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

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

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

“Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun.”
~ John Lennon

My theme this month is “Harvest.” How appropriate that, this afternoon at 3:05 pm EDT, the Harvest Moon will shine. The earth, moon, and sun move into a straight alignment so that the earth-facing side of the moon is completely illuminated by sunlight. (It’s so bright, it can appear to be full a day or so before and after the actual full moon.) The Harvest Moon, technically the full moon appearing closest in time to the autumnal equinox, gets its name because of the brilliant natural light that shines on the crops ,giving farmers more time at the end of the day to harvest.
That all makes sense, even when you think about the Harvest Moon in terms of Feng Shui. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, each season and seasonal transition has an element. This Harvest Moon time is the brief transitional time of Earth Energy that ushers in the Metal Energy of the Fall season in October. Just as the Harvest Moon literally shines bright, beautiful light on the crops, it also shines light on our lives. This transitional time allows for a period of introspection giving us an opportunity to look closely at our lives and contemplate what we’ve done and the seeds we’ve sown earlier in the year. In essence, the moon is putting a spotlight on our “personal harvest” as well as the traditional harvest.
The earth-facing side of the moon is illuminated and the element of the transition between summer and fall season is Earth. Because this transition begins the time of introspection, it’s appropriate to make sure you feel grounded, nurtured, and supported as you examine your life in the bright light to determine if there are changes you’d like to make. The fire energy of summer, which helps create the earth energy of the transition, has waned and the lightheartedness and somewhat hectic/frenetic movement of summer changes into a more quiet, subdued feeling.
Enjoy the quiet and the light of the beautiful Harvest Moon this evening. Pause and think about the turns your life has taken since January first. Are you doing what you want to do? Are you living the way you want to live, the way that feeds you soul? Throughout the  year have you planted seeds of attitude and perspective that will bring you a joyful, loving, compassionate, abundant harvest? Do you see changes you want to make? There’s still time. Every day we plant the seeds for the future harvest.  During this Harvest Moon, set your intentions and begin to plant the seeds for the harvest in the new year.

Namaste,
Carol

“Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!. Shine.”
~ Buddha

Over the last month, I've been looking at "community" and what it means to be a member of a productive and positive community that meets your inner needs and feeds your soul.
As I've proposed, there are many different types of community that go far beyond the neighborhood you live in. Whether it's a social community, a work community, a volunteer community, a spiritual community, or a family (by blood or choice) community, there needs to be a balance of energy within the community for it to be healthy.
Have you heard the expression, "too many cooks spoil the broth" or maybe "Too many sergeants and not enough soldiers" ?
Those are ways of saying too many people want to be in charge and give orders and not enough people are willing to do the nitty-gritty work. Have you ever been part of an organization that was trying to produce an event and there were plenty of people willing to make decisions about how the event "should" go, but not enough people willing to work at the event to make it go that way? That's a perfect example of "too many sergeants and not enough soldiers."
It takes all sorts of people to create a positive and productive community. It takes cooks and servers, sergeants and soldiers, leaders and followers, expressive people and quiet people. That, in essence, means that a nurturing community is made up of many types of Chi, or life energy, and there needs to be a balance of types of energy to make that community a positive one.
If we look to the Five Elements of Wood, Earth, Metal, Water and Fire, we can find answers to who fits each situation the best.
Every community needs people who are willing to be leaders, offer direction, and speak up and out.  The ‘Wood’ person has this type of chi, just like a tree, it moves upward and collects wisdom to effectively lead.
Just as important are the folks who would rather stay behind the scenes working diligently. They may not speak out or offer to lead an event or program, but they help get things done. For this, the person with strong Earth energy fits the need. They love to help, be rewarded, and work tirelessly for others – but don’t necessarily want to be in the limelight.
If you need order in your community, call on a Metal person. They love to create order, make great bookkeepers and accountants, and will help define whatever guidelines the community needs.
The Water person will be there to go along with whatever everyone needs. They may have introvert characteristics, but if you need research done – call on them! They are the ones who can fulfill the position that requires solitary work – it fulfills their introspective nature!
Finally, there is the Fire person. They will be your ambassadors – or your marketing gurus – shining in the delight of their charisma. Don’t hold them back, they love to be out in the limelight!
The balance of Chi is essential to a happy, positive, healthy community.  As in Feng Shui, a balance of all of these Chi types will create harmony in your community. To learn about what an individual type is, I look to the Four Pillars of Destiny. Based on birth information, I can determine which elements are your stronger points, and which are weaker and need support.
Learning to understand what type of chi we have leads to better placement of our talents in any community. Take a look at your existing communities – do you think you’ve got a balance of ch’i? If not, seek out the elemental characteristics in members of  your communities to see how each person can work to their strengths and benefit the community as a whole.
There is a place for everyone – make sure you recognize that and place people in their most favorable level of comfort to create your ideal community!
 
Namaste,
Carol