tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50612451869102337692024-03-13T06:55:23.708-07:00The SparkLitAspiring to Inspired LivingKatie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-14718640070958298592015-12-14T09:27:00.001-08:002015-12-14T09:31:04.230-08:00NEW BLOG LOCATION at KatieRogersFengShui.comHi!<br />
<br />
I'm so excited to announce that my blog is now linked up on my website! <br />
<br />
Visit here at: <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://katierogersfengshui.com/"> http://katierogersfengshui.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
I also have a YouTube channel where I've posted some videos for Feng Shui tips and advice. Here's the link: <span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQwBUFoGhq4ZLGlHwlK7AQ">Katie's YouTube Channel</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers, and thanks for visiting!<br />
<br />
Happy Feng Shui-ing,<br />
Katie<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. Remember to check out my<a href="http://katierogersfengshui.com/declutter-your-way-to-clarity"> online classes </a>as well! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z23MRzOy5Lo/Vm78KwgPCjI/AAAAAAAACmc/J-la-3IWbhQ/s1600/photo-42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z23MRzOy5Lo/Vm78KwgPCjI/AAAAAAAACmc/J-la-3IWbhQ/s640/photo-42.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-82560991768774726662015-10-18T20:54:00.000-07:002015-10-18T20:54:29.751-07:00I Lucid Dreamed for the First Time, and It Was Awesome<br />In my 20s, I wrote down my dreams almost every morning, studied
Jung and symbolism, and read and re-read books like Ann Faraday’s <u>Dream Game</u> and Denise Linn's <u>The Hidden Power of Dreams</u>. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdxErtlr1eE/ViRmpsk4YeI/AAAAAAAAChs/HZ9Aed2mG44/s1600/sky-night-space-trees-medium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdxErtlr1eE/ViRmpsk4YeI/AAAAAAAAChs/HZ9Aed2mG44/s400/sky-night-space-trees-medium.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
I was obsessed with dream work, eager to
learn as much as I could, eventually discovering that beneath the twisted
symbolism were answers to our life issues that occasionally predicted the
future!<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But not until a few nights ago had I ever lucid dreamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, boy, was it worth the wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>What is a lucid dream?</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my understanding, it is a dream where you know you are dreaming and
can therefore manipulate the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea is that if you can get in that strange and wonderful
state where you are basically simultaneously asleep and awake, you can learn to
use those skills in your waking life -- manifesting, creating, and healing in a
deeper way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say this was a spiritual experience is an
understatement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This first lucid dream was triggered by the fact that,
recently, a dear friend of mine and her partner (kundalini yoga teachers, Kewal
Nam and Atma, respectively) were experimenting with lucid dreaming
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Atma’s Tibetan Buddhist
tradition teaches that many healing techniques can be strengthened and
practiced through lucid dreaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cool, right?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah,
Kewal Nam and I thought so too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when Kewal shared her latest lucid dream experience
with me, giving techniques on how to shift into that state, I declared my
desire to have it happen too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not two weeks later, when I least expected it, it did!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Here’s how to prompt a lucid dream:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Set a “trigger.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had read years ago that if you can look at
your hands in your dream, it is a way to know if you are dreaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is exactly what happened to me, although
Kewal had suggested that you could also elicit it by reading something (only to
look away and look back to different words) or by seeing your reflection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that the “hands” notion worked for
me because it had been instilled in my psyche for so long, and also, my mind
was freshly prepared for lucid dreaming because of my recent intention to do
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
your dream, ask yourself if you are dreaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>Because my trigger was set, when I saw my hands, I immediately said
to myself in my dream, “I think I’m dreaming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked around and realized that the scenario was bizarre, which
confirmed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got really excited,
knowing that I could now do whatever I wanted…because I was dreaming and I knew
it!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have
a goal.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now know that it’s really
nice to know what you want to do in a lucid dream before you go into that state,
because I was so excited to be lucid dreaming, I sort of didn’t know what to do
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I flew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a moment of getting through
self-doubt (can I really fly?), but soon I was off, soaring into a mystical
sky!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Believe
in the magic of dreams.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The
Universe is huge and mysterious and amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To close yourself off to the power of your subconscious, or dreamtime,
or spirit guides or anything beyond logic is to certainly block yourself from
experiencing the powerful experience of a lucid dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day, the world looked fresh and
clear and new, and I was filled with gratitude and wonder, and I experienced a
flow and knowing that was almost child-like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">So what happened in my dream?</span></b> Well...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2l0GCZDClE/ViRodKMsU9I/AAAAAAAACh4/A9sTXqAeQ8Y/s1600/nature-forest-trees-fog-medium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2l0GCZDClE/ViRodKMsU9I/AAAAAAAACh4/A9sTXqAeQ8Y/s640/nature-forest-trees-fog-medium.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...while I was
flying, I looked over a city that I knew was the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was vivid green and submerged in a gorgeous
tree canopy with lovely sleek, silver buildings speckled throughout, peeking out above the trees, columnar-like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was full of hope, and I believe it was a
reminder that this is the direction the world will go as we individually and
collectively develop a higher consciousness. It was nature and city in harmony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dream continued, with me going in and out of awareness,
and several times, I had the opportunity (including seeing my reflection, which
was smiling while I made funny faces at it) to remind myself I was dreaming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, I remembered Atma’s learning,
and I beamed out some light to the world for healing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>607</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3466</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Periwinkle Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>28</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4065</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all….”Life what is it, but a dream?”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-79109051237202601352015-09-02T12:13:00.001-07:002015-09-02T12:13:37.526-07:00Prosperity Cures! Money Trees & Lucky BambooThe easiest cure I can think of to get your finances growing is to put a plant in the Money area of your home or office (or even desk!) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Kk7hOfPAQ/VedHXz0_K3I/AAAAAAAACdg/nbQuaYbP8iU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-09-02%2Bat%2B2.06.17%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Kk7hOfPAQ/VedHXz0_K3I/AAAAAAAACdg/nbQuaYbP8iU/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-09-02%2Bat%2B2.06.17%2BPM.png" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember, the Money gua (purple) is the back left corner<br />of the space when you are standing at the entrance facing in. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Plants are generally just awesome because they are <b>alive </b>and therefore will generate beneficial chi (which loosely translates to "life force"). But plants also clean the air, emit oxygen, and reduce the effects of EMFs. Plus they are pretty, and they bring healing nature indoors, into your space.<br />
<br />
Feng Shui 101: There are two plants that are known to be great for the Money gua.<br />
The Money Tree (duh) & Lucky Bamboo. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnmoIn7u4bc/VedFrRo0HCI/AAAAAAAACdQ/M905a-e34bk/s1600/800780-03-253-T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnmoIn7u4bc/VedFrRo0HCI/AAAAAAAACdQ/M905a-e34bk/s320/800780-03-253-T.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.easternleaf.com/Braided_Money_Tree_Cube_p/800780-03.htm">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the Money Tree. It's scientific name is <i>Pachira aquatica</i>. It can come small (say 8 inches high and be able to sit on an end table, like you see here), or they can get quite large, up to three feet or more! The trunks are usually braided, and the leaves are a lovely, shiny green that sprout very easily and, well, abundantly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45Z8vE4vyvA/VedI2dp4y0I/AAAAAAAACdo/_jaAwVpGfRo/s1600/803390-DS-2T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45Z8vE4vyvA/VedI2dp4y0I/AAAAAAAACdo/_jaAwVpGfRo/s320/803390-DS-2T.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.easternleaf.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=803390-DS">Source for Lucky Bamboo</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
This is the Lucky Bamboo. It's scientific name is <i>Dracaena braunii</i>. These babies also can come quite small, as short as 3-4 inches, but they can be quite big, as tall as five feet!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Both these plants grow easily with very little effort on your part. The Money Tree only needs little watering once every other week or so. It thrives in all sort of light conditions as well, including dim. The Lucky Bamboo can simply sit in water, so all you have to do is change the water or just add some every few weeks. It too is sturdy and survives for quite a while even in zero light!<br />
<br />
Wood is the element for the Money gua, and these plants are perfect symbols for how you would like your Money to be: growing with little effort, providing pleasure and breathing room, and easy to tend to.<br />
<br />
Happy plant-buying! Cha-ching!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-21013937107261691702015-07-14T03:34:00.000-07:002015-07-14T03:34:41.408-07:00Feng Shui & The New Time Management (Part I)First of all, there is no "managing" time. That's like trying to hold sand in your hands. But there is a way to drastically improve your relationship with it. At least that is how I've come to look at it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzZCFvVD84s/VaTNF-5AZKI/AAAAAAAACXg/33MqWae4z10/s1600/iStock_000011798348XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzZCFvVD84s/VaTNF-5AZKI/AAAAAAAACXg/33MqWae4z10/s400/iStock_000011798348XSmall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cedricbrehaut.com/2011/11/20/the-test-of-time/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You who follow me know that I've been obsessing over two books this summer: <i>The Big Leap</i> by Gay Hendricks and<i> A New Earth</i> by Eckhart Tolle. Both of these beauties speak of time in a different light and totally shake our world view on "managing" it.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i>"Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” </i></span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4493.Eckhart_Tolle" style="color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Eckhart Tolle</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/840520" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment</a></i><br />
<br />
Whoa, right?<br />
<br />
And Gay Hendricks explains that "time comes from us." That if we look at it like that, it is malleable, and we can relax because everything gets done.<br />
<br />
