Buying real estate can be a challenging experience for anyone who has not purchased before. In fact, even if you have purchased before, buying during COVID 19 impact times can add another layer of stress. There's the concern of the homeowner, about who is coming into their home. There's the concern of the buyer, and how to protect oneself while looking at homes. Another phenomena of COVID times is the uncertainty of values, and the shortage of homes available on the market.

This is part one of my personal journey. I hope it's not a long series, but, I plan to keep you posted! I had a goal to return to FL for the past several years, and planned it out with 2 steps: 1) move and rent for 1 year and 2) find a home before the end of the 1 year lease. I'm now at step 2, which began with getting pre-qualified for a loan. What I didn't expect, was to find something the 2nd time I went out to look, and suddenly be in the whirlwind of making an offer and all that follows when it is accepted!

Those of you who know me, know that I've been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant, as well as a Certified Building Biology Environmental Consultant for almost 30 years. Basically, I help people find and/or create peace, harmony and healthy surroundings. ​This is what I'm looking to create in my own home, as well. So of course, I want to have positive Feng Shui and a 'healthy' home. I'm fortunate to have a local resource for indoor air quality testing through Indoor Environmental Technologies in Clearwater. The electromagnetic fields testing, is something that I've always done myself. 

So here is the situation that I created in this first home offer experience. I brought along my meter to test and lo and behold, discovered that my battery was dead! I had used it that week, and apparently forgot to turn it off. No problem, I vaguely recalled turning it on before I made an offer, but had not done thorough testing in all the rooms.  The next step was to have the inspections, so I brought it along, with extra batteries, 'just in case'. Imagine my surprise, when each room that I started to inspect, was registering extremely high levels of magnetic fields! I went outside, and discovered that they were high outside, too. In order to confirm my suspicion of underground, poorly shielded electric cables,, I requested that the inspectors turn off the whole house electricity so I could remeasure. Sure enough, no reduction. Being very sensitive to EMF's (electro magnetic fields), I was nearly setting myself up to purchase a home that would make me ill!

I showed the realtor my findings; thankfully she is very open minded, and we stopped the inspections and submitted a cancellation of the contract. I walked around the immediate neighborhood, and the fields were elevated everywhere. I am so grateful that I discovered it in the allowed time period, but sad that so many people living in that neighborhood are likely unaware. 

So, back we go to searching. The pluses of this mishap are that I'm now pre-approved with all paperwork in, and I'm carrying extra batteries to make sure I don't make that mistake again! 

Be healthy, be calm, be safe!

​One of the benefits of meditation is to help keep oneself centered, and 'mindful' during everyday life. Each of us does our best, yet sometimes, due to our humanness, we 'forget'.

The other day, I went to the gas station to do my weekly fill up, and then decided to go through the car wash next to it. It's a tiny wash, and there were 3 people ahead of me. When I finally got to the payment machine, fumbling to put my card in and press the right buttons (all with rubber gloves on) my card was declined twice after following the directions on the screen. I made a decision to try one more time, this time turning my card around to the opposite direction as what was shown. It worked!

Just before I was about to drive forward, I heard repeated honking. A woman in a car stopped next to me was waving her hands out her window. I rolled down my window and asked if she needed help. She exclaimed, "Your gas tank is open!". I was shocked, grateful and confused about how to get out of my car, wedged in next to the payment machine. She yelled, "don't worry, the guy behind you is closing it!". I shouted a big thank you and waved to the fellow behind me.

Two takeaways for me from this experience: 1) People become even kinder in the face of experiencing common disasters and 2) Despite all I do to try and remain mindful, I am still human and must have faith that I am being watched over by an Essence wiser than myself.

Please remember to be kind to yourself and to others, always and everywhere! 💝

Last week was the third year in a row, that I organized a visit to Pennsylvania by my favorite Sri Lankan monk, Bhante Dhammawansha. Spending entire days with someone as peaceful and mindful as he is, always increases my own sense of compassion for myself, and, for others. 

We are all, I believe, divine souls, living in this human body. Staying detached from outer worldly things is a constant effort that I strive towards. There are many outer 'things', constantly vying to take the attention of our human minds. This includes our personal appearance, our living arrangements, other people and their opinions and needs, our many faceted 'personalities' developed to allow us to exist in a world experienced as a child, our relationships with others, social media, electronic devices, community events, our various organizations, our cities, country and world events, to name a few.

Many things can change moment by moment. Conversations, a passing car, unexpected weather shifts, our human interactions - all can 'take' our attention, and lead us to a state of attachment, unbeknownst to our conscious mind. How interesting I find it, when I notice that my attention has been taken. Hopefully, by noticing, I can just accept it as my human condition.

Bhante noted that animals are living a much freer life than we do. They live in the moment. They wake up happy, enjoy their food, play with their 'friends' and stay focused on whatever is in the present. Can we strive to do the same? For decades, I've increasingly appreciated my daily meditation practice, and the freedom it allows my mind to experience every day. 

Incorporating Feng Shui principals into my surroundings has also helped simplify life, as well as remove potential blocks to my own and my clients' well being. Living with intention, honoring our surroundings, accepting the human condition - can all lead to a more peaceful life. 

I encourage you to take notice of your own life. Are you living with freedom, or, controlled by your own or other peoples' minds? Start with some simple breathing. Notice if you have space for inner growth reflected in your environment. Take a small step toward simplicity today. Your mind will thank you eternally.
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Photo Credit: Bhante Dhammawansha

Do you remember the first time that you went to school? Honestly, I do not. I imagine it must have been a positive experience, being the “loquacious” child I was, as noted on my first report card. I do remember the school. It was very old, the cafeteria was in the basement (yikes – not great Feng Shui!), and at recesses I was often able to see my favorite cousin. The school has since been torn down, and I went to a total of 3 different schools by the time I graduated from 6th grade! This was not due to my family moving – I think we were just so far out in the middle of nowhere (at the time) that the school district kept trying different locations.

After grade school, I was sent to two more schools, junior and senior high, then college. Each of these levels came along with buildings that were adequate with appropriate teaching modalities of that era. I had family travel experiences during my youth that took me to places that were vastly different than my hometown. Places where there was only one school for the entire community and in some cases, make shift buildings where permanent schools were not in place. In each of these United States locations, there was no doubt that anyone would be attending school, however rustic it might be.

After college, I didn’t stop learning. I achieved many more certificates in a wide range of studies, from Real Estate Appraisal to Feng Shui to Building Biology and Himalayan Singing Bowls. I guess I am what is known as a Life Long Learner, and I don’t plan on stopping yet!

In the 80’s, when I was a VP at Chase, I recall watching Sally Struthers (aka Gloria from All in The Family fame) on TV, reaching out to anyone that would take an interest in sponsoring a child in South America. It touched me, and I began my years of sponsoring children that were not as fortunate as I was. By that time, I was travelling the world, and knew that there were many people on our planet that didn’t have the education that I took for granted. I knew in my heart that my regular donations were making a difference in the lives of those children in South America.

Today, it is 2017. I have found myself, once again, concerned about children in less developed countries and the quality of their education. It is likely no coincidence that I discovered TEACH Rwanda, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the United States, that is also a Rwandan INGO. I believe that The Loving Universal Energy puts things in front of me that, if I notice, will make a difference in my existence and other people’s lives. In my volunteer work on the board, I’m using many of my skills – analytical, musical, connectedness, caring and forward thinking – to help promote better conditions for the children in Rwanda. I want to see them receive the benefits of the fabulous curriculum that has been developed by TEACH Rwanda.

So, I ask you: What was your educational experience in your life like? Have you ever thought about how it might be different for children in different countries? Does it peak your interest enough to investigate how you might give back what, if like me, was taken for granted? Take a moment and think about it!

If you believe that you might be able to help, I encourage you to take a look at TEACH Rwanda’s “Building 4 a Bright Future”, and help them get a building completed by year end. Those of you who volunteer for any organization know that donations are the life blood that helps accomplish goals. I am thrilled to tell you that due to generous donations this past month, Bright School is able to continue the next phase of construction, which is to pour the foundation. It happened because of all levels of donations, and now we need to keep building. Walls, roof, windows, and interior build out – all are waiting for funds to appear. Please take a look and give whatever you are able.  CLICK HERE

And for those who are concerned that I’ve fallen off the track of Feng Shui, please know that Feng Shui is not the only avenue to creating a better life for you and your family. Continue your own education and, help others. It’s all interrelated!

