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I started out my day today planning to write several articles, what I found myself doing instead was working on my vision seed map. (A vision seed map or treasure map is a homemade collage of images, phrases and photos that compile a vision of you and your desire or goal.)
I made my first vision seed map in 1997, it consisted of an assortment of images representing my favorite things positioned in accordance with the feng shui Bagua Map. Each year I found that I added images to my map; sometimes covering previous images with new and other times expanding my map by adding additional space.
A few years ago I decided that I was going to make ‘the worlds biggest’ vision seed map. I covered the sliding closet doors in my office with cork and transferred my existing map onto the new space. Everyday you could find me sitting transfixed or busy adding new bits to my ever-expanding view of myself! 
And an interesting thing happened.
Just as soon as ‘the worlds biggest’ vision seed map was complete I took it down. I didn’t plan to, it just seemed like it was time. On reflection, I think the purpose of the ‘worlds biggest’ vision seed map wasn’t in the finished product, the purpose; the meaning was in the journey.
I know, I know, we’ve all heard and probably said what you’re thinking now, “it isn’t the destination, it’s the journey”, and it’s true. As I built my map, my view, my vision of my path crystallized and became clear to me and at that point it was time to make a change.
And to make a change, I had to make space. And that meant taking the ‘world’s biggest’ vision seed map down.
As I took down my map I found that most of the images no longer had the same meaning, it felt as though their time with me was past. Remember when I said that I made my first map in 1997? Well, my new map was a compilation of all my previous vision seed maps and new images, so to find myself no longer wanting or needing the images and pieces of maps I’d had for so long came as a surprise to me.
But now, I get it. To fully move forward and embrace who I was meant to be and what I was meant to do I had to let go of what went before.
As I released each image, each piece of the past, I felt renewed and inspired confident in my new vision of myself and my work. In letting go, I opened completely to the opportunity of the future.
What changed? I did. My perspective evolved, I changed how I think about who I am and what I do. And in the process my path took a turn.
Embracing the future!
Which way did I turn? Forward of course!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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Last week hurricane and gale force winds and rain raged through much of Eastern Seaboard. For many it was a disaster, ancient trees were toppled, homes were damaged by falling trees or flooded by rain. It was an incredible sight to see and experience. And now that the clean up is well under way, it’s an opportunity to begin again; time for a new start, a new look and a new direction.
What can feng shui do to help? Feng shui can help create the feeling, the atmosphere you desire in your home, in your yard and in your life. Feng shui is about balance. Balance in our living environments and balance in our lives. And at times like this balance is what we all need.
For your yard – clear out all storm debris, trim broken branches and shrubs, cut down broken or damaged trees and then before you begin replanting, gift your land with a healing ceremony. This doesn’t have to be complicated, a simple moment of silent gratitude while focusing on your intention for your home is enough to begin the healing process. And if you’d like to make it more of a ceremony, consider adding a sprinkle of sparkling spring water charged by the power of the sun to support adaptability, fluidity and a new beginning.
For those of you that have suffered flooding and water damage, doing a ceremony that incorporates water may seem counter-intuitive. It’s not, water is the source of all life, of abundance and holds the cleansing power of new beginnings – exactly what’s needed now. (Water charged by the sun combines the transformative power of fire, the spark of life, and the nourishing and healing power of water.)
This is also the perfect time to incorporate a feng shui assessment of your property, making improvements to the landscape and yard visually as well as energetically. As stewards of the land on which we live it is up to us to help our land heal – on all levels, and that begins with our thoughts and how we ‘feel’ about our living spaces.
For your home – if you had damage, clear out any items that were ruined or broken. And then, before you rearrange or purchase new items, incorporate the power of a feng shui consultation and space clearing into the process! Create a home that embraces you with a sense of comfort, welcome, style and inspiration. It’s more than how it looks, it’s how it feels!
Paint your walls a fresh new color; pastel, bold or mid-tone, anything new will add a sense of vitality to your home. Arrange your furniture in a different way, move things from one room to another, mix it up, have fun! Simple changes like this will go far in helping you release the stress of the situation.
We’ve all heard the saying, “Every cloud has a silver living.” Ever wonder what that saying means? It means that after hardship, after a challenge, there is always opportunity. True, it may be difficult to see opportunity when we are caught up in the drama of the situation, but opportunity is always there. We just have to look for it. Incorporating feng shui can help in the process. Getting you and your home back to balance quicker and with greater ease.
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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There are some things about all of our homes that are pretty much the same; we all have a bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom or sleeping area, closets, and a living room or family room. Each of these rooms helps us organize our lives while serving a specific function. But something’s missing.
What’s missing from this picture and from many of our lives? Sacred space.