Beats trying to race the clock, right?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6bMR5y5dEs/VaTOvOIIIcI/AAAAAAAACXs/fFm979oL5q4/s1600/Alice%2Bin%2BWonderland%2B1951%2BDisney%2BThe%2BWhite%2BRabbit%2Band%2Bthe%2Brabbit%2Bhole.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6bMR5y5dEs/VaTOvOIIIcI/AAAAAAAACXs/fFm979oL5q4/s400/Alice%2Bin%2BWonderland%2B1951%2BDisney%2BThe%2BWhite%2BRabbit%2Band%2Bthe%2Brabbit%2Bhole.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm late! I'm late!" [<a href="http://moviemarmiteman.blogspot.com/2014/05/disney-daze-alice-in-wonderland-1951.html">Source</a> is obviously Disney.]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been playing with these concepts a lot! I'm the sort that wants to get everything done and won't "waste" even three minutes of time, like say, when a friend arrives late for lunch. After all, something can "get done" in those three precious minutes, right?<br />
<br />
But those books, (along with the work I'm doing in a <i>Course in Miracles</i> right now), have 100% blown my concept of time out of the water.<br />
<br />
Please understand, this is not the first time I've dabbled with this. After all, I wrote papers on the 4th dimension in college (which relates to time), one of my favorite gifts I've received was a copy of <i>Einstein's Dreams</i> by Alan Lightman, and for the past few years, I've used the mantra, "My timing is perfect and elegant," with almost miraculous success. I've also prayed about it, literally. I have asked that my relationship with time be improved, and I have gone from someone who was almost always at least ten minutes late (in my 20s) to someone who can arrive right on the nose almost every time, as if the very traffic lights were on my side.<br />
<br />
Because think about it: <b><i>how much stress do we experience simply from trying to deal with time?! </i></b>It's sheer insanity! <br />
<br />
In fact, I chose the first image -- the hourglass on a beach -- very consciously. The hourglass notoriously "measures" time, representing that we collectively consider time to "run out." But there is an entire beach (world?) of sand around it, just sitting there! This photo demonstrates the folly that we try to bottle and limit time when really, it's infinite!<br />
<br />
Now I'm learning to be still in those unexpected three-minute (or thirty-minute) moments -- to look around, go within, and know that everything is "in perfect and Divine order." (Thanks to Doreen Virtue, for that affirmation.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NzTGIexR1w/VaTTZ1EXzdI/AAAAAAAACX4/ZLzVdyU8ZRg/s1600/hsyoushouldmeditate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NzTGIexR1w/VaTTZ1EXzdI/AAAAAAAACX4/ZLzVdyU8ZRg/s400/hsyoushouldmeditate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.harisingh.com/newsMeditations.htm">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<<<<And I'm finding this quote here, (which I originally found to be simply humorous), to be shockingly accurate. In fact, when I start to feel anxiety creep in, I have begun to simply sit down and do my meditations (or use a mantra, or take some breaths), and I will get back on track. All that "stuff" I needed to hurry to do falls away and does "get done." I'm finding more ease in my days, more time for leisure and relaxation, while still taking care of clients and housework and being a mom and exercising and everything! My finances have actually improved since practicing this technique, because relaxing into time is really the ultimate surrender and act of trust in the Universe to provide what you need, when you need it.<br />
<br />
Have I mastered this? Heck no! I still occasionally cringe at my pile of to-dos, but now I know how to take it in perspective, rather than push through. This is a discipline, to be sure, but it is SO worth it, and in fact, makes life much more fun! There are surprises around every corner if you can surrender to the present moment!<br />
<br />
<i><b>How does this show up in feng shui? What can you shift in your household or office to reflect this "new" meaning of time?</b></i><br />
<br />
Stay tuned for Part II, to come soon! In the meantime, though, learn to meditate. Here's a video to inspire you:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cQvDGj0z3-8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cQvDGj0z3-8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
<i><b>Just a few more days to sign up for the on-line <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/9_week_Tele-Workshop.html">9-Week Feng Shui Journey!</a> Join us for the adventure to change your life!</b></i>Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-49416702586891469142015-07-02T06:58:00.004-07:002015-07-02T06:58:37.255-07:00Feng Shui & Money: Promoting the FLOW (or Why Not All Fountains Are Created Equal)There are so many ways to facilitate money flow in feng shui. <br />
<br />
And there are also so many ways to block it.<br />
<br />
My friend and client, <a href="https://yeahdave.com/">Dave Romanelli</a> -- yoga & meditation teacher, Momenteer, and author of <a href="https://yeahdave.com/books/"><i>Happy is the New Healthy</i></a> -- texted me for a session the other day:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJU3PqYhV9o/VZQ-2x796GI/AAAAAAAACV0/4UWioouRrCs/s1600/Dave%2Btext.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJU3PqYhV9o/VZQ-2x796GI/AAAAAAAACV0/4UWioouRrCs/s400/Dave%2Btext.png" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our text conversation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last time we had spoke, we assessed the Money area of his home and his office, which is usually the back left corner of the space. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vrZCubje-U/VZQ_y9jJ9JI/AAAAAAAACV8/QlUXG_Pf95I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-07-01%2Bat%2B2.34.20%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vrZCubje-U/VZQ_y9jJ9JI/AAAAAAAACV8/QlUXG_Pf95I/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-07-01%2Bat%2B2.34.20%2BPM.png" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you line the brown/black/gray areas to the front door of your floor plan, you will see that the Prosperity/Money area falls in the back left of your space. <br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Originally, on a prior session, he had a huge metal bookshelf in his office that he did not like. This was a problem for many reasons. <br />
<div>
1. It irritated him, as it was darn ugly, and it overwhelmed the space. </div>
<div>
2. It was a place for collecting bits of clutter, which is a no-no anyway BUT especially in the Money area, where this shelf happened to be, and... </div>
<div>
3. It was big and metal, and the element for the Money area is Wood. In the destructive cycle, Metal "chops" Wood, so Metal is the least favorable element for that section of the bagua map! <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I suggested getting rid of the shelving unit and replacing it with a small table with perhaps a fountain, which would symbolize a flow of money. Also because Water "nurtures" Wood in the constructive cycle of the elements, a fountain would be nice, and it would add a lovely natural sound to the office.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had not followed up until he sent me that text. In our Skype session, he showed me the great little black table he had found and the new fountain he had purchased. </div>
<div>
This:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBeuKepjoGo/VZRBRSeDKkI/AAAAAAAACWI/TA7VZISOa9E/s1600/71uyQnYVzbL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBeuKepjoGo/VZRBRSeDKkI/AAAAAAAACWI/TA7VZISOa9E/s320/71uyQnYVzbL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Arm-Spout-Pump-Kit-Medium/dp/B001BO8ITY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1435778104&sr=8-5&keywords=water+fountain+indoor+bamboo">Source, Amazon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Harmless enough, right? In fact, it's quite nice in the photo...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, in our session, I noticed it was not on. The fountain that was supposed to promote flow was not flowing! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Dave, what's up with the fountain? Why isn't it on?" </div>
<div>
"Oh, it is just so noisy honestly. I didn't want it to interrupt our call."</div>
<div>
I raised my eyebrows.</div>
<div>
"How often do you have to turn it off and on?"</div>
<div>
"Well, I forget to turn it on a lot. Really I have to unplug it. Even then, it really doesn't work that well, to make sure it's working, I have to...etc. etc."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So now, readers, you see what is going on here. He had the best of intentions, but this fountain that he chose was symbolizing his subconscious notions about money: that it takes a lot of effort to even get a trickle out of it! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Not all feng shui cures are created equal, indeed!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm happy to say that Dave was actually relieved to hear this and he said, "This makes total sense!" I suggested he get rid of that fountain altogether and use some lucky bamboo (8 stalks) and a red silk cloth (red is a power color) and perhaps a deity of some sort, such as Lakshmi or Ganesha (which coincides with his yogic traditions) or a happy Buddha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I must say, I've seen this with fountains and water features a lot with clients. Basically, if maintaining the feature is a huge pain and takes more effort (cleaning, fixing, etc.) than it is worth and causes you more stress than tranquility, then that fountain is NOT the way to go for you. Think of the symbolism, always! You would be better off with a picture of money flow or a nice, sturdy plant or any of the suggestions I gave Dave.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So...get flowing! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<i>If you'd like to take Feng Shui to the next level, (and learn all you can about Money and Feng Shui), considering Katie's 9-week <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/9_week_Tele-Workshop.html">Feng Shui Journey</a>, a tele-course beginning July 20th, 2015! </i></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-1076635812793676082015-06-23T13:28:00.003-07:002015-06-23T13:29:13.996-07:00The 3 "Biggies" in Feng Shui<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Every room is important in feng shui,
but if I had to pick three areas that impact us the most, it's these:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Front Entrance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. Stove<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(...and I must mention...4. Desk, especially for a home
office!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Why these?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b>The Front Entrance. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main door
to your home represents how you allow the good into your life. So when
spiffing up the front of your home think: Inviting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this part of your home isn’t up to par,
(i.e. cluttered, dingy, broken, or dull), then you may be repelling the good
from coming into your life.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZMQSEEtnw4/VYm64d9tPzI/AAAAAAAACT8/I2bUH7CSMRg/s1600/10-front-door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZMQSEEtnw4/VYm64d9tPzI/AAAAAAAACT8/I2bUH7CSMRg/s400/10-front-door.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20567862_21116358,00.html">Source: This Old House</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You must welcome it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine chi to be like a genie who will bring
you whatever it is you desire, but that genie needs to be honored and invited
in in order for you to get it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2.<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The</span> Bed.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>You spend 1/3 of your
life in your bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And you should!)
Your quality of sleep is affecting <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">everything</b>
from how well you eat, to how well you exercise, to how well you think, and
interact with people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yeah. Bed
needs to be up to par too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Make sure you are sleeping on natural
materials and that there is absolutely no clutter under the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Electronics in the bedroom should be at a
minimum, and yes, that includes the TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bed should also be positioned so that you have a view of the door,
but absolutely not so that your feet are aligned pointing directly out the
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, if you aren’t sleeping
well, please consider the feng shui of the room!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s huge.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jDt-kTHoaI/VYm_GbhHwvI/AAAAAAAACUc/cAo-ORnp1uY/s1600/pale%2Bgray%2Binteriordesign4.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jDt-kTHoaI/VYm_GbhHwvI/AAAAAAAACUc/cAo-ORnp1uY/s640/pale%2Bgray%2Binteriordesign4.com.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://danacaseydesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/monday-morning-feng-shui-bedrooms.html">Source</a>: Dana Casey Design. Few too many pillows for my feng shui taste, but all and all, this is a calm, clean bedroom that should promote good sleep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b>The Stove. </b> The stove represents how you nourish yourself and your
family. If you are cooking with intention and love, it goes far!