Feng Shui has many methods of improving one’s life. Many people think it is all about arranging furniture, but, there are far deeper levels. In fact, 25 years ago when I stumbled upon my first book about Feng Shui, I was enrolled in an Interior Design program that I thought was what I wanted to shift my career focus to. When I discovered Feng Shui, I realized that traditional design looks primarily at the surface surroundings, while Feng Shui delved deeper into my interior life.
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One of the ‘Secrets’ of Feng Shui is the use of the Five Elements Theory. We are currently nearing the end of the Wood Cycle, the amazing element for growth and new beginnings. If you are feeling stuck in your life, Wood can help you move through and past that experience. One of the simplest ways to connect with the Wood element is to nurture a plant, a tree, or a garden. Plants are visible evidence of how caring and giving return many benefits.  If you care for a plant, you literally receive benefits of a return of positive energy!

Another way to bring the Wood element into your life is to bring that element into your surroundings.  Here are some ideas for ways to do that:

• Tall, columnar, rectangular shapes
• Colors:  green, blues
• Wood objects, plants, flowers, bamboo (considered sacred), trees, art containing plant life

Simply wearing something green, walking in a green park, or finding an art piece with Wood symbolism that speaks to you for your home or office are all ways to bring this motivating, energizing element into your energetic field. If you wish to expand your business or career, consider painting a wall green or blue. Want to take it further? Incorporate the colors into your business logo, or even your car!

Finally, if you are seeking positive, growth oriented employees, search for a Wood person. They are leaders in their fields, and great at motivating others. One clue to finding them: they might be tall and slender, just like a tree!

Try incorporating wood into your life. You just might find yourself soaring forward, beyond your current obstacles!

Are you preparing for 2017, or will it take you a week or two of writing “2016” and then correcting it before reality sets in:  2017 is here!   I like to prepare for each new year by setting my intentions with a “treasure map” organized like the layout of the Bagua used in Feng Shui.  Using a “map” laid out like the Bagua gives me a place to reflect on each area of my life and to set my inner and outer intentions for the new year. 
Do you want 2017 to be different than 2016? Do you want to improve your relationships or build a new relationship? Do you want your career to be more successful or to find a new job?  Do you want your family to feel closer and more connected; or do you want to establish healthy boundaries? How’s your health? Do you want to be and feel more fit and energetic? How are your finances? Do you feel secure with the amount of money you are making and saving? I could go on and on with questions, but you get the point, I’m sure. In order for 2017 to be a successful year according to your definition of success, you’ve got to take the time to reflect on 2016 and identify what worked for you and what didn’t. What in 2016 helped make you feel happy and content? What felt like missed opportunities and what brought sadness? Think back through 2016: what do you wish had been different? Many people make “New Year Resolutions” at this time of year. They note what they’re going to do differently in the new year to change their lives. Some folks share their resolutions with friends and family in an attempt to be held accountable. Others make a list of resolutions with plans to refer back to it to hold themselves accountable. Unfortunately, many people make those lists and put them in a drawer, but never look at them again. Or, they make their list of resolutions, post it on a bedroom or bathroom mirror so they can see it everyday, but instead of feeling empowered by the list, they feel shamed that they haven’t been able to make and/or continue with most of the changes they desire for their lives. Either way, the resolutions rarely stick and most people don’t see the changes they long for come to pass. 
What if you had another way to accomplish your goals and make those changes?  What if you could set your intentions for change in the new year and were able to take immediate action to support those changes and make them real?  There is a way to do just that - the Feng Shui way - and I can help you. 
I’m offering a special Introduction to Feng Shui: The Ancient Art of Placement webinar series through The Theosophical Society in America. You can attend these affordable webinars from the comfort of your own home and at your leisure. My four, one hour sessions will be live on Tuesday evenings beginning January 3, 2017, but they’ll be recorded so you can watch later if your schedule requires it. The sessions will run 8:00 - 9:00 pm EST (7:00-8:00 pm CST) and will offer simple and practical techniques you can apply to your home and office immediately to bring about change. The total series cost is $50 for non-members of the Theosophical Society (TS) , and $40 for TS members...that’s only $12.50 or $10 per one hour session!  Whether you’re completely new to Feng Shui or you’ve read some books about it, but just didn’t know how to start to apply it to your life - I can help. I’ll take questions about your personal space and look at floor plans and photos, if you have concerns. I’ll help you apply your personal “2017 treasure map” to your life and space to bring the changes you desire for the new year.  Each registrant will also receive a list of the Auspicious and Inauspicious compass directions for 2017 and direction on how to place cures! You can register here NOW.
This is the perfect time of year to map out the changes you want to see and experience in 2017, not only because of our western New Year celebration on January 1 ( based on the Gregorian calendar), but also because of the Chinese New Year on January 28, 2017 (based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar).  My introductory Feng Shui series begins on January 3rd and ends on January 24, 2017 - just in time for Chinese New Year, 2017 the year of the Yin Fire Rooster! (I’ll explain what that means for all of us in my webinar series.) In addition to the webinar series in January, I’m also available for private consultations, either in-person or via phone/Skype.
Why struggle with resolutions and blame yourself when you don’t get the changes you want? Put the Feng Shui way to work for you and watch the shift. If you want 2017 to be different, to be peaceful, to be better...let me help you usher in the positive changes to create and welcome the life you desire.
Namaste,
Carol

Just one day before Christmas and Chanukah Eves....
If you celebrate either of these holidays, it can be quite a busy and chaotic time. If you celebrate another winter holiday, the frenzied feel of this time of year affects you, too, with traffic and long lines, etc. This holiday-time creates a lot of active “Chi” in a naturally quiet, still, and dark season. Because the holiday season is so busy and active, we need to make sure there’s a balance, just like the Yin/Yang symbol that represents all of life in balance.
We need to create a balance between the time for activity and time for quiet introspection, time to be alone and time to be with others. At the heart of Feng Shui is keeping one’s Chi in balance. From a place of balance we can live healthy, wealthy, connected, and content lives.
Our society, unfortunately, does not encourage balance. We are bombarded with the messages: “Go, Go, Go!” “Do, Do, Do!” “Spend, Spend, Spend!”
It’s up to us to set boundaries for ourselves to create the balance we need. One important thing to remember is that we’re each unique and find balance in different ways. Another equally important point to remember is that, you must listen to your body and your mind. Pay attention to the signals that tell you your energy is being depleted and that you need to “recharge” in the way that’s best for you. I think many family disagreements during the holidays could be avoided if we would each recognize and respect our unique energy limits, as well as those of family members. In order to understand and respect our energy limits, we need to really pay attention to how we feel (emotionally, physically, and mentally) as well as how we react to people and situations.
Our homes are supposed to be our sanctuaries...a place for quiet, for introspection, for joy, for fun, and for recharging....a retreat from society and the outside world that helps us stay balanced. I just moved, and it was very important for me to immediately create an area where I could meditate and to create a peaceful bedroom in the midst of unpacking, organizing, and many holiday commitments. Do you have a favorite space in your home that allows you to meditate or just sit and think with a cup of tea or coffee?  If not, consider creating that space for yourself. It can be very simple, a comfy chair with a pillow and warm throw, a few cushions on the floor, and maybe a nice view, either out a window, or of a beautiful piece of art. Perhaps you can enjoy that favorite space with some music that brings you peace and joy. Make a real effort to spend some time alone, recharging in whatever way suites you best, during these next few days.
Creating a daily plan is another way to stay in balance. Overcommitting quickly leads to an imbalance in one’s Chi.  As you plan your days and try to find time for the holiday “shoulds,” don’t forget to schedule at least a little time for yourself each day: time that allows you to focus completely on yourself, by yourself. For me it’s a daily walk, for others it might be time for reading, meditating, cooking healthy meals, hot baths with calming essential oils, time with a pet, or personal care services like a manicure, pedicure, acupuncture treatment, or massage. The point is to not overlook your needs in the midst of the busy holiday season.
Attending spiritually-related services and events can also support your Chi balance. The moments spent focusing on spirit, in whatever way that calls to you, in the company of others sharing the same focus, can offer a powerful “recharge” and a peace to calm anxiety and frustration. Something else I try to do regularly is to write in a gratitude journal first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. It helps me stay grounded and focused on the good in my life. It’s especially meaningful to take a few moments to write in a gratitude journal on the holiday itself, or just before or after gathering with loved ones and friends in celebration.
I’m looking forward to celebrating in my new home, but before that, I’ll be going to New York City for a holiday party at the United Nations. Being in the city during the holidays always brings me joy. I love to visit the tree at Rockefeller Center, walk down Fifth Avenue for some window shopping, and just enjoy the beautiful lights, sights, and sounds of the city for an evening. I know I’ll also be thankful for the bus ride back home which will give me time to think about my day or read, instead of concentrating on traffic. Most of all, I’ll love returning to my peaceful home....my personal retreat.

