Feng Shui in New York--With a Side of Inspiration.
What an exciting journey life can be! We were taught so many things growing up, to be polite, to respect others, to go to school and get good grades. We weren't taught some very important things, probably because they are only learned through the school of "hard knocks." I must have been absent that day but life lessons and challenges presented themselves and through the years I've learned how to (hopefully) best deal with this wonderful life gift we have been given.
Try some Feng Shui Inspiration on "those" days:
WITH THE FLOW GO: Things are not going to always go in the way we would like. Actually quite often they will go in the opposite direction from what we expected the outcome to be. It's not what presents itself to us that matters as much as it is how we deal with it. Recognize it as a learning lesson, a challenge but also as a new opportunity to grow. By coming across different people, circumstances and challenges, we always learn a new (and hopefully) better way to deal with them. When they come up again, we are old hands at it if we've learned from prior experiences! When opposition presents, instead of fighting back so hard, sit back for a moment and see how to go with the flow of the life lessons that are being created.
SET CLEAR INTENTIONS: Like attracts like, there is no getting around it. We are beings of Energy, we are surrounded by Energy and we need to focus on what we desire to create in our lives. It is essential to keep a positive attitude and just BE, knowing that the Universe has everything we need and want as long as we are sending the correct Intentions forth. This is an especially difficult principle to relay to people that have become depressed by circumstances. Changing your way of thinking from the negative to the positive has done amazing things that are documented: cured cancer, brought wealth beyond someone's wildest dreams, attracted wonderful people into their lives to love and support them. Stay in the positive and you will get back the best possible outcomes.
LEARN TO LET GO: Difficult as it can be, reassess your life and the people in it. Are they positive, like minded and do they support you when you need it most? Do they truly care about you or are they around you for another reason? I realized at one point that sadly enough, some of the people I called "friends" weren't there for me, for the joyful occasions or the sad. And although some of them had been around for years, I needed to let go to be free to attract new people into my life that would truly care about me, support me and just BE there for me. Family members were a bit more difficult and I just cut down some of my time with them. Letting go of the old, and the known, is a difficult process but until we learn to let go we won't have room in our lives for the wonderful new people to come into it.
COUNT ON YOURSELF: You are stronger then you ever imagined. Learn to count on yourself and not rely on someone else for your needs, wants and successes. You create your own life, not someone else and you are armed with everything you need to create all the desires in your heart. Co-dependant became a big word years ago and unfortunately still applies today. Learn to take charge of your own life and watch what you will create!
ALLOW THE MESSAGES: Some people complain they never get messages, yet they are sent to us all the time. From loved ones who have passed, from our Spirit Guides, from our Sixth Sense, from the Universe itself. Trust yourself to take the time to SEE them; they are important as they are what guide us through life. Often in these stressful times, we don't even take the time to listen to our inner feelings---and kick ourselves later on, saying "I know I should (shouldn't) have done that! We are working with Energy, learn to see, trust and believe in it and the messages will come to you. It's the basis of Inspiration.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: I may sound like a broken record on this one, but it bears repeating (again and again sometimes). When you focus only on the negative, you are going to get back more of the same. Everyone has blessings, examine them, count them and as you keep those in mind, more will come. Counted Blessings add up to more blessings coming your way and soon you will have more then you ever imagined.
FIND THE SILVER LINING: Every cloud has one. It's our job to find it and many times not an easy task. But it is there if we look. That silver lining is our window of opportunity to change the situation around and if we miss it, we have missed a chance to change and grow. A love has left you and you're devastated? It also gives you more time to focus on YOU, things perhaps you didn't have time to do that you can now get involved with, an opportunity to meet and surround yourself with new people, places, things and ideas. Find that silver lining and USE it.
A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT THINGS: Oftentimes when we are "stuck" or just plain sad, we see things in only black and white. We are unable to see the options open to us, to look at the world and our lives in a different way. Open yourself up to learn something new, read a book full of inspirational stories, be open to things that you once looked at as "odd" or "different" as an opportunity to learn new things about yourself, your life and the way you are living it. For years Feng Shui was a "fad" until people discovered that it actually works. If you rely heavily on your doctors, for example, look into wholistic health alternatives as well. Read subjects you wouldn't usually choose and make them inspiring---they will inspire you as well.
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS: Don't allow anyone to stop or deter you from your dreams. Your life was not created to look back and wonder what would have happened if you had found your passion and not created it. Negative people will sometimes give us the wrong information and try to deter us from achieving what we really want. These are their own doubts and fears coming out and being projected onto you. Don't allow it. You will never have to wonder what would have happened if you had only tried.
