Feng Shui Guidlines for Storage Spaces

Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such as shelves above doors and in corners, hooks on the backs of doors, and peg-board or tools and small appliances. They are masters at maximizing every square inch of a closet with bins, baskets, shelf dividers, and multiple hanging rods. What they don't realize is that, from a feng shui perspective, these techniques can cause as many problems as they solve.

For good feng shui, it's important to leave some of your storage space unused, for doors to open all the way, and to aim for visual simplicity. As you work toward achieving the organizer's dream of a place for everything and everything in its place, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Spaces that are completely full block the flow of "chi" (vital energy) into your home and your life. Full file drawers block the flow of new business; full bookcases block the flow of new information and knowledge; a full bedroom closet can block your ability to attract a new relationship, and so on. Wherever possible, keep 20-25% of your storage areas available for new ideas, relationships, and opportunities to flow your way.
• Storage units hung from the ceiling create oppressive energy that presses down on whatever is underneath them. Anything stored overhead can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and overwhelm. A pot rack hanging over the stove is considered especially bad because it "weighs down" your finances.

• Shelves over a door, or on a wall beside your bed or desk have a similar oppressive effect, and can lead to headaches, poor sleep, lack of energy, or muddled thinking.
• A hook on the back of the bathroom door is fine if all you hang on it is a summer-weight robe and PJs. If the hook is piled with three terry robes and a few extra towels, so the door no longer opens all the way, that's a feng shui no-no. Never use hooks on the back of the main door to your home or on bedroom doors; it is essential that these doors open freely and completely, with nothing stored behind them. (That means removing anything stored on the floor behind the door as well.)
• Vinyl-coated wire shelves on the inside of a door can be a good way to keep lots of small items tidy; however, they should only be used on closet, cabinet, or pantry doors.
• Avoid under-bed storage if you can. If you must use this space, use it for extra bedding and for soft, seasonal clothing such as sweaters. Never store any kind of sharp objects, information (books, videos or DVDs, paperwork), or exercise equipment under the bed; you may have trouble sleeping or feel exhausted no matter how much rest you get.
• As much as possible, store things where they are accessible but out of sight. Peg board and open shelving create visual clutter, so limit these to the garage, workroom, or pantry where they won't affect the energy of the rest of the house.
• Be thoughtful about how much stuff you display in a room. Filling the den with knick-knack shelves so hubby can have his entire collection of sports memorabilia on display creates visual overwhelm. From a feng shui perspective, it's better to invest in closed storage such as drawers and cabinets and have only a few treasures on display at a time. Change the selection every three to six months, and with each rotation you'll rediscover old favorites. By displaying fewer items at a time, you'll actually enjoy and appreciate your collection more.
• Another common problem is family photos and snapshots scattered lavishly throughout every room and wall in the house. Select a dozen of the best ones, frame them attractively, and create a mini-gallery on one wall in one room or hallway. Store the rest or put them in albums. (Okay, okay, you can stick a few on the fridge, too!)
• Aesthetics are as important as functionality in feng shui. Keeping earrings and small jewelry in an ice-cube tray or egg carton works, but it's cheap-looking, cheap-feeling, and will drag your energy down every time you use it. It's okay to be budget-conscious, but appearance counts, too. A small plastic storage box is more attractive than an ice-cube tray and you can get one at your local discount, craft, or housewares store for less than three dollars. They even come in pretty colors so you can choose one to match your bedroom dcor.

With these easy guidelines in mind, you can choose storage solutions that will keep your space tidy and create good feng shui in your home. For even better results, remember to get rid of clutter before you put things away. Why waste time and money finding clever storage solutions for stuff you can do without?

STEPHANIE ROBERTS is a feng shui consultant and writer in Maui, HI. She is the author of the popular "Fast Feng Shui" book series and the "Clutter Free Forever!" Home Coaching Program. For more tips and information, visit her websites at http://www.fastfengshui.com and http://www.clutterfreeforever.com.

Grandma was RIGHT! Learning to Forgive witih Feng Shui

Letting go of the old to allow the new in is a major principle in Feng Shui. Why then, when we are hurt by another?s actions do we find it so hard to forgive? We are taught to ?Go With the Flow? knowing that whatever is happening in our present is in our best interests, even though it may seem far from it at the time and it is often too difficult to see how such a negative force could ever have any good outcome.

It is in the very act of letting go and releasing that hurt and energy that we carry around that which nourishes us, in the long run. If you take the perspective that it is far better for YOU to learn to let go of pain we feel others have caused us you may find it easier. Through Maya Angelou we know that when we KNOW better, we DO better. A simple sentence with a lot of impact.