As author Denise Linn states, “A home is more than a place to lay your head and seek comfort from the elements…your home can be a place of renewal and hope. It can be a sanctuary within which you can retreat and recharge during the changing times, an oasis of peace amidst turmoil. Homes can be places of healing and regeneration.”
Sacred space is space that embraces and nurtures your soul sacred space is space that’s dedicated to what you need to be true to who you are. Sacred space is safe space. Safe to be who you are.
Sacred space is unique for each of us for some it may be a space dedicated to crafts, or writing, or reading, or meditating or simply a space to have a quiet cup of tea. The function of your sacred space should be whatever it is that makes it sacred to you.
This is the space where you are free to paint the walls a luscious raspberry, goldenrod, orange or deep midnight blue. This is the space where you can tile the walls with seashells or sprinkle them with glitter. This is the space where your imagination and spirit unite – creating a spark of creativity, a welcoming embrace, a personal paradise and an oasis of peace.
“Perchance the time will come when every house even will have not only its sleeping rooms, and dining room, and talking room or parlor, but its thinking room also, and the architects will put it into their plans. Let it be furnished and ornamented with whatever conduces to serious and creative thought.”
– Henry David Thoreau
How can you create sacred space in your home or apartment? Begin by selecting a room or section of a room to dedicate as your sacred space. Clear everything from this space and view it with a fresh outlook, see it as it is, an opportunity for your creative spirit to soar.
Ask yourself-
- What does my sacred space look like? What color are the walls?
- What type of furnishings are in t he space?
- What type of lighting is in the space?
- What is the purpose or function of this space?
- What does this space smell like? Does the soft fragrance of flowers or spicy scent of incense fill the air?
Once the vision of your space is complete, begin to create it. As you create do so with the intention of using it. Sacred space isn’t a space that’s meant to languish unused and unappreciated. Sacred space is space to embrace, space to experience, space to feel, space to create. Sacred space is space to just be. And the only way to be is to be you.
Create your sacred space today!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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For those of you familiar with my blog posts and other articles I’ve written, you’ve heard me talk about a Feng Shui Lifestyle™ or living a lifestyle with the principles of feng shui. A Feng Shui Lifestyle™ is a lot about inner work and inner work is about coming to an understanding and acceptance of who we are, what we are and our circumstances. It’s about embracing who we are and living life to the fullest every minute, good, bad or otherwise. It’s about embracing life right now not waiting for someday in the future – embracing and experiencing joy and satisfaction today.
My oldest dog Gaby, who’s almost 9, recently began experiencing seizures ranging from mild to grand mal. It became so bad that we could no longer take our daily walks. This was a major change in our daily routine, the girls and I loved our daily walks and I could see that this change was making Gaby unhappy. But unhappy or not, I didn’t want to risk another seizure, so walks were out.
Then one day, while in New York City, I was inspired. I would buy Gaby a dog stroller! Yes, a dog stroller and then we’d all be able to continue our daily walks! You can imagine how excited I was. I immediately set about looking for a stroller for her but found that the ones available in our local stores where for smaller dogs. So I went online and found the perfect stroller and since Gaby is not a ‘pink’ kinda girl, pink was, of course, the perfect color to choose! (I love the humor and contradiction of the color choice!)
Several weeks later, after returning home from work, I went out to get the mail and there was Gaby’s new stroller! It had arrived! I was so excited I assembled it immediately. And then we were off on our first walk in almost a month!
Gaby in her new stroller
As you can see, she’s cozy and happy as can be!
What’s this story got to do with a Feng Shui Lifestyle? Everything. Gaby’s health changed and our lives changed with it. Instead of being angry or resentful of the changes, we wasted no time with, ‘why me’, ‘why now’, ‘what does this mean’ and instead moved to acceptance. And from a place of acceptance we were able to see a new path, a new way of living and being, one that followed the flow instead of fighting it. And following the flow is what a Feng Shui Lifestyle™ is all about.
P.S. Gaby also takes medication to stabilize and control her seizures, I am happy to say that she has been seizure free since making her Feng Shui Lifestyle™ changes and beginning the medication.
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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Have you heard that bathrooms are negative or bad energy? Not sure? The questions below deal with common Feng Shui bathroom recommendations.
- Do you rush around making sure all your drains are covered and toilet seats are down?
- Do you insist on keeping the doors to your bathrooms closed?
- Do your friends think your behavior is a little extreme? OK, I’m just kidding around on that one!
If you’re aware of Feng Shui, then you have also undoubtedly heard something about bathrooms being ‘energy drains’. And I agree, if your bathroom is either an outhouse or a simple hole in the ground. But, if your bathroom is situated in your home (a true modern convenience and for me a necessity), and it’s clean, well appointed and uncluttered than most likely it isn’t an energy drain.
