Creating a Feng Shui Garden
With summer beckoning, thoughts turn to outdoor
activities. And yet most of us still have indoor
work. Being in touch with nature is essential in order
to balance the time spent inside among man-made
products. Breathing fresh air, working the soil, and
feeling the earth beneath your feet are key to
maintaining balance in your life. This year, balance
your busy indoor work life with an outdoor oasis a
Feng Shui Garden.
If it feels good, it's good Feng Shui. Create
a garden that describes who you are not
necessarily a Chinese garden. Use local plants and
choose structures that speak to you country
bench, Asian pagoda, European sun dial.
Balance is Key. Use both Yin and Yang
elements in your garden. Tuck plants and shrubs
(yin) against rock formations and along brick
pathways (yang).
Invite Mrs. Chi. Create meandering
pathways. Rounded corners on tables,
kidney shaped gardens, and curved edges encourage
positive chi flow.
Include Water. Water is essential in any
Feng Shui garden. Water symbolizes energy and
wealth and invites Mrs. Chi through its reflection,
movement and sound.
Use all 5 Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water,
and Wood. Earth and rocks, wood furniture and
fences, metal chimes and accessories, chiminea fire
pit or red leafed trees and flowers, gazing ball or
water feature.
Balance work and play this summer by creating time
in your life to spend in nature.
Create more time in your life with help from
Quick Links...
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Dear Kathie,
As you get ready for summer how does your garden
grow? How can you prepare the soil to grow time,
energy, opportunities, money, friends, and some
magic in your life? Clearing the clutter from all areas
of your life physical, mental, emotional, and
spiritual is like eliminating rocks, weeds, and old
roots from your garden. Clean up the space, plant
your goals and intentions, and watch your garden
grow. This month concentrate on preparing the soil
for a summer full of fun!
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Minutes are O.K.
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In this culture of instant gratification, rewards are
often expected immediately. And yet everything
seems to take more time including reaping rewards.
How does one fit all the 'want to dos' in with all
the 'have to dos'? In a recent conversation with a
client, I was reminded how we can get stuck in
the 'all or nothing' attitude. If I can't get the entire
basement or guest room (insert your clutter area
here) cleared -- because I don't have 6 or 8 or 12
hours -- then forget it. Please remember my
Number One Tip: Minutes are O.K.
- Set a Timer. A timer is essential for
success. Decide how long to work on your project --
10 minutes to 55 minutes. When the timer goes off,
STOP!
- Permission to Stop. By setting the timer,
you know when you can be finished and you've given
yourself permission to stop.
- Opportunity to Continue. At the end of
your timed clutter clearing, you have the opportunity
to evaluate how you feel. Are you energized, on a
roll and want to continue or are you ready to stop?
- Respect your Feelings. If you have
decided to stop, respect your feelings with a
reward/celebration rather than disappointment or
negative self-talk that says you didn't do enough.
- Schedule another Session. Because
Minutes are O.K., schedule another de-clutter
session on your calendar. Can you spend 15 minutes
tomorrow or 30 minutes on Saturday?
No matter whether your clutter is a room, a should,
or an unfinished project, Minutes are O.K.
Before you know it, your garden will be done, the
room will be all set for guests, or a gift will be finished
and ready for giving. As Winston Churchill
said, Never, never, never, never give up.
Minutes are O.K.
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100 Things to Do
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Too often we identify success by the physical
possessions we aquire. Then we forget our goals
end result life purpose. Especially when retailers
both on-line and off are reminding us to buy IT and
IT takes time and money. Since we can't take IT with
us, what will we take?
This summer start your list of 100 Things to
Do/Accomplish Before I Die. Number each
line 1 to 100 down the left side of several sheets of
paper. Then begin this ongoing list of tangibles,
intangibles, experiences and aspirations that will
make your life full and memorable. This summer clear
the clutter and use your time and money to create a
garden of memories and experiences.
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Success Stories
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As you suggested, I asked Santa for a tabletop
fountain [for my office] and got one for Christmas. I
put it together and not 5 minutes later, both cats
came into the room and slept in here all afternoon
[good fire energy]. I also organized drawers and
then last night when I came in to shut down my
computer, I had emails from 2 previous clients who
said they were thinking of me and want to implement
or finish their plans. Woo! Hoo! --Michelle Cobb,
Blue Iris Landscapes
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MONTHLY RESOURCE
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Remember Mother's Day on May 13 and register
YOU and HER for May 6 class: GARDEN FENG SHUI at
Arapahoe Community College. Feng Shui isn't
just for your home. This spring and summer use all
the principles of Feng Shui to design a garden with
symbolism, purpose, and intention. Invite Mrs. Ch'i to
share your garden oasis and create an environment
that supports who you are and where you want to
be. Discover Feng Shui basics, landscape materials
and their symbolism, design ideas, and resources.
- Organizing Your Home, May 11, Arapahoe
Community College
- Conquering Clutter: Getting Started, May 23,
Colorado Free University
- Conquering Clutter: Staying Clutter Free, June 20,
Colorado Free University
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