I wonder what's in there?

Do you find yourself going to the grocery store only to find out when you get home that you already had half the items you just purchased? I keep two magnetic pads on the side of my refrigerator. One is a grocery list. The other is to list all the items in the freezer. When I use something I cross it off and when I grocery shop, I make a new list or add to the existing one. Works great and you don’t ever have to wonder what’s in there. This little hint saves on waste too because you use the food before it ends up pushed to the back and freezer burned.

What the heck is a Feng Shui cure anyway?

They can be many things and the items do not have to be purchased just to be a cure. A cure is an item that is specifically placed to “fix” something that is out of whack or to “call in” something you would like to see in your life. This would include plants, crystals, wind chimes, mirrors, fountains, statues and coins just to name a few. The “cures” are placed with intention and are left there until the “fix” is manifested in your life.

Make that Clutter go away!

In August 2006 I graduated from the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui as a Certified Practitioner trained in Black Sect Tantric Feng Shui. To clarify, this means that my specialty is the ancient Chinese way. Now, a lot of people will argue that this is the “correct” way to practice Feng Shui however, I have been taking classes for the Compass school and find that while it is different it now makes more sense to me. For my writings here though I will generally be discussing and using the Black Sect teachings.


Clutter got you down?

There are many ways to get rid of your clutter but the most important is to stop making more before you even try to clear it out. Here are a few tips that really work for me.

First of all, do not even bring the junk mail into the house. Toss it in the recycling or shred it before it makes it to the desk or table. Also, I have found that if you want to get off some of the mailing lists and they don’t seem to listen, then mail them their stuff back with a nice little note asking to be removed.

Assign a spot for everything and stick to it. Purse, keys, kids backpacks, mittens, shoes whatever it is that you are always searching for in the morning should have a designated place and be in that place before bed at night. Makes for much easier mornings.

Mind clutter is a big deal. Keep a to-do list and use it. Another thing that works for us is to keep a pad and pen in the nightstand and when you wake up thinking about something, write it down and go back to sleep.

Flat surfaces are made specifically for you to fill up, right? Ok, so start there. Walk around your home and see what surfaces collect “stuff” and make that your initial focus. Take nine minutes per day and just get rid of things that are no longer useful but are out in the open that everyone visiting can see. It doesn’t sound like much but you can really get a lot done in nine minutes. Once the initial “flat surfaces” are done then move on to the places that aren’t obvious and stick with the nine minutes per day. In no time at all you will have a clutter free home or office.

Start a bag or box for items that are in good condition but that you no longer wish to keep. This way you will have a head start if you choose to have a yard sale or to donate the items to charity.

Would you like to make changes in your life and you don't know where to start?

Feng Shui (pronounced fung schway) literally means "Wind and Water" and is about creating balance and harmony in your space and your life by enhancing the flow of "Chi". Chi (pronounced chee) basically means energy in English. Good chi is strong and balanced where Poor chi is weak and unbalanced. What we try to accomplish with Feng Shui is finding a good balance between the two. I have studied and am certified in the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui which originated in China and is practiced worldwide today. The practice of Feng Shui has been interpreted in different ways In addition to Black Sect there is Western or Compass Feng Shui, which I am currently studying. There is no right or wrong here, just different ways of thinking which are all based on living the best life that you can.

Just so we are clear here, Feng Shui is not a religion or new age mysticism but more of a common sense approach to decorating, design and living. It is my belief that one can change and / or improve their life, career, relationships and finances with the use and implementation of basic Feng Shui principles.

My focus over the next few weeks will be to post articles about the fundamentals of Feng Shui and to explain the terminology that I will be using in future articles. Some of the information that I plan to cover will include, The Bagua, The Five Elements, Your Front Door, Clearing your Clutter, Selling your Home with Feng Shui, Relationships/Partner/ Romance and Space clearing for starters.

Also, I have started a Feng Shui Basics group at Gather and I would love to have you join us.

fengshuibasics.gather.com

Till next time!

Teresa
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner

I would like you to look at Gather

Have you ever checked out Gather?

Take a minute and see what you have been missing.

http://tabbott.gather.com/joinme.action

Organic or Not?

It’s only Tuesday and I have already seen three articles this week about the importance (or not) of buying and eating organic food. Now, I personally think that organic fruits and vegetables taste better and have more nutrition and I prefer to buy food as whole as I can with minimal or no processing. Living in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the winter however makes that a little more difficult but the variety that stores are stocking seems to get better each year.

The argument appears to be about the increased cost as some people are not willing to pay more for organics.

The way I look at it is we only have one body and I would like to take good care of mine. Another point of view is that the more organic we buy the more signals we send that this is what we want and the more farms there will be. Hopefully that will help to keep costs down.

So get out there and support the organic farms!

Happy Chinese New Year

2009

The Year of the Ox

January 26, 2009 marked the end of the Rat year and the start of an Ox year. If you were born in an Ox year (see chart below) then this could be a great year for you.

The personality traits of an Ox would be that they are hard working, sometimes to the point of being a work-aholic. They are alert, aware, speak very little but are eloquent when they do. People of the Ox sign are dependable, calm, can be stubborn, modest, humble, systematic, logical, possess common sense, very grounded but individualistic. They tend to be eccentric but can usually inspire confidence in others. Ox people make good teachers as they are very patient and tireless. They also tend to be most compatible with Rat, Snake or Rooster people. The Ox is also a sign of prosperity. An Ox will not be extravagant nor will they set new trends. Please understand that this is a general overview and won’t fit everyone.

Chinese Zodiac Chart for the Ox

19 February 1901 - 7 February 1902: Metal Ox
6 February 1913 - 25 January 1914: Water Ox
25 January 1925 - 12 February 1926: Wood Ox
11 February 1937 - 30 January 1938: Fire Ox
29 January 1949 - 16 February 1950: Earth Ox
15 February 1961 - 4 February 1962: Metal Ox
3 February 1973 - 22 January 1974: Water Ox
20 February 1985 - 8 February 1986: Wood Ox
7 February 1997 - 28 January 1998: Fire Ox
26 January 2009 - 14 February 2010: Earth Ox

Whether you are an Ox or not you can make a few Feng Shui changes and have a great 2009.

Till next time.