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Dear friends,
Back in my summer newsletter I discussed how Feng Shui can greatly assist us under difficult economic circumstances. Little did I realize just how difficult circumstances would become! So, let’s see if we can dig deeper and find some additional help from the world of Feng Shui. What I’d like to discuss today is how you can use your personal space as a powerful visualization tool, turning your immediate surroundings into a beautiful representation of the life you wish to have. The more clearly you can see it, the more quickly you can have it!
When I do interior design work for clients, I always start the process with a lengthy Q & A regarding the client’s goals and aspirations. The ultimate design I create for the space not only takes into account the appropriate Feng Shui elements, but also incorporates the client’s personal dreams directly into the space. In other words, when you move through the rooms and corridors of your home or office, the colors, textures, shapes and images should be working to reinforce the vision you have for your own future. If it’s romance you want, then the space should convey that message to you. If you are looking for improved health, the design should say so clearly. And if it’s financial abundance you seek, then by all means the home or office should declare this goal loudly, speak as if it’s already become manifest. And what are the effects of designing in this way? I have seen true miracles occur for clients; I have watched many cherished dreams come true. In fact, this happened for me…which is what got me using this technique for clients in the first place! Just read my “Living Your Dream” newsletter from a few years back (By the way, since that time I have greatly improved upon the dream lifestyle that I describe in that letter!)
So, for those of you who would like to put this principle into practice, and use it specifically to reinforce a message of financial abundance, I have some useful tips. Below you will find a list of a few “Do’s & Don’ts” that pertain specifically to attracting wealth and financial security (they take the approach described at the end of the “Living Your Dream” newsletter and direct it specifically towards money issues). And, of course, do consider using my help more directly if you have a larger design project in mind. We can work together to turn your home or office into a beautiful blueprint for all of your life’s goals.
Okay, let’s get to some practical tips for attracting abundance!
While the Q & A process I use with clients is quite extensive, here is a simple line of questioning that you can use for your own space.
Ask yourself:
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When I look around at the general condition of my home (décor, state of repair, cleanliness) does it look like the house of a person doing well financially? (Start with a gut check on this question, rather than being too cerebral about it.) |
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a.)
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If the answer is a resounding “YES”, then you are in good shape. There is still probably more you can do with the space regarding abundance, but it sounds like your home is working well for you as a visualization aid.
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b.)
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If the answer is a resounding “NO”, then there is clearly work to be done. We’ll get to that in a moment.
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c.)
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More likely you will say “hmmmmm, some of it looks pretty good to me, but there are definitely parts of the home (or office) that don’t exactly scream ‘abundance’”. If this is the case, we’ll want to focus in on those parts first.
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While answer b) most likely calls for a full design overhaul, answer c) can be remedied more easily. Of course every space is different, and you will need to evaluate your own items and décor, but here are some very simple steps that you can take to improve the message of abundance being delivered by your personal space.
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The Solutions: |
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Fix the broken stuff. Let’s face it, it’s all too easy to get used to that chair with the frayed upholstery, or the lamp that doesn’t work, or the sofa with the creaking springs. “We’ve lived with it this long…!” Still, it behooves us to take whatever steps we can to repair these items, or replace them with new ones. Broken or malfunctioning items send our brain a subtle signal, telling us that it’s okay for us to live in a quasi-dilapidated space. Needless to say, this is not a message of abundance! |
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Bring out the good stuff. If you own some beautiful, expensive items which you keep tucked away, consider putting them on display. For instance, valuable china, or a gorgeous crystal vase, or a hand embroidered tablecloth that you only haul out on special occasions. Or how about that elegant writing pen you were given as a birthday present? Do you actually use it, or keep it stored away “safely” in a desk drawer? Even jewelry can be tastefully displayed on your vanity. Understand, none of this is about impressing other people. It’s about impressing yourself!
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Choose your artwork carefully. Go out of your way to pick images that evoke a feeling of abundance, and avoid those that depict the opposite. For instance, though you may have taken some wonderful, poignant photographs of Calcutta street scenes on your trip to India, these photos may not be the best works to display prominently in your home. Perhaps choose your shots of the Taj Mahal instead!
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Store it well. Pay special attention to the containers which store your day to day items. For instance, do you just toss your keys and wallet and change onto a shelf when you enter the house, or do you have a pretty bowl, or decorative box there to receive them? How about your newspapers and magazines? Do they simply inhabit various tables and chairs until you toss them out? If so, consider getting a sleek newspaper/magazine rack to keep them organized. When you come into your office, do you throw your jacket over a chair? How about a spacious coat rack that has room for your hat, umbrella, and a guest’s items as well? And that big lovely plant in the corner…is it still in the plain plastic pot it came in, or have you honored your living friend with a nice ceramic planter? Simple storage devices are often overlooked in a home or office, and yet they can have a big impact for very little cost. They tell us that our personal items are valuable enough to us that they deserve their own attractive containers.
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Of course, there is so much further you can go with all of this. As you perform your Q&A, you will probably find all sorts of interesting ways to improve the messages that your home is sending. Still, I hope this set of tips will give you some ideas to start with. Also, don't forget to review my Feng Shui for Recessions - part 1 newsletter. If you haven't yet implemented the changes suggested in that letter, I encourage you to do so now.
And once again, don’t hesitate to contact me for some targeted help with this process. Even if you are not up for a full interior design, I can offer you a few hours of my time. Together we can certainly make a big impact on your space, and the message of abundance that it sends to you every day.
All the best in the weeks ahead.
Past Newsletters:
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