| I was eavesdropping on a group of friends recently | | | | rambling on lets get down to it: |
| and one was talking about how they were doing a | | | | House |
| bit of redecorating at home and moving the furniture | | | | Bedroom - this is the one room or place to do even |
| around to try and freshen things up. One of the | | | | if you don't do anything else |
| group piped up 'You should use Feng Shui to help you | | | | - Your bed should be accessible from both sides. |
| decide where everything goes'. Now didn't that get | | | | - If possible it should not be in line with a door. |
| the conversation going, where do you get a Feng | | | | - Keep the air fresh in the room - open the window |
| Shui consultant, do you really need one, won't the | | | | or get an air filter. |
| house look weird, what does Feng Shui do anyway | | | | - Remove electrical equipment like TV's and |
| and so it went back and forth. In reality their level of | | | | computers. |
| knowledge about Feng Shui in the group was very | | | | - Use candles |
| low and a lot of it based on popular misconceptions. | | | | - Close the door when you sleep. |
| There are probably many of us in the same boat, | | | | Living Rooms |
| somewhat intrigued by the idea of Feng Shui but a | | | | - Ideally have a flat ceiling. |
| little unsure of what exactly it is and how you go | | | | - Close adjoining doors. |
| about using it. Well the good news is that it doesn't | | | | - Try and make sure you have an even number of |
| need to be complicated and if you understand some | | | | chairs. |
| basics then you can even try a few things out today | | | | - Remove the clutter. |
| and get an idea of whether it is for you. What I am | | | | - Have some plants in the room. |
| going to give you here is a little bit of history, a bit | | | | Home Office |
| of theory and then some practical tips on the types | | | | - Avoid setting up your desk so your back is to the |
| of things you can do to incorporate Feng Shui into | | | | door |
| your life. | | | | Bathroom |
| History | | | | - Keep it as clean as possible. |
| Feng Shui has been around for literally thousands of | | | | - Keep the toilet lid down. |
| years. It seems to have originated in China and is | | | | - Use candles and music. |
| possibly a derivative of Taoism. As you would expect | | | | Garden |
| over time thing evolve and several different streams | | | | - Have a welcoming entrance. |
| of Feng Shui have developed over time and this can | | | | - Keep it tidy. |
| lead to apparent contradictions between some | | | | - Add some water and somewhere to sit. |
| streams of Feng Shui at times. With our faster | | | | Other |
| paced, more stressed lives these days, Feng Shui has | | | | - In your car, keep it clean, remove the clutter and |
| become more popular as the attraction of a home | | | | play harmonious music. |
| that is free of clutter and calming has a greater | | | | - Jewelry - if you have crystals wash them regularly. |
| appeal. | | | | So where to from here? |
| What is Feng Shui?In very simple terms Feng Shui is | | | | Obviously the points here are the real basics and are |
| about getting the Chi flowing in your life. Chi is the | | | | only touching the surface of what can be a very |
| natural energy that is flowing all around us. The | | | | complex subject. The idea has been to give you a |
| theory is that by changing the position of different | | | | few things to try or give you an idea of the sorts of |
| items, closing doors, having certain colours in the | | | | things that might be involved in changing your life to |
| garden and so on can enhance the flow of this | | | | incorporate Feng Shui. If you have tried these and |
| natural energy. Certain symbols and pictures in | | | | feel comfortable with the ideas and feel it is working |
| different locations can also help. This flow of energy | | | | for you then you may wish to get into the subject |
| will help you increase or improve your health, wealth, | | | | more deeply reading books or getting a consultant |
| family unity or find a romantic interest. | | | | involved. There is no shortage of resources out there |
| Now let's get down to the practical stuff, what do | | | | to assist you. One that I would suggest is Feng Shui |
| you have to do to get this energy flowing? Feng Shui | | | | Decorating : More than Furniture Placement available |
| can become complicated, involving measurements, | | | | from Top Line Publications. This ebook goes into |
| consultants, truckloads of symbols ... and lots of | | | | more detail on the principles we have covered here |
| expense. If you are reading this then you are | | | | and then also talks about how to select a consultant. |
| probably at the point of wanting to try Feng Shui | | | | Choosing a consultant can be challenging with a range |
| without the last bit - lots of expense - and the good | | | | of qualifications and experience offered. Trying to |
| news is you can. What I am going to do here is give | | | | sort out what matters and what to look for can be |
| you some things to try in your house, garden and | | | | confusing so a little assistance can save you a lot of |
| the rest of your life. Now remember Feng Shui only | | | | headaches. |
| needs to be as complicated as you want to make it, | | | | Good luck with your Feng Shui journey. I hope this |
| if some of the ideas don't appeal don't use them try | | | | has given you some basic information to help you |
| the next one. There is no point in doing something | | | | decide if Feng Shui is something you want to |
| that you are not comfortable with. Anyway enough | | | | incorporate into your life. |