Feng Shui Organizing: Use the "Natural Forces of the Universe" to Organize Your Life

What is Feng Shui?

When translated into English, feng shui means "the way of the wind and water" or "the natural forces of the universe." People all over the world practice a form of feng shui. Europeans call it "geomancy," while Hawaiians and Native Americans practice their own form of feng shui. To organize your life using feng shui, it is helpful to learn more about the elements of our earth as well as the basic principles of feng shui.

Using the Elements

The Chinese believe everything in the world belongs to one of five elements--they are: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. The easiest way to use the natural forces of the universe when you organize is to incorporate as many of these elements into your design scheme as you can. Decorating with items such as small fountains (water), candles (fire), plants/flowers (earth), and chimes (metal) helps you integrate these elements into your home and/or office and calm your soul.

Using the Principles

Clutter is trapped energy that has far-reaching effects. It affects you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As you organize each room of your home, it is helpful to keep the Ten Basic Principles of Feng Shui in mind (Rich, 279). They are:

• Clear the Clutter. Clutter takes up not only physical space but mental space too. Clearing out your home literally makes space for your future.
• Keep the Front Entrance of Your Home Well-Maintained. Did you know that according to feng shui, your entry point is where all the energy flows into your home? Keep this area clean and well defined.
• Allow Energy to Flow Freely. Clutter and awkwardly positioned furniture can inhibit the flow of energy throughout your home. Energy ushers in good health and harmony.
• Contain the Energy. Using wind chimes, plants, and mirrors in your home will help you redirect the flows of energy. For instance, if your front and back door are directly aligned, wind chimes will redirect the flow of positive energy. Area rugs also anchor furniture groupings--helping the energy flow from one space to another.
• Make Sure Everything Works. Maintaining your home and/or office directly affects your clarity. For instance, according to feng shui your home's plumbing represents your body's digestive system and the electrical system corresponds to your neurological system.
• Check Out Your Home for Negative Energies. Distortions in the electro-magnetic fields of the earth can impact your home and mental clarity. Placing a fountain in front of your home is an excellent way to attract flowing money energy since the water element is the universal symbol for wealth and prosperity.
• Be Aware of the Images and Symbols in Your Home. Your choices represent messages from your subconscious. Be careful to select accessories for your home and office that reflect what you want from your future.
• Create a Quiet Sanctuary Within Your Bedroom. Your bedroom needs to be a haven of peace and tranquility--promoting restful sleep. For example, avoid using this place to work. Unless of course you find your work peaceful.
• Make the Kitchen a Center of Calmness. Most kitchens are the hub of family life. Creating a calm atmosphere in this room affects the quality of the meals you provide for your family.
• Love Your Home and It Will Love You. Your home should be thought of as a living entity. Caring for it properly allows you to feel supported, safe, and nourished.

Bringing It All Together

Just by practicing these few basic principles and incorporating the natural elements into your home, you will be able to clear the clutter out of your home and out of your life. If you need a little help getting started, don't hesitate to contact me. Sometimes all we need is a friendly professional to jumpstart the organizing process and get us going in the right direction.

Sheri McConnell is the President of the National Association of Women Writers (http://www.NAWW.org). She helps women writers and entrepreneurs discover, create, and profit from their intellectual knowledge! Free reports for writers available with subscription to NAWW Weekly. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Seth and their four children. Contact her at naww@onebox.com or her toll free number at 866-821-5829.

Improve Your Quality Of Life With Feng Shui

According to the guiding principles of Feng Shui, if you improve your external environment you can improve your life and attitude. The purpose of Feng Shui is to teach you how to reconsider your relationship to the objects in your space. In doing so, you will learn to create an area that is arranged in harmony and balance, allowing positive energy to flow freely and unimpeded. If you harness the fundamentals of Feng Shui you can change your approach to business, or how you interact with friends and family. In fact, Feng Shui can aid you in obtaining a little extra lift in any sector of your life requiring improvement.

The techniques used by Feng Shui are varied and, generally very simple. In adopting a few practical Feng Shui tips, you will, within a few minutes, improve your office or home environment. As you become familiar with the basics of Feng Shui, you will be able to evaluate any room in minutes seeing immediately where problems lie. The process will help you locate and discard or conceal indications of problems such as pointed edges, gloomy corners, or bad furniture placement. These block positive energy inhibit your life from moving forwards as freely as it should. Utilizing Feng Shui, allows you to take substantial, physical steps towards implementing a more even voyage on your life?s path.

Feng Shui can be applied anywhere ? in your home, your office, or car. No matter where you spend your time, that environment can be optimized according to Feng Shui principles. No matter what you are doing, employing Feng Shui will make you happier. By implementing it into your workplace or home or any place you are spending time, you will be helping your mind, body, and spirit grow healthier and more resilient. Applying Feng Shui facilitates you in overcoming any impediments or challenges confronting you by helping you feel more tranquil, happier, and more balanced throughout the day. As a result, you will feel refreshed and invigorated, and ready to take all the necessary steps to realize your dreams.

As well, Feng Shui can help you achieve increased harmony with your environment. As a result, every breath you take will increase an inner sense of happiness and self-assurance. Employing Feng Shui to improve the flow of life energy or chi, throughout any area where you spend time, initiates positive steps towards increasing your quality of life. With Feng Shui, you can start to manifest your dreams today by implementing a few straightforward techniques aimed at assisting your environment in reflecting your personal objectives, wishes, and potential. The fundamental concept supporting Feng Shui allows anyone to achieve a basic grasp of Feng Shui within a short time frame ? even within a single day. Furthermore, there is no need to buy any elaborate equipment or items in order to make Feng Shui work for you. All that is required to benefit from Feng Shui is a dash of education, and a willingness to try something new.

Candace Czarny,ASID,CFM,LEED AP, "Award Winning" Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & author. www.ArtOfPlacement.com is continually ranked "Top 10" in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!