May you all experience joy, peace, and balance this holiday weekend!

Namaste,
Carol

This month I’ve been focusing on “Presence”, not “Presents” for the holiday season. Most everyone agrees that giving a gift of experience and relationship is much more valuable and appreciated than a gift of “stuff.” The world we live in is bulging with “stuff” that people think they want or need, only to realize after they get it, that the “stuff” weighs them down physically, emotionally, and energetically. (As a Feng Shui consultant, decluttering is typically at the top of my “to do” lists for new clients.) While most of us readily agree that a holiday season filled with the gifts of time, experience, and relationship-building (the components of true presence) would be ideal, but so many find it difficult to manifest due to distraction.
Our society is filled with distraction and seems to be obsessed with it. Our focus seems to be on staying “busy” constantly and we’re addicted to our electronics. People get together for meals, walks, vacations, family dinners – and most everyone has their smartphone along with them. And, the phones aren’t just “with them” - they are in their hands, turned on, and being used.  I went out to see a performer last weekend and the stage hands were literally sitting on the side of the stage glued to their phones and ignoring the performer!
When I go out to dinner with friends, I’m amazed and saddened to see people staring at their phones, texting, or posting on social media during their meal instead of talking with their friends, family, or partner. Gone are the days when you’d walk into a restaurant that was buzzing with conversation and the clinking of dishes.  Now, when you walk into a restaurant, you hear the servers speaking to each other and to the guests, the sounds of dishes being moved around, perhaps a few soft conversations (if you’re lucky), and the buzzing, clicking, and dinging of smartphones and tablets. We seem to be losing the ability to hold a spoken conversation that lasts for more than a minute or two because we rely on texts, email, and social media posts.
Smartphone addiction is very real, and people are unable to “unplug.”  Is it fear of missing something? Is the addiction so strong that they just don’t know HOW to unplug anymore? Many people have given up having landline phones because they’re seen as unnecessary when you have a cell phone which can be taken with you everywhere. But, do you remember letting your house phone ring and  the call go to voicemail because you didn’t want to be interrupted during dinner or family movie night? How many times do you let a text or a call on your cell phone sit unanswered until you’re finished with dinner, a movie, an in-person conversation, or even until the next morning? When did all communication become so urgent that it must be handled and addressed immediately?
I’m certainly not suggesting that we go back to rotary phones and desktop computers. The advances in technology have been amazing and wonderful in so many ways. What I am suggesting is that we set boundaries for ourselves. Boundaries that protect our “down time” and time with family and friends. If we don’t set those boundaries and enforce them, who will? This is the first step in offering gifts of PRESENCE to those we love this holiday season.
What am I suggesting? Start turning your cell phones off and putting them in a basket (or bag) out of sight during dinner time at home or at a restaurant. Set limits on how many times you’ll check your email and social media each day and how long you’ll spend on work-related email at home. If you tend to check your phone and read articles when you’re running errands and have to wait, take a book or magazine along instead and read that. Stop yourself when you start to check your phone for the umpteenth time while you’re out with friends. In fact, consider an app like Checky or Moment. Moment keeps track of how much time you spend on your phone and allows you to set alerts reminding you of goals you set to decrease your screen time. Checky keeps track of how many times you check your phone (not length of time spent on the phone) and tracks where you are when you check it. Each of these can be a wonderful tool in helping us use our smartphones appropriately and be mindful of how our time is spent.
How can you begin to make these changes and turn them into PRESENCE for the holidays? Perhaps as a present you can purchase a movie or live show tickets for you and your family or partner, and note in the gift card that you want it to be an outing without electronic distraction and that you’d like everyone to leave their phones at home during the outing. Share some special family recipes in a nice book and include some photos of loved ones cooking and set a time to try those recipes with family members in a “no-electronics” zone. Share the gift of volunteering to help those less fortunate with a loved one by inviting them to join you while you volunteer and then spend time afterwards discussing the experience over coffee or a meal. When you’re choosing and giving presents of time, experience and relationship (whatever they are) this holiday season, include a note with the gift that  you want the time with them to be special and distraction-free, so you’ll be turning your phone off or leaving it at home or in the car during your time together. You can’t force others to join you, but you can set the example.
Smartphone addiction is very real and isn’t something that will be kicked overnight. It takes awareness and small steps everyday. If we begin to monitor our electronics use and set boundaries for mindful use, we’ll loosen the ties our phones, tablets, and computers have on us, and I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s easier to relax and to spend time, time being truly present, with those we love.
Namaste,
Carol

Many people are thinking about presents at this time of the year....what they want, what they want to get for others, who they feel obligated to buy for, etc. Commercialization of the season, a naturally quiet and introspective time of year, runs rampant and turns a “still season” into something frenetic and chaotic.

When you think about the holidays do you think of “presents” as in STUFF or “presence” as in EXPERIENCE and RELATIONSHIP?
Thinking back to past holidays, what have been the most valuable presents? The cozy robe and slippers are surely appreciated, video games and electronics illicit shouts of excitement, and jewelry bring gasps of surprise and tears of joy; but what have been the most truly valuable presents in your life? Almost always they are the gifts of time, experience, and relationship.
Presents are typically forgotten over time, but sharing experiences and being truly present with those we love are times rarely forgotten. For many people, the exchange of presents is a part of the holiday traditions in families and with friends. There’s something comforting about honoring traditions and perhaps traditions even make it easier on those who organize and host holiday events. An aunt brings her famous pie; a cousin brings his special homemade pickles; a sibling brings the board games...perhaps everyone draws a name from a hat so that each person only has one gift to buy, but everyone gets to open a present. Each family and culture has its own traditions and people follow them year after year, generation after generation.
I’ve long been a bit of a maverick when it comes to tradition. I truly enjoy trying out things new and different because I love new experiences, people, cultures and visiting countries new to me.
  I’m the member of the family that never learned to cook a turkey, but I don’t let that hold me back. My father went on an annual trek to the mountains on Thanksgiving, so as an adult, I enjoyed taking my Mom out for holiday brunches. We always managed to find a wonderful buffet that usually had a cottage-style gift shop, and that was a part of our shared holiday experience. Many of my friends are of the Jewish faith and don’t celebrate Christmas; I enjoy seeing the latest movies with them on Christmas Day. I was married to a Jewish man, so for a number of years, we celebrated both Hanukah and Christmas with a cross cultural feast and our blended family.
Another tradition for many is putting up a Christmas tree. If we choose to have a tree and look at this tradition with a Feng Shui perspective, we can carefully consider what area of the bagua to place it.  This year, my nontraditional recycled wrought iron ‘tree’ with South American gourd ornaments, will be located in the FAME area, where lights are welcomed as they represent the FIRE element. A more traditional green Christmas tree would be right at home in the FAMILY area where the element is WOOD and the color is green.  If you are concerned about spending too much money over the holidays, consider putting it in the WEALTH area, where WOOD (green) nourishes and RED stabilizes.  
Perhaps the Christmas tree tradition can be used to add more mindfulness to the holiday and also focus more on the shared experience. Any time we can make choices that support the environment; we’re doing a good thing for ourselves and society. Why not consider getting a tree from a sustainable tree farm that plants two or three trees for every tree that’s cut? Ask family members to join you in choosing and cutting the tree. Perhaps a potted Norfolk Pine is a better choice for you. You can enjoy it year round and decorate it for other holidays, in addition to Christmas. Maybe something unique like my recycled wrought iron ‘tree” is more your style. Whatever you do, please don’t buy fake trees. There’s no healthy purpose for them. Another way to make the Christmas tree tradition a shared experience instead of a chore is to ask family members and friends to help you put up the tree and make decorations for it, or go through the old ornaments and talk about the memories they bring up. This can turn in to a wonderful event and a new tradition that everyone looks forward to.
The point is to make this season about PRESENCE not PRESENTS. When you think about presents, consider shared experiences and time spent together rather than “stuff.” Everyone likes to have a gift to open during the holidays, but remember it doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Simple gifts like a handwritten letter or an invitation to dinner and a movie; gifts of time like “an afternoon to clean out the attic” can mean the world to people...so much more than another electronic device or shirt they won’t really wear.
What can you do to simplify the holiday season for yourself and your family? Who would you like to spend more time with and how can you be more present for them? How can you honor the family traditions you love and still be mindful? How can you turn the chaotic, frenetic time into a true time of calmness, peace, and joy? I’ve offered a few suggestions today and will offer more each week. Remember as you plan your holiday season to take a deep breath and take care of yourself because inner peace is the most important ‘peace’ of all.