Plus, when you have food on the stove, it means you are experiencing some
abundance. Therefore, your stove represents your finances too! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Be sure to keep the stove clean and
use each eye to bring more opportunities into your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, you should also have the “command
position” so that you can see the entrance to the kitchen as to not be
“surprised” while you are engaged in cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wnkd4GKOFBk/VYm_kJCtMNI/AAAAAAAACUk/-1xrFa--jXM/s1600/Fotolia_5794364_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wnkd4GKOFBk/VYm_kJCtMNI/AAAAAAAACUk/-1xrFa--jXM/s400/Fotolia_5794364_XS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theflowdoctor.com/feng-shui-your-kitchen-to-attract-wealth/">Source</a> The shiny surface provides a cure so that the cook can see what is behind them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b>The Desk. </b></span>Again, command position and a desk that is fully functioning will
affect your position at work as well as your finances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>338</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1931</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Periwinkle Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2265</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, if you only do the minimum in
feng shui, give attention to these 3 biggies -- and clutter too -- and you'll
start to see the shifts immediately! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/9_week_Tele-Workshop.html"><i><br /></i></a></span>
<u><i>Check out Katie's on-line<a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/Declutter%21.html"> Declutter</a> & <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/9_week_Tele-Workshop.html">Feng Shui</a> courses! </i></u></div>
Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-52066963404940379722015-06-09T04:23:00.002-07:002015-06-09T04:23:51.018-07:00My Suitcase was Stolen - What A Declutterer Learned<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDsL-79pRg/VXbHyeSSpXI/AAAAAAAACSw/Vy5gP9cTjhU/s1600/IMG_5852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDsL-79pRg/VXbHyeSSpXI/AAAAAAAACSw/Vy5gP9cTjhU/s320/IMG_5852.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gulf of Mexico...calling me </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
School was out. The beach was calling -- a 4.5 hour drive through Alabama to the panhandle of Florida. <br />
<br />
I was SO ready. <br />
<br />
So ready, in fact, that I packed the day before and went ahead and put the suitcases in the car so that we could roll out of bed at 7 AM and make it to sand-and-surf by lunch.<br />
<br />
We awoke as planned, with that Christmas morning feel. I was excited to get Outta There to my beloved Gulf. I scurried to get the final items together. I happened to glance down at my phone at one point (habit) to see that someone in our neighborhood had posted that his Jeep had been ransacked the night before. <br />
<br />
I paid no attention...until I went to my own car. Did I leave the glove compartment open for some reason? Why is the center console wide open?<br />
<br />
Oh no. Where is my SUITCASE? <br />
<br />
I did what many a Southern lady would do: I called my Mama. <br />
<br />
"I think I'm just in shock!" I told her. She had complete empathy. After all, summer had just begun, and I had lovingly packed my favorites of the favorites of summer attire (which is my favorite): the best-looking and most comfortable. The white linen pants that fit perfectly, the aqua sundress bought in the Bahamas which seemed made for me, the just-enough-baggy shorts that were as comfortable as pajamas without sacrificing style. And the bathing suits! All four of them. Not to mention my best yoga clothes and running shoes. Ack, the bras and panties alone! Oh, and sandals. Good ones.<br />
<br />
If you follow me at all, you know that my mantra is DECLUTTER. Over the years, I have refined and refined, and while I'm not quite a minimalist, I have definitely whittled my belongings -- including my clothing (which is no easy task being the daughter of a daughter of a daughter of seamstress/designers) -- to that which is only necessary and/or "sparks joy," a term lifted from<a href="http://tidyingup.com/"> Marie Kondo's teachings</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>Take away one suitcase, and you are basically taking away my entire wardrobe, or at least very key pieces of it.</b><br />
<br />
Once past the initial shock, I succumbed to the fact that we were going to be leaving for the beach later than anticipated. Curious and caring neighbors came out to pat me on the back, as the cops arrived; it turned out that many cars in the neighborhood had been vandalized (but no broken windows that I know of). <br />
<br />
Still, I was so ready to get to the beach. I gave my report and went back inside for a duffel bag, and this time, I took minimalism to heart, grabbing only a few items of clothing and tossing them in.<br />
<br />
(And yes, I stopped by a store once at the beach and found one bathing suit that would carry me through.)<br />
<br />
At the beach, I admit I missed my clothes. After all, the second round of packing was not thought out much, and I didn't even have a cover up with me. <br />
<br />
I simply wore what I had, and that was as good as ever, it being a casual trip to the beach anyway. But still, there were some unsettling moments of, "Oh yeah, I'm going to have to replace my strapless bra now" and "Oh yeah, I wore that easy blue dress a lot; now what?" "Oh yeah, this dress I brought really needs those shoes to look right."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6XJhK52jmM/VXbH6yA1TUI/AAAAAAAACTA/Pm3pl4fJCP0/s1600/IMG_5853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6XJhK52jmM/VXbH6yA1TUI/AAAAAAAACTA/Pm3pl4fJCP0/s320/IMG_5853.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Enter: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Earth-Awakening-Purpose-Selection/dp/0452289963"><u>The New Earth</u> by Eckhart Tolle</a>. It was recommended by a dear client, and you know when you get that little ping -- I knew it was my book for the beach.<br />
<br />
The book is a revelation for me on many levels, but for this post, I'll focus on his descriptions of "form" and "space." Tolle explains that, in today's society and over many centuries, humans have been heavily preoccupied with form -- our bodies, our cars, our houses, our level of success based on this and that, our test scores and achievements, our clothes-- over "space," which is our inner essence and life and God itself. <br />
<br />
In the shortest of short, he says that a balance between the two is the key to happiness, connection, and yes, joy. <br />
<br />
**********************************************<br />
<br />
Back home, I alerted my insurance company about the theft, and I'm still waiting to hear. For fun, I decided to make a game of the loss, and I posted on Facebook that my stolen suitcase is a good excuse for my friends to declutter and to please give me the clothes that they no longer want. <br />
<br />
This worked. <br />
<br />
I have been relatively unpicky in what I received -- if it fit decently -- I kept it. <br />
<br />
It's amazing what the Universe brings you if you just open up. Very little of what was given to me would I actually take off the rack at the store and buy myself, but interestingly, the pieces are working for me in a different way. Colors that I am not drawn to while shopping are now in my drawers, which feels good for a change! New shoes that I would have overlooked now sit in my closet, and they are turning out to be my most comfortable and functional yet. One tank top (that I almost discarded) surprised me by working perfectly as a work-to-yoga piece, saving me an outfit change for the day. <br />
<br />
Sure, I will have to reassess in a few weeks, and I'm sure I'll need to let go of some of these items. And of course, yes, I will soon be shopping to replace things like bras and running socks.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'm wearing the things that in my own closet were second-tier, and they are finding new life, and then enjoying the gifts, and possibly a new means of self-expression?<br />
<br />
More significantly though, what I've released at a deeper level is that the stolen suitcase is a chance to dis-identity to form at all, at least when it comes to my personal fashion style. In decluttering, with Kondo's mantra, "does it spark joy?" when choosing items to stay in one's home, comes the remembrance that, although these items may bring forth a moment of happiness, they are not the <b>source</b> of the joy. The source of the joy is pure spirit, within us, and these items are simply (and paradoxically) vague, dreamy reminders of that.<br />
<br />
For me, the loss of the suitcase gave way for great joy: the opportunity for playful shopping experiences in my friend's closets, the adventure of "what will the Universe provide"? It opened space for my friends too: they are now less cluttered, and they got to be the joyous givers of things that no longer served them, in hopes of serving their fellow human: me. <br />
<br />
I ask you: where in your life can you be less attached to form and more open to space?<br />
<br />
I recommend the adventure that arises from it. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjUbitkEWEA/VXbH21Q8D2I/AAAAAAAACS4/DnkxcAps98Y/s1600/suitcase%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjUbitkEWEA/VXbH21Q8D2I/AAAAAAAACS4/DnkxcAps98Y/s640/suitcase%2Bblog.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few items that I received! (the middle is the work-to-yoga tank) :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-8396285143614468752015-05-08T13:42:00.003-07:002015-05-12T09:33:42.943-07:00How To Declutter Your Kid's Stuff WITH Your Kid (and Still All Love Each Other Afterwards)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, I was done. Done with looking at my little girl's room and all those damn. tiny. little. nothing. toys that would find their way in my purse, under her bed, in the bathroom, in her sock drawer, in the car...</div>
<br />
You know what I mean. <br />
<br />
While I thought I cleaned my child's room out regularly, feng shui practitioners know that we are all blind to our own "stuff." Ava's room was my blind spot. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2E4laB9QGs/VU0QTds4i1I/AAAAAAAACOo/j33CdmJJxB8/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2E4laB9QGs/VU0QTds4i1I/AAAAAAAACOo/j33CdmJJxB8/s320/IMG_5702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her bedroom. Please note that I did not straighten up AT ALL for this pic. <br />
It's usually a little bit better. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VASuGzS8oLI/VU0QTh90MtI/AAAAAAAACOw/mQJLU54jwvs/s1600/IMG_5703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VASuGzS8oLI/VU0QTh90MtI/AAAAAAAACOw/mQJLU54jwvs/s400/IMG_5703.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little bucket thing only serves the purpose of collecting those tiny. dumb. toys. Tried to sort. Not happening. THIS THING IS TOAST. She doesn't even play with the stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDj6FXh-Ilk/VU0QZqaJG1I/AAAAAAAACPI/OHm_l0gp4Lk/s1600/IMG_5705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDj6FXh-Ilk/VU0QZqaJG1I/AAAAAAAACPI/OHm_l0gp4Lk/s400/IMG_5705.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not proud; don't judge. <br />
Bottom -- One bin: costumes. Second bin: costume accessories. Third bin: Musical instruments. <br />
The middle shelf -- not functioning at all. TOAST.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlxHfYgj0ag/VU0QYEnTmlI/AAAAAAAACPA/EF9uelvibeA/s1600/IMG_5704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlxHfYgj0ag/VU0QYEnTmlI/AAAAAAAACPA/EF9uelvibeA/s400/IMG_5704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of closet. Clothes are driving me crazy. Top shelf: games we play, like, never.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yeah...so I had let my child's room go a bit. And I do this for a living. This should make you feel GREAT about your own home, okay?<br />
<br />
So, I announced over breakfast yesterday that, after school, we were taking every single toy out of her room, and only putting back the ones that made her "feel happy." And then we might change her furniture around.<br />
<br />
Her response: "Yay!" <br />
<br />
Mine back to that (covering up my slight surprise): "Yes. YAY!" <br />
<br />
Ava knows the clean-out process fairly well, because I've been doing it with her since she had any cognizant understanding as to what was happening. That was when she was 2 years old. She is now 5. <br />
<br />
Sure enough, at 3:15 PM we began. By 5:15, the room looked like this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIiag1TNjjU/VU0Qs5N0BQI/AAAAAAAACQc/bn7ZwVC0piY/s1600/IMG_5716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIiag1TNjjU/VU0Qs5N0BQI/AAAAAAAACQc/bn7ZwVC0piY/s400/IMG_5716.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-dah!!! 2 hours, no lie. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blBXebH-jq8/VU0QrQ-OQGI/AAAAAAAACQU/IyeCJyxNJn8/s1600/IMG_5714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blBXebH-jq8/VU0QrQ-OQGI/AAAAAAAACQU/IyeCJyxNJn8/s320/IMG_5714.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arranged more neatly. I wanted to give her access to a variety of things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_AoiDMnmU/VU0QsufLCuI/AAAAAAAACQg/Ktf4M6-MD64/s1600/IMG_5715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_AoiDMnmU/VU0QsufLCuI/AAAAAAAACQg/Ktf4M6-MD64/s320/IMG_5715.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She TOTALLY got into it, and wanted to wipe down her kitchen. It had cat hair on it, so that was good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lrKIeEBc3w/VU0QujMeiKI/AAAAAAAACQs/GrqJJa6ANtg/s1600/IMG_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lrKIeEBc3w/VU0QujMeiKI/AAAAAAAACQs/GrqJJa6ANtg/s320/IMG_5717.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layout of furniture is good, not the best. A pretty little rug will help, as will some white eyelet curtains. Love girly! I may replace the Mardi Gras pic but she sure does like it. :) (Who wouldn't like a pic of a cat and a jester?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
HOW TO DECLUTTER WITH YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE DARLINGS and still love them when you're done:<br />
1. <b> Absolutely involve them</b>. The most amazing thing I learned from teaching preschool is this line: "You have a choice." Your children are little people. By teaching them how to let go -- yet guiding them and still giving them the choice for what stays and goes -- is a tremendous thing to teach them! To get rid of their things without them present is disrespectful. How would you feel if someone did that to you?!<br />