Bathrooms are not havens of bad or malevolent energy. Their purpose is to provide a space that allows us to clean and take care of ourselves. I, for one, am a big proponent of indoor plumbing and all it entails! I think bathrooms are a great asset and enhancement to the quality of our lives.
In fact, in addition to serving our basic needs, most modern day bathrooms also provide us with a place to relax, restore and replenish ourselves – whether that’s in the shower or luxuriating in a nice and relaxing bath. And anything that relaxes, restores and replenishes us fall under the Feng Shui enhancement category, not the negative energy category.
Bathrooms have come along way and the energy associated with them thousands of years ago simply doesn’t align with the reality of our bathrooms today.
A bathroom, like any other room in your home should be clean, well lit, and organized. And it should be a place that welcomes you with warmth and comfort; a place that provides balance while accommodating your needs.
My Feng Shui advice for today’s bathrooms?
- Balance the elements. (In Feng Shui there are 5 Elements, water, wood, earth, metal and fire.)
- Enhance the Bagua area the bathroom is in.
- Make it a place that welcomes and nurtures you. (you shouldn’t cringe at the sight of your bathroom.)
- If your bathroom faces into a main room it’s best to keep the door closed as the bathroom is a private space.
- And, just to be safe, keep the toilet lid down, The toilet is after-all a drain!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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I was reading a recent issue of Real Simple magazine and found this statistic -
83% - The percentage of human-resource managers who say the appearance of an employee’s workspace
affects their perception of her skill level and professionalism.
Apparently reality is guided by perception and if that’s the case then our perception of our living and working spaces directly impacts the quality of our lives, or our reality. You are strongly influenced by the spaces you inhabit – so much so the impression of others is also affected.
If you don’t like your reality, change your surroundings!
You guessed it; this is where Feng Shui enters the picture. When we incorporate the principles of Feng Shui into our living and working spaces we create spaces that not only look good but spaces that feel good as well. And when a space truly feels good, it is supportive of us, whether that support is for our goals and dreams or for a good impression from our co-workers.
Top 5 Feng Shui tips for your living and working spaces
- Arrange your furnishings so that you are in the power or command position. This means that you have the support of a solid wall behind you and full view of the room in front of you.
- Eliminate clutter.
- Bring in a plant or two to improve the air quality and remove toxins.
- Increase the amount of light through the use of additional light fixtures and lamps or open the curtains! Light energizes and activates a space.
- Have a view of something inspiring. This can be a picture, a beautiful piece of art, a plant, or the view out a window. What you see is less important than how it makes you feel…find something inspiring to motivate and energize you.
These five simple steps are a great way to begin the Feng Shui Lifestyle™ process. For more tips, recommendations and articles, visit http://www.examiner.com/feng-shui-lifestyle-in-national. It’s up to you what impression your space makes on others and whether or not it supports you and your desires. You can change your reality simply by changing your spaces!
What are you waiting for?
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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Several months ago I was giving a lecture on marketing and one of the members of the audience asked me a great question. I’d like to share that question and my answer with you.
Q- How do you stay inspired in your business through the ups and downs?
A- I stay focused on what I want to achieve and I set aside time to achieve it.
I may spend that time in a class, a workshop or training, I may spend that time reading a book, attending a networking meeting or simply taking a walk. As long as the time I’m spending is focused on moving me forward in my work and life I know that I’m making progress, and that inspires me!
The single biggest piece of advice I can give you is to believe in yourself and the work you are doing.
3 Powerful Steps to Inspire You-
- Every day for the next 30 days, begin your workday by writing down everything that you love about what you do. Include all positive aspects of your job. (It’s OK if you repeat things from day to day). Don’t write or think about anything that isn’t going the way you want it, write only about what’s working and what it will be like as it continues to work and grow for you.
- Know what you do best, what will produce the greatest reward, the greatest quality and quantity of business, then do what you must to get more time to do it! Knowing the best uses of your energy is much more important than trying harder or working longer. To get better results, you don’t have to do anything essentially different from what you’re already doing at the moment. You just have to do more of what you’re already doing that works fantastically well – and STOP doing those things that don’t improve the quality and quantity of your business.
- Get proactive. What work do you have outstanding-right now? What’s stopping you from completing it? Get organized, get focused and get busy! Contact that customer, write that outline, keep your eye on the big picture. Don’t get sidetracked and let your day take charge of you. You are the master of your thoughts. Are they serving you?
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t? either way you are right.” ~Henry Ford
The point is, you can only achieve what you believe you can achieve. So, whether business is good or not so good, to stay inspired you have to stay focused, and keep learning and growing.
Inspiration and change go hand in hand. Otherwise, inspiration is just a good idea. And a good idea is only that unless you take action and get proactive.
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE?
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Can you lose weight with Feng Shui?
Yes and no.
