror on the wall at the head of the bed. It will allow you to sees all the possibilities for a resolution with your problems related to clear clutter. Set it with this intention and you will have 120% results.

• Lift your vitality. You live in the residue of yesterday’s thought. When you feel conflict or want to avoid making a decision, hold your hands left over right, thumbs together and palms up over your dan’tien (at the level of your navel). Take in a deep breath in through your mouth and visualize universal light, positive Ch’i and good luck enter and circulate throughout your body and all your cells. Exhale in eight short puffs with the last one, ninth, expelling all the negative Ch’i, bad luck and obstacles. Repeat nine times. Hold your intention while you perform the procedure and if you know the six true words, chant those nine times. Afterwards pick up an a possession and ask yourself do I want to clear clutter? 

Right brain solutions help you find the right balance. Feel successful when you release habitual thinking. You can perform each tip solo or as a morning ritual with all five. Smoothing your Ch’i frees your mind of heavy emotions and thoughts that keep you stuck. They empower you to clear clutter with focus and confidence. 

Allow me to help you arrange your home where you feel fully supported. I am available for a full consultation service or for an hour telephone conversation. Details are at this link Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

Lost In Space, A Split Down The Center Creates A Rift In A Woman’s Heart.

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Danger Will Robinson Danger!

My sister and I would laugh at Lost in Space, B9 Robot, his mechanical arms flailing out of control. Though this silly computer from the future may have had dangerous aliens to contend with, we did not. We were safe in our home. Fast forward to 2013, a friend is struggling, overwhelmed by demands, feeling insecure if she says no to the volume of responsibility at work, she is afraid she will lose her job. Her aliens are demons from her past–an abusive home, an absent parent, shipped off to foster homes. There was no B9 to protect her. She doesn’t feel safe. To mask her fear she takes on responsibility for everyone and everything. Her need to control is ruining two of her closest relationships–her health and her peace of mind. As women we live with this issue everyday. How do we balance responsibility and self care?

In western culture there is no cultural programming that speaks about the effect our home has on our psyche. But if you inquire into a health crisis, a partnership failing, a prosperity blockage or a career stall will start a conversation quickly. Talk therapy works yet a problem can still exist. So my friends, family and clients come with questions, could there be something to Feng Shui?

Yes! The body knows what is going on even when the mind is skeptical. For this particular friend, she has a split stairway aka Mandarin Duck stairway: one set of stairs go up to the main floor while the other set goes down to the basement.  When I see this I feel I should wave my arms and warn “Danger Will Robinson”! It creates a brain that moves too quickly for the body. The left and right hemispheres are stimulated unevenly and begin to lack alignment. One may think more and act less, or one may act more and think less. This type of split is a major split. The lives of people unravel. It creates separation between partners, it can tear families apart, and affect a person’s mental health. Finances fluctuate wildly, a couple can’t see eye to eye, children may grapple and health remains unstable. The family may experience an onset of fatigued and confusion. There may be no joining of the hearts. Emotions are charged then exhausted, over and again, depleting the adrenals.

The cure for a split at the front door is to bring the eyes into focus on one object at the entrance. The adjustment enables the brain to bridge the two hemispheres and it eliminates angry words. The eyes, now focused, calm the brain and this allows for a strong connection eighteen inches down to the heart. With the emotions quelled, self care can more easily take root and it is possible to address all life situations with clarity and peace.

The beautiful art work was created by Michele Dodds

One thing I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my class and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.