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New Living Communities Reflect Changing Lifestyles

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

CA Neighborhood

Will Suburbia Be A Thing of the Past?

There are some exciting shifts going on in the housing industry that reflect our growing social consciousness to create smaller footprints, develop environmentally responsible communities, and connect with other people. Pocket neighborhoods are one example of this. They are clusters of smaller homes connected via common walkways rather than streets. Designed to encourage contact with your neighbors while still retaining the privacy of a stand alone home, they are a very nice option for people in various stages of life, particularly Baby Boomers. They can be located anywhere … in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

In addition to the social connections, an added benefit is that many of the new homes are  being built according to “green” standards. They are energy efficient and incorporate universal design. Some projects are also using healthy building standards and omitting materials with toxic chemicals. Wouldn’t a nice side benefit be a healthier population living in such neighborhoods? Time will tell.

Read Sally Abrahms’ article Share Common Ground in the May 2012 AARP Bulletin, learn about neighborhoods designed by Ross Chapin Architects in WA, or take a look at the book Pocket Neighborhoods.

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Filed Under: Consciousness, Green Home, Health, Healthy Buildings, Transformation, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Remodel Your Space – Remodel Your Self

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Recontruction projectDo you realize that when you remodel your space, you also remodel yourself?

Your space mirrors your deep, inner self. When you make changes to your home, your workspace or even your landscape, at some level you are shifting as well. The shift can be a conscious change. It can also be a result of the changes you make to your space.

One factor I have noted about remodeling projects over the years is that they always seem to introduce some chaos or unanticipated disruption. If you are reconstructing your home or workspace or you have plans to remodel in the near future, planning ahead for the unexpected may save you a lot of angst. Proper remodeling involves a lot of planning, deconstruction and clearing out, prior to re-building. Personal change follows similar patterns.

Hurricane Bob blew in as we added a family room 21 years ago. Reflecting back, we began by adding a screened porch. When the project was done we had a new four season room and it’s where we spend the most time in our house. I learned to go with the flow.

Two year later we renovated our kitchen. This was an extensive eight week project that helped me to learn how to hold people accountable. The day our “seamless” kitchen counters were installed, I arrived home and immediately spotted the two seams. The counter was cut incorrectly and the pattern did not blend in. I quietly stood my ground and our kitchen contractor did the right thing. The counter was replaced at no additional cost to us.

Ten years ago we renovated our front entrance. It was recessed and dark. We pushed it forward, added sidelights to the door and remodeled the foyer. Since we told our carpenter that he could do the work as he had time available, it occurred over a six week period. Chaos and confusion crept into our lives. One day I realized it was connected to the front entrance. That made a big difference. As I acknowledged this, things settled down. New granite steps at our main and kitchen entrances provided a firm foundation for moving forward. Even our UPS carrier mentioned what a nice change they were!

Part of the front entrance project involved laying a wood floor in our foyer. We selected an installer who did excellent work for us previously. This time around something was “off.” My husband and I both noticed it. The contractor was angry about the many turns and corners he had to incorporate into the job. I cleared the space after he left. Imbedded anger at our front door was not something we wanted.

These are just a few examples of renovations we have made in our home and simultaneous events or circumstances we noticed. Depending on the extent of the changes you are making, disruption is often a part of the process. If something is not going the way you anticipated, reflect on what’s happening and see how it ties to your life. Rather than get annoyed, use the process to generate positive change. Is there something you can learn? Will the change bring better results? How does the renovation correlate to the feng shui bagua? Are you experiencing similar life changes?

Remodeling is a journey. One that often reflects your life in unanticipated ways.

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Thumbs Up: VT Smart Meter Opt-Out

May 14, 2012 By 2 Comments

Elster A3 ALPHA type A30 single-phase kWh smar...Thumbs up to the Vermont Legislature for sending a bill to the governor allowing consumers to opt-out of a smart meter installation at homes and businesses at no cost to the consumer, at least until additional information is evaluated.

One of the controversies about smart meters is their impact on the health of people living and working in close proximity to the meter. I wrote about this in an earlier blog. Some people who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) report adverse health symptoms after the meters are installed.

In CA, consumers pay $75 to opt-out plus $10 a month. Such a premium unfairly targets vulnerable populations: those who are ill as well as those who have no disposable income. ME, NV and OR also allow opt-outs. VT is the only state so far to allow opt outs free of charge.

