A Feng Shui Wedding

I love love.

I really do.

Therefore, the Playing Cupid part of my job is just-so-fun.

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.

I start by asking them their objectives, a.k.a. what they want to improve or manifest in their lives.  

In this case, this particular young woman – the brilliant Heather Goldberg of Spork Foods – was tired of dating Mr. Wrong after Mr. Wrong, and was finally ready for ever-lasting love.

She wanted the fairy tale ending.

I’d say she got it.  This photo was taken three days ago.

FACT:  Two years ago, she called me for a feng shui cure for romance.  

OTHER FACT:  She met her groom THAT WEEK!

Once upon a time very swiftly became happily ever after thanks to some ridiculously simple feng shui cures.

Yes, yes, yes. 

I’ll share the cures with you, but only if you read to the bottom of the blog, okay?

Here goes:

1.     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).  

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.

2.     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.

3.     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!

….THAT SAME WEEK, she met the man you see standing by her side at the altar. 

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.

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.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?  Why do some cures work for some people and not for others??!?!

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.

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.

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! 

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.

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.

So the question remains:  Do you really want the fairy tale ending?  Or not?

Congratulations, Heather and Josh Bell!!!  Love y'all...

Good.  Because I expect more wedding invitations in the mail, please.  J

The *Real* Santa (I Met Him!)

My two-year-old daughter managed to take a four-hour nap today.  All parents know what this means – it means that I was in for a long night because there was no way she was falling asleep anywhere near her 8 PM bedtime.

My solution to this was to take us both Christmas shopping after dinner.  I had been meaning to go to 2nd and Charles, a store that sells used books mostly, but also DVDs, CDs, and even musical instruments and toys.  I think it is my new favorite store as I have always found a home in big bookstores (a dying entity), and most importantly, it is eco-shopping at its finest!  (Buying used anything lessens the impact on the Earth.) 

When I was done there, the Tuesday Morning next door lured me in.  (Ooo, pretty lights.)  We browsed the aisles.  

“Mommy, a kitty,” A. exclaimed, spotting the stuffed animals.  I handed a soft and squishy yellow plush cat to her.  

“Okay, but you know the rule.  You can carry it around while we shop, but when it’s time to go, it stays here.”  

“Okay,” she said merrily.  (I’ve trained her well on this, believe me, for my sanity and my bank account’s sake.)  

Two minutes later, she picks up a pink bag with a penguin on it.  “Okay, you can carry it, but we are not taking it home.”  Then a Cat in the Hat puzzle.  Then a mug.  Then a sip cup.  Then a jewelry box. Then a princess-y something.

We received many a smile and some “she’s so cute” due to A's delight in just about every little thing in the store.   By the time we reached the cash register, she had traded out everything except for a pink “ballerina outfit” as she called it.  I waited in line as she chanted, “Mommy, I love this pink ballerina dress.  Mommy.  This ballerina dress is so pretty.  Mommy.  It is pink with a heart on it.”

I (utilizing a very important parenting skill) have learned to tune this sort of thing out -- this chanting of “I want, I want, I want.” Dutifully, I hummed back, “Mmm-hmmm.  But we are not taking it home.  You can ask Santa for it if that's what you want.”

The line was really taking too long at that point.  A woman checking out smiled again at us. I shook my head playfully smiling, insinuating, “Kids.  You know.”  I then paid for my item and said, “Okay, it’s time to give the lady the costume.  Remember you can always ask Santa for it.”  A. obeyed, and we were almost successfully out the door…

Until, the smiley woman asked the cashier for the dress.  Then the smiley woman bent down to A’s height, holding the dress up for her, and said, “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” 

Then she stood up, and somewhat shyly said to me, “I don’t have any children to buy for this year, so you know, I just wanted to give that to her.” 

“Wow, thank you so much, “ I said, truly touched.  I directed A. to say “thank you” too, which she did.  (I think we were both a little dumbfounded actually.)

We took a few steps towards the door.  I turned to thank her again, the reality of the act settling in.  This time I asked her her name, and I introduced A. and myself.  We all said merry Christmas again….really meaning it…and both smiling even bigger.

And I tell you what.  That simple act.  That random act.  That kind act from this one woman in a store in the middle of Birmingham, Alabama, was such a true one.  This small gesture had so much power! It’s going to sound corny no matter how I write it -- but driving home, I knew I had been touched by the Christmas spirit.  Really.  I felt downright giddy, with a little jingle bell tingle inside of me.  I was just smiling!  I said a prayer for the lady, that she sincerely have a merry Christmas, and I also asked for opportunities to pay this little-act-but-huge-kindness forward.  I want everyone to feel this feeling! 

Because there really is so much kindness in the world.  So much good.  It seems to get muddled in all of our humanness sometimes, and that’s okay.  I have faith in it.  I have faith in humankind.  There are just so many good people.

Santa is real.  Corny again, but he really does live inside each and every one of us.  So when we tell our children to believe in Santa, what we are really saying is:  Believe in Good.  Believe in Joy.  Believe in Generosity, Kindness, and Love.

In the end, we are telling them to believe in the good in themselves…and the good in others.

No matter how much darkness we have to endure while on this planet, we can all rest assured:  Santa Lives.  

It’s up to us to keep him alive, for there will ALWAYS be good.  So keep believing.

Merry Christmas, sweet people!  May random acts of kindness find you this holiday season and beyond….

Move Your Stuff, Make a Wish!

Bippity, boppity, boo!  If your fairy godmother were to descend upon you right now, what would you wish for?  While feng shui is not exactly “magic” per se, it can help you to manifest your deepest desires.

You may be saying: “Yeah right!  How can moving around objects in my house do that?”  

Perhaps an example would better explain.

One client wanted a boyfriend.  She was in her mid-twenties, friendly, attractive and successful, yet she seemed to be “blocked” on finding a guy.  When I went into her bedroom, I noticed about ten to twelve bouquets of roses lining some high shelves.  The catch:  these bouquets were dead! 

First, no matter what is in vogue with so-called dried flowers, the fact is that they are dead flowers, and therefore lacking in positive life energy, and therefore not considered beneficial feng shui.  Second, when I asked this client about the roses, she claimed that they were all from ex-boyfriends over the years, and she just didn’t want to part with them! 

Would you rather have these?

These flowers were a symbolic “block” in her life.  I explained to her that these dead roses represented a fear of letting go of the past.  On a subconscious level, was she afraid that she wouldn’t find love again?  Having anything from past lovers can negatively affect future relationships.  Especially roses, the quintessential symbol of love!  Dead roses equal dead love in feng shui. 

I asked her if she was ready to move on.  She immediately said, “Yes!” and we found a huge garbage bag and threw each and every bouquet into the trash.  We were even laughing at the absurdity of it all!  The change in the room was profound.  She couldn’t believe the difference!  It turned out that she was more than willing to let go of the old to make room for the new.

...or these?

Sure enough, within a month’s time, she was happily dating someone new!

Feng shui, of course, is not always so obvious.  Our homes are full of symbols, subtle or not, that are affecting our lives. 

Ask yourself the following questions about your own home:

1.     Is there anything that I have hanging or showing that is from an unhappy time in my life?  i.e. photos from a family trip gone awry or artwork from a friend that betrayed me?

2.     Am I able to find things when I need them?  Every object should have a “home,” or a place just for it.  Hire a professional organizer if you find organizing a challenge.  It’s worth it!

3.     Are my clothes representing me today rather than a past identity?

4.     Is there anything I greatly dislike in my home that I’m keeping because it was a gift from a loved one? 

5.     Are there a lot of broken items or unfinished projects laying around?  If so, make a promise to yourself to get them fixed or get rid of them!

Many times, when we discover what is preventing our wishes from coming true, our desires then come to us easily and effortlessly.  Remove the obstacles and the rest will take care of itself.  It’s like lifting a dam from a river – the good just flows in!

Feng Shui your Love Life...Fast

Another success story!  And this is all it took:

A client called with a quick question.  (Yes, I do Quick Question consultations!)  She was ready to ramp up her love life.  I was already familiar with her home, and after some discussion, I gave her a few tips.  The above shot from her camera phone was the result....and it worked!!!

Here's her testimonial:
Katie can work her magic from afar! I asked her for 15 minutes of guidance about my love life and she led me through a quick exercise. One week later I met the most magnificent man. I would recommend her services to ANYONE.

...and here's to love!

One Client's Feng Shui of Love, Before & After

A Los Angeles client, Laura, recently reached out with glowing reports!  If you question the power of feng shui, question no more.  The proof is the pictures...

Laura had called me for a long-distance mini-consultation -- one room with one goal -- to find L-O-V-E.  Not that she was sitting home on the weekends (or weeknights for that matter).  In fact, she admitted that she had dated over 60 men in the past couple of years!  Her concern was the quality of man that she was attracting, not the quantity.  She was ready to replace her player tendencies, grow up, and find "the one."

Because she shares an apartment, it was easy to hone in on her bedroom, for it's the one place that is all hers where we could go to town with the feng shui cures.

And boy, did we.  The feng shui no-no's were rampant!  Check out these photos she sent me.

where are the bedside tables? and eek, a mirrored closet

this closet could be arranged much better

computer in the bedroom - no!  desk at angle - no!

every item needs a home!

oy, clutter!

this bed could be way more inviting

When I received these photos, I took a deep breath.  You never know if a client is going to "hear" you or not, and frankly, this one was going to take some work.  As a feng shui consultant, I could easily see the issues in her love life from simple things, such as a computer in the bedroom and the lack of two side tables.  Not to mention the disorganization!

Once on the phone, she confirmed my suspicions that she doesn't sleep well at night.  We also discovered an interesting theme: there were little girl images tucked here and there.  These items were sending "Peter Pan" messages to her subconscious.  Hmmmm.

After a juicy chat, including the ins and outs of the types of guys she was dating, I gave her a list of cures not for the faint of heart.  I did not hold back.  She called me for life improvement, and I explained how by simply rearranging her home space, those improvements will come about!

Cut to:  Six or so weeks later.

SUCCESS!

Here's a combo of the few emails she sent:

Hi Katie,

I thought I should update you on what's happening on this end. I'm sure everything is connected, but I dropped all the bad guys and feng shui'd the crap out of my room. Now I have four major job offers, I quit smoking (now on week 3!!!) and have signed up for yoga for relaxation/clarification purposes. Plus, the quality of guys that I'm meeting is much better, but I'm less focused on them. 

...Sleep is a LOT better --- and I feel healthier and less exhausted when I wake up :)

I did not rest until I made everything good! Accenting with red & yellow, bronze & grey!

YOU are awesome. Thank you again for all your help --- didn't realize my life was going to change so much as a result of feng shui! 

...You're awesome Katie and the world should know. I have a sweet new job, a zest for life and have weeded out all the crap men in my life...I know what I want from myself AND everyone else thanks to you and feng shui. For real.

Laura's new and improved bedroom!

Amazing, right?  I LOVE it when a client takes the cures to the next level.  Of course she's sleeping better!  With the more organized space, her belongings are not tugging at her attention anymore when she's going off to dreamland.  The curtains over the mirror help immensely.  And the bedside tables ground the energy of the room and are inviting to a new partner.  And gone were the little girls except for one special one to remind her to keep her youthful spirit.  Much more grown up all around!  

Now, you may say, "Katie, she hasn't met her man yet.  Wasn't LOVE the goal?" And I will reiterate what she and I talked about on our call.  It'll happen, but she obviously (on a subconscious level) wanted to clean her own act up first.  After all, she wants to attract the best guy out there, but how can she when she's not being her best self?  

I look forward to some more emails from her regarding her love life.  I have a feeling she'll have good news to report.  Fingers crossed!  But in the meantime, I'm glad she's enjoying a more healthy, thriving version of herself.

[NOTE: If you're interested in feng shui, send me an email or give me a call.  If you're curious but hesitant, I can answer your questions.  I'm available in person or from a distance, and I customize the session to you.  If you'd rather begin with a mini-session, I'm happy to oblige.  All it takes is the will to make improvements in your life, and I'll help with the rest.]  

More info at  www.katierogersfengshui.com 

My Second "Confession" - Earth Day Tribute!

Flowers on a Japanese or saucer magnolia tree

Last post, I admitted that I had a few projects going on.  The first was Organizing My Home Like Crazy.

The Second?
You are now reading the words of a Certified Arborist.

What's an arborist, you ask?  To put it simply, I know quite a bit about trees.

While living in Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of working for an amazing organization called TreePeople.  My first job there was to educate children about the "city forest."  My second job there was as Campus Forestry Manager, where I led tree-planting events with loads and loads of volunteers (parents, teachers, and especially children) on school campuses around Los Angeles.  Because I gained experience and knowledge about trees (obviously), I was eligible to become certified as an arborist.

Oh, but that dreaded test!

I sucked it up, studied for D-A-Y-S, took the thing early one Monday morning, and lo and behold, I passed.  You have no idea how good it felt to walk out of that testing center knowing that I now have "credibility" when it comes to trees -- and therefore I am able to help them just a little bit more.

You see, I have realized something in my life.  It's this:  I have a deep desire to leave this planet a little better than I left it.  More specifically, I'd like to do my part at helping humans and nature live together more harmoniously.

In all honesty, I think we humans have a ways to go.

But the place to start -- the place where we can all start --- is recognizing the gifts that trees give and go from there.  When we develop an appreciation for the things we take for granted, we change for the better.

Remember, trees give us oxygen.  They provide shade and transpire through their leaves, cooling the air.  They give us food. They give nice animals shelter.  They capture rain in their canopies and put water back into the natural aquifer.  They lower our bills when planted near our homes, because they cool us off.  They raise the values of our neighborhoods.  They provide sound buffers for traffic.  They clean the air of many pollutants.  They are fun to climb.  And they are beautiful.

They heal us in ways that the human spirit has yet to understand.

So take care of a tree today.  Or make plans to plant one.  (Select the right species for the right place, please, to ensure a long life!)  Or just take the time to admire one.

And yes, I give you permission to go hug one.  Don't worry -- I won't tell.

HAPPY EARTH DAY.

My daughter making friends with an oak outside our home

Admiring the oak in my parents' backyard -- must be over 200 years old!