Without making excuses for the other person?s actions as a way to forgive them, just assume they didn?t know any better. Remember, our perception of any event or action is always different from another person?s perspective. It has always been impossible and quite often a waste of precious Energy to get someone to see things in a different light. We are the ones, then, that need to change our thoughts over the incident to release it and feel better, mentally and physically. It is a difficult concept, yet if I look back in my life to my own past hurts and disappointments perceived by another person?s actions, I can see that eventually GOOD came from it. In ways that I never would have expected.

Perhaps it is because it caused us to change our course of direction, spurred us on to take actions or do things we wouldn?t previously have done. Perhaps it is the theory that really is a universal law, that ?What goes around, comes around? and we need do nothing harmful or revengeful to another with that law so firmly in place. It is only in changing OUR way of thinking, our perceptions of the situation and realizing that as difficult as it may seem at the moment to see any good possibly occurring from it, somehow learning to just know it on a different level will help us reach the state we need to heal ourselves.

Illness in our own bodies is a buildup of negative and blocked energy. When we can learn to take just the few positive things that come from any negative situation or to ?see the silver lining? as my Grandmother used to say, we are only helping ourselves to deal and cope and thereby not allowing a buildup of this precious Energy escape us through ill health. According to Chinese principles, we are only born with a certain amount of Energy and when that energy is used is when we pass to another place. They firmly believe that the only way to replace and restore this energy is through the ancient art of Tai Chi.

Unfortunately, not many of us practice Tai Chi (have you noticed how old some of those people that are faithfully in the Parks actually are?) Our alternative, then, would be to truly learn to let go and release old hurts, pain and disappointments for ourselves, to free ourselves and keep ourselves well. And believe that when these people do know better, they will do better.

And to see the silver lining in any situation. Grandma was right, after all.

Feng Shui Expert

By: Carole Provenzale

Feng Shui Long Island

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

FengShuiLI@aol.com

Feng Shui To Greater Luck In This New Year

There are at least six ways to learn Feng Shui Luck. First you must learn and understand the very basics and essentials of Feng Shui. This can help you to apply the remedies and enhancements that will help you to enhance your good fortune and eliminate or at least restrain bad luck.

Secondly you should essentially prepare for the coming New Year. Every new year every person on earth has two opportunities to start anew- the Western New Year of January 1st and on the Chinese New Year upon when on the first New Moon of the arrives. This will give all of us a chance to clean up and clear out our houses, get our goals and priorities in order, and make the most of our homes, summer cottages and offices.

Next consider the ?blessing tree?. Tibetans often make prayer flags that hang in the wind or windows to release their prayers to the heavens. You can do this with a tree in your yard or a plant in your window. Purchase a good amount of gold or red ribbons. Then write your wishes for the coming New Year on the ribbons and then tie them to the branches of your ?blessing tree?.

It should be understood that by writing down your goals and wishes that the greatest chance will occur that your wishes and dreams will come to fruition. Let the winds and eddies of currents of the wind carry your wishes to the rivers, lakes and oceans and thus ultimately to the heavens. Do this the night or the day before the lunar New Year if at all possible.

It is forever a good idea to rearrange your furniture especially the largest heaviest pieces such as sofas. A change of the real estate so to speak always enhances the Karma. This will ensure that the vibrant energy of life will remain fresh and new in your home and surroundings. If this is not possible clean and move other pieces of your real estate in your home, apartment, cottage or workplace. Clean under the furniture. Don?t forget to vacuum under the cushions and pillows as well as behind.

It is always best to enhance your Northwest Chien corner for assistance luck. Having a powerful or influential person in your life is a blessing. Start thinking how you can cultivate these types of people in your life. Even one candidate can make a major and substantial difference. Next activate the northeast corner of your home, cottage or office. Place a wind chime in this vital corner and if possible keep a fan trained on it to keep it tinkling beautifully all day.

Lastly gain that recognition luck. Tap the luck of the Phoenix for added recognition. The Phoenix is found in the south or out the front door of your home. To activate the Phoenix place a boulder out that front door of your home. The symbol of the Phoenix represents efforts to rise again from the ashes over and over again and again. The Phoenix is a symbol of success that can bring a boost in recognition and even personal fame. Create your personal Phoenix by placing a mounded rock or a mound of earth in front of your house, office or cottage. Alternatively you can place peacock feathers in the South sectors of the house or living room.

Feng Shui!!!

Amy Goodmann sellyourmanitobacottage@gmail.com http://www.glendalegolfs.com http://www.morgellonsresearchfoundation.com http://www.sellyourmanitobacottage.com