If these meters are here for the long run, objectively measuring their impact on our biological health is vital. If adverse changes to our health or biology emerge, then companies have a responsibility to change the product. It’s a simple as that. Installing the product with people who are willing to try it while also gathering objective data is a sensible way to go.

There’s a lot of controversy about whether or not the electromagnetic frequency emitted from our many products impacts our health or not. It’s time to find out. The VT decision is a good start.

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A Mother’s Day Reflection

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pink Tulips

Pink Tulips, NYBG, photo by Jack Donahue

Mother’s Day provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the Relationship area of your space. From a feng shui perspective, this area is associated “Mother.” It is the most yin and the most feminine sector of the bagua. It is located in the back right corner of your space … your yard, your house, your rooms, your business. In popular terminology, this sector is also called Love and Marriage, or Partnership. This area is about building and developing relationships. It is also about unconditional love and forgiveness.

In the I Ching, the Mother trigram is called The Receptive. It represents the energy of the earth –which is comforting, caring and nurturing. Earth corresponds to things that receive … such as a big open heart, open fields and pastures, open arms, heavy and comforting furniture that sits close to the floor, and pillows and cushions. Earth energy is a supporting and transforming energy. It is also a stabilizing force. Earth gives as well as receives. Earth unifies and joins things together.

If you are a mother or you “mother” others, put yourself first. Mothers are so used to giving to others that it may seem selfish to receive for oneself. Cultivating an ability to receive, however, is a key component of nurturing others. If you give and give without taking time to replenish yourself, you deplete your energy and get run down. This Mother’s Day do at least one special thing to nurture your inner soul or to make yourself feel great.

If you are holding onto grudges or resentment in any area of your life, release them. The story doesn’t matter. This type of energy holds you back and the only one you hurt is yourself. Forgive yourself and everyone associated with the issue. As you release constricted energy, your life opens to endless possibility.

When Earth energy is in balance, you feel grounded, supportive and safe. You may also feel very comfortable and protective, but not over-protective. People feel comfortable with you and comfortable confiding in you. People gravitate to you.

Too much earth energy contributes to feeling stifled and smothered, or “over-mothered.” Your thinking may be muddy and you may worry constantly. You might be afraid of doing things wrong, so you take no action at all. If you are feeling stifled, try wearing something white, pastel or even metallic colors. Gold or silver jewelry also works well. While doing so, envision yourself clear-headed and grounded.

If earth energy is deficient, you may find yourself so worried about survival that you lack the ability to explore emotions and spirit. You may have trouble with building and maintaining relationships or you may cling and hold onto people and relationships too tightly. If you are feeling low in spirit, passion and energy, add some red, pink or even yellow. These colors will help perk you up. The reds and pinks will bring in more passion and yellow supports communications.

To enhance your relationship with your mother or as a mother, pay particular attention to back right corner of your space.  Make sure that this area is well maintained and free of debris. Clear out non-essentials and refresh the space.

Here are 9 tips to strengthen the energy of the Relationship area:

1)      Remove anything you don’t use or love.

2)      Keep all plumbing, electric, windows and doors in excellent working order.

3)      Place a pair of something in this area that brings you joy.

4)      Place a picture of a happy relationship in this area.

5)      Place something red, pink or yellow in this area.

6)      Write an affirmation about Relationship just as if it is happening now.

7)      Move 27 things in this area that haven’t been moved in a year.

8)      Place a vase of fresh, colorful flowers here.

9)      Light a pair of candles.

This Mother’s Day, slow down, nurture yourself first, and open to receiving all that life brings.

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68 Seconds of Pure Thought: Powerful!

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Focusing your thoughts for 68 “pure” seconds is a powerful way to align your energy with whatever you want. Although it takes some practice … because our thoughts are often contradictory or lack focus … I find that visualizing the essence of the end result and holding the image in your mind’s eye, rather than how something will happen, works best. Focus on how you will feel when whatever you are asking for shows up or happens.

This Abraham-Hicks video nicely summarizes the power of this technique. When you hold a pure, non-contradictory thought for at least 17 seconds, a similar thought matches it and acts like combustion. Esther Hicks says this equates to 2,000 action hours. Another 17 second increment (or 34 seconds of pure thought) boosts the results ten times, resulting in the equivalent of 20,000 action hours. Holding your thought for 68 seconds equates to 2 million action hours.