Namaste,
Carol

December, already! How did this happen?! It seems that the pages have flown off the calendar this year. Thanksgiving 2016 is already a memory and we are full swing into the holiday season. Recently I read that there are over 20 holidays (of various religions and cultures) between mid-November and mid-January!
The pace of life generally becomes a bit frenetic, even chaotic, after Thanksgiving as holiday events with friends, family, colleagues, and community take over our calendars. That’s really saying something because even during the “non-holiday” time of year,  our days are filled to the brim with “musts” and “shoulds.” Our calendars are full and our phones and computers chirp, ring, and buzz at us all day and evening, and we’ve trained ourselves to respond like Pavlov’s Dog, afraid that we might miss something important.
When was the last time you really relaxed? When have you enjoyed “unscheduled” time....taken time to sit with a friend for an impromptu catch-up session...read a book for fun...watched your children or grandchildren play or played with them? When was the last time you felt truly present...focusing on the time, space, and people you are in and with, instead of running through the list in your head of what you should do next? I propose that the most important gift you can give yourself, and those you love, is the gift of your PRESENCE, not a stack of presents.
I know, easier said than done. Somehow our society has set expectations so that we feel we must be busy all the time; that we must buy elaborate presents or many presents to show our love; that we must spend more than we have, etc. It won’t be easy to change these expectations in our society, but we can work to change them within our family and community....we can bring peace and calm to the chaos.
The ideal place to start is in our homes. Our homes can be a sanctuary away from the stress, noise, crowds, and expectations of the season. As a Feng Shui consultant, one of the first things I advise my clients to do is to remove clutter and unused/unwanted/unloved items from their homes. Clutter blocks the flow of Chi, or life energy, through a space which can leave people feeling anxious, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Each item in your home has it’s own energy and it sits in your space, affecting you. Decluttering is especially important during the holidays. Do you have an abundance of holiday decorations? Do they bring you joy and remind you of happy, loving times? Or, do you dread pulling them out of storage and only put them up out of a sense of obligation? There is no law that says that every room in our homes must be decorated for the holidays, or that every flat space should be filled with traditional family decorations. Decorate your space in a way that makes you smile when you walk in the room. If that means pulling out all your holiday decorations because you love them, that’s great...just remember to put away the day-to-day decorations, etc. so the space is not over-filled. Remember, if we don’t physically have space in our homes for life energy to flow, we’ll begin to feel stuck and overwhelmed and, there won’t be room for joy and fun when we celebrate the holidays with family and friends.
If you celebrate Christmas, another Feng Shui holiday tip is to stop and consider where you’ll put your Christmas tree. Christmas trees can take up quite a bit of space and we need to consider what is the best spot for them in the bagua of our homes. Before you put your tree up, think about what it means to you? Why do you put it up? How do you decorate it? Perhaps, the tree should be placed in the “family” area of the bagua because, for you, it represents the gathering of your family. Or, if you’ve traveled extensively and have purchased ornaments as a physical remembrance of those travels, perhaps the tree should go in the travel & helpful area of the bagua. Taking a few moments to reflect and consider the meaning and feeling behind these decorations and traditions instead of just doing it the way it’s always been done, can help you bring calm and peace to your holidays. Feng Shui can help you transform your home into a joyful, rejuvenating, and peaceful place during the holidays, and any time of the year.
Another way to bring calm to the chaos of the holidays is to play music that soothes you and helps you focus. This can be particularly helpful when we’re in the car and dealing with traffic. Rush hour traffic can be tough to deal with anytime, but during the holidays it seems that “rush hour” becomes rush HOURS. Because we can’t always find a route that bypasses dense shopping areas and the traffic that surrounds them during this season, it’s helpful to find ways to deal with the frustration created by traffic. One of my favorite CDs is Don Campbell’s Music For the Mozart Effect, Vol. IV Focus and Clarity: Music for Projects and Study https://mozarteffect.labelstore.ca/718795650422-music-for-the-mozart-effect-vol-iv-focus-and-clarity-music-for-projects-and-study-digital-mp3.html .  I also like to play this CD at home while I’m working.
Another favorite is Snatam Kaur’s Grace for Peaceful Calm. This is my “go-to” CD in the morning when I meditate. (Free YouTube: https://youtu.be/wh0IuOXxKnA?list=RDwh0IuOXxKnA – note that the picture gradually appears and then disappears. The point is the music!) I find that anything she sings is peaceful. Do you have some favorite holiday or spiritual music that calms you and brings you peace? It can be any kind of music as long as you love it and it has a peaceful effect on you. I’m always amazed at how music can lift me up, help me de-stress, and bring joy. We can control what we listen to in our homes and cars, why not choose music that helps us get through the holidays in a calm and peaceful way?
Don’t forget to take time out to meditate. Meditation is always important, but can really make the difference between a chaotic holiday season and a calm holiday season. Even just five minutes a day of quiet or guided meditation can help us have a positive and peaceful day. It doesn't matter whether you take your time at the kitchen table, at your desk, in your driveway before you leave for the day, or in a designated meditation space in your home, those few minutes help immensely.
There are many “little” things we can do to help bring calm to the chaos of the season and those “little” things bring big results. It’s so important, especially at this time of the year, to take care of yourself. Meditation as I’ve already mentioned is one way. Taking regular breaks and getting outside for a brief walk in nature can help you “reset” and de-stress. Yoga is a also very beneficial and, if you haven’t tried it before, look for a restorative style class. Practice compassion and mindfulness towards yourself and others. Remember, we don’t know the burdens others might be carrying with them, just as they don’t know ours. We can never go wrong when we choose kindness when dealing with others. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself, too! Respect your limitations and don’t push yourself to do more because you feel obligated. Yes, you’re allowed and encouraged to give yourself a break.
Do you remember a time when the holiday season seemed magical? When you truly looked forward to the time with family and/or friends without the stress and pressure casting a dark cloud over the celebrations? We can create a new holiday reality...a reality that focuses on calm, not chaos.

