Feng Shui Homework: Grudges, Begone!

Someone may have done something to you, and then your immediate internal response was, “Oh yeah! I can’t believe he/she did this to me. I’ll show them. I won’t ever talk to them again. I will ignore them!” And that mental chatter would continue as we walk around all day long. It gets even better if there is an item in your space that is connected to that person. So, every time you look at that item, there goes that mental chatter again. I'm sure we all have experienced this at least once in our life, and probably much more often, but we probably won’t admit it.

We may not realize how much holding onto this negative energy, and letting it fester, affects our physical being. To mention just a few end results, continuing to harbor negative thoughts can cause you sleepless, will get you irrigated quite quickly, and will give you cause to lose your patience. Then it can lead to headaches and other pains within the body, and even the occasional twitching. Our days become more tiring, less energetic, and less productive.  And I can continue, but I think you get the idea. In essence, the “I’ll show them” syndrome becomes the “Look what I'm doing to myself” illness.  Yes, grudges can be very expensive as they take their toll on our lives.

Now, I'm not saying that if someone does something unjust or unfair to you that you should just accept it. But you need to decide how much and for how long after the fact will you allow this person’s actions to continue doing the unjust or unfair thing to you. How many times will you let that awful argument replay itself? How many times will you repeatedly play out getting fired? And on and on.

Feng Shui Homework

For March you may want to think about if there are any grudges for which you're footing the bill. These tips may help:

• Take a walk around your space and look at the items around you. Do you resonate with any of them negatively, and does it remind you of someone?
• Based on feng shui prinicples, our hallways represent communication. Check them out to see if they are cluttered or blocked. Cleaning up and making way can help you communicate better with others and with yourself, hence helping clean up any miscommunications you may be dealing with in your life.
• On the flip-side, are your hallways too bare and seem unloved? Is there a place to hang a beautiful picture or affirmation statement? Not tending to our hallways could be a metaphor for us not addressing communication in our lives.

Remember, holding a grudge will only hurt you more, and most of the time the person you have the grudge with doesn't even know it.

Franca is one of the Feng Shui Instructors at Sheffield School, where she is also a Student Advisor; visit her website for more information. If you're interested in learning more about feng shui and interior design, then we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

• Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
• Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Feng Shui Homework: Attend to Details

On February 10, we have the new moon and the Chinese New Year. Welcome to 2013, the year of the Black Snake!

Depending on your own animal sign (click here to find out), the Year of the Snake will treat you differently. However, in general, it offers steady progress and the need to keep attention to the details. Having discipline and keeping focus this year will help you reach your goals.

Here are a few feng shui comments about this new year period.

• In the beginning of the year, you may not feel so grounded, because movement is on its way. It’s OK, just work with it.

• Again, keep your eye on details. Make sure to read all the fine print before signing documents. And keep up with details in your living space.

• Use the Snake’s sneaky energy to work on your behalf. When necessary, look for loopholes.

• Wearing the color black more often through the year, can help honor the Snake.

• If you're doing any construction or renovations around the house, it's best not to start a project in the South East part of your home. If it's must, however, then start work in the North West.

• Take a look at the center of your home and the center of each of your rooms. Keep them clear, organized, and clutter-free - especially for this year.

Your Feng Shui Homework

On the actual day of the New Year, February 10, you may want to wear something red, eat oranges, write down your intentions for the upcoming year, and have fun. So, for your homework this month, I'd like you to enjoy the transition!

Until next month,

Be well, 

Franca

Franca is a Feng Shui Student Advisor and Instructor at Sheffield School; visit her website for more information. If you're interested in learning more about feng shui and interior design, then we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

• Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
• Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

2013 Chinese New Year

(Water Snake)

CHINESE NEW YEAR for 2013 is the Year of the Black Water Snake and lands on the new moon of February 10 in the U.S. The Chinese New Year is a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity and to eliminate negative chi from the past. It is said a snake is silent and still and may lie coiled and motionless for a very long time. But when it is ready, it strikes.

The Year of the Snake is a time of powerful undercurrents and far reaching efforts. At this time, dramatic history-altering events can happen. The last time the year of the snake occurred, the attack on the NY World Trade Center and Pentagon happened. It is likely in 2013 that powerful forces will emerge and some who are repressed will rise up against authority.

Landmark agreements can also occur, like when Nelson Mandela met President Botha, which led to the end of white rule in South Africa. Snake years also favor innovation. It was the year when Apple introduced the Ipod.

The snake year is when DNA was discovered. There will be considerable emphasis on humanitarian and environmental issues. The arts and culture will thrive and major events and exhibitions will make various art forms more accessible.