KEEP AN OPEN HEART: You meet everyone in life for a reason. Open your heart to them; they were given to you as a gift or a learning tool. Don't be too busy to pursue a new friendship, don't just tell yourself the timing is wrong for a relationship, first step back a moment and see what these people are bringing to you and why you have attracted them. It is oftentimes for a wonderful reason, to meet a new and like minded person you have much in common with, a possible business partner or a new romance. Sometimes it is for challenges we must face. Just know they have come to you for a reason and keep your heart open to all who enter your own special space in the world.
Remember, it is often the challenges in life we must learn that teach us the most. Without them, we would likely be stuck somewhere; they are what force us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move on.
These are trying times but we WILL get through them. Use a little Feng Shui Inspiration from a New York Feng Shui Consultant.
Learning to let go is the hardest one for me, Carole. We get comfortable or at least used to how some relationships work and continue to hope that they will improve and never take the steps to let go because it might cause some pain. It could be as simple as letting go of your hairdresser and finding a new one, but the fear sometimes keeps us from moving forward. This is a beautiful post - both in pictures and words.
I think I covered a lot of that last night with someone. Very true words Carole and letting go is very hard to do.
Carole, I love it. The photos are beautiful. Counting my blessings is something I do everyday. Finding the silver lining I am pretty good at that. Going with the flow is more difficult for me. I am rigid on many things I have to take deep breaths and try to let it go. I am working on it though. I am bookmarking this post, I think it is so inspirational I would like to come back to it often and remember what is important.
Carole.. I always have been a let it go, go with the flow kind of guy... maybe another reason why I got in trouble often... lol But seriously, you make some great points here. As mentioned, letting go can be the hardest. Some very good pointers here...nice job.
Beautiful words Carole and beautiful photos. I too have book marked this post and think I will print it off to hang on my bulletin board.
Great lessons I do try to instill in my children - but as you say, they really must experience life to understand. Being positive is so important and one aspect my daughter of 11 struggles with. She often gets in a "mood" and seeing only the down side of an event. I am hoping this is just her age!
Carole - very thought provoking ... keep the heart and mind open ... and keep on taking those great pictures
What a beautiful and inspirational post Carole! The pictures are lovely too! So true, so true!
What beautiful positive bunches of insight you're giving. Yup...we do have the ability to turn our thinking around...handling everything that comes our way...curve balls and all....and in the end.. accepting of whatever the outcome was....and knowing that in all of it...there was a grand learning lesson.... :)
As usual Carole, on target and refreshing! Thanks for sharing. Are you familiar with work of Carole Dore? This post made me feel through my heart - like Carol teaches! thanks -
Carole Great blog and great principles. Now if only I could remember when I am in the heat of something.
Allow the messages. Wow. I'm not crazy about the word profound (why does it always sound trite when spoken?) but in this case that phrase alone is profound.
Thank you for always bringing thought provoking and memorable words into my life, and heart.
Wow, this is inspiring and a great way to start my day today........well any day actually but today especially. I love the last sentence, Carole. We learn from our challenges in life and they teach us the most.
Carole,
You are an amazing lady. Pure and simple.
The principles of Feng Shui appear to be the basic principles of survival in life, in general.
My favorite message? Allow the messages.
I have always followed the "voices" - whether in my heart or in my head. And, so far, this has worked out well for me.
Thank you for these gentle reminders that we are human - and that we often complicate our own existence.
Carole ~ I am going to have to bookmark this post; reading it helped to uplift me, and I know I could come back and read it over and over again for that same feeling. Thank you!
Carole~I read this beautiful post lastnight and was so greatly blessed by your words that I could only sleep in such a peaceful manner. Thank you! (sorry for the delayed comment. Mom position took over) You have such a beautiful heart my friend and everything you have listed here will touch so many and bless their lives in remarkable ways as you have so gratefully blessed mine. Have you thought of writing a book?
Carole--We hear this advice all of the time but I had never thought of it as Feng Shui...Seems like a very good way to turn your life around. Love the photos!
I love this beautiful and inspiring post. I have decided to take a few days off from all the negativity and recharge my being. This post is just what I needed the words and the photos motivated me to move forward in these very challenging times.
Carole....I think going with the flow has been the hardest for me to learn...I was always bucking the system! Leting go....is another one. Hard to do, but worth the struggle....peace of mind is the reward!
Thank you for a truly inspirational post. I really needed it today!
Beautifully written by a beautiful person. Everyone needs a little inspiration...and I really needed it today. GBU, Carole!
Your words are like gifts Carole - silver boxes with ribbons on top!