Namaste,
Carol

The holiday season is upon us. The advertisements featuring happy families sitting down for a holiday meal together or gathered around the Christmas tree are on television, internet, radio, billboards...the expectations and triggers bombard us.
Most families don’t fit the picture-perfect ideal promoted in these advertisements. My family life, like that of so many others I’ve met, has not been perfect. I accept that fact and I’ve learned that trying to create the facade of the perfect family to meet the expectations set forth by society creates frustration and pain, and often depletes energy. Instead, I’ve learned that I can have a family of choice that is in divine order for me. I’ve also learned that I can be grateful for all that I’ve learned from my biological family, no matter how I spend the holidays.
When I lived in Florida, my community was made up of many people who had relocated there and who didn’t have family nearby, and many of those people were single. At the time, I was blessed to have my parents living near me, but they weren’t always around for holidays because they’d often travel north to see their grandson and my sister. By that time I had already decided that I wasn’t a fan of traveling during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, because it was such a hassle at the airports. So I started staying home.  I had open houses and invited others that were alone for the holidays to visit and celebrate with me. Sometimes I accepted invitations to share the holiday with close friends in their homes. Occasionally I took advantage of the day to enjoy the beach or the movies alone.
I never learned how to cook a turkey, so I would order a fully cooked/slicked turkey with all the trimmings from the local kosher deli; the meal was always a success and I got to spend the day with my friends. During that time of my life, I learned to be grateful for the people I was with, whether they were a part of my biological family, my chosen family, or people I'd met recently. I felt thankful to be breaking bread, sharing stories, and feeling the joy of community with new and old friends alike, and because I reached out and opened my home to others, many people were grateful to have a place to go and someone to celebrate with.  I learned so much while sharing that time with others, in different situations, with a variety of traditions, some completely new to me. I also learned a great deal by spending holiday times alone.  
So, what are my recommendations for you during the holiday season?  First, I hope that you were able to enjoy yesterday in a way that brought you joy, whether you celebrated Thanksgiving or not. Today is typically the big kick-off to the holiday shopping season. Society's expectations encourage us to spend money to show our affection, sometimes pushing us to spend more than we really have.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the holiday season and I find joy in giving gifts to loved ones and receiving gifts from them. I do believe though, that shopping can be a distraction and can create tremendous stress, especially at this time of the year. I think there are other things we can do to create a happy holiday season for ourselves and others.
Volunteering is on the top of my list  because I truly feel like I'm receiving a gift every time I volunteer to help those less fortunate. As temperatures drop, we should remember that there are people who don't have warm coats to wear. Locally, I volunteer for Project Keep Warm, where we collect donations for the homeless, veterans, and struggling families. There is a deep sense of gratitude in the faces of those served and there's really nothing like the feeling you get from helping others.  I'm sure you can find a volunteer opportunity in your area that resonates with you. Even in warmer climates, there are "cold spells" and the homeless need warm clothing. They also regularly need hats to help protect them from the sun, and shoes. When I lived in Florida, for some reason it seemed to feel even colder when the temperature drops down there!
Work on yourself! What about that long ignored Feng Shui project that you started to think about, but, stopped due to other obligations? Perhaps there’s a closet with too much clothing in it – what a great opportunity to declutter and donate!  Take a tour of your home, room by room, and look with an eye for items that are unused and don't bring you joy. Getting rid of those items can free up some space that will allow the Chi to flow freely and create a sense of openness in your life. How about rearranging your furniture? Look at each room in your home and ask yourself if the room is really welcoming. If it's not, what might help change that? It might be that your sofa has its back towards the room entrance - that suggests that people stay out of your life. If you want more friends, and happier families, try turning the sofa around! Perhaps there's a piece of art on the wall that fails to make you smile. Consider finding a replacement, something that lifts your spirits when you enter the room. Rearranging furniture and making small changes can really liven up a space, so ask family members to help and see how it feels.
Take care of yourself! The holidays are emotional times, and with those emotional times come triggers that can be difficult to cope with. I’ve learned that staying busy keeps my mind happy and prevents feelings of loneliness over the holidays.  I’ve also found it's best to wisely choose how and with whom I spend my time.  I make those choices in accordance with my inner being and what is right for me. Call up a friend.... your ‘movie’ friend, or your ‘walking’ friend, or your ‘try a new adventure friend’ and get out, and fulfill your hearts’ desires! Even a phone call to someone out of state or country, or a visit to the elderly – all help elevate mood, yours and someone else's. Today, my “chosen” family is all over the globe. We keep in touch and we see each other at every opportunity and I’m grateful for each and every one of them.
The holidays are a special time: beautiful and full of tradition, but also stressful and painful in many ways. We can all survive, and even enjoy, the holidays if we remember to carry a sense of compassion and gratitude wherever we go, for everyone that we encounter. Plan your days and weeks to include activities that will nurture you, as well as helping others. Let’s all remember to give ourselves the best present possible this holiday season; the gift of self-care. Listen to your inner voice and spend time and energy doing things with people (or alone) that will lift you up, and be grateful for every moment. Namaste,
Carol

Beautiful gifts don’t always come in pretty packages.
I believe that the Universe is always in divine order, and that when my wishes aren’t fulfilled, it’s because there’s something better, bigger, or more “right” in store for me. Even though I believe and know that’s true, it’s not always easy to accept the unfulfilled wish, then wait and be ready for the “better and bigger and more right.” We tend to want what we want when we want it and it’s unsettling when that doesn’t work out. We have to have faith that there is a divine reason what we wanted didn’t come to pass and we often have to go through a dark tunnel before we can see and appreciate the light and the beauty.
Some of the most difficult times of my life, ended up being some of the most beautiful times of my life.  A little over five years ago,  I planned to move to New York City and take a marketing/event coordinator position for a Buddhist organization. I was excited about returning to NYC and planned to work my Feng Shui business while working in this exciting position. I never imagined that after selling everything and moving north, the position would not come to fruition. I struggled to understand the “why” of it, yet within days, I learned that my parents needed full-time, round-the-clock care. With that knowledge, all the thoughts of what to do with my life were overshadowed by my desire and need to care for them. I had four beautiful years caring for them and during that time created wonderful memories that will be with me for the rest of my life. It was not what I had planned, and quite honestly, it was unlikely that I would have totally uprooted my life in Florida to move back to Pennsylvania to care for them if I hadn’t been in limbo because the job in NYC fell through. In that instance, the dark tunnel lasted only a few short days, and with time I saw the light and the beauty of the situation.
As a high school student, I was a passenger in a car that collided head-on with a tree. The Universe had me sitting sideways, facing the driver, which likely saved my life. However, as a young woman with a broken collar bone that turned GREEN just in time for the prom, I was devastated. There were tough times as I healed from the accident, yet because of that accident,  my college education was funded almost entirely by the settlement from the insurance company. It took me a little longer to see the light and beauty of that situation and I’m grateful for that gift to this day.
I’ve learned, time and time again, that what I think is best, is not always best for me. In those cases, the Universe has something else in mind for me; something that is “right” that I’m not able to see right away.  We must not be quick to judge others or situations because we don’t know what is being lined up karmically. Life is a balance of Yin and Yang, light and dark. Where there is anger, violence, and hatred; love will overcome. The point is, when we receive something in our lives that we don’t consciously want; we can still be grateful and know that there is a reason. Each moment or situation is a stop along the journey on to something bigger, better, and right.
Namaste,
Carol

It’s a little hard to believe we are already well into November, the month of Thanksgiving...the holiday of gratitude, and nearing the end of 2016. I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving in a number of ways with a variety of people and on my own, and the thing I love most about the holiday is its simple premise: be thankful and show your gratitude.