Play with the concept. Suspend any disbelief you have and try to hold your focus on some thing or situation you’d love to manifest, for at least 17 seconds. Then continue the process each day until you see a shift. Be open to things coming to you in ways you don’t even anticipate. If you are looking specifically for one thing or situation, you may miss it if it comes to you another way.

I’d love to hear about any results or comments you have.

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Feng Shui, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility

May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

green living

Conscious Choices Help Raise the Chi of Our Communities

What is the connection of feng shui to the sustainability and social responsibility movement? The choices we make every day.

Feng shui relates to the quality of chi (energy) in our living and working environments. Everything we bring into our spaces contains chi. Beneficial chi feels good and helps to create healthy, supportive, and nurturing environments.

Each of us can make conscious choices every day to select products and services that contribute to our health and well-being that also support a healthy planet. Our choices range from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear and products we purchase, to the furniture and decor in our homes and workplaces, to the products we use to clean and maintain our environments, to the cars we drive, to the way we care for our gardens and landscapes, and the list goes on.

More and more people and companies are joining this movement. For some it is a conscious choice and their life’s mission. Others are shifting their practices to protect or enhance their bottom line. Consumer choice drives demand. You can become a conscious consumer by purchasing from suppliers and companies that you believe in vs. those that are merely convenient or low cost.

When you purchase locally you support your community, strengthen small business, and  reduce waste and resources that go into packaging, shipping, and travel. When you purchase products that were produced responsibly, you are supporting people and companies who have chosen to make a difference by doing the right thing. Such choices raise your chi and that of your family, your home, your community, and those you support.

Be selective about your job and the work you do. If you don’t agree with the work you are doing or the choices your employer makes, choose different employment. Although this is easier said than done, if you set an intention and focus on a positive outcome, it will happen. If you feel strapped or that you have no choice, you’ll continue to be part of the problem.

The outer world is a reflection of your inner self. You contribute to the larger scope of things via your choices … your actions (purchases) as well as your thoughts, words, beliefs, and feelings.

Feng shui encompasses all of this. It is the quality of chi that moves through our spaces and therefore our lives. As we make more conscious choices, the chi within our bodies, families, homes, workplaces, communities … and all the way around our planet, will continue to rise and will thrive.

The steps that each one of us take add up and contribute to the whole. Big changes that have been  underway for sometime are gaining momentum. An amazing number of new and exciting products and services are being responsibly produced, in a variety of markets. I’ll be featuring many of these in a new blog: Work For the Common Good. It’s coming soon.

I’d love to hear from you about this topic. Submit any recommendations you have in the “comments” section below for people, products, and companies that you would like to see featured.

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Filed Under: Consciousness, Feng Shui, Social Responsibility, Uncategorized, Work That Matters Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Activate Creative Thinking at Work

April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Steep Stairs at the Entrance Can Indicate an Uphill Climb Every Day!

Do you realize that you can tap into the energy of your environment to facilitate creative thinking and problem solving at work? You can.

From a feng shui perspective, the front left sector of every space relates to the energy of Knowledge, Wisdom and Personal Growth. In a work setting, this area relates to knowing what to do, training employees, coming up with creative solutions, and solving problems. “Every space” means your entire work setting, each room in your workplace, and the land itself.

The front left sector or corner is an ideal location for a meditation space. Providing employees space for reflection and quiet time can be a very effective investment. Other uses include Research and Development, Training and Education, Market Research, and a reference library. This does not mean that other uses of this space will not work. Other uses can work very well as long as the energy is vibrant and flowing smoothly.

If you would like to activate creative thinking or re-energize problem solving in your business, check the condition of this area. Make sure that doors, windows, plumbing an electric are in excellent working order. Remove paper piles, clutter, blockages, and dead or dying plants. Notice the energy of the art, pictures, or images on the walls. What messages do they send about your business? Is there a more effective message that you would like to display or publicize?

If your main entrance is located on the left front side, it falls within the Knowledge and Wisdom gua. Make sure that you have a clear path to the front door and that it is in excellent working condition. Check the lights and bell or buzzer.

You can re-energize and/or balance the energy of the Knowledge area using the colors blue, green and black. Introducing some earth (yellow, brown) or fire (red) tones, along with square or triangular shapes can also be helpful. A square black welcome mat could be an effective addition for main doors in this area.