How well put
I especially like the " count your blessings" - my mom used to say if your problems were written down on a piece of paper and put into a basket with other people's problem lists in that same basket would you take a chance and choose anothers list of problems or keep your own ( now being a former critical care nurse and seeing people "exist" on ventilators or suffer much worse....I quickly decided I was blessed :)
GBU
Sincerely,
Grace
Lisa, I think letting go is difficult for many of us---but we don't move on if we are held in the past with something that will never work. We all need to go forward. Thank you for your comment.
Chastity, It is hard...but when we move past it new doors always open.
Audrey, I am pretty good at Going with the Flow. Half the things you can't change anyway and there is so much less struggle.
Jeff, Letting go is always going to be difficult for me as well, though I'm getting better! And I'm glad I've learned to go with the flow, things are just easier!
Debbie, She might just be at that age. It is sometimes difficult because you can't teach children, they have to live it so WE have to stay positive :) Not always easy but what a difference it will make in their lives.
Kathy, The top two pictures are from my Paris trip---what a BEAUTIFUL place!
Cristal, Thank you---it's true enough, the challange is sticking to it all :)
Sally, Beautifully put--I should incorporate your words into the post, they are lovely!
Kate, No, I don't know the name but I'll have to Google her and see who she is. Thank you for the information....or if you revisit, you can let me know who she is.
Gayle, Count to 10....or 20. Someone has to push me VERY far to get an angry reaction :)
Kris, I watch so many people ignore them---and they are all around us if only we'd see them.
Missy, I agree; it's not the easiest way to learn but it sure is effective!
Carol, You're very right...the principles of much of Feng Shui begin with YOU--and the way you live your life. People that truly do the right thing get back the BEST results.
Kathy, I'm glad....and I hope your class went well!
Julie, I have--and am planning on it. But there is so much I have ro say and Feng Shui is so involved, I'm finding it difficult--I write and re-write :)
Teri, Feng Shui is about you first and foremost. Your intentions and the way you live your life--it is The Secret---Intensified!
Joan, I'm so glad. We are in a challanging time and the best thing we can control right now is ourselves.
Joan, There is no sense fighting some things that are beyond our control...and we lose valuable energy. Stick to what you CAN change--or even BELIEVE you can.
Marie, I'm glad it helped! Think of all your blessings, they really add up.
Elizabeth, You always share your inspiration---thought I would pay it forward. GBU my friend.
Grace, Your mother is SO WISE. And very right! When I see other people's problems I am very glad to have my own, they seem insignificant. I think you should write a post on that....what incredible words and SO true!
Hi Carole,
I think sometimes it is hardest to listen to the messages. I have ignored them in the past to no good ends (including a really bad car accident and a really bad former marriage!) but I try to pay more attention and follow through these days. Thanks for the great post.
Carole - I can't believe I missed this post from you the other day. It moved me beyond words as I am such a believer in the things that we do, say and think play such a significant role in the kind of life and riches we can have if we only use the energy in a positive direction to get it.
Carole,
I too missed this post! Absolutely beautiful and inspiring....I'm flagging it and bookmarking it so that I can return to it again whenever I need guidance or a pick-me-up.
thanks so much for being you and for talking about all of these things. They're just what I need to hear.
((-:
Jo
Paddy, Too often when I didn't there was trouble ahead. I ignored my own thoughts and that 'voice' we all have. Now I listen to what it has to say and it is always confirmed with a message.
Donna, You are so very right--so many people don't realize the huge importantance of attitude and intention.....Like attracts like and we are surrounded by energy. It's difficult staying in the mode of positivity but it's possible to change your negative thoughts until they stop coming.
Jo, Thank you my friend. I have many of your posts bookmarked as well and others I just will never forget; Spirit warns you twice, the third time you stand alone....Laura just said it the other day!
Hi Carole,
What a beautiful post! I love the paragraph about keeping an open heart! Your posts are a real pick me up!
LOL Carole maybe I will write about it someday :) until then it's back to business Jeff is on a roll this week and keeping me busy ( not complaining - I'm thankful!) .
have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Grace
Trace, We could all use a pick me up with the bad news all around us...I hope this helped :)
Grace, I'm thrilled to hear that and may you both keep rolling! Write about it when you can, I think a grandmothers wisdom is invaluable--and a mothers!
Carole,
Thanks so much for such a wonderful post to change my "impending doom" feeling I've had all week.I've printed this out, and also emailed it to my wonderful daughter.
Linda
Linda, I hope it helped. The impending doom is probably coming from the tv and all the dismal news, you might want to keep it off for a little while--it's enough to bring anyone down.
Excellent inspiring points, well written as usual Carole. This is a read I needed today to reinforce purpose and direction.