It’s wonderful that there’s a national holiday reminding us to be grateful, but my goal is to show gratitude every single day. Gratitude is an energizing act that is actually easy to perform. When we appreciate others, and let them know they’re appreciated, we increase positive feelings for ourselves and for them. We create a positive energy exchange. As I’ve mentioned many times, our thoughts create our reality. When our thoughts are negative, resentful, selfish or jealous , we bring negativity into our reality...we create more negativity for ourselves - NOT for the person or situation we feel negatively about. We taint our field of possibilities when we think negatively. Negativity takes up a lot of “space” and energy, so there won’t be room for the wonderful positive things in your life when negativity is present.
My life was transformed many years ago through yoga and meditation. Later, through a tradition that included meditations, I was introduced to Feng Shui. While Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, incorporates the physical ‘reminders’ in our surroundings, the meditations that go along with the Feng Shui cures are the real game changers. When I offer a Feng Shui consultation, we look at the physical space and how furnishings are placed,  to enhance the flow of Chi, or life energy throughout the space. Chi is a positive force or energy, so we want it to flow freely throughout our homes and offices. Sometimes, furnishings need to be moved, colors changed or added, and in some cases, building design impedes the flow of Chi so we need to add special cures. I recommend changes and “cures” to remove the blocks or issues that affect the life energy of the space. With those changes and cures come meditations and the setting of intentions. Those focused words are incredibly powerful. With much time and practice, the ‘cure’ could simply be accomplished with the use of the mind, meditation, and focus with gratitude for the for all the positive things in our lives.
Some of you may be thinking that it’s easy to show gratitude when things are going well or even when things are “just OK” but what about when things are tough and you’re dealing with a negative person? What about those times when it feels that nothing is going right and you’re really struggling?  Those are the times when it’s even more important to look for the positive aspects of your situation or life in general.
Focus on the positive and I guarantee more that things will begin to change. When you feel yourself slipping into “why me” mode or you look around and think how easy it is for others, stop yourself and clear those thoughts from your mind and those feelings from your heart. What do you have to feel positive about? Do you have people in your life that love you and that you love in return? Do you have a pet that depends on you and is always there when you need a friend? Do you have a roof over your head, food to eat, and clothes on your back? Do you have friends you can talk to? Do you live close to mass transit? Did you see a beautiful sunset last night? Focus on the positive to generate more positive energy in your life.
Another positive to think about, and what many do not understand, is that when we have an “enemy” or a “bad” situation, there is positive energy there, as well. That “enemy” and “bad” situation bring us gifts. Those experiences bring the gifts of growth, understanding, and patience. Those experiences bring us information that can help us change our lives for the better. Possibly the biggest gift that our “enemies” and “bad” situations bring us is the experience of overcoming negative thoughts and the ability to wish them well. The experience of overcoming negativity to be grateful for someone or something that challenges us is so very powerful. And, when we do it once, we can do it again, and again, and again. The positive energy grows and grows so that the negative experiences become a smaller and smaller part of our lives.
As we go through our days, let’s look for the positive and be grateful. When we wake up in the morning, let’s say “Thank You” to the Universe. When we go to sleep at night, let’s say, “Thank You for this day.” Those seemingly small things can make a huge difference. As we prepare to celebrate our day of Thanksgiving, let’s try to practice gratitude every single day.
I’ll close by sharing a metta prayer that I love. It’s calming, peaceful, and positive. Repeat by replacing “I” with “my family”, then “my friends”, then “the world”....and yes, then even “my enemies.”
May I be happy.
May I be well.
May I be safe.
May I be peaceful.

Namaste,
Carol

Last month, our focus was on recognizing our true essence and allowing our inner being to take the reins of our life. As I mentioned in my weekly October blogs, directing our focus inward and doing the inner work necessary to let our true essence shine isn’t always easy...the journey is unique to each person. Honestly,  I really love doing inner work. In addition to keeping up with my own Feng Shui, and helping my clients with Feng Shui for their homes and businesses,  I have been deeply immersed in personal, inner work for most of my adult life. It amazes me that, even after all this time, I can continue to go deeper and reveal more and more insight and hidden gifts. I’m grateful for each and every discovery.
With many celebrating Thanksgiving later this month, our thoughts naturally turn to gratitude. I’ve been thinking about the inner work I’ve done for so many years, and am so grateful for the many tools, teachers, and changes that that study and work has brought into my life. One of the modalities that I currently use, and have used for about 25 years, is Jungian Dream Analysis. Initially, it was a bit frightening because I didn’t quite understand the figurative meanings behind the symbols. But, over the years, I’ve learned a lot, and even to this day, I find that my dreams provide amazing insight and true gifts to help me lead a more ‘right-actioned’ life. I’m very fortunate to have dream analysis experts as members of my inner circle, and I appreciate each and every one of them. I’ve noticed that in doing this personal work with a group, we often realize that another group member’s dream is personal to us, too! There is such great value in community.
As I’ve mentioned, each and every person has a divine inner presence. The sad part is, most people don’t recognize this inner being, or, even believe it’s possible. It’s true that we can’t just flip a switch and ‘become’ our true essence. The journey to recognizing that divine inner presence is unique for each of us and in many cases, it means experiencing pain. Ultimately, that pain is most often replaced with joy. It means separation from our old, comfortable lives and venturing into unknown territory. While fear of the unknown might keep us from taking our first steps on the path or allow us to stall along the path, it ultimately leads us to a much more comfortable place. It leads us “home.”  This work takes commitment...a personal longing to be the best that we can be, and be our most authentic selves, during our short time here on planet earth.
Feng Shui is another tool that we can use to help us start on the path, or move us further on the path,  to reveaI our true essence. I remember returning home after participating in my first Feng Shui weekend class almost 25 years ago. Suddenly, I was able to “see” SO many things in my home environment that were red flags pointing  to the issues that I’d been living with!  After that first Feng Shui class opened my eyes, I began placing cures and making changes, one-by-one. Slowly and surely, life began to shift for me. I used to call my house a “Feng Shui Nightmare” because it shined a light on each of the problems I’d been dealing with and the uncomfortable, unsettled feeling I had, but didn’t understand. Feng Shui brought me the clarity I needed to truly see what was going on in my life and to understand the source of my unease.  What a gift, that “Feng Shui Nightmare” was! It allowed me to identify the issues and take steps to change them...it allowed me to begin the process of creating a better life for myself; to further reveal my true essence.
I’m grateful for each home that I’ve lived in. Grateful for the lessons that each one has taught me. Grateful for the new directions that I discovered every time I found and put a Feng Shui cure into place to deal with a problem. Grateful for the many friends around the world that I’ve met as a result of Feng Shui and my inner work.  Before I learned about Feng Shui, the state of my life seemed overwhelming. I’m so grateful that I found Feng Shui when I did. It offered me the way to resolve that overwhelming situation...movement along my path to revealing my true essence and letting my inner being take the lead.
This gratitude is why I continue to share the gift of Feng Shui with all of you: my friends, my chosen family, my clients. When I can help someone identify the source of their unease...when I use Feng Shui to help someone “cure” an issue that causing problems in their lives...when I help someone find clarity in the midst of the heavy feeling of being overwhelmed; then my true essence shines. I’m truly grateful for each person reading this blog, attending my classes, watching my videos, liking my facebook page, and following me on social media. Your trust and support allow my inner being to thrive.

Namaste,
Carol

PS - If you’d like an introduction to Feng Shui right in the comfort of your own home, you’ll be pleased to know that I’m offering a webinar series, Introduction to Feng Shui: The Ancient Art of Placement with Carol Cannon, that begins on November 9th. I’m honored that this webinar series is being hosted by The Theosophical Society in America. We’ll cover history, the evolution of various forms of Feng Shui, and how and why your land and buildings have an influence upon your life. I’ll go over the Five Element Theory and how it works in Feng Shui, as well as discuss the importance of furniture placement. Each week participants will learn practical applications that can be used in their homes and offices immediately.
The webinar series will be held on four Wednesdays, November 9 through December 7 (no class on November 23) 7:00 - 8:00 pm Central Time.
The cost of the series is $50 or $40 for Theosophical Society in America members.
To register, click here.