When working with the energy of your environment, a small change can go a long way. What is most important is that each area feels great and stimulates the activity that occurs there. When in doubt, take some pictures and study them. You often see things in photos that you miss when you walk by in person. Often after 30 days in a space we tune out and stop seeing piles of clutter and areas of low or stuck energy. Someone new to the space may notice them right away though.

May is an excellent month to refresh this area and re-energize your creative thinking and problem solving abilities or those of your workplace.

Filed Under: Articles, Bagua, Business, Clutter Clearing, Feng Shui, Work Tagged With: , , , ,

Cultivating Wisdom: The Knowledge Gua

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

20100225-marston-house-010-2

Create a spot for contemplation.

The feng shui bagua correlates your life issues to your space. When divided into a grid of 9 sectors, the front left corner is known as the Knowledge gua. It relates to the energy of contemplation, self-cultivation and wisdom. It’s about introspection, knowing the right thing to do, and being in touch with your deep inner, spiritual self.  The space can be your land, your house, your office or workspace, or any room at home or work. It can also be your desktop, your car or wherever you are. How does this part of your home look and feel? What room is located here? How is it used and what shape is it in? Are you aware of any particular patterns that are encoded here?

The front left is an ideal area for a study, library, sitting room or office. Family rooms and bedrooms are great here too. Gardens and meditation spaces provide wonderful support for this area outside. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, closets and storage areas located in this area may require some balancing. If this area is blocked or missing from your space altogether, adjust the knowledge corner of every room throughout your house, particularly the master bedroom.

The Knowledge gua relates to the Mountain trigram in the I Ching. Years ago sages and wisdom seekers would go to “the mountain” to clear their heads and become enlightened. Using the system of the Five Elements, this area is relates to Earth energy. You can strengthen the subtle energy of this space using blue (also some black and green), heavy, grounding furniture, square shapes, mountain pictures or images of churches, temples, holy sites or a symbol of stillness.

As you set clear intentions, cultivate a light attitude and go easy on yourself. Notice what comes up for you and what you see within your home or workspace. Your space mirrors your inner self. How do the patterns reflect your life?

Clear away clutter and enhance the the front left corner of your space if you:

  • Want to tap into your intuition
  • Would like to develop your spirituality
  • Desire more to connect with your deep, inner self
  • Would like to develop or strengthen a meditation practice
  • Want to become more heart-based or heart-centered
  • Are clearing out inner clutter or emotional turmoil
  • Have low back pain
  • Are experiencing problems with your hands, back or shoulders
  • Don’t know what to do or often feel scattered
  • Feel disconnected from your self, family or friends
  • Feel that you have no empty space
  • Do not know how to be yourself
  • Don’t know who you really are
  • Need more self care

The Knowledge gua works in unison with its diagonal opposite (back right corner), the Relationship and Partnership gua. I’ll write about that area in a separate post.

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Stunning Video: The Life of Flowers

April 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This video of the Life of Flowers is stunning! Set to beautiful music, it is like watching a choreographed dance as each flower unfolds via time-lapse photography. The personality and vitality of each flower emerges through color, shape, and movement. Flowers bring good chi to any environment. As you watch this, you may gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the natural world.

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Tapping Growth Potential in Business

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Purple Enhances Prosperity.

According to the feng shui bagua, the back left of every space relates to the energy of wealth and abundance. This is a particularly important area, as it energetically relates to power and influence.

The condition of the space as well as who occupies the space has a significant impact on the success of the business. It is an ideal location for the CEO or top executive. It is also a very good place to locate the Accounting office or any person or team related to money, payroll, or bonuses.

Pay attention to who sits in this area. Observe relationships and the level of influence the person or team has on the business. Sometimes the most powerful person is not the most important.

Balance or energize the back left sector (when divided into a grid of 9 ) of your business or office to:

  • Grow, increase sales and profits, expand market share
  • Strengthen banking relationships
  • Be more philanthropic or community driven

Take a look at this quick checklist for enhancing spaces.

If you have time, energize the prosperity area of your business prior to the April 21 new moon while setting an intention for growth or abundance. Then notice what shifts, beginning about two weeks later, with the May 5 full moon. New moon energy is about planting seeds of intention. Full moon energy is about the culmination of seeds previously planted. If you are a bit skeptical, suspend your disbelief, take action, and see what happens.

I’d love to hear about any adjustments you make and what you notice as a result.

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Filed Under: Articles, Bagua, Business, Career, Clutter Clearing, Feng Shui, Uncategorized, Work Tagged With: , , ,
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