We all want to lose weight, some of us do it the old fashioned way by exercising more and watching what we eat, others want a quicker easier way to lose weight or at least something that can help them achieve greater weight loss success.
While there is no quick, effortless way to lose weight, feng shui can support your efforts at weight loss.
How to lose weight with feng shui-
- Clear clutter. When we have clutter our space is literally blocked, energy or chi cannot move freely. This is a similar dynamic to excess weight. When we carry excess weight our energy is limited, we can’t move as easily, our bodies ability to function optimally is blocked. Our inner world is mirrored and reflected in our outer world, making the connection is where Feng Shui comes into play.
- Reposition the furnishings in your rooms to create ease of movement and flow. This step is about removing excess in your living environment.
- Release anything that’s broken, anything that you don’t use or anything that you don’t love. Keeping things around that aren’t useful or beautiful takes up space and drains your energy. (Think of it as symbolic fat – it doesn’t have a purpose and it takes up space.)
- Organize, organize, organize. Start with your bedroom closet and organize your clothing, shoes and accessories so everything is easy to find and has its own space. As you complete a space, move onto to another. Do this is phases, perhaps over several months so you don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. When our things are organized, we can find things easier and that saves us time, saves us money and makes our life easier.
- Take care of your health, change your eating habits and eliminate foods that are highly processed, high in sugars and high in saturated fats.
- Start a simple exercise routine. Even a short, 5 minute daily walk will make a bit difference in how you feel both physically and mentally. Give yourself permission to start wherever you’re at.
- Get plenty of sleep. Your body needs downtime to rejuvenate and restore itself. A good nights rest is important.
- Picture yourself, as you’d like to be, in both your minds eye and in the way you speak about yourself…. act as if the weight is already gone. Imagine it as if it is already so. This is a powerful way to shift your perception of yourself. And let’s face it, our perception of our self either supports what we desire or it doesn’t. You can’t achieve something you don’t believe it. So begin to see yourself as you’d like to be and before you know it, that’s exactly what your reality will become!
Losing weight requires changes in our life patterns and in our living patterns. One is not separate from the other. If losing weight is one of your goals, start the process today and tomorrow will be easier!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
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Q= I read that ceiling fans are poison arrows, (what is that?), and shouldn’t be used.
A= Ceiling fans are sometimes thought to be poison arrows or cutting Chi due to the slicing action of the blades.
Cutting or arrow chi refers to sharp objects or items that appear to point directly at you – picture someone holding a knife directly at you – uncomfortable feeling and unsafe. Arrow chi creates the same level of energetic disruption.
Like most situations, there is more than one factor to evaluate.
1. Is the fan secure? (no wobbling)
2. Is it used?
3. Do you like it?
4. Is it needed?
When viewing an object with Feng Shui eyes, it’s important to consider all aspects, not just the obvious. The purpose of a fan is to move air to create greater comfort in the room it is in. Ideally a fan should be positioned away from a bed. Fans are big and heavy and having something big and heavy directly overhead can create a sense of concern, a feeling of being unsafe. Comfort and safety are basic Feng Shui principles.
So my opinion, as long as you love the style of the fan, it doesn’t wobble, creak or feel unsafe, it’s lovely to look at and you’re comforted by it when it’s on – it enhances the space it’s in. And enhancing the space you live in is exactly what good Feng Shui is supposed to do!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE?
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This week’s blog post is in question and answer format.
Q= Is there a ‘proper’ place to put pet beds and litter boxes that will optimize feng shui?
A= Great question! Our pets are important members of our family and should be treated as such.
Dogs are pack animals and are happiest when they are with the other ‘pack’ members. A dog bed in your living or family room placed where they can see the rest of the family and are out of the path of traffic is ideal. You might also consider a second bed in one of the bedrooms where your dog can be with a family member at night.
As long as the dog bed/s are kept clean and out of the way they’re a good Feng Shui thing! A happy pet is a source of vibrant, positive energy!
A litter box is a wonderful thing, like a personal bathroom it serves an important purpose and helps keep things contained (always good in these situations!) Keep your litter box in a location that is out of the way, a laundry room, a spare bathroom, a quiet corner in the family room - all locations can work as long as the litter box is kept clean, and the area around it is clean.
A great way to enhance this area while de-emphasizing the litter box itself is to incorporate a floor screen and place the litter box behind it. Or get one of the litter boxes with a domed lid, this provides your cat with a sense of privacy and it keeps the box and its contents out of site. Anything that makes our life easier and more beautiful is good Feng Shui. Keep it clean, keep it tidy and out of the way!
© 2011 Harmony Life®, LLC by Laurie Bornstein
Feng Shui Lifestyle™ articles, tips and conversation http://www.fengshuilifeandstyle.com
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include the copyright and link above.
