Although Harry and Helen do not know each other and live in different cities, their creativity and curiosity has created quite the clutter. Over the years, they have been introduced to a variety of hobbies and interests that captured their attention. As time passed, however, they collected an unmanageable amount of supplies, materials, and tools that are now disorganized, difficult to find, and rarely used because there is no place to work.

When Helen's children were small, she relaxed with numerous needle projects. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, and needlepoint, and made holiday stockings, gifts, and unique costumes. As the children required less of her time, her friends encouraged her to join them at classes for ceramics, soap and paper making, painting, stamping, and scrap booking. For each interest, frequent trips to local hobby stores found her bringing home bags of fabric, yarn, paper, stickers, scents and supplies – and she never passed up a sale. Before long she found herself spending all her time shopping for supplies and less and less time creating. She had replaced the feeling of satisfaction in her finished masterpieces with shopping, which only left her with more ideas for more projects. Eventually half-finished projects and bags of supplies covered every surface leaving no place to work and no idea where needed supplies could be found.

When Harry retired at age 55 with a partial-disability, he quickly found many hobbies to fill his time. Favorites included jewelry making, woodworking, fly fishing, stained glass, and photography. Like Helen, he found himself buying supplies and coming up with ideas for new projects and rarely finishing them. Harry was also spending less time on the river using his flies and taking pictures to develop and more time moving boxes and bags from place to place as he brought in more supplies he had acquired at garage sales or from clearance bins. While he enjoyed the companionship of his friends at meetings where they learned new techniques, he was finishing fewer projects. Over time Harry and Helen had become the “Jack/Jill of all hobbies and master of some.” They had lost their focus and become overwhelmed with all the clutter.

Options . For Hobbyists Helen and Harry nothing is moving. More keeps coming in but nothing is getting finished. If they persist in collecting supplies without finishing projects, they have replaced the satisfaction of achievement and sharing and enjoying their handicrafts with ideas and shopping. They have enough supplies to continue their crafts for many years. They will need to decide whether to get rid of everything and spend their time in the pursuit of other interests (travel, grandchildren, music, theatre) or devote their time to the one or two hobbies that give them the greatest joy.

Taking the First Step. So many hobbies, so little time! Where do Harry and Helen begin?

1. In order to de-clutter, Helen and Harry need to focus on one (or maybe two) hobbies. Identifying the hobbies that bring the most pleasure and fulfillment is important in replacing their chaos with order.
2. They need to schedule a minimum 4-hour work session with a professional, trusted friend or family member who will help them sort through their supplies – determining those needed for their new focus and those they can donate or sell.
3. With several boxes they can begin. They will want to get everything out of plastic bags, sort by hobby, and clearly label filled boxes.

Motivation. Once Helen and Harry are clear on the hobbies they want to pursue, how do they refrain from shopping and finish their projects?

1. At the end of four hours, Harry and Helen may be pleasantly surprised at the amount of supplies they have for their hobbies. With everything out of shopping bags and sorted by interest area, it will be easy for them to see all the supplies they have to fulfill their creative callings.
2. With labeled boxes and cleared work surfaces, Helen and Harry now have a place to work and can write down all their ideas for completing projects with the supplies on hand.
3. After each completed project, they will want to celebrate their accomplishment by displaying their new product, using it, or giving it away as a gift. Their motivation will be the reward and satisfaction of a “work of art” and the accolades from friends and family who compliment them on their talents.
4. Harry's and Helen's biggest motivation will be the time and space to be artistic, follow through on ideas, and create.

“When you breathe a sigh of relief, it's your body smiling.” – Veronique Vienne. With every finished project breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate!

This month you can continue applying the principles of Feng Shui – placement, color, symbolism, and intention – in your home and your yard. Feng Shui emphasizes balance and harmony, and last month's recommendations were offered for your Abundance gua. So this month you can balance your abundance gua by making changes to your Helpful People/Travel gua. The best way to get more abundance, prosperity and wealth in all areas of your life is from Helpful People – mentors, clients, customers, business associates, new friends and neighbors. Remember that clutter clearing is always the pre-requisite before making any Feng Shui adjustments. Make certain the area is clear of rubbish, anything broken or in need of repair, and anything you do not love, use, or need.

Helpful People, Travel, Guardian Angels. Found in the lower right corner of your yard, deck or patio, this area represents helpful people in your life, networking and socializing opportunities, travel, and angel guardians. The metal element stimulates structure and order in social circles while water encourages deeper connections.

1. Add metal and water features: Metal furniture, lanterns, pots and planters, edging or fencing, lawn art, water features such as pond or fountain, bird bath, gazing globe, mirrors
2. Use white and metallic finishes (brass, gold, silver, pewter, copper) for metal element and black and dark tones like navy for the water element.
3. Best flowers and plants are those with circles and curves for openness such as cone flowers and gerbera daisies (with black centers), black viola, white chrysanthemum, impatiens, silver sage, dusty miller, hollyhock, honeysuckle, snow in summer, yarrow, caladium
4. Include personal symbols of your intention for helpful people or travel such as a globe, map, path, cultural or ethnic symbols that represent places you'd like to travel, large groupings of plants to stimulate socialization, angel sculptures

Note: If you're looking for more travel, add fire elements like a chiminea, fire pit, grill, candles and lanterns, red flowers, sunflowers, Bird of Paradise. Also add personal symbols for travel such as a tropical umbrella, beach bag and beach towels.

"Last fall Kathie came in to feng shui the offices where I have leased space for 17 years. While, my primary intention was to design a professional and warm atmosphere for my staff and clients, I was also trying to decide whether to create a self-sustaining environment where I could spend less time at the office, or grow my business.

I had put the idea of growing my business on the back burner. I'd have to move to another location if I wanted more space because the bank where I was leasing was using the larger space next door and indicated it would never be available to me. I thought the best avenue for me was to stabiize my business and so that I could begin the steps to semi- retirement. Kathie's report recommended several changes to help stabilize my business and shift the energy for change in my role.

In the next few months I was surprised to be chosen by State Farm to participate in a special managerial/owner program that stimulated both my personal and professional growth. I was suddenly re- energized. And then, magically, the bank sold to another bank who immediately asked me if I wanted to lease the larger space. I immediately called Kathie to tell her the good news and asked her to review the new space and offer more feng shui recommendations.

Even though my space and expenses doubled, my income and business has doubled with it. My Abundance corner is overflowing! Past clients I hadn't heard from in years have contacted our offices and come in to reestablish their business with us. I truly believe that 'where intention goes,energy flows'. Thank you Kathie, for helping me clarify my intention and provide an environment for growth and success. " --Ruby Mayeda, Agent and Owner, State Farm Insurance.