For the individual, the snake year offers a lot of potential. It favors learning and personal growth and taking up new skills. It is a year of action and many of us will be happy with the actions we take. The Chinese have the saying, “If you have foresight you are blessed, but if you have insight, you are a thousand times blessed.”

Legend of Chinese New Year: The phrase “Kung Hei Fat Choi,” which roughly translates as “blessings for wealth,” is a common greeting for this day in particular. No one is quite sure exactly when or where the Chinese New Year festival originated. Legend has it that once upon a time, there was a monster called Nian that attacked Chinese villages every spring, eating anything that came its way – people, animals, plants and the odd building. One spring, villagers hung red paper on their doors and threw bamboo on a fire when Nian arrived. The monster was so startled by the bright colors and loud crackling noise of the burning bamboo that it turned and fled. Today the word “nian” is the Chinese word for year.

Since that day, Chinese people hang red paper signs and lanterns outside their homes and enjoy making loud noises on New Year’s Eve. Firecrackers replaced bamboo after gunpowder was invented and the main idea today is the louder and bigger, the better.

In the days leading up to the Festival, every household gets a thorough cleanse since sweeping on New Year’s Day itself might sweep away the year’s good fortune. Breaking dishes or using sharp objects is also seen as potentially unlucky. Bad luck, or huigi has a tendency to build up in the corners. Old huigi can really bring down the party. Plus, only when the house is spic and span can the ancestors and deities be properly honored. Three days before the big celebration, families bust out the brooms and dustpans and give their homes a thorough cleaning.

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Feng Shui Homework: New Year, New You

 

Happy New Year to you! I always feel quite in flux this time of the year, because we're in between the calendar New Year and the Chinese New Year that's to arrive in mid-February. And then we also have the stars moving around in the beginning of February. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised if most of us feel very invigorated, and yet at the same time a bit unsettled.

This's definitely a new time with new energy, and we should all take advantage of it. Resolutions should be taken one step further; turn each one into an action plan. We have the entire year to manifest what we want, so we shouldn't be foolish and waste this time.

 

Feng Shui Homework

Here are some assignments to help you get started shifting energy and absorbing the full potential of this New Year.

1. Get rid of three things in your space this month. It could be as simple a book you've been meaning to give away.
2. Get rid of three things in each of your closets. You’ll be amazed how this can start a real purge of closets.
3. Write down no more than five things you'd like to accomplish this year. It's said that if something isn't written down, it doesn't exist. Writing down your ideas will give them birth, and I say no more than five, because if you a make a really long list, it may be harder to focus and accomplish your goals.
4. Next, take your five things and map them out on a calendar. Give them deadlines and action points. This can help you visualize them.
5. Place of symbol of each of your five things near the mirror you first see in the morning. It could be a word that you cut out of a magazine or a picture. For example, if you're looking for work, you may want to post the words, “New Job." Or if you want to visit a place, put a picture of it on or near your mirror. Once again this will help with visualizing your goals.

Don’t expect quick results. But the more emphasis and action your put towards your goals, the better chance you'll have achieving them. 

Until next month,

Be well,

Franca

Franca is one of the Feng Shui instructors at Sheffield School; visit her website for more information. If you're interested in learning more about feng shui and interior design, then we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

• Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
• Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Feng Shui Homework: Let There Be Light

As an unwilling participant of Hurricane Sandy, my family and I were very lucky. We didn't lose our home. We had no major damage. We were only inconvenienced for 9 days without electricity: no lights, no heat, and no hot water. And this experience has strongly reminded me how much I take for granted the power of light. By the third day without light and electricity, I started realizing how dark and cold things can get so quickly.

Light offers heat. It gives warmth. It changes yin (dark) to yang (light). In essence light increases energy. It is a symbol of the element Fire. Fire is a microcosm of the sun and brings that charge of the sun into our space.

If we're lucky enough to have access to light, we can use it to bring uplifting Chi, or life force, into a space. Keep in mind these decorating tips.

• Dark corners can become energized with light.
• A desk with a decent lamp that shines light directly where the work actually occurs is very important.
• Outdoor walkways can become alive with light, and this is a great opportunity to use solar lights.

• If the Recognition and Fame gua of your home (see the bagua chart below) is unusually dark (especially if you're not feeling any recognition at work), keep this area brightly lit, specifically during working hours.
• Consider spotlights wherever possible, because they have an added benefit of raising the Chi upwards compared to a small, low wattage table lamp.

Your Feng Shui Homework

Overall, for the month of November and every month to follow, your homework is to be grateful for light. Use it when you need it. Save it when you can. And be conscious of its many beneficial applications.

Until next month,

Be well, 

Franca

Franca is one of the Feng Shui instructors at Sheffield School; visit her website for more information. If you're interested in learning more about feng shui and interior design, then we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

• Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
• Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.