feng shui helps combat life’s distractions
It’s been a week of distractions. Landscapers put in a new walkway and rock garden to reduce the amount of yard work, improve the ambiance and the feng shui of our yard.
Feng Shui Your Life by Jayme Barrett is a great book. I have volume I (pictured here), but volume II was released in 2012. The first edition was published in 2003.
We’ve had a contractor putting a new roof on the sunroom and rebuilding/expanding the upper deck (which is off my office) so I have a serious vested interest in that as … IMHO, all writers need a welcoming and soothing space in which to connect with their creativity. The second floor deck is the perfect place for me to take a deep breath, watch and listen to the birds and admire the flowers in the garden down below.
I had a bit of a freak-out today, as the contractor was about to make the deck railing too high and I could no longer see the bird feeder from my perch! Fortunately, we’ve worked out a compromise, and I’m hoping we’ll all be happy — me, the birds, the cat (who also likes to sit & watch the birds) and the contractor — when it’s all done.
feng shui can help calm your life
It is when I’m living in a less peaceful environment such as now (with workmen coming and going, dirt and sawdust flying) that I seek guidance from above and take comfort in philosophies that have helped give me direction and taken me to the solace-seeking place that I am. Feng shui is one of those philosophies. You will find several posts on this blog that mention feng shui and the importance it has had in my life.
If you have ever felt like your wheels are spinning or you are not realizing your full potential, please check out the post on manifesting change and seek out feng shui your life by Jayme Barrett.
Another great book on feng shui that I have is 27 Things To Feng Shui Your Home by Tisha Morris. You’ll find this handy little guide in the self-help section of most bookstores. As part of the “good things to know” series published by Turner Publishing, 27 Things To Feng Shui Your Home is an essential, easy-to-follow guide for the feng shui novice.
It’s no surprise that Tisha begins with cleaning out your closet as clearing the clutter is the number one rule in feng shui. It’s also the subject of Ken Lauher’s blog post. Ken is another well known feng shui expert.
Feng shui has helped my life. Are you knowledgeable about it? Have you tried to incorporate some of its principles into your home, workspace or life? Have they worked for you?
From time to time, we can all use a little help or guidance in achieving our goals or piece of mind. Feng shui has worked for me in the past, and I’m hoping that with some of the new insights I have learned from the now 20 feng shui books I have on my shelf, it will help me again.
I’ve updated this post slightly in February, 2021, as I’ve just taken a terrific “Make Space for Magic” online course with Jayme Barrett. It’s great to “meet” her online via Zoom during the pandemic and I hope to meet her sometime soon when we are all free to travel again. Feng Shui really can change your life, so do give it a try if you’ve found the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic have been weighing you down.
Thank you Doreen for sharing your experience at my “Make Space For Magic” event! So happy that feng shui has played an integral part in your life and has inspired your readers too! The second edition of my book “Feng Shui Your Life” offers loads of ways to bring inner and outer Feng Shui into your home and life. Sending positive energy your way!
Thx so much for your comment, Jayme, and for sharing your knowledge of and passion for Feng Shui with the world. I’m glad to have connected with you so that I can reconnect with Feng Shui. It’s always played a role in my life and my way of thinking. But I admit to needing to refresh myself with some of the intricacies of it. And as you mentioned in a message with me, things change with our own personal circumstances, and so we may have to re Feng Shui our homes after major changes.
I am not knowledgable about feng shui, although that doesn’t keep me from writing about it. If I confined my writing to only things about which I was knowledgable, I would just have a blog full of completely blank posts. How dull!
I am knowledgable about how mess inhibits creativity, however. There’s a lot of truth to the fact that when my house is messy, my brain is messy.
You are lucky, Doreen, to have a nice peaceful place in which to write. With the view of the garden, and the birds, and the lovely deck — it sounds like a little slice of heaven. I could sure use such a place. Maybe I could come over and share the space with you. How about Tuesday? I could move my stuff in on Tuesday. See you then!
Kay in Hawaii
Hi, Kay and welcome!
If I lived in Hawaii, I think that would be paradise on earth. My fav place on the planet (so far) is Maui. Where in HI are you?
Yes, I am very lucky to have such a beautiful loft to work in. I have huge windows that let in tons of light, a deck off the side that overlooks the garden and birdfeeder and a place to sit in the sun if I so choose.
However … winter is a different story. We won’t go there.
Thanks for a very good Feng Shui Tips
Thanks, Joanne. Things are indeed looking good. You're welcome to come check it out in person anytime.
Oh, Doreen, your place is gorgeous! I'm so sorry I missed seeing it two years ago when I was in Winnipeg for the National Conference for PWAC (Professional Writers' Association of Canada) a couple of years ago.
And of course, I'm glad you took the cat's needs into account when planning the height of the railings around the new roof.
Here's hoping you have many fine days to watch the birds from the new deck.
Thanks, Christine and Charmian.
Yes, it is indeed how a small modification to the plan can make all the difference in the world. The new deck is being completed this morning, but I've already stood out on it and feel so blessed to have such a terrific space to nurture my creativity – and welcome our overnight guests (as this floor doubles as our guestroom.)
Oh, I feel for you. Having just gone through a kitchen/bath renovation myself, I know how stressful change to your living space can be. Funny how even a tiny change, like the height of a railing, can make a huge difference. Glad you were on site to work things out. Can you imagine coming home to find a high rail a done deal?
I agree that every one (not just writers) needs a welcoming, soothing space. Hope you can enjoy yours soon.
This all looks lovely, and will indeed inspire you to create more.
It's hard to work among distractions sometimes, but knowing that the distractions are temporary, and that what will come will be better makes it easier doesn't it?
Thanks, Suzanne. You may remember that I already had a small deck off my office, but it was TOO small. Now it will be big enough to put a couple of nice chairs & a table. Waiting for you to come visit!
Nice to see all the great work going on. Your office is lovely and having a nice deck up there will be wonderful for you. I don't know about feng shui but I do know that when things are out of wack in my world (especially if it's renovations) I feel uncomfortable. Our cats do too. They seem to sense when things are out of place and are happy with everything is back to norm.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.I'll be looking into some of the feng shui references you've posted here.
Thanks to both Ken & Tisha for dropping in on the blog. And thanks for continuing to guide us with insightful feng shui information. Much appreciated!
Love the sunroom and rock garden. Looks like it will definitely be worth the distractions! Thanks for the Feng Shui mentions. Love your blog!
Great post here. I truly appreciate you sharing this with others and really enjoyed reading it. Thanks so much and keep up the great work!