2. <b>Take everything out of the room. </b> When you take it ALL out, they see how much they have, and it makes letting go a ton easier! They won't feel like you are taking everything away, because guess what: there is so much left. <b>The key to successful decluttering and organizing is to GET RID OF as much stuff as possible. </b>Period. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4xGH1UE_2Q/VU0Qm1546XI/AAAAAAAACQE/MxuoA8-trxg/s1600/IMG_5712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a4xGH1UE_2Q/VU0Qm1546XI/AAAAAAAACQE/MxuoA8-trxg/s400/IMG_5712.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My living room. When Christmas gifts become the anti-Christ, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. <b>Hold up each item with them and ask, "DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPY?"</b> Not: "Does this make you happy?" Not: "Is this a happy thing?" Put the "feeling" verb in there. That is all you have to ask. If it is a yes, it stays; if it is a no, it goes. Two piles. Yesterday, we had a Maybe pile going for the first 10 minutes, but she quickly forgot about it, because the game was in a flow. (The Maybe pile went btw -- it almost always does.) <br />
3. <b> Don't get involved. </b>You may be attached to some things that they are not. Give yourself permission to keep one or two things that you find sentimental, but no more. <br />
4. <b>Explain beforehand that these toys are going to someone else who will love and use them. </b><br />
It doesn't hurt that Ava knows that there are some children in the world who have zero toys. I am sure to bring that up every time we give stuff away. I hope that it will instill a sort of gratitude in her. Giving is good; it helps people. I want her to know this in and out.<br />
5. <b>Tell them it's a treasure hunt. </b> Because it is! Ava got excited over and over at discovering forgotten toys that indeed, made her feel happy, that she thought she had lost. <br />
6. <b>Don't get hung up on things. </b>Just toss in the Maybe pile.<br />
7. <b>Little items can be gathered in one out-of-the-way place. </b><br />
<b> </b>This was my solution: <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfHZqUcLOiA/VU0Qv-HBSlI/AAAAAAAACQ0/0PYVpAGWvlU/s1600/IMG_5718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfHZqUcLOiA/VU0Qv-HBSlI/AAAAAAAACQ0/0PYVpAGWvlU/s320/IMG_5718.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Usually under-the-bed is a feng shui no-no, but because this is the ONLY thing under there, and the child only takes up about 1/20th of the bed, I made an exception. <br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>8. Organize according to "priority." </b>If she or he uses it often, then keep it close. Hence, the costume box on the floor. She has about 8 costume changes a day, so it was justified. <br />
9. <b>If you get overwhelmed, just keep going! </b> You will get overwhelmed and think, "Can I get this done?" You will. <br />
10. <b>Set aside a designated time. </b>Three hours is the magic number, I've found, but your child will last less than that. Again, I did it yesterday in 2, but we didn't do the clothes, and there was extra time to put the give-away items in the car and such.<br />
10. <b>Reward him or her, and celebrate. </b>It doesn't have to be anything fancy, a high five and a popsicle will do! Let them have the chance to be proud of themselves.<br />
<br />
In the end, decluttering with my little girl is a fun bonding experience, for real! She literally was singing the entire time. Children know deep down the positive effects of an energy shift, and cleaning out the old is just that! After all, they are growing and changing at warp speed, and their space should reflect their changes!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Katie is available for in-person declutter sessions and loves to work with children! Call 205.983.0888 or email katierogersfengshui@gmail.com for more info. </i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-11778268305812713972015-05-07T11:19:00.002-07:002015-05-07T11:19:50.976-07:00This Birmingham Woman May Get Arrested for...WHAT?Friday, May 1st was Ana Sullivan's birthday. But not even the gorgeous weather we've been having could brighten up this <b>major birthday bummer</b>...<br />
<br />
On that very day, the City of Birmingham gave her a "present" in the form of a notice. It was a warning that if she didn't correct a certain something within 14 days, a warrant would be put out for her arrest.<br />
<br />
The offense?<br />
<br />
Flowers.<br />
<br />
These flowers to be exact: <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9CN5FBFYAA/VUuCR0QTzdI/AAAAAAAACNI/-NfOR16akkA/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9CN5FBFYAA/VUuCR0QTzdI/AAAAAAAACNI/-NfOR16akkA/s400/photo%2B5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coreopsis </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ana planted them in her front yard, located in the Avondale neighborhood, along with some cosmos and poppies. <br />
<br />
What's the catch, you may be thinking? Certainly, there is something else going on, right???<br />
<br />
I went to her house to check out the situation and get a closer look. Surely, someone cannot be arrested for flowers!<br />
<br />
Here is what I saw:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcOhPInCpp8/VUuCHDbr0dI/AAAAAAAACMw/zfYn4_yBB7k/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcOhPInCpp8/VUuCHDbr0dI/AAAAAAAACMw/zfYn4_yBB7k/s640/photo%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana's house with lots of pretty flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GnouffWJdU/VUuCRcusIVI/AAAAAAAACNM/x8W8JvrSmiI/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GnouffWJdU/VUuCRcusIVI/AAAAAAAACNM/x8W8JvrSmiI/s640/photo%2B2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To be fair, the flowers are in the "right of way" which is technically owned by the city. I'm still not sure about the damage the flowers are doing to threaten a warrant. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8qxLx7j0GI/VUuCPGo8vMI/AAAAAAAACNA/-1MNSLtgY8A/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8qxLx7j0GI/VUuCPGo8vMI/AAAAAAAACNA/-1MNSLtgY8A/s640/photo%2B3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from the front porch. Nothing offensive here as far as I can see.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sure enough, here's the letter:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVR0F06sEs/VUuEaQ4yOZI/AAAAAAAACNk/RZcIqIWcREw/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVR0F06sEs/VUuEaQ4yOZI/AAAAAAAACNk/RZcIqIWcREw/s640/photo%2B4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I asked her about the jasmine that covers and shades the front porch, thinking that maybe there are some laws about that. She said, no, that it has been there for years, and that was not what the letter was referring to, (to which I agree). She also disclosed to me that this time last year, while attending her daughter's end-of-the-school-year party, she came home to see her yard (oops, sorry, the right of way between the sidewalk and the street) cut -- yes, CUT DOWN. Last year, she was given no notice, no warning, and a neighbor confirmed that indeed it was someone from the City who had done it.<br />
<br />
At least this time, the City of Birmingham had the decency to allow her to cut them herself?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBMrGuL8YbI/VUurZDW51dI/AAAAAAAACOA/Z944QuKNduk/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBMrGuL8YbI/VUurZDW51dI/AAAAAAAACOA/Z944QuKNduk/s320/flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana is currently in touch with several members of the community to get to the bottom of this. The woman at the phone number on the citation loosely claimed that it was the "undergrowth" to the coreopsis, not the yellow flowers themselves, but Ana was quick to point out that those too, were flowers (cosmos) that just haven't bloomed yet. Plus I'm not sure how this logic plays out in accordance to the 2-to-4-inch rule mentioned in the letter.<br />
<br />
It seems that there are a couple of species in her yard that are supposedly federally protected as well...which could make this whole thing even more interesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
HOW YOU CAN HELP:<br />
Spread the word! Change takes all of us! Ana is also concerned that 14 days is an unreasonable amount of time to figure out what to do and what her rights are. If you can help, please email her at <a href="http://m.anasullivan@yahoo.com/">m.anasullivan@yahoo.com </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Remember... </i><br />
<i>A few years ago in Los Angeles, <a href="http://ronfinley.com/?page_id=5">Ron Finley</a> was arrested for "guerrilla gardening" (this time it was food) in those patches between sidewalk and street. ARRESTED...for gardening. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But because of the outrage of the community, the pressure caused the city to change these ridiculous laws! Now you can grow veggies (as well as flowers) in the areas technically owned by the city. Note that Finley was planting in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_desert">food deserts</a>; it's a good thing that men like Finley are working to make our cities healthier and more livable! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Here's his Ted Talk if you need some mad inspiration.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EzZzZ_qpZ4w/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EzZzZ_qpZ4w?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-85185889756660674952015-04-29T12:18:00.002-07:002015-04-29T12:18:18.184-07:0050+ Books to Shift Your Consciousness & Inspire YouWith summer around the corner, what better way to spend a lazy day than to read? Get inspired this summer! Here's a list of some of my favorites in no particular order if you need something to oh, you know, change your life in amazing ways... <br />
<br />
<br />
LIST OF FAVES:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda<br />
<br />
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks<br />
<br />
The Course in Miracles<br />
<br />
Lightworker's Way by Doreen Virtue<br />
Healing with the Angels by Doreen Virtue<br />
<br />
Make Miracles in Forty Days by Melody Beattie<br />
<br />
Animal Speak by Ted Andrews<br />
Animal-Wise by Ted Andrews<br />
<br />
Animal Talk by Penelope Smith<br />
<br />
Ask and It is Given by Abraham-Hicks<br />
<br />
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay<br />
<br />
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse<br />
<br />
The Alchemist by Pablo Coehlo<br />
<br />
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron<br />
<br />
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle<br />
<br />
Grace and Grit by Lanier Isom & Lilly Ledbetter<br />
<br />
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman<br />
<br />
Dream Game by Ann Faraday<br />
Dream Tending by Dr. Stephen Aizenstat<br />
<br />
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell<br />
<br />
The Bible<br />
<br />
Non-Violent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg<br />
<br />
Think and Grow Rick by Napolean Hill<br />
<br />
The Game of Life by Florence Scovel Shinn<br />
<br />
The Four Agreements by Don-Miguel Ruiz<br />
<br />
Anger by Thich Nhat Hanh<br />
<br />
Diet for a New America by John Robbins<br />
<br />
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell<br />
<br />
Mists of Avalon by Marion Bradley<br />
<br />
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray<br />
<br />
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman<br />
<br />
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh<br />
<br />
Stardust by Neil Gaiman<br />
<br />
The Hobbit by J. R. Tolkien<br />
<br />
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert<br />
<br />
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono<br />
<br />
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins<br />
<br />
Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving<br />
<br />
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki<br />
<br />
The I Ching<br />
<br />
Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss<br />
<br />
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran<br />
<br />
The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda<br />
<br />
Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss<br />
<br />
There Is A River: The Story of Edgar Cayce by Thomas Sugre<br />
<br />
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield<br />
<br />
Making Movies by Sidney Lumet<br />
<br />
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo<br />
<br />
Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston<br />
<br />
Feng Shui Chic by Sharon Stasney (and all her books)<br />
<br />
Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life by Karen Rausch Carter<br />
<br />
The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Kathryn Collins<br />
<br />
Sacred Space by Denise Linn<br />
<br />
For more feng shui books, see <a href="http://www.thesparklit.blogspot.com/2013/07/awesome-feng-shui-books.html">this post! </a><br />
<br />
What are your favorites??!<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-79208107375410730302015-02-24T17:46:00.000-08:002015-02-24T17:46:04.519-08:00Romance, Wabi-Sabi, and the Unglorification of Perfectionism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is Jessica Lazarus. She's getting married in October. I wish I could say that this was yet another romance sparked by a feng shui cure, but nope, I only met her two days ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5K5z7OgKyo/VOu6DwiaZII/AAAAAAAACBI/_wmJEnde-r8/s1600/jessica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5K5z7OgKyo/VOu6DwiaZII/AAAAAAAACBI/_wmJEnde-r8/s1600/jessica.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Coincidentally, it was at an engagement party. (We were celebrating <a href="http://www.angelakaren.com/">Angela Karen,</a> Birmingham photographer, the gorgeous blonde in the background, who is getting married in May.)<br />
<br />
I wanted to meet Jessica because of her HAIR. It's red and pretty. Again, coincidentally, it turns out that <a href="http://zarusalon.com/">Jessica is a hair stylist and make-up artist</a> and that, according to Angie, she is THE red expert in Birmingham. <br />
<br />
She and I became fast friends, and as conversations go, Jessica asked me what I did for a living, and I told her that I was a feng shui consultant. She lit up, as some people do, and she told me about her beloved home. She and her fiancé live together in a older, more "charming" house on the edge of Forest Park and Avondale (Forest Park to him, Avondale to her) and she described how she wants everything "perfect" (i.e. the wall art can never get straight enough) and that her husband is a sort of happy-go-lucky free-for-all type who says that it's all good...it's wabi-sabi.<br />
<br />
"Wabi-sabi?" I asked. "Is that how he describes your relationship...or the house?" <br />
<br />
Jessica smiled largely. "Well, I meant the house, but I guess it could apply to our relationship too!"<br />
<br />
You see, I had no idea what wabi-sabi meant. It's Japanese, I knew, but only because it was the name of a sushi restaurant in Venice, CA where I used to reside. <br />
<br />
I was intrigued. "What do you mean? I mean, what does IT mean? Wabi-sabi." My heart rate was going up. I could tell we were hitting on something good and juicy and feng shui-y.<br />
<br />
She kept smiling (she really has a charming smile) and said, "I don't know. Trey says it's like the 'perfect imperfection,' like perfect is imperfect or the imperfections make a place perfect."<br />
<br />
Ah-ha this was it! After all, I often encounter people who think that their houses have to be PERFECT in order for it to have good feng shui. And I'm like, "No, no, no. Then it would NOT be good feng shui."<br />
<br />
Furthermore, people are always saying to me, "YOUR home must be perfect."<br />
