Tips On Where You Can Improve Your Feng Shui
We are half way through the Year of the Ox and it has certainly been characterized by slow, steady progress and focusing on work for me. I continue to study my own environment to see where I can make improvements and enhance the quality of my life using the feng shui principles.
For some time I’ve been planning to extend the hard scape and patio area in my backyard. I’ve had different design ideas but I basically know what I want in the finished look. The area involves the East Family/Health and the Northeast Knowledge area. In this case, extending the patio will create more balance and make the outdoor living space more functional. I was struggling with a small part of the area (that will eventually be the extended patio) because it seriously lacks a beautiful focal point and I consider it to be a “dead zone” when it comes to foliage.
Let me tell you where I’ve made my mistake while waiting for the right time to move ahead with this project. This so called “dead zone” makes up a small part of my backyard and, from an aesthetic point of view, looks lifeless and bleak. From a feng shui perspective it weakens the balance of the exterior. Every time I look at the area a little dissatisfied voice in my head makes a criticism. Symbolically a “dead zone” is not good, along with the simple fact that the energy is not “vital” in that area of the yard.
I had to come up with a simple interim solution because I just couldn’t stand to look at the “dead zone” anymore. I bought 3 of the same type of trees I have in the rest of the yard and I put them in grow pots. Also, to create a more finished arrangement, I placed some solar lanterns between the pots. So, whether we put the new patio in next week or next year, I won’t have to look at a “void” in the yard. The new trees will continue to grow and the lanterns can be relocated anywhere.
I am sure you have areas in your home or property that you would love to improve when the time is right; just don’t make the mistake I did and do nothing. There is always something you can do to improve it. I basically took the design elements from the rest of the yard and carried them over to the “dead zone” for a temporary but reusable arrangement. My husband’s response was, “why didn’t we do this sooner?”
The second feng shui idea I’ve been focusing on is the room or area of the house you spend the most time in. This area of the home becomes a “room of great influence” and should be well balanced, functional and beautiful. I would encourage you to pay careful attention to the feng shui in this area. When you walk into your “most used room” it should elicit a sense of peace and satisfaction for you on every level. A space where you spend a great deal of time influences your health and well being and can be considered “formative”. Recently I had some crown molding added to my “most used room” and the outcome created the following:
- Improved the floor to ceiling or spacial balance
- General ambiance of the room was elevated because the “eye” tends upward toward the new design feature
- Added a sense of strength and solidity to the entire room
I hope some of these ideas get you thinking about your own feng shui and how your environment is connected to your quality of life. If you have any questions always feel free to send me an email or call my office.
Best Wishes,
MaryAnn Russell
714-842-7728 PST