It has long been my belief that we, as humans, are born with a clean, pure slate. As we grow, we adapt. We’re like sponges and soak up what we’re exposed to. We take on beliefs and behaviors of our parents, family, extended family, community, school, and spiritual community, etc. As we grow, we slowly lose contact with that pure inner being, our essence. However, our inner being never abandons us. Like a faithful friend, our true essence waits for us to recognize and embrace it.
Have you ever had a strong feeling that you just “know” something is “good” or “bad?” Have you ever made plans for something that you’ve thought you wanted and then, when faced with taking immediate action, you’re unable to follow-through? Have you ever met someone and instantly felt positive vibrations or negative vibrations?  That “knowing” and intense feeling is your inner being showing you your path. It’s your true essence making itself felt and known.  This inner compass is always there, guiding us to follow a path that is in our best interest. Sometimes it makes itself known with just a strong, steady sense of “knowing.” Sometime, it’s a gnawing feeling that we should or shouldn’t do something we’ve planned.
Perhaps you’ve heard people say, “follow your gut” or “listen to the little voice inside?” I believe those are ways some people refer to the inner being and true essence in each of us. Many times, our outer world, and often our very own mind, attempts to lead us down a path that’s not in our best interest. This happens frequently when we get caught up in the expectations of the world and of others. Those times when we focus more on what others think and want, rather than taking time for quiet re-charging and focusing on what it is that feeds our soul. That’s when we are likely to forget about our inner being for awhile and push full-steam ahead, until the “little voice inside” makes itself heard through persistent whisper and “knowing” or an intense “gnawing” feeling that won’t let you ignore it.
How do we get in touch and stay in touch with this essence? How do we keep our hectic world responsibilities from making so much “noise” that we don’t hear our own inner being when it speaks up?  Meditation has long been a prime connection for me.  Feng Shui has also helped me maintain my connection and communication with my inner being.  Feng Shui is a tool that allows me to ‘see’ and ‘connect’ with what the Universe/my inner being is attempting to guide me towards. I believe that the inner being in each of us is a direct connection to the Universe. 
This inner being, our true essence, is a real force. But it’s up against a strong outer force. The outer force, the outer world we all must function in and be a part of, often overwhelms us with noise of expectations and “shoulds.” We live on “the fast track.” We go and go and go because we “have to.” At least that’s what we think is true. But, how many times have you recently talked with friends and heard at least a couple of people say, “I wish I had time for....” or “It feels like time is flying. I wish I could slow things down.” or “I just don’t have time for myself”?  Those all too frequent statements shine the light on the state of our world. The outer world mantra seems to be “Keep Moving!” “Don’t Slow Down!” “You’ll Never Get Ahead If You Rest!”  We have to make the decision to listen to our bodies and our inner voices.
When we feel like things are going too fast, we’re the only ones who can slow things down for us and for our families. We have to say this is “enough.” We have to make the time for ourselves, and model this behavior for our children. If we don’t teach them to make self-care a priority, who will? As humans, we have an opportunity to develop and be in touch with the inner being and true essence in each of us.
Tune in to the little voice, the gnawing feeling in your chest or stomach. Pay attention to what your body and heart are saying to you. Pay attention to unusual sensations. The forms of “communication” by the inner being can vary greatly from person to person. Have you ever walked into a place new to you (a friend’s home, a restaurant, a workplace, etc.) and immediately felt tingly or as some say ‘hairs on my neck and arms stood up’....that’s another example of the inner being trying to communicate. My communication usually manifests as tightness or a knot in my stomach. That feeling tells me I need to be paying close attention and stop before moving forward or taking action. Sometimes I get a feeling of intense knowing. I’ve learned to pay attention to all of those feelings, no matter what someone else might say or think of me. 
It’s easy to say “pay attention” but not so easy to do when we’ve been marching to the beat of the outer world’s drum for a long time. How do we tune in to the beat of our own drum? One way is to explore and look for tools to help you slow down, rest, and focus. As I mentioned, meditation has been very important to developing my connection with my true essence. If you want to try meditation, set up a location within your home for a quiet retreat. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, just a quiet, comfortable space that is peaceful, calm, and conducive to meditation. Use an app like Insight Timer that helps you keep track of time, and offers guided meditations; if that’s something you want or need.  Some people find that a walking meditation is easier and more beneficial. You can walk in your yard or at the park....wherever you feel calm and comfortable. Other tools that help us slow down and focus are yoga, tai chi, and astrology.
At age 39, when life as I knew it changed drastically, I was introduced to the astrological concept of the planet Uranus being in opposition to where it was located at my birth. As thankful as I am at finding yoga and meditation when I was 19, I am eternally grateful to Amy Volkers, a south Florida astrologer, for guiding me to understanding this ‘mid-life’ crisis point. My interpretation of the Uranus opposition is that, if we are not living in accordance with our inner being’s wishes for us, then during the late 30’s/early 40’s, life as we know it will crumble. I was a living example of this, having been a VP for a major bank with great responsibilities, a marriage, and all the ‘finer’ things in life. But, I walked away from it all. You see, I had an inner longing.
On the outside, it looked like I had ‘made it,’ but inside there was a vast void. Some of the happiest times of my life have been when I have released possessions, lived minimally, studied and practiced yoga and meditation, and ultimately discovered Feng Shui. My inner being had led me to real estate early on and throughout my career – from sales, to appraising, to buying and selling, land development, building, design and renovating. I believe that was all preparation so that I could understand the art of placement – Feng Shui –from all perspectives. By understanding the physical, the next dimension was the spiritual or esoteric side of buildings.
I’ve also studied dowsing, a technique used to get in touch with the earth’s energies. Many ancient buildings were built with consideration for the earth energies running underneath the properties. That means that the buildings were created in ways that allowed and fostered connection with the earth’s inner being or true essence. In addition, I’ve studied Building Biology and it’s helped me understand how the materials we use in building a structure or creating our space can affect our emotional, mental, and physical health.  My study of Feng Shui, Dowsing, and Building Biology allow me to get in touch with the earth’s inner being, as well as helping my clients get in touch with their inner being or true essence. Bringing this knowledge and these tools together allows us to create buildings and spaces with natural materials, with respect for the earth’s energies, and the life flow, or Chi, of the space. All this is helpful so that we can connect with our true essence and nurture it as we live and work in that space. Using the tools like meditation, yoga, tai chi, and astrology helps us to slow down and focus on the little voice inside....the inner being, our true essence and what it’s trying to tell us.  Using Feng Shui, Building Biology, and Dowsing helps us create a physical space that supports our inner beings.
And then, it all comes together in unity and wholeness.
As I mentioned in the closing weeks of September and in last week’s blog, October is a month of transition from the Yang/hot active summer to the Yin/introspective connecting time of winter. As we begin our nesting and preparation for the winter, I suggest that you take a moment to pause, focus, and consider what your inner being is saying to you.
Does your outer life reflect what your true essence really wants? If it doesn’t, how will you make the changes you want/need to honor your inner being? How will you nourish your true self? With peace, calm, focus, and mindfulness? With books, and music, and like-minded friends who are supportive and also yearning to listen to and heed the call of their inner beings? The chill of fall and the cold of winter are natural times of darkness and stillness for a reason. Let’s put the wonderful and beautiful forces of nature to good use.

Namaste,
Carol

For twenty-three years, I’ve used Feng Shui as a certified consultant to enhance the flow of Chi and create harmony in the external environments of homes and offices. That harmony and flow of life energy offers healing and support to the inhabitants of those spaces (my clients and myself).

