Feng Shui Your Home

Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Schway) literally translated means 'Wind and Water' and is referred to as the 'Chinese art of placement'.  Feng Shui works with the energy flow of the earth to improve the spaces that we live in and adds balance and harmony to our homes, our offices and businesses.  By placing furniture in certain areas, by using specified colors, shapes and accessories, our lives become more balanced, harmonious and complete.  Actually, Feng Shui is a fairly new concept in our country, however, it is a tradition that has been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years. It has recently been introduced into mainstream America. To put it simply, Feng Shui is learning to live in harmony with our environment.

One of the main principles of Feng Shui is energy, or chi which is the energizing force in our environment.  It is kind of like the molecules of life and, in essence, we could say that Chi = Energy.  This energy flows through our homes and our bodies affecting all areas of our lives.  Career, Wealth, Health, and Relationships are some examples.  When energy is not flowing and moving properly, imbalances can occur.  That is where Feng Shui comes to the rescue to promote the positive flow of energy to balance out surroundings!

Each area of our home represents a certain area of our life.  If an area in our life needs to be improved, we can make adjustments to the corresponding area in our home.  By using specific shapes, colors, and accessories in certain areas we can change the flow of the earth's energy.  This allows us to achieve a more balanced atmosphere and improve our life.  Feng Shui is used worldwide by designers, corporations, executives, architects, movie stars and just regular people like us!

Feng Shui has become popular with the Real Estate industry ' people seek out homes that have good Feng Shui and Realtors have been using some of the concepts to help homes sell faster! The following are some examples of simple improvements that you can make even if you are a Feng Shui beginner.                                                             

THE FRONT DOOR

The front door of your home is the most important area in Feng Shui.  It is the first impression of your home! Keep the pathway free from debris and over-hanging bushes.  The approach to the door should be welcoming and balanced with flowers (weather permitting of course!)In the winter months, place containers with small shrubs with twinkle lights to bring balance and energy to your front door.  Check out the doorbell. Is it cracked? Does it work? Are the numbers on your house visible?  If your address ends with a 3, 8, or 9, place the numbers in an upward pattern.

When is the last time you purchased a new welcome mat? This represents the foundation of your life and brings in opportunity, so make certain that it is the same width as the front door, that it is a good solid material and has no holes in the design.  Most importantly, you should use your front door everyday to open yourself to new energy.  Find a wonderful, metal wind chime then ring it everyday as you enter your front door and watch the improvements take place in your life.

 CLUTTER

Clutter is the number one Feng Shui block.  We want the energy to flow and meander throughout our living space freely and smoothly.  Clutter stops the flow and stagnates the opportunities in our life.  The energy is stuck which means we are stuck. If you have a 'life problem' check to see where you have clutter in your home -  this area may correspond to Career, Wealth, or Relationships (for example)  and when the clutter is cleared the energy balances and the 'problem' disappears also.

One way to start moving energy is by taking 9 items from your closet. Donate them to charity if they are still useful or toss them!  It can be anything from a pair of shoes to a coat or an evening gown.  You may have an item that has not been worn for several years but has fond memories.  By removing this item you create space for new memories and opportunities to enter.

Also, if there is clothing that is too small, don't wait until the scale goes down a few pounds, donate the items to a charity.  It is self defeating to see them in your closet everyday.  Get rid of them and you will lose weight and increase your energy.

If there is clutter in your garage, find a colorful fabric to cover the clutter.  Since the garage is the last area you see as you leave home and the first you see as you   arrive home, garage clutter is a mental drain. A clean and tidy garage will help you feel good about yourself and give you energy, do you see piles of trash or neatly lined shelves as you leave for the day?  Your family's mood upon arriving home will be totally different with a sparkling clean garage!

INTENTION

The most important part of Feng Shui is the intention. Whenever you make a change say to yourself (or out loud) what you are expecting to change. 'I am moving these clothes to make room for new opportunity'  'I am placing this new welcome mat with the intention of increasing wealth and abundance thru my front door' are some examples. Remind yourself every time you see the change that your life and energy are making improvements.

These are but a few ideas, if you have an interest in Feng Shui two good books are: Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston and Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life, by Karen Rauch Carter

If you are interested in professional advice or a consultation you may contact Laurie Pawli with Feng Shui Interiors, she is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who also has a background in design.  lauriepawli@yahoo.com 630-279-8870 or visit her website at www.fsi3.com

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD ENERGY!