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

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