That healing and support helps us to be who we really are internally and/or who we wish to be on the inside.  Typically without even realizing it, we are attracted to spaces that reflect our current inner state of being. When I see a client’s space, it’s as if I’ve been given a window to look deep inside, beyond the mask worn for the external world.
Often when I meet with clients, perhaps it’s a couple or business partners, they’ll smile and tell me “everything is wonderful...there are no problems in our lives.” But, when I look at their space or at the floor plans for their space, I can see that’s not the case. Occasionally, the layout of the space will show me signs of relationship issues. If that happens, I’ll smile in response to the couple and advise that we discuss making changes to ensure the relationship stays intact.  Not everyone is prepared to handle my response. I’ve literally had instances where one of the partners leaves in the middle of our appointment only for me to learn from the remaining partner that the relationship is in shreds!
Sometimes, it's not easy to be honest about who we really are. We live in a world filled with expectations and we get caught up in perpetuating those identities. They begin in childhood: “be a good girl”; and expand while we’re in elementary and high school: “make the honor roll” “be the star football player” “you must be first chair in band”. They continue throughout college and career: “finish in the top ten percent” “get promoted” “get that raise”; Expectations even find their way into our communities and families: “keep your lawn perfect”  “drive a new car” “be the strict parent” “be the cool parent.” The list goes on and on. We’re expected to wear many hats and be different people all at the same time. How can we be true to our inner being when we’re trying to live up to so many expectations? Who doesn't long to remove 'the mask' and be authentic? 
Of course, we all have responsibilities. Where would our society be if we didn’t each follow the rules and laws to keep some order? I’m not suggesting we throw all caution to the wind and ignore our responsibilities. I believe we can be a parent, a daughter/son, an employee, a homeowner, a spouse, etc. and meet our “external” responsibilities while still being true to ourselves and meeting our “internal” responsibilities.
George I. Gurdjieff, an Eastern mystic, noted that many of us lead our lives as if we were in jail! We get so caught up in doing the “right thing”, putting on the “right” face, and living up to others' expectations, that many of us may come to a point where we know we’re uncomfortable, unsettled, and unsatisfied, but truly don't know who we are or how to fix things! I was introduced to this concept 25 years ago, when I first hired a life coach. The coach had me draw a small circle inside a big circle, labeling the center "ME". I then was instructed to write roles I played in life, inside the circle, and even outside. Some examples included that I was: a child, a spouse, an employee, a yoga practitioner, a President of a non-profit business organization, a volunteer, a synagogue member,  an exercise enthusiast, a sibling, etc. I then drew circles around each, to see which 'took over' being just me. A light-bulb went off when I realized that "I" was very small, almost non-existent, outside of these self imposed personalities that "I" had become!
So, it was 25 years ago that I began to learn how to remove the masks of expectation...the masks that had become so ingrained, so a part of my every day life, that they had taken over my authentic self.  During a visit to another country, I met a mystic who said, upon meeting me, "You are not the one you think you are." I pondered that statement for a very long time, as truly, I wondered: Who am I really? It's not an easy road to take to peel away the layers of expectation. In fact, in many ways it's much easier to keep all the masks on, continue to meet expectations and play roles without giving any thought to how all of that busy-ness feeds our soul and allows our true essence to shine. We can ignore our authentic selves; ignore the  desire of our essence to be expressed; ignore our true being...but, when we do that we frequently become ill in the “jail” we’ve created for ourselves
Synchronicity played out in my life when I discovered yoga and meditation, and later, Feng Shui, (Bau) Building Biology, and the Himalayan Singing Bowls. Soon after I graduated high school, I discovered yoga and meditation. As I advanced in my career, the practice of yoga and mediation helped me survive the years as a VP at a major NYC bank when I frequently suffered from severe headaches and migraines. When I left the bank, I “fell” into my yoga and meditation practice! It was a saving grace of respite and a reminder that life is more than the fast pace that I’d been immersed in. Not long after I left the bank, I discovered Feng Shui and Building Biology and I learned how the built environment can negatively affect human health, especially if we’re not using healthy, organic materials. I learned that it was possible to “heal” my surroundings, which led to my own improved health. Later in life, I discovered the Himalayan Singing Bowls and learned that they, too, are a tool that enables me to go deeper in meditations and helps me and others feel a deeper sense of calm. That deep resonating calm is when I learn more about myself and nurture my true inner being. Each of these tools have helped me remove the masks, peel away the layers of expectation, and allow the true light of my being to be expressed.
As a Feng Shui Consultant, I have found that the Universe often speaks to me about me through my clients' surroundings! When there’s something that I need to take a look at in my own life, I might find that two or three clients in a row will have the same Feng Shui anomalies. For instance, I’ve experienced visiting two homes for Feng Shui consultations and finding a bathroom in the center of the home, which is the health area of the bagua. Then, I’ve gone on to my next consultation and found, once again, that there’s a bathroom in the center of the home. A bathroom in this area of the bagua indicates a drain on health because of the toilet in the room.  When I see a bathroom in this location, I advise adding cures to the area to support the health of the occupants. When I see specific issues in a repetitive pattern like this, I definitely go home and take a look at the health area of my own home. I also spend time considering where there might be an imbalance in my life. I’m human...sometimes the Universe has to provide insights several times for me to “get it” and this is something that my fellow Feng Shui consultants have also experienced. As I believe that we are all part of the greater One, it is not a surprise that I receive this type of feedback. It may be something to begin looking at in your own life. What are the repetitive patterns or synchronicities  that show up in numerous places? 
Take a moment to consider what masks you wear.  Are you really who you think you are? Are you allowing your true essence to be expressed? Just as I often advise people to remove the physical clutter from their lives, I am suggesting that we each have a plethora of “cluttering” personalities that we present to the world and there’s a good chance that at least some of those personalities don’t represent the true you. This month (the month that ends with Halloween and costume celebrations)  I'll share some ideas about removing the masks and allowing our true inner beings to shine.  Not everyone is attracted to this journey, but it can be quite liberating.  Removing some of those masks will lighten up your life! Our homes are perfect metaphors for us to find clues to changes lying in wait for us to put into action. Fasten your seatbelt - this month we'll be diving into some new territories!

Namaste,
Carol

Over the past month, my focus has been on “harvest.” There are many components to the harvest. It’s the shift from the Yang time of summer, to the Yin time of fall. The harvest comes from the seeds of attitude and perspective we plant each day with our words, thoughts, and deeds. Our harvest is affected by what we gladly give of ourselves to help others. And, the beautiful harvest moon we just had helps us shine the light on our lives as we go into the introspective, retreat-like Yin time brought by the Autumnal Equinox.

As we close out September, I’d like to take a look at “change.”
I hear so many people say they want to change their lives in some specific way, or even in many ways. One thing we should keep in mind if we truly want a change, or many changes, is to prepare and make way for it. When I offer a Feng Shui consultation at a home or business, I don’t just bring in the necessary cures and “plant them.” We have to prepare the space for the change we want the cure to bring. For instance, if there is an issue in an area that needs to be addressed, or cured, we discuss  the change the client is looking for. We prepare the area...does it need to be de-cluttered? Do we need to support the element of the area? Before we place the Feng Shui cure, we set the intention for the cure and state the change we envision.

Have you heard the old saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different outcome? Well, if we don’t prepare for the change we want to see in harvest of our lives - if we just keep things the same or keep doing the same things repeatedly, the chance of manifesting the change we want is pretty slim. There is a process to follow that helps us invite change into our lives and prepare for it. Since we’re talking about our harvest I’ll continue with the farming analogy.
 
First, we must clear the field and prepare the soil.
Then, we must choose our crop and seeds.
Once the field is ready, we plant the seeds.
We nurture the crop and wait for the harvest.

Just as farmers prepare the soil by weeding and tilling the earth and rotating crops so the soil stays healthy we need to prepare our “soil” for the change we want to manifest in our lives. One way to “clear the field” for our seeds of change, is through physical de-cluttering. How can we welcome change into our lives if there’s literally no room in our home or office? I guarantee you will see positive change when you take the time to de-clutter, or even just move and clean things that have been stagnant for quite awhile. What about that bookcase filled with your favorite books or knick knacks? How long has it been since it was thoroughly cleaned or reorganized? Remember, de-cluttering doesn’t have to be a major project. If you take just a few minutes each day to go through items in a specific area of your home or office and remove what no longer serves you or brings a smile to your face, before you know it you will have de-cluttered the entire space. Sorting through your things has another major benefit: when you decide to get rid of something you no longer want, love, or need, consider donating it to someone in need. Remember, by giving more, we get more.

Another important way to clear the field and prepare for change in your harvest, is to do a space clearing. Energy clings to us when we are out in the world and we bring it into our homes and offices. That energy can get stuck and it’s important to clear our space regularly. Burning sage is a wonderful way to clear the energy. While burning the sage, it’s important to be in a sacred state of mind and say a mantra or a prayer that helps focus on the clearing for the best and highest good. That clearing of energy makes way for positive change while allowing us to gain clarity, be open to new or different information, make decisions, and set intentions.

Once our “field” is clear and ready, we plant our seeds of change. We do this by placing Feng Shui cures, and by writing  or speaking the change we want to manifest. We plant the seeds of change, not only with physical action, but also with seeds of attitude and perspective that I described in the blog at the beginning of the month.

Finally, we nurture the seeds we’ve planted and wait. We nurture those seeds by setting our intentions. We can do this by stating our intentions regularly, or writing those intentions done and re-reading them regularly. We nurture those seeds by envisioning the change we are inviting into our lives, by seeing how our lives will look when the change comes, by feeling how we’ll feel when the change arrives. We nurture those seeds by having faith that the change we need will come and we wait knowing that the universe will bring the change at the right and perfect time.

If we want to change careers, improve our relationships, get healthier, deepen our spiritual practice and connection, travel more, be more creative, etc., we need to prepare for and plant the seeds of change. Our harvests can truly be bountiful and unlimited; we simplly have to plan, clear, choose, plant, and nurture. During this introspective, retreat-like time of the year, consider the changes you’d like to see in your life and begin making way for them. The new year will be here before we know it; this is the perfect time for preparation and invitation.

Namaste,
Carol

“Only those who sow seeds of change can hope to grow and reap a harvest.” - Andrea Goeglein, Dr. Success, coach, author, and motivational speaker