<br />
And I'm like, "No it's not! It's really not. Trust me." Then I wink and say, "But of course, it has good feng shui."<br />
<br />
So, on this serendipitous evening, surrounded by bride-to-be's, I discover this word -- a beautiful, melodic, foreign, fun WORD -- for this concept of perfection being imperfect and imperfection being perfect. Oh, how I love a paradox!<br />
<br />
<br />
WABI- SABI. There really is no real English translation for it. There is only description. I searched online for attempts at definitions. While <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi">Wikipedia </a>was satisfactory, this one was my favorite:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">From <a href="http://nobleharbor.com/tea/chado/WhatIsWabi-Sabi.htm">NobleHarbor:</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered-and it reveres authenticity above all. Wabi-sabi is flea markets, not warehouse stores; aged wood, not Pergo; rice paper, not glass. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind. It reminds us that we are all but transient beings on this planet-that our bodies as well as the material world around us are in the process of returning to the dust from which we came. Through wabi-sabi, we learn to embrace liver spots, rust, and frayed edges, and the march of time they represent. ---- </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">-architect </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial Rounded MT Bold;">Tadao </span></span></i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial Rounded MT Bold; font-size: medium;"><i>Anode</i></span></span></div>
<br />
Poetry, I tell ya. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q35hyfgB36g/VO0obSSLH8I/AAAAAAAACB8/6JMbiVpo1C0/s1600/47e158243d84f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q35hyfgB36g/VO0obSSLH8I/AAAAAAAACB8/6JMbiVpo1C0/s1600/47e158243d84f.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecosalon.com/what_is_wabi_sabi/">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Trust me, I'm still absorbing what the concept of wabi-sabi means, but I can tell you that, as far as feng shui goes, the word has inspired me to reinforce to you that a "perfect," Pinterest-worthy home may not be good feng shui. A lived-in, happy, and (gasp) even outdated home, with quirks and imperfections, but a good flow, a humble presence, gracious hosts, and plenty of authenticity, may just be the best feng shui of all. <br />
<br />
(This all being said, wabi-sabi is not an excuse for you not getting that annoying leak fixed nor allow the paint to chip all over the home.) <br />
<br />
The point is, your home is as unique as you are. None of us are perfect, and in this society, with its air-brushed bikini bodies and manicured lawns, we can forget that our imperfections -- and our homes' imperfections -- are well, what make us perfect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
What does this all have to do with Romance? Interestingly, when I was 16, I met a girl my age who was raised in Europe, so naturally she had different sensibilities that I did, and she was in love, and I found her strangely wise. She said to me once, about her boyfriend, "I love him<i><b> because</b></i> of his flaws. It's his flaws that make him who he is. And I love him for them."<br />
<br />
And it's stuck with me ever since. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Congrats to both Angela and Jessica on your upcoming nuptials! May the spirit of wabi-sabi be with you both! xooxox</i><br />
<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-87784794146979991112015-01-20T07:38:00.001-08:002015-01-20T07:38:30.973-08:00The Year of the Sheep, My TakeOn February 19, 2015, we will move into the Year of the Sheep (otherwise known as the Ram or the Goat.)<br />
<br />
We will be moving <b>out</b> of the Year of the Horse.<br />
<br />
Horses I am into. I absolutely love horses. They may just be my favorite animals. <br />
<br />
But Sheep? I mean, I really don't think about sheep so much.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr-vN8lX8R0/VL3jn57ZbxI/AAAAAAAACAA/1tAQ2oAgqRk/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr-vN8lX8R0/VL3jn57ZbxI/AAAAAAAACAA/1tAQ2oAgqRk/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you talkin' about, Katie? (<a href="http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1955014_1940567_1939610,00.html">Source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Because I was a bit dissatisfied with what information I found on the Internet regarding the Year of the Sheep, I decided to sit down and see if I could get some of my own guidance, (a.k.a. "automatic writing).<br />
<br />
This is what came through:<br />
I wrote, "I ask for information/guidance regarding the energies of the Year of the Sheep that is coming up."<br />
<br />
I got:<br />
Sheep's energy is one of Giving. It gives milk and wool and is mild-mannered. There is an abundance energy regarding Sheep in that it can give and give and not be affected much in that giving. The milk is easily replaced as is the wool. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfPEe-VeTaM/VL3kODJjtvI/AAAAAAAACAI/rrgbBP5rsnU/s1600/SheepDayPic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfPEe-VeTaM/VL3kODJjtvI/AAAAAAAACAI/rrgbBP5rsnU/s1600/SheepDayPic.JPG" height="437" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soulehomestead.org/sheepDay.html">Source</a> "Comfort & nurturing" are marks of the Year of the Sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Innocence is the mark of Sheep too. (Sacrificial lamb.) Sheep is not necessarily a determined creature but one that is content to follow the herd.<br />
<br />
While some people, especially in Western cultures, may see this attribute as a flaw or weakness, in truth, it is simply a willingness to surrender to the flow of the energy currents already present. Not wanting nor striving to be a "leader" or "unique" can have great benefits.<br />
<br />
It has the element of being content with one's "herd" or tribe and enjoying the comforts of a pastoral life, knowing that there is a shepherd of sorts watching over in protection. After all, how many tales have a shepherd as an important character? One who is usually humble and true and free of pretense? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9LS1IY4x7w/VL3k1m4jT5I/AAAAAAAACAU/AP6gD0l9oA0/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9LS1IY4x7w/VL3k1m4jT5I/AAAAAAAACAU/AP6gD0l9oA0/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.emergingscholars.org/2013/12/supporting-cast-christmas-story-shepherds/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sheep does not hide nor does it stand out particularly. Their role may seem passive in Western eyes, yet Westerners have forgotten the value of going with the flow and allowing.<br />
<br />
After all, if a sheep strays from the herd, that is when disruption happens. If the shepherd is a true one, it is IDEAL to stick with the herd -- so before one judges the "herd mentality," remember that the herd mentality can be healthy if it's in the highest good of all.<br />
<br />
<b>As far as 2015, the Year of the Sheep, goes.... expect abundance -- not in the flashy, showy way -- but in the creature comforts of home and family life</b>. If one can unplug from the go-go-go mentality of the Western culture and learn to surrender to a calmer, more meandering path, one will discover the joys of a slower pace and really ENJOY life. <br />
<br />
While the Year of the Horse had its ups and downs and excitements, the Year of the Sheep will be a welcome one with its nurturing energies if one can recognize that there is value in living day to day at a slower speed. Give thanks for the blessings that are here! Sheep shall give great comfort and joy. She is The Great Provider and while she does not fan fancy feathers nor strut her stuff, her gifts are 10,000-fold if you could all just settle down and honor her.<br />
<br />
Sheep is the 8th animal in the Chinese zodiac.<br />
<br />
The numerology adds up to an 8 year (2+0+1+5=8).<br />
<br />
8 is the number of prosperity and abundance and flow. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>It is tradition in China to prepare for the Chinese New Year by letting go of the old -- decluttering and cleaning house! Please join us for DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO CLARITY so Sheep can have room and space to provide for you in 2015. <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/Online_Classes.html">Click here for testimonials and to sign up!</a> </b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D5061245186910233769%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-h9LS1IY4x7w%252FVL3k1m4jT5I%252FAAAAAAAACAU%252FAP6gD0l9oA0%252Fs1600%252Fimages-1.jpeg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 152px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1411px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D5061245186910233769%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-h9LS1IY4x7w%252FVL3k1m4jT5I%252FAAAAAAAACAU%252FAP6gD0l9oA0%252Fs1600%252Fimages-1.jpeg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 152px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1411px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-23559179388699397972014-12-19T09:42:00.002-08:002014-12-19T09:42:31.803-08:00How to Declutter -- Japanese-style!I've been antsy to write this book report since I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419009602&sr=8-1&keywords=the+life+changing+magic+of+tidying+up">Marie Kondo's book a few weeks ago. </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKxpqm4wq0U/VJReyEtOS_I/AAAAAAAAB_A/rKxFUxO4mC8/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKxpqm4wq0U/VJReyEtOS_I/AAAAAAAAB_A/rKxFUxO4mC8/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Turns out you CAN judge a book by the cover. (Notice the all lower caps. love.) This one is precious from the outside all the way through.<br />
<br />
First, be warned: Marie Kondo is Japanese. She's tiny and quaint and precious as far as I can tell, having not met her in person (yet). Her book is about "<b>tidying,"</b> which in plain English translates to <b>"decluttering and organizing" </b>which in most American households translates to <b>"getting rid of your s@#* that has piled up."</b><br />
<br />
I have not been to Japan (yet), but let's face it, I think the Japanese have we Americans whooped in the "tidying" department. You never hear about McMansions over there. No, instead visions of crisp white mats on floors and neat little chopsticks and perfectly-rolled sushi fill my brain when I think of Japan.<br />
<br />
When I think of typical middle-America? I see SuperSizeMe and strip malls and big cars and traffic, truth be told.<br />
<br />
So. We are whooped. <br />
<br />
Top that by the fact that Marie has literally been decluttering (tidying) since she was FIVE, stealing her mother's housekeeping magazines to learn as much as she could and sneaking into her siblings' rooms to practice her techniques. <br />
<br />
By the end of the book, we also discover that every time she enters her home, she has a ritual where she unpacks her purse and places her wallet and few other items in special "homes." <br />
<br />
I have never, ever known anyone to unpack her purse every day and have special little spots in the house for all the items within. <br />
<br />
Here's the painful part of all of this.<br />
<br />
Her method -- the KonMari Method -- makes 100% total and complete sense from a feng shui point of view. <br />
<br />
It's humbling.<br />
<br />
In all my days of preaching about the impact of clutter, this woman puts my American-self to shame.<br />
<br />
Rest assured, she and I have very similar styles.<br />
<br />
Here is where we agree:<br />
1. <i>She believes in "discarding" first.</i> YES! Get rid of it. Please. Just.<br />
2. <i>She believes that organization containers are bogus and that the house is equipped with proper storage. </i> YES! Don't get sucked into The Container Store thinking that it will cure your organizational woes! It won't.<br />
3. <i>She poo-poos buying in bulk.</i> YES. <br />
4. <i> She believes that every item has a life of its own and that it has a profound affect on the owner. </i>YES! A million times, yes! <br />
5. <i>She believes that if it "doesn't spark joy," it goes! </i>YES!!! And I thank her profusely for this term because I was using the vague: "Does it raise your energy?" for each item, and I know for a fact that this sparking-joy clause is super-charged and powerful beyond belief!<br />
6. <i>She declutters according to category (clothes, books, etc.) rather than room. </i> YES YES YES!<br />
7. <i>Every item needs a home.</i> YEEEEESSSSSSSSS!<br />
<br />
God, I love this woman. <br />
<br />
Now, for the American vs. Japanese part:<br />
Here is where I may not agree, as well the main things I learned from her thus far:<br />
1. <i>She believes that every one can organize according to her system, that different personalities and brains can operate under the KonMari Method.</i> I, for one, love "studying" how different we all are, and I can speak for myself that, being a fast-moving right-brainer, there are some practices she recommends that wouldn't serve me. Still. I may try them...<br />
2. <i>She likes to fold. </i>She is teaching me to like folding. Folding is fun. Well, it is when you get the results of her technique which have sort of kind of blown my mind. But yes, folding can be fun. (Remember that origami comes from Japan, right everyone? Okay, so it's ingrained over there. I'm learning.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/4aBo_MS6CSQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/4aBo_MS6CSQ&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/4aBo_MS6CSQ&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
3. <i>She doesn't realize that she is practicing feng shui!!!</i> This tickled me because she has a small and lovely section on feng shui, but she claims not to identify with it, as she's never studied it. Sure, she uses a different language than we consultants would use, but I'd say this woman is practically a feng shui master herself -- at least when it comes to the items in a household.<br />
4. <i>She skips over certain very large topics that Americans would need to read about. </i> For example, garages don't seem to come up. At all. And we all know about stuff and garages. <br />
<br />
Still, Marie Kondo is the Saint of Stuff as far as I'm concerned. Her approach is minimalist to be sure, but in all my years of practicing feng shui, I can attest to minimalism -- or close to it -- as being the way to go.<br />
<br />
Read her book.<br />
<br />
Or, do that, and/or <span style="color: #cc0000;">take my <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/Online_Classes.html">online Declutter Your Way to Clarity course</a> where you will get an email a day to motivate you. </span><br />
<br />
Bottom line: Whether you live in Japan or America, clutter affects you. Your stuff affects you! And you won't know how much it affects you until you deal with it. <br />
<br />
After all, when you deal with your stuff, you deal with your life. Period. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-83518525355469393682014-11-13T09:45:00.000-08:002014-11-13T09:46:09.304-08:00Love Me Some TurquoiseSometimes, I just need to play!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://olioboard.com/challenges/354-turquoise-living-room-challenge/entries">Olioboard</a> is a great tool for designers to use for clients and for themselves when coming up with initial ideas for a space. Or if you are thinking of re-doing a space, give Olioboard a whirl. You can even buy the products on-site, and it calculates a budget to boot!<br />
<br />
They also have tons of contests (I have no idea what you win), but when I saw one for a TURQUOISE LIVING ROOM, oh, I just had to....<br />
<br />
This is what happened:<br />
<a href="http://www.olioboard.com/boards/344285" target="_blank"><img alt="Turquoise & amber" src="http://boards.olioboard.com.s3.amazonaws.com/344285_original.jpg" /></a><br />
I'd live here, would you? To each her own! <br />
<br />
If you are so inclined, and you are reading this in November, consider voting <a href="https://olioboard.com/challenges/354-turquoise-living-room-challenge/entries">HERE</a>... you know, just for fun!<br />
xo, KKatie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-60566140195971863572014-11-08T13:49:00.003-08:002014-11-08T13:49:52.457-08:00The Home Office + Guest Bedroom Combo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm a huge fan of the guest room/home office combo! Why have an entire room used only on the occasions that people are coming to stay with you? While I think it's great to have guest rooms, as it symbolically "invites" in the good, it's also important to keep the chi circulating there, and what better way than to actually USE it? The trick to pulling off the office/guest room is to get creative and to be honest with yourself with the needs for the room. (i.e. Is it more important to function as an office or a bedroom? Who will be visiting? Can you surrender your office for the days that your guests are there?) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some examples below that may give you some ideas for yours:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYz7oNly8FA/VF6NIMytHdI/AAAAAAAAB88/aMfzg7EVQuo/s1600/daveandjoi%2Boffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYz7oNly8FA/VF6NIMytHdI/AAAAAAAAB88/aMfzg7EVQuo/s1600/daveandjoi%2Boffice.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern flair! <a href="http://featherednestny.blogspot.com/2011/01/books-anyone.html"> Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx2plBXTWMk/VF6K4RvVFGI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/bZkjxHQHCx8/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx2plBXTWMk/VF6K4RvVFGI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/bZkjxHQHCx8/s1600/images-2.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofa beds...in purple. Yes! <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/4844082/Office-Guest-bedroom-contemporary-home-office-miami"> Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEx3QoLrbIY/VF6K343jOOI/AAAAAAAAB8E/2TkfBfJLOLM/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEx3QoLrbIY/VF6K343jOOI/AAAAAAAAB8E/2TkfBfJLOLM/s1600/images-3.jpeg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lofty <a href="http://www.decoist.com/2013-07-29/guest-room-decorating-ideas-for-a-dual-purpose-space/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9xwIeKzQN4/VF6K4ffRUoI/AAAAAAAAB8M/F5J4iQGCz5Q/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9xwIeKzQN4/VF6K4ffRUoI/AAAAAAAAB8M/F5J4iQGCz5Q/s1600/images-4.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playful, fun, and functional. <br /><a href="http://decoresource.com/2011/07/20/the-slash-room/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDNkLbz9idw/VF6K45-5vUI/AAAAAAAAB8k/8NQyqOJdYxc/s1600/loft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDNkLbz9idw/VF6K45-5vUI/AAAAAAAAB8k/8NQyqOJdYxc/s1600/loft.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is for those who need an office more than a guest room but want that option. Clever, isn't it? <br /><a href="http://luckypony.co.za/category/design-2/interiors/">Source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">IMPORTANT NOTE: None of these rooms would be appropriate for a bedroom that someone used all the time, as it's not conducive to have an office IN your room unless you have no other choice, and even then, there would have to be some cures set in place. These examples are ONLY for the guest room and office combo! Also, it's important to establish the "command" position when working at a desk as well as when sleeping. (The "command" position simply means you have a view of the doorway of the room.) This could be taken care of with some strategically-placed mirrors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">--K</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-48281511790503835872014-10-20T19:11:00.003-07:002014-10-20T19:11:54.380-07:00"Feng Shui Cure" for EbolaWow. Ebola.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you how to cure that one:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfoxnq2fF4/VEW_R8dQVrI/AAAAAAAAB60/7cpC8wODkeY/s1600/turn%2Boff%2Byour%2Btv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfoxnq2fF4/VEW_R8dQVrI/AAAAAAAAB60/7cpC8wODkeY/s1600/turn%2Boff%2Byour%2Btv.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://yitv.tv/">Source </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
...or get rid of it altogether.<br />
<br />
It's called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensationalism">sensationalism</a>, people. You've got better things to do.Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-54807019826548586372014-10-09T06:53:00.001-07:002014-10-09T06:53:35.602-07:00Is Feng Shui for Christians?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The short answer is YES! <br />
<br />
YES times a billion and times infinity!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeRv6C2-oQo/VDaQKLiALuI/AAAAAAAAB58/RwqtjeLVKjI/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeRv6C2-oQo/VDaQKLiALuI/AAAAAAAAB58/RwqtjeLVKjI/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lifeafter.org/are-mormons-christians/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So...why is this even a topic?<br />
<br />
The fact is, I moved back to the South (aka The Bible Belt) after years of being out west, and since my return, I have heard little whispers amongst some folks that feng shui may go against their religion. Therefore, I am writing here today as a way to clarify and bust through that myth once and for all.<br />
<br />
FENG SHUI IS NOT A RELIGION. Nor will it mess with yours. In fact, it is my job to work with whatever religion and/or spiritual practice you prescribe to!<br />
<br />
Isn't that awesome?! <br />
<br />
It's true.<br />
<br />
But hold tight. What that means is that feng shui is also for Muslims, atheists, Jews, Pantheists, Buddhists, Hindis, Baha'is, Taoists, yogis and yoginis, Wiccans, Sikhs, Hare Krishnas, Pagans, and any other religious or spiritual practice under the sun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MM8dkkrILM/VDaO1Hg0-4I/AAAAAAAAB50/oZ1PYhgc71s/s1600/images.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MM8dkkrILM/VDaO1Hg0-4I/AAAAAAAAB50/oZ1PYhgc71s/s1600/images.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/is-a-cross-a-christian-symbol-only-or-does-a-cross-honor-all-people-regardless-of-their-religiou/question-703275/?link=ibaf&q=&esrc=s">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Because feng shui is just that: spiritual. It's not a religion. It's an ART and a SCIENCE with spiritual undertones.<br />
<br />
And even if you don't even consider yourself spiritual, feng shui will work for you!<br />
<br />
I pride myself on working within the context of my client's lifestyle. In fact, that is the point of feng shui. My suggestions must work for YOU, the unique being that you are. I've worked with clients who practice religions with names that I cannot even spell or pronounce (or remember for that matter), and you know what?...<br />
<br />
It's ALL good.<br />
<br />
But just in case you are Christian, and you still have doubts, keep reading, so I can once and for all, erase any thoughts that feng shui is not for you.<br />
<br />
WHY FENG SHUI IS FOR CHRISTIANS TOO:<br />
<b>First of all,</b> <a href="http://thesparklit.blogspot.com/2013/03/9-feng-shui-things-you-probably-already.html">y</a><b><a href="http://thesparklit.blogspot.com/2013/03/9-feng-shui-things-you-probably-already.html">ou are probably already practicing feng shui.</a> </b> The truth is, if you clean your home regularly, make it nice for guests, take care of your furniture and belongings, declutter often, have some sort of organizational system, and change up the pillows or artwork now and then, you are practicing a basic form of feng shui. You do not have to put up dragons or crystals to be "doing feng shui." <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5V89fBufrE/VDaLgPeWdbI/AAAAAAAAB5U/LGsDYOd2z18/s1600/Noah's%2BArk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5V89fBufrE/VDaLgPeWdbI/AAAAAAAAB5U/LGsDYOd2z18/s1600/Noah's%2BArk.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sometimes tell clients to get their house "ship-shape." <br /> Surely, Noah did to some extent?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feng shui is about HONORING YOUR SPACE, or, in more religious terms, making your space holy, sometimes in very simple ways. Sadly, in today's disposable and fast-paced society, most folks don't even know what honoring one's space even means. Which is where I come in. :)<br />
<br />
Furthermore, I will be bold here, and announce, in all my unscholarliness, that it may be that <b>Jesus "did" feng shui.</b> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ5Eavx62Rk/VDaMMEzEwdI/AAAAAAAAB5k/lA8XYJpWK4w/s1600/jesus-the-good-shepherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ5Eavx62Rk/VDaMMEzEwdI/AAAAAAAAB5k/lA8XYJpWK4w/s1600/jesus-the-good-shepherd.jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picbook.in/jesus-good-shepherd-wallpapers-download-960-wallpapers-page-1/jesus-good-shepherd-wallpapers-download-960-wallpapers-page-1-2/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so did Mary, and Moses, Abraham, Lazarus, and other Biblical persons.<br />
<br />
Here's the bottom line: These spiritual figures more than likely had some sort of order to their belongings, but did they call it "feng shui"? Probably not! <b>But that is because they didn't speak Chinese.</b> (...that I know of.) <br />
<br />
"Feng shui" translates to "wind, water" in Chinese, which has to do with the "flow" in a space. In feng shui, a home must be inviting. There are countless stories in the Bible that involve inviting people into one's home, are there not?<br />
<br />
<b>Also, feng shui may just be IN </b><br />
<b>the Bible...(again, it's just not called that). </b>Think about it: Solomon was given implicit instructions for building his temple. Again, art meets science in the form of deliberate architecture. Was it called feng shui? No, because the temple was not in China, but the idea of building <i>with intention </i>is 100% aligned with feng shui-like concepts.<br />
<br />
And consider this: <b>A priest, when blessing a space, is practicing a basic feng shui ritual. </b><br />
<br />
Even Luke knew a little feng shui: <br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #625529; font-size: 18px;">Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ </span><a class="bibleref" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A5&version=ESV" style="font-size: 18px;">Luke 10:5</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #625529; font-size: 18px;"> </span></b></span><br />
In feng shui, this is known as as setting an intention, a.k.a saying a prayer.<br />
<br />
So please, if anyone tries to tell you that feng shui is "against your religion," ask them first -- in a nice way -- what they know about feng shui. I guarantee you that they know very little and that they have made some false, uneducated assumptions!<br />
<br />
In the end, people only come to feng shui when they are ready. It is powerful work, and yes, I believe that it is "holy" work. <br />
<br />
My theory with feng shui? Don't knock it until you try it. No matter what your religious beliefs may be!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfeCgtTcczw/VDaN3jQGuCI/AAAAAAAAB5s/02YVaQFk3mg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfeCgtTcczw/VDaN3jQGuCI/AAAAAAAAB5s/02YVaQFk3mg/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">AND I ALSO PRACTICE FENG SHUI!</span> <br /><a href="http://www.radicallychristian.com/are-you-a-christian-only">(Source) </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-84712584969748492352014-09-30T11:43:00.003-07:002014-09-30T11:47:58.853-07:00Healthy and Easy Fall Vegetable Soup (Vegan & Protein-packed)Yum. I made up this recipe the other day using what was in my kitchen, and it turned out! <br />
<br />
So here is goes, without amounts. because I just threw it in the pot!<br />
<br />
In large pot, heat COCONUT OIL on medium heat. Add a generous amount of TURMERIC and CUMIN and a clove or two of CHOPPED GARLIC and stir until a bit heated. Then toss in chopped CELERY and CARROTS and sauté for a bit. <br />
<br />
Boil some water on the side. Add a vegan BOUILLON CUBE and a good amount of REAL SALT.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHtv1-ujtWQ/VCr4-FVLLHI/AAAAAAAAB4s/fx9ZOh6wETE/s1600/bakedsweetpotatocarrotfries_ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHtv1-ujtWQ/VCr4-FVLLHI/AAAAAAAAB4s/fx9ZOh6wETE/s1600/bakedsweetpotatocarrotfries_ingredients.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roohowaryoga.com/2013/11/06/thai-spiced-carrot-and-sweet-potato-soup/">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Peel a SWEET POTATO and chop it up into bite-sized pieces. <br />
<br />
In main pot, add the BOILING WATER (with dissolved bouillon cube), then put in the sweet potato, some already-cooked CHICK PEAS (I made mine the day before according to the package -- makes an awesome snack with olive oil and salt -- but canned is good too), a can of STEWED TOMATOES, and some QUINOA.<br />
<br />
Add some VEGGIE BROTH if you have it, for another layer of taste. I also put in a BAY LEAF and some BLACK PEPPER.<br />
<br />
Cook for at least 20 minutes more, so that the vegetables are at the consistency that you like them and the quinoa cooks.<br />
<br />
YUM!<br />
<br />
The result should be a nice soup with a bit of sweetness from the carrots and sweet potatoes in a lovely golden hue, thanks to the turmeric.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! Satisfying and healthy!Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-86894716859168649872014-09-03T16:56:00.001-07:002014-09-03T16:56:20.711-07:00A Feng Shui Wedding<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>595</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3396</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Periwinkle Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>28</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3984</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore, the Playing Cupid part of my job is just-so-fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those of you unfamiliar on the workings of a feng shui
consultation, when a client comes to me, I don’t start by rearranging
furniture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I start by asking them their objectives, a.k.a. what they
want to improve or manifest in their lives.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this case, this particular young woman – the brilliant
Heather Goldberg of <a href="http://sporkfoods.com/">Spork Foods</a> – was tired of dating Mr. Wrong after Mr.
Wrong, and was finally ready for ever-lasting love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She wanted the fairy tale ending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d say she got it. This
photo was taken three days ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9UP_QovuDg/VAendVaj22I/AAAAAAAAB1g/KiUOIbbtwDk/s1600/Heather%2Bwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9UP_QovuDg/VAendVaj22I/AAAAAAAAB1g/KiUOIbbtwDk/s1600/Heather%2Bwedding.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
FACT: Two years ago,
she called me for a feng shui cure for romance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OTHER FACT: She met her
groom THAT WEEK!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once upon a time very swiftly became happily ever after
thanks to some ridiculously simple feng shui cures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, yes, yes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll share the cures with you, but only if you read to the
bottom of the blog, okay?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here goes:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->She already had these paintings, which are a
pair (ahem, a pair is good for Romance), and are the colors significant to the
Romance gua. (pinks, reds, and whites). </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkIMII_Wi4Y/T_GwVzXqy7I/AAAAAAAAAYs/uy6bxAY6L6w/s1600/love%2Bheather%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkIMII_Wi4Y/T_GwVzXqy7I/AAAAAAAAAYs/uy6bxAY6L6w/s1600/love%2Bheather%2B.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
And look! There’s a diamond ring
on them! While these paintings may not
be the typical images for “love and marriage,” (neurons?) I didn’t see anything
harmful in its message, so I suggested she give them a whirl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->How perfect!
She already had this box with the word “LOVE” etched on the top. Precious.
I told her to write down the qualities she wished for in a man on little
pieces of paper and place them in there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Now she had created a little love vignette to
attract her future groom! On the
nightstand they went, which also happened to fall into the Romance section of
her bedroom according to the bagua map, and VOILA!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
….THAT SAME WEEK, she met the man you see standing by her
side at the altar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wedding was beautiful, the bride stunning and beaming,
the groom handsome and grinning, the dancing divine, and the food (vegan!)
fabulous, the guests glowing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now….here is an interesting side fact, and why I wanted you
to keep reading. While mingling with friends
and family at the wedding, I discovered that the fair bride had shared this
particular cure to some of her single friends some while back, in hopes that it
would work for them too. You know, the
part about making a list and putting it in a “love box.” Talking to two “participants,” one young
lady had had success and found her current and lasting boyfriend, where the
other had not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?
<b>Why do some cures work for some
people and not for others??!?!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To begin, Heather was READY.
I mean, ready. The quality of the
tone in her voice when she called me, plus the fact that she went into action
immediately setting the cures, helped a lot.
She was razor-sharp decisive. She
wanted to get married. Period. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, the rest of her home was “feng-shui-ready.” Just because the Romance section is decorated
with hearts and lovebirds does not mean that the rest of the home is clear of
“romantic blocks.” For example, take a
look at your Self-Knowledge section.
Without a strong sense of self, how can you know what you want in a
partner? Or what about clutter? Clutter can be the death of everything, no
matter where you find it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point is, romance, or lack of, can show up in hidden
places throughout the home, so please don’t think that adding some pieces of
paper to a box is all you have to do! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, in this woman’s case, it worked and her wish came
true almost instantaneously, but that was because she was 85% there already…and
it showed in her home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While there may be some layers to go through, and there may
be some resistance in implementing certain cures, and a little more effort than
placing traits into a Love box, feng shui always yields results in some form or
another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the question remains:
Do you really want the fairy tale ending? Or not?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqaj_KUZy7I/VAeoS-16psI/AAAAAAAAB1w/FiE0nx36GKc/s1600/heather%2Bexit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqaj_KUZy7I/VAeoS-16psI/AAAAAAAAB1w/FiE0nx36GKc/s1600/heather%2Bexit.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations, Heather and Josh Bell!!! Love y'all...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good. Because I
expect more wedding invitations in the mail, please. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-7447990793403707402014-03-30T21:41:00.005-07:002014-03-30T21:53:49.996-07:00My Little Blogging Break(through)My darling readers!<br />
<br />
I am taking an unexpected break from blogging for a while --<br />
<br />
The truth is, as much as I love to write, this Year of the Horse has already taken off for me --- has it for you too? -- like crazy fast that I can barely keep up! I gotta make sure I have my balance so I can take 'er full speed ahead! One of the things I'm letting go of is the pressure to blog, and I tell you what, it was a strange relief to make that decision. Took some pressure off myself, really.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b>If you happen across this message, perhaps it is a sign that you too can cut back or let go of something that you hadn't considered? </b><br />
<br />
I'd LOVE to see you over email however! If you'd like my every-so-often emails in your Inbox, please <span style="color: red;">contact me</span> at <a href="mailto:katierogers777@gmail.com">katierogers777@gmail.com</a>. And Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Rogers-Feng-Shui/245031715571840?ref=hl">Katie Rogers Feng Shui</a> on Facebook. I will be piping up in these places from time to time....<br />
<br />
...but for now -- it's focus time!<br />
<br />
...and no worries, I'll be back. Trust me, I have blog ideas galore, just waiting in the thresholds.<br />
<br />
Cheers, and I hope to hear from you elsewhere!<br />
<br />
All in good chi,<br />
Katie<br />
<br />
P.S. Please: Use the search engine right there to your right with the little magnifying glass: I have so much material on here. Words like "money" "romance" "books" "space clearing" -- you name it, should yield results! Thanks!Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-43488071687247033712014-03-05T20:12:00.000-08:002014-03-05T20:13:14.980-08:00The Easiest Organization Method I KnowI am not naturally organized.<br />
<br />
And I don't care. <br />
<br />
I have other talents.<br />
<br />
But I do sometimes envy those OCD folks because, oy, organization is SO SO SO SO SO important to feng shui.<br />
<br />
I do my best. And I must say, I've come a long way since being the messiest roommate in the college suite.<br />
<br />
Of course, in my weaker moments, when I have let things go a bit, I cough it up to my creative energy or right-brainedness or whatever mumbo-jumbo…<br />
…and it's true, my strengths are there (even in mumbo-jumbo)…and I'm not going to fight that, because I'm lucky in that regard…but still….<br />
<br />
…if you know anything about feng shui, you know that it's a total COP OUT to not get organized, no matter what side of your brain you tend to favor.<br />
<br />
Don't COP OUT, People! I have help for you!!! And it's easy as 1-2-3. Literally. Yay!<br />
<br />
My feng shui teacher, Sharon Stasney, (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Stasney/e/B001K8XSV4">look up her books</a>), taught us this method. It works for creatives and neat freaks alike. <br />
<br />
Here it is. Dun, dun, duuunnnn….<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pnDT-xG5Tk/UxfvmKLB_XI/AAAAAAAABdI/OBhYQIzDIf4/s1600/priorities+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pnDT-xG5Tk/UxfvmKLB_XI/AAAAAAAABdI/OBhYQIzDIf4/s1600/priorities+sign.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Sometimes a scary word, huh? PRIORITIES. </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Not this time.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>This time, it's gonna save yo' little fanny!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>The <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">PRIORITY</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">SYSTEM</span>:</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
---<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Priority</span> 1 items are the things you use almost every day and are placed in the most accessible places. The most accessible places may be your desktop, your countertop, or next to the sink in your bathroom, or the top of your nightstand. The ONLY things that should be in this highly accessible places are things you use frequently!!! <br />
<br />
(Note: All these kitchen photos are a <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/real-life-kitchen-makeover-00000000052942/index.html">Real Simple Real-Life Kitchen Makeover.</a>)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOTgufq2cDk/Uxf0KwAJzTI/AAAAAAAABdc/knQgizgZZ4k/s1600/after-kitchen-sink1_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOTgufq2cDk/Uxf0KwAJzTI/AAAAAAAABdc/knQgizgZZ4k/s1600/after-kitchen-sink1_300.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is still quite a bit out. let's hope these people actually cook and drink coffee. I bet they do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppdmMArKD6E/Uxf0Kw9kzpI/AAAAAAAABdU/YsewxZZuku4/s1600/after-odabashian-kitchen_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppdmMArKD6E/Uxf0Kw9kzpI/AAAAAAAABdU/YsewxZZuku4/s1600/after-odabashian-kitchen_300.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see how when you leave only Priority 1 items out, it just looks sooooooo nice and clean and fresh. rest for your brain! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
i.e. In my own kitchen, on my countertop, I have a toaster and my Vitamix. I do have a few supplements sitting out as well a jar for the scrub brush. And my fruit bowl in the corner, for aesthetics and easy-grabbing. That is all. I used to have a nice set up cookbooks out, but guess what, I rarely use recipes and when I do, it's usually off the Internet, so I moved them to...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
---a <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Priority</span> 2 area! i.e. The bookshelf. I'd still like access to them, but honestly, even as I write this (I don't have many because I pared down greatly over the years), I'm wondering if I should pare down even more! Anyway,<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Priority</span> 2 areas are places that are accesssible but not in your immediate experience all the time. In the kitchen, it's the drawers and cabinets that are easy to get to. In the office, it's the file cabinet that you may need to reach a little further for or just across the room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSST2UAARsU/Uxf0L21x4AI/AAAAAAAABd0/zFjNT2XTs0I/s1600/cabinet-sliders_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSST2UAARsU/Uxf0L21x4AI/AAAAAAAABd0/zFjNT2XTs0I/s1600/cabinet-sliders_300.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Priority 2 in the Kitchen. You don't need pots and pans on the counter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CMOn15oNQk/Uxf0LOfhgxI/AAAAAAAABdg/VFa3uiisy2s/s1600/after-storage-area_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CMOn15oNQk/Uxf0LOfhgxI/AAAAAAAABdg/VFa3uiisy2s/s1600/after-storage-area_300.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I see Priority 1, 2, and 3 here, really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
--The <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Priority</span> 3 areas are those places where you store items, but, say, you may need the step stool. It's the bundt cake pan for the cakes you bake three or four times a year, that you put in the overhead cupboard. It's the part of your basement where you store your summer clothes in the winter. It's the attic, where you store your Christmas decorations, saving the linen closet for linens, etc.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
--I even like to tag on <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Priority</span> 4 areas for stuff like taxes from the past 7 years or even keepsakes that you aren't going to revisit often. That's the back of the attic and the back of the basement. :)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This is IMMENSELY helpful on getting your home in order. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
After all, when this is all done, maintenance will be the key. And oh, what a key that is! But don't worry about it now…</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
JUST GET TO IT!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-17842161155873966632014-02-15T04:59:00.002-08:002014-02-15T04:59:48.521-08:00Spring Really Is Around the Corner….!I thought I'd post some happy photos that I took on a Spring day a year or two ago to remind us all, that indeed, Spring is imminent!<br />
<br />
I think we all need a reminder of that, as this Winter is seeming slow to thaw out…. <br />
<br />
<i>(Plus I'm going to be making a little "Spring-y" announcement soon and wanted to give you a visual peek.)</i><br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkXL57iPjeU/Uv9jhDgqhtI/AAAAAAAABao/fxkL93DbOGs/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkXL57iPjeU/Uv9jhDgqhtI/AAAAAAAABao/fxkL93DbOGs/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_-Ocw8a7VOg/Uv9jf2V3FbI/AAAAAAAABag/zIbQyjc5qus/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_-Ocw8a7VOg/Uv9jf2V3FbI/AAAAAAAABag/zIbQyjc5qus/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RNlFCuEnwQ/Uv9jmcieF4I/AAAAAAAABbE/fIp27RQchv8/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RNlFCuEnwQ/Uv9jmcieF4I/AAAAAAAABbE/fIp27RQchv8/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bK4mL0zbs/Uv9jlz0blVI/AAAAAAAABbA/6DQG17SGB9s/s1600/IMG_0927+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bK4mL0zbs/Uv9jlz0blVI/AAAAAAAABbA/6DQG17SGB9s/s1600/IMG_0927+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Can you tell I like tulips?!<br />
<br />
(All photos taken at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, except the last one, which is my dining room table…) Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-78240914179614430782014-01-29T05:59:00.001-08:002014-01-29T05:59:23.404-08:00Is This Painting Good Feng Shui For $$$?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riwx1usp5cE/Uuh_xQ2Ia0I/AAAAAAAABYw/6dUELI3HPKM/s1600/photo-131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riwx1usp5cE/Uuh_xQ2Ia0I/AAAAAAAABYw/6dUELI3HPKM/s1600/photo-131.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Here was the question:</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hey Katie! My parents gave me this drawing when they downsized. I love this artist, love the drawing (it's all pencil!), and love the way it is framed. But it is a ship on a stormy sea! Not the best feng shui I'm thinking! If I can hang it, what section of the bagua would it work????</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
Alright. Here's the deal. Sailboats in motion are AWESOME feng shui in the Money section of the bagua. I have one in my Money corner, in fact, a pencil drawing as well, and I love it.<br />
<br />
But, Oh, this is a tricky one…<br />
…because there is definitely a storm a-brewing in this picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8exN-MNRNo/UuiKlP7P7tI/AAAAAAAABZA/hhg-ljm1iSw/s1600/photo-131+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8exN-MNRNo/UuiKlP7P7tI/AAAAAAAABZA/hhg-ljm1iSw/s1600/photo-131+copy.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Or is it a storm a-waning? <br />
<br />
Regardless, it's a mighty boat on a mighty sea with a mighty sky. That boat is absolutely harnessing the power of the wind, and that's exactly what the Money sector is all about -- harnessing those Winds of Fortune, in fact.<br />
<br />
<b>My advice to this client:</b><br />
<i> Since you love it, I will say Yes, hang it in your Money sector, and only in your money sector. But be forewarned -- you may have quite a strong wind of sorts coming your way, so please prepare yourself. According to the size and strength of the boat in the picture, you are prepared!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is a case where I would have you hang it, <b>but pay extra special attention to what happens in the days and weeks after hanging it</b>. This is a riskier piece than some, given the storm, but if you feel like "playing" a bit with the feng shui, then I say go for it…. but learn as you go! And I 100% support you in taking it down if things seem a little rocky for you after you do hang it. </i><br />
<br />
<i>And, by all means, let us know what happens!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
P.S. This is a little bit more advanced feng shui, but it should be noted: Remember that each room has a Money section in it -- so if it doesn't really fit aesthetically in the home's Money section, the back right corner of any room will do! Especially an office!<br />
<br />Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-16745820594550232002014-01-13T05:52:00.003-08:002014-01-13T05:52:48.413-08:00My Surprising Insomnia Cure
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD4HAIYtRiA/UtPvlm3S8GI/AAAAAAAABXc/OOALQ8m6O88/s1600/zzzz_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD4HAIYtRiA/UtPvlm3S8GI/AAAAAAAABXc/OOALQ8m6O88/s1600/zzzz_.jpeg" height="320" width="166" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About two months ago, I quit sleeping. Not altogether, mind you, but I was only
getting about three to four hours a night.
And I’m an eight-hour-a-night gal. At least!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was torture. The
slightest thing would wake me up, at one or two, or three or four in the
morning, and then it was all over – there was no way I was getting back to
sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This lasted at this intensity for about two weeks. Sure I had had little bouts of insomnia
before whenever life was a little more stressful than usual, but nothing like
this! I coughed it up to a surge of
creative energy (which I really was having with some work projects) and some
other fun things, and yes, the usual stressors, and eventually, I just said to
heck with it, and went with it, working in those early morning hours only to be
spacey and weird the rest of the day. It
did start to subside for a bit, after trying some of the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Feng Shui</b> – I already had this going on,
but it’s worth mentioning. I have very
little electricity in the room, and it’s decorated in calm colors. There’s no clutter and absolutely nothing
under the bed. In other words, it’s made
for sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Bach Rescue Remedy for Sleep</b> – I had
used this before with success. This time
it wasn’t cutting it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Lavender essential oil</b> – again it was a
nice smell, but it wasn’t making me go back to sleep in those wee hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Eating heavier at night</b>. I usually have dinner with my little girl
before 6 PM and I usually keep it light, but maybe I needed a little more to keep
my energy grounded?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Exercise.</b> This is not a problem for me. I am very active, running my own business,
being a mom, and fitting in a workout every day. Still, was I exercising enough???<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>No computer near bedtime.</b> Again, I already practiced this, but it’s
worth mentioning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Melatonin.</b> A couple of people suggested this. I had never heard of it. Sure enough, it worked! Yes, I was drowsy the next day on it, but I
liked the drowsy. It was such a relief
after the constant buzz I was on!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>No caffeine.</b> I don’t drink the stuff except when I really and
truly feel like I need it (like maybe once a month), but I tell you what, if you
are complaining of insomnia and you have even one cup of it a day, I suggest
you re-evaluate. Read more for why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the melatonin became my friend, and I got a few decent
night’s sleep…but then the insomnia came back and this time, the melatonin
wasn’t really working and just making me feel ill. Two months of this! I was going nuts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I talked to a sleep doctor. He told me to keep a sleep journal. He wanted to see if there was a pattern. I knew this would be pointless because it was
the holidays, and I was traveling and there were celebrations, and I was not
going to be on any sort of schedule. But
I vowed to do it at the new year when things settled down. I had to try!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the conversation did inspire me to pay attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure enough, the next day after the talk, I woke up around
3:30…and I was wide awake after about two minutes. Yes, I had a zillion
thoughts running through my head, but I noticed something else. It was as if I got a surge of energy when I
was awake just enough. I FELT this. I felt my blood start to run faster. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It dawned on me:
“This is something physical.”
It’s amazing how this did not even occur to me before. After all, I knew myself well enough – with
my immensely healthy sleep patterns from the past – that my thoughts were not
the only thing keeping me up! I have
always had a lot of thoughts and a lot going on….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What could it be? Why
this physical “rush” early in the morning?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That next day, I let myself ponder this. I thought back to when it began. I thought about any changes that happened
then. I thought about this and that
and….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…LIGHTBULB!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When did I start taking those Vitamin B vitamins every
morning??!?! (I hadn’t taken vitamins
since the Flintstone kind in grade school, but I had recently gotten on the
bandwagon.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was two months ago!!!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Could it be? Could it
be that…. easy?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I quit taking the Vitamin B to test it out. Within two days, I was sleeping soundly
through the night, and I have been ever since!
Even when I woke up to use the bathroom or my three-year-old crawled in
bed with me, I remained in that naturally drowsy state of sleep and fell back
asleep immediately upon waking, even sleeping later than I had slept in
MONTHS. (I’m typically a somewhat early
riser.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really and truly, my insomnia was kicked. And sleep has never felt so good!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moral of the story:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes the solution is easier than we think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look to the source first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pay attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our bodies are sensitive.
Don’t buy what they are selling! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And pay attention again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5061245186910233769.post-37590760179305933382014-01-10T04:44:00.001-08:002014-09-16T19:56:07.537-07:00Clutter: What It Is & What To Do About ItCLUTTER! Biggest<a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10797/the-top-5-feng-shui-no-nos.html"> feng shui no-no</a> of ALL!<br />
<br />
<i>Here's a peek at last night's lecture on de-cluttering and organization:</i><br />
<br />
The following lists are inspired and/or borrowed by <a href="http://www.spaceclearing.com/html/home">Karen Kingston</a>'s book, <u>Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui</u>, because why reinvent the wheel? -- this book is GOOD.<br />
<br />
WHAT IS CLUTTER?<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Things
you do not use or love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Things
that are untidy or disorganized.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Too
many things in too small a space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Anything
unfinished. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZTqi7kiR-0/Us9j_nZQjnI/AAAAAAAABXI/RLzhgaNXEcQ/s1600/cluttercartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZTqi7kiR-0/Us9j_nZQjnI/AAAAAAAABXI/RLzhgaNXEcQ/s1600/cluttercartoon.gif" height="640" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoprto.com/do-you-really-need-all-of-that-clutter-in-your-home-follow-these-tips-to-have-the-courage-to-de-clutter-the-home.html/cluttercartoon?doing_wp_cron=1389323297.7133750915527343750000">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
WAYS CLUTTER CAN AFFECT YOU:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make you tired and lethargic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Keep you in the past<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Congest your body <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fear of being poor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fear of living your true path<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Fear of letting good things in your life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can confuse you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can affect the way people treat you – respect<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Affect your weight<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can make you procrastinate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can cause disharmony<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can make you feel ashamed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can put your life on hold<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create excess baggage<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can depress you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can make you more disorganized<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Be a fire/health hazard<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cleaning takes longer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Having clutter can dull your sensitivity and
enjoyment of life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create undesirable symbology<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can cost you financially<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Can distract you from important things – does
your stuff own you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lack mentality- make you poorer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Stuck in your woundology – identifying with a
sad part of your life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
WAYS TO DEAL WITH CLUTTER:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. Get rid of it. No really. JUST GET RID OF IT.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. Organize it. (From Sharon Stasney: Decide if the item is Priority 1 -- needs to be accessible easily and often; Priority 2 -- still needs to be accessible but not, say, on the countertop; Priority 3 -- doesn't have to be readily accessible -- can be in more of a storage type space. Then give the item a "home" accordingly!)</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
Again, it's just a peek, but hopefully an inspiring one. Now get to it! <br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">IF YOU WANT MORE, then click <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/Online_Classes.html">HERE</a> to learn more about this <a href="http://www.katierogersfengshui.com/Site/Online_Classes.html">27-day online Declutter Your Way to Clarity</a> course that I offer. It'll give you a kick in the pants so that you'll never want to live with clutter again! Fun, easy, and good stuff.</span></i>Katie Feng Shuihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12908963799168024775noreply@blogger.com0