Creating Your Own Road Blocks
Whether it's a Feng Shui Process or anything else in life you want to create do you ever wonder if you're somehow standing in your own way?
We do everything we're supposed to do....we INFUSE our Energy into things we want to change, we make physical changes in our surroundings, we TRY very hard to keep positive thoughts and we sometimes find we are STILL NOT GETTING WHAT WE WANT.
Why IS that? It seems to work for other people.....
I do tell ALL my Feng Shui Clients in New York to not just make changes in their surroundings but to do it with INTENTION. I also do something most Feng Shui Consultants don't ask their clients to do.....I ask for them to take time and write out their intentions on paper which is enclosed in the RED ENVELOPES given to me at the end of the consultation.
I do not read them....but I do ask my clients to do it for two reasons. While writing them out they are really infusing their energy into these Intentions and putting their focus on what they want to create. I also "work" with these envelopes for 9 nights following a Feng Shui Consultation.
I will often "see" things differently then we had discussed or have them do something additional. We were told years ago to remember to work with the envelopes always, they are an exchange of ENERGY. And over the years have had some amazing things happen with this energy.
I had written before about "The Law of ALLOWANCE" and at the time, it wasn't widely received...."Give up?" people asked me. That's not what I'm saying at all. I have seen when people make simple changes and focus they will often get exactly what they want-and MORE.
But as humans we are impatient. Maybe what we WANT isn't what's BEST for us. Then it's not likely that no matter how much we focus on it, it's going to come. Please put your intentions behind every thing you do and the changes (big OR small) that you make. And then wait, have patience and ALLOW the very things that are supposed to come into your life to enter.
They may not be exactly what you THOUGHT you wanted....but they ARE the things that are supposed to come your way. Embrace them, they came for a reason.
I was reminded of this recently by hearing again a favorite saying of mine:
"When the Tides of Life turn against you
And the Current upsets your boat,
Don't waste your tears on what may have been---
Just lay on your back and FLOAT."
Can anyone tell me where the wisdom of these words came from? Maybe it's time some of us just "Floated."
*Feng Shui Long Island & New York was founded in 1997 by Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano and provide Certified Feng Shui Consultations on site for all of New York City-Manhattan and Long Island.
Carole, I have heard that thought about float before too, but don't know where it came from. Allowance is like living life on its terms. The unfolding of life involves trust. Trust that we are where we are supposed to be, with the right people and going the right direction. Sometimes what we force can't be forced. It is not easy to accept when things don't go our way. Sometimes it is about timing, other times what we want is not good for us.
Carole, one of my favorite things that helps me "float" is this verse from the Bible:
Be still and know that I am God.
Sometimes when things are all jungled up, we just need to stop and float and know that the what will come is supposed to come...even when we can't see it for all the confusion.
Very thoughtful post and I wish you the happiest and prosperous of New Years!
Carole,
One thing a professor of mine said many years ago was this: If your thoughts/wishes/dreams are true then write them down. Once written down they take on a physical perspective. They are no longer a thought.
It's funny that once we write something down it becomes tangible. We can't alter it at will, we can't ignore it, we can't deny it exists. We are forced, by our own hand, to acknowledge it and work with it.
Thanks for another wonderful post. You are such a treasure! Happy New Year, my friend!
Carole- What a great post. I never heard that saying but I LOVE it. You must be reading my mind. For the last 6 months I've been "floating". I knew the market was changing but instead of putting more money into it or wasting time worrying about it, I've been waiting for something to come to me. I know it will. Meanwhile floating is so nice!
Good morning Carole,
I enjoyed this message so much this morning and I'm going to follow your advice and write down my intentions (and if I can find red envelopes, I will put them into one).
The saying at the bottom reminds me very much of something a friend of mine in Venice once said to me when he was relaying the many hardships he'd been through when he was young....he said "If the universe decides to pull the rug out from under me, I will have no choice but to 'just float'" . I've always remembered his saying everytime I was going through a difficult time and it really does help. The song 'Let It Be' also comes to mind....
((-:
Jo
You give us a reason to be patient and let things come to us and embrace them when they do! It all happens for a reason doesn't it! It also reminds me of the 12 step of AA!
You are so wise. I love reading your posts. I have been doing this without using red envelopes or understanding the reason. Writing down my goals, creating a business plan, creating forecasts, and reviewing them on a regular basis makes some incredible things happen. I even write down goals for relationships with people close to me. Thank you for sharing.
Crole You always seem to know just how to do things to get thedesired results. Can't wait to work on mine.
Carole - you are such a wise person and I am, as always, grateful for what you share with us. Very, very good advice.
Carole - great post ! I love the idea of "floating"... and having faith that things will work out for the best. You are right, I think often times (certainly in real estate) people can get in their own way or not allow a different path to emerges... or even worse, one emerges, but they cannot see it ! Sometimes just sitting back or "floating" will increase that awareness to see the bigger picture. Not sure if that makes sense or not : ) I love your posts - are thought provoking.
Hi Carole,
As I read your post, I couldn't help but focus on the fact that no matter what it is that you post on Active Rain, YOUR intention is that it helps someone somehow and somewhere. You are one of the most generous people that I know and we are really blessed to have you here on AR! I hope that more AR members come to realize this. I also hope that you realize how much you mean to so many people here (dare I remind you of our conversation in 2007?!).
I thank you for raising MY consciousness about the power and use of 'intention'...your blog reminded me that I work my butt off to get ahead; I remain positive and focus all of my energy on my goals BUT I usually forget to focus on the 'intention'.
Val
Hi Carole - we cannot make some things happen, which is where I think some error lies. It is correct that we diligently put it 'out' and embrace what comes. While we're 'afloat' - sometimes paddling and propelling, allowing and open, the right things come. They also come sometimes even when we've tried so hard and are flailing - so better to just float - it comes just the same!
Terrific post!
Carole I am back. I have been Twittering. You need to too. Trust the process!
Carole--When learning to swim, I was taught to float as one of the first steps. It provides a way to rest so you don't drowned when you tire. To float you need to relax and not panic. Trust that it will be okay. But at some point you have to start swimming again. :)
Gary, You're so right. What we want may not be good for us and trying to force it doesn't help. That quote by the way was from the very wise ED NORTON during one of the "Honneymooners" shows :) It made me laugh back then but it turns out he was right after all :)
Linda, That is an absolutely beautiful quote. Be still....sometimes we need to learn more patience and have more faith.
Jo, I didn't even think about the song but it certainly does fit....We try to force things when sometimes we shouldn't--sometimes we have to sit backand float for a while and just know things will get better.
Caren, I really do believe everything happens for a reason though sometimes I can't figure it out until years later. Impatience doesn't help and we'll all sometimes in a rush to get somewhere that we stop our own progress.
Mel, The red envelopes are used in Chinese Culture and in Feng Shