Feng Shui Guidlines for Storage Spaces

 

Feng Shui Guidlines for Storage Spaces

Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such as shelves above doors and in corners, hooks on the backs of doors, and peg-board or tools and small appliances. They are masters at maximizing every square inch of a closet with bins, baskets, shelf dividers, and multiple hanging rods. What they don't realize is that, from a feng shui perspective, these techniques can cause as many problems as they solve.

For good feng shui, it's important to leave some of your storage space unused, for doors to open all the way, and to aim for visual simplicity. As you work toward achieving the organizer's dream of a place for everything and everything in its place, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Spaces that are completely full block the flow of "chi" (vital energy) into your home and your life. Full file drawers block the flow of new business; full bookcases block the flow of new information and knowledge; a full bedroom closet can block your ability to attract a new relationship, and so on. Wherever possible, keep 20-25% of your storage areas available for new ideas, relationships, and opportunities to flow your way.

• Storage units hung from the ceiling create oppressive energy that presses down on whatever is underneath them. Anything stored overhead can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and overwhelm. A pot rack hanging over the stove is considered especially bad because it "weighs down" your finances.

• Shelves over a door, or on a wall beside your bed or desk have a similar oppressive effect, and can lead to headaches, poor sleep, lack of energy, or muddled thinking.

• A hook on the back of the bathroom door is fine if all you hang on it is a summer-weight robe and PJs. If the hook is piled with three terry robes and a few extra towels, so the door no longer opens all the way, that's a feng shui no-no. Never use hooks on the back of the main door to your home or on bedroom doors; it is essential that these doors open freely and completely, with nothing stored behind them. (That means removing anything stored on the floor behind the door as well.)

• Vinyl-coated wire shelves on the inside of a door can be a good way to keep lots of small items tidy; however, they should only be used on closet, cabinet, or pantry doors.

• Avoid under-bed storage if you can. If you must use this space, use it for extra bedding and for soft, seasonal clothing such as sweaters. Never store any kind of sharp objects, information (books, videos or DVDs, paperwork), or exercise equipment under the bed; you may have trouble sleeping or feel exhausted no matter how much rest you get.

• As much as possible, store things where they are accessible but out of sight. Peg board and open shelving create visual clutter, so limit these to the garage, workroom, or pantry where they won't affect the energy of the rest of the house.

• Be thoughtful about how much stuff you display in a room. Filling the den with knick-knack shelves so hubby can have his entire collection of sports memorabilia on display creates visual overwhelm. From a feng shui perspective, it's better to invest in closed storage such as drawers and cabinets and have only a few treasures on display at a time. Change the selection every three to six months, and with each rotation you'll rediscover old favorites. By displaying fewer items at a time, you'll actually enjoy and appreciate your collection more.

• Another common problem is family photos and snapshots scattered lavishly throughout every room and wall in the house. Select a dozen of the best ones, frame them attractively, and create a mini-gallery on one wall in one room or hallway. Store the rest or put them in albums. (Okay, okay, you can stick a few on the fridge, too!)

• Aesthetics are as important as functionality in feng shui. Keeping earrings and small jewelry in an ice-cube tray or egg carton works, but it's cheap-looking, cheap-feeling, and will drag your energy down every time you use it. It's okay to be budget-conscious, but appearance counts, too. A small plastic storage box is more attractive than an ice-cube tray and you can get one at your local discount, craft, or housewares store for less than three dollars. They even come in pretty colors so you can choose one to match your bedroom dcor.

With these easy guidelines in mind, you can choose storage solutions that will keep your space tidy and create good feng shui in your home. For even better results, remember to get rid of clutter before you put things away. Why waste time and money finding clever storage solutions for stuff you can do without?

STEPHANIE ROBERTS is a feng shui consultant and writer in Maui, HI. She is the author of the popular "Fast Feng Shui" book series and the "Clutter Free Forever!" Home Coaching Program. For more tips and information, visit her websites at http://www.fastfengshui.com and http://www.clutterfreeforever.com.

stephanie@fastfengshui.com

Home Office Feng Shui

 

Home Office Feng Shui

Whether you believe in the Oriental powers of feng shui or not, there are an increasingly large number of people who do. Either way, it's fun to examine different ideas, so let's take a look at your home office from the feng shui point of view.

Business people in Asia have considered work place feng shui to be a crucial contributor to personal and business success for centuries. Anything that has lasted for centuries is worth a closer look to see if any part of the concept will work for you. In this article we will ignore corporate business office feng shui, and focus on home office adaptations.

Have a separate outside entrance to your office if possible. If you can not, then choose a room that is near the front or back door of the house or apartment. Separate your home office from the rest of the living area in order to keep your business and personal lives separate. If your home office is part of a larger room, then partition it off with bookcases, screens, or large plants.

Never have your back to the window. Having your back to a door symbolically leaves you open to attack. If you directly face a door you may be overpowered by the incoming Chi. The best position is with your back to a wall that holds an Earth element such as a picture of a mountain or a lake. The next best position is angled away from a doorway or facing a wall featuring a water element such as a fish or a picture of lake, or even abstract art that features wavy lines.

You can energize your desk by adorning it with objects that symbolize the five elements to attract work and luck. Simply follow the Lo Shu grid like this:

North: Your beverage cup or glass.

Northeast: A crystal paperweight

Northwest: Your computer terminal

East: Fresh flowers

Southeast: A small green plant

South: A desk lamp or something red

Flat ceilings are best for promoting the flow of Chi. If you have a sloped ceiling, cathedral ceiling, or exposed beams then you you can hang wind chimes or bamboo flutes to offset the negative effects.

If you have views of harmful elements from your window, you can negate them by the strategic placement of wind chimes or plants. Cactus and Bamboo are plants symbolize good fortune and are ideal for placement in the home office. Any sharp leaved plants are good feng shui in this area as they are believed to deter harmful influences.

Always take a short walk before entering your office to work each day and another one at the end of your working day as another measure of separating your business life from your personal life. Leave at least 7-9 inches of space between each piece of office furniture. This allows room for energy to flow.

Keep your workspace clean and clutter-free in order to allow a free flow of feng shui energy throughout the room. There is a difference between clutter and stored items. Stored items should, however, be filed away or stored neatly in a cabinet or closet to allow the flow of feng shui energy.

Place a picture of a lake, waterfall or any other water scene on one of the walls on the East side of your office. This represents the flow of energy. You can also use one of those desktop fountains or even an aquarium

Place a green, smooth-leafed plant, not one with jagged or pointed leaves, on a shelf in the corner closest to your water item. You can use an artificial plant if you are a known live plant killer.

Here are some other items that you can also place in that corner:

* red eggs symbolizing wealth creation

* a red envelope containing several coins

* a crystal on a red ribbon near the window

* three Chinese coins tied with a red ribbon

* a pearl or anything spherical

* a wheel or bell

* a symbol or picture of red fish

* a lotus flower symbolizing great achievements from humble beginnings

Also, consider placing a decorative jar filled with water near the entrance to your office.

Fend Shui Benefits

Feng shui is said to make you more aware of how your environment affects your state of mind. Even if you don't subscribe to the ancient Oriental ways, you have to admit that an uncluttered office, with room to move around, and pleasant decorations is much better than a cluttered dungeon that's stuffed to the ceiling with piles of paper.

Also, feng shui helps you to stay focused by forcing you to store incomplete and future projects in a storage area so you won't be distracted by worrying over them every day. Feng shui experts claim that you will receive these additional benefits as well:

* Increase your prosperity & abundance.

* Boost your health.

* Reduce insomnia & stress.

* Enhance your personal power.

* Easing of family conflicts.

* Increase your concentration

* Enhance financial security.

* Attract new customers to your business.

* Upgrade your life in many other ways.

There is a lot more to feng shui than we can possibly cover in this article. The Internet is an abundant source of articles. Thousands of books have been written on the subject, and there are even feng shui consultants that will come in and help your organize your office and home. Hopefully your interest level has been raised and you will follow up by learning more.

Good luck and good health!

Suggested readings:

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0767903595/hbbo-20

Feng Shui Your Life by Jayme Barrett
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806976292/hbbo-20

© 2004 Vishal P. Rao

For opportunities, ideas and resources to start a home based business, visit:

http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com

For more articles by the author, visit:

http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/library/reprints.shtml

10 Feng Shui Tips for Selling Your Home Easily & For More

 

10 Tips for Selling your Home Easily and For More by Vicky White

During the last 6 weeks, I have completed four Feng Shui consultations for people who wanted to sell their homes. Three sold their homes quickly and for good money, and with the 4th , they fell in love with their home all over again, and decided the timing wasnt right to move.

What each had in common was that they waited until they were selling to make improvements to their homes. Some of the changes were removing moss from the deck, removing last years dead flowers from hanging pots, replacing a broken doorbell, painting a laundry they had disliked for 7 years. For one, clearing a large amount of clutter inside the house was all it took to create a shift in energy and a sale. She didnt get around to completing my other suggestions.

In Feng Shui we work with the energy flow in the home, look at missing areas and balance elements, but many simple Feng Shui enhancements are common sense and make a huge difference to the feeling of a home. Just as potential buyers pick up on the feeling of a home, this energy will be affecting you continuously. Why wait until you are moving to make your home and your life really work for you?

If you decided to put your home on the market today, what changes would you make? (If you are renting imagine you own it.) What would you do to get the best price, without spending a lot of money? What would you suddenly find the time to do? What are you tolerating? Why not do it for yourself arent you worth it?

FENG SHUI ACTION STEPS

These simple steps will enable the energy to flow more smoothly in your home, which will have a powerful impact on your life and prosperity. They will also help if you are selling!

1.Repair anything around your home that is broken or not working well.

2.Fix all leaks immediately inside and out. These will be draining your finances.

3.Remove dead flowers and leaves on pot plants.

4.How does your home feel as you approach it? Do you feel welcomed home? What is something small you could do that would make a big difference?

5.Make sure the pathway to your front door is clear of obstacles such as overgrown plants, boxes or newspapers.

6.Walk around the outside of your home. Is there an area of clutter anywhere? This will be blocking your energy.

7.Begin clearing clutter from one room and continue around your house. Clutter is anything unfinished, unused, unresolved, tolerated, or disorganized.

8.Check all doorways to make sure nothing is blocking them from opening fully. Doors that stick or dont open fully, stop the good energy entering.

9.Make sure the street number of your home is clearly visible from the street. This will help money and opportunities find you.

10.Clean your house regularly. This will keep the energy fresh.

Pay attention to how you feel as you complete these items. Feng Shui will create powerful energy shifts in your environment, which will result in the changes you want in your life.http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/

Vicky White is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and Life Coach who works with clients both locally and internationally. Get your FREE 7-part e-course Your Secret Weapon: Powerful Feng Shui Tips To Give Your Business The Competitive Edge at http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/

Feng Shui For The Office

 

 Whether you are an employee or a business owner with his or her own office, you can use feng shui to make your office space more productive and harmonious.

Your first step is to stand at the doorway of your office or workspace and map out the areas according to the feng shui bagua. You can download a diagram of the bagua from our web site.

Your main focus will be your wealth and fame areas, although you should also pay attention to the other six areas and decorate them accordingly.

Here are some tips to keep the energy flowing in your office:

1. According to office feng shui guidelines, your desk should be placed at a diagonal to the doorway or directly facing it, rather than with your back to it.

2. If there's more than one desk, place two on a diagonal facing towards the door and any others on a diagonal facing into the center of the room. They should not be placed in rows in a traditional classroom layout or back to back.

3. If the doorways of offices that face each other across a hallway are not exactly aligned, place a mirror on the front of each door.

4. If you face a partial wall or partition when entering an office, place a mirror on the partition.

5. Soften jutting walls with plants. If you don't have a 'green thumb', artificial plants are just as effective as live ones.

6. Break up dull walls with mirrors or paintings.

The feng shui elements that are easiest to blend into an office decor are pictures and photographs. Look for pictures that represent the various aspects and display them in the appropriate areas of the room. Very obvious feng shui symbols may invite unwelcome questions from visitors or co-workers.

Feng Shui For A Home Office

Use office feng shui if you're working from home to maintain a professional approach to your business.

1. Use a separate entrance to your office if at all possible.

2. Otherwise, choose a room near the front or back door of the house or apartment.

3. Separate your office from living areas to keep your business and personal lives separate.

4. If your office space is part of another room, divide it from the rest of the room with a screen or large plants.

5. Take a short walk before entering your office to work each day and another one at the end of your working day. This separates the business and personal aspects of your life.

6. Place your desk on the corner diagonally opposite to the doorway.

7. Don't place your desk under a window, but let the light reflect on it from the side. Some people prefer to have their desks facing east.

8. Leave space between your furniture (bookshelves etc.) and the walls. Feng shui experts suggest leaving a 7-9 inch gap.

9. An important aspect of office feng shui is to keep your workspace tidy to allow a free flow of energy throughout the room.

10. Differentiate between clutter and storage. Stored items don't have to be catalogued and labeled but they should be stacked neatly in a cupboard or in binders so as not to impede energy flow.

Obviously theres a lot more to feng shui than what weve discussed in this article but you now have the basics for applying feng shui to your office space.

When youve made whatever changes you choose to incorporate, take a slow walk through your office and notice your spontaneous reaction. You should experience a sense of ease and flow, as opposed to feelings of claustrophobia, stress or overwhelm caused by too much clutter.
Marguerite Bonneville is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) whose passion is publishing information online. Her web site, Hidden Keys To Wealth, offers a range of resources for people committed to achieving financial freedom. Visit
http://www.hidden-wealth-keys.com for NLP and wealth mindset tools, tips on choosing a wealth creation vehicle, and a step-by-step guide to starting a small business.


Want Your Savings to Earn a Higher Rate of Return? Try Internet Banking.Jon GalantyDoesn't it seem like the only impressive numbers we've seen this summer are the digits on the thermostat and the unaffordable prices of homes? Real estate has been excruciatingly hot for the past few years, but getting in the market now puts you in the high-risk category for a heat stroke if the market decides to cool off this year.

So if a real estate induced stroke doesn't appeal to you and the stock market's roller coaster ride gives you motion sickness, it's very likely that you as a health-conscious investor are sitting on a stash of cash collecting an anemic rate of interest.

Don't worry, you are in good company. Even investment legend Warren Buffet is having problems finding fruitful investments. Buffet admitted in Berkshire Hathaway's annual letter to shareholders to having ended 2004 with $43 billion in cash equivalents and couldn't promise much success in utilizing the money in 2005.

If Buffet doesn't know what to do with his billions, you are probably thinking that you have no chance of finding a great place to put your billions either. Ok, your trillions. I didn't mean to belittle your nest egg.

Where can you stick your cash while you wait for better investment times?

How about online? Yes, I know Internet stocks stole your money in 2000, but Internet banks are giving it back in 2005.

Unlike the Internet gold rush of the 1990's where web businesses were run by high school students, many of today's Internet banks are simply online divisions of safe and time tested brick-and-mortar banking institutions.

Take ING Direct for example. ING Direct is the online division of ING Group, a Dutch based financial institution which is among the top 15 largest in the world. ING Direct opened its Internet doors five years ago and currently has approximately $29 billion in deposits. That would make it the "YAHOO!" of online banks.

But another online bank may actually make you yodel, "yahooo" after you glance at their annual percentage yield. Internet bank Emigrant Direct offers 3.50% APY on its savings accounts. What does your big commercial bank give you? 0.50%? At that rate, you're not earning enough to beat inflation. Maybe it's time you joined the Internet age?

Emigrant Direct is the online division for New York's Emigrant Savings Bank. Although a relative newcomer to the online banking scene, when it seems like interest rates are leaden with lead, Emigrant Direct is usually the first to raise them. At this point, brick-and-mortar banks would need to raise their rates quite a bit just to catch up with Emigrant.

So if you find yourself not enjoying the lazy interest rates of summer, you may want to log on to the net and see how an Internet bank account may boost your return this year. The interest rate you get may just burn as hot as the heat wave hitting most of America.
Jon Galanty is a financial writer for eMoneyCentral.com Visit http://www.emoneycentral.com to find out more about online banking and to get other great money tips.


The time value of moneycollin brownIt is very important for one to understand the time value of money. Especially we should let our next generation know
about it. As the sea wave keeps on coming without any hesitation, life also flows on. It is important to make a child understand about the journey of time along with the
changing value of life.

Do you see people using the old coins nowadays? I am sure you do not. But you remember them as your grandmas must have kept a few. This paisa is to be kept in with you only as they are not in use. Similarly, today we can buy things with a 10-rupee
note, right? If I give you a ten-rupee note, you can immediately go to the next shop and buy a chocolate for you.
Do you think even after a couple of years you will get the same chocolate with 10 rupee? I do not think so and I am sure
you will agree with me, too.


Let us think about your latest toy, which your father bought you last week. The latest remote controlled car cost him 200$.
My dear, you wont believe that I bought this car just a year back for 120$ only!! Now, you might think that, as there are
the changes in the newest model, so the company has increased their price. Yes, you are right to some extent but there are
other reasons too. You know that the price of everything is increasing day by day. So to retreat the market value one has
to increase the price. The cost this company used to spend after the toy has been changed. Now, as the new technology has
come within a year, they also had to improve the quality of their toy. If they did not improve it, you would not ask me
for this toy, right? Tell me if it would not be as sophisticated as it is and better than your previous ones, then would you like to buy this? No dear, you would not, nobody does. It is the market where everyone wants something better and thus, the price is getting higher accordingly.


In your childhood when you used to collect donations for the poor kids, how much people used to contribute? I think people used to give you Rs. 5 minimum. Now, if you ask for that, you will not get less than Rs. 10 from a person. It is because earlier value of Rs. 5 is almost equal to value of Rs. 10 these days. You hardly get anything with Rs. 5 now, while you will get a chocolate, a packet of potato chips or may be a small toy at Rs. 10. Even you can get a pen at Rs. 10. So, are you with me? Do you understand the difference now?


One more example will be suitable for you to understand the matter. What is the price of the cricket bat you want to buy for yourself? Arent you saving your pocket money to buy that this year? Now, now, you are caught! I knew it, do not worry, everyone has his secret desires and I also had this once. Let me share a story with you. When I was a kid like you, one day I went to the market with my mother. There I
liked a talking doll and it was saying mummy mummy and pappa pappa. It was so adorable that I wanted to buy. However, my mother did not have that money to buy me then so she rather bought me something else. Well, I came back, but the dream of having the doll with me stayed. That year I did not buy anything in the Pujas and saved the money. Then again in the festive season I did not buy a new dress and saved the money instead. After that I told my mother to
buy me the doll with that saved money. Wow!! It was a lovely experience when I got to get that doll from my saved money. That was a superb feeling indeed. I have told you this small story because I know some of you must be saving your pocket money for your desired thing. If it is a Cricket bat then
I am sure you need not save as much as I had to. Now if you dont buy 1 dress in a Festival or just save 4/5 months
pocket money you will be able to buy it. this is because what I used to get as pocket money was lesser than you. The
reason is, the value has been changed. If I give you the same amount, which I used to get as a kid, it wont be
suitable for you. Thus, the change takes place in our lives too.


I think it is now clear to you how the value of money changes with time. Now, one most important thing. You should realize
the value of money as well. Do not ever waste money unnecessarily. It is a curse to you if you do so. The God will be angry with you and you will be in trouble. Save money as this plays a major role in your life. If you understand the value of saving and not spending it without necessity then you
will surely have a bright future.


However, the value of money changes with time yet the concept of money never changes. It never looses its importance in our life. Ask your grandma about their life. You will be amazed and astonished with the description. Sometime you might feel
that she is just telling stories!! Well, it is not so. After a long when you will become a grandma and your kids will ask you this, they will be equally shocked to know that you used to get a chocolate at Rs. 10!


As a growing kid, you should realize this. It is very important to understand the basics of life. One of the major things is this, to understand the time value of money. I am sure you have understood this well and do not have any doubts in mind. There
are certain things, which cannot be told, you have to realize them from your heart. Other things I have tried to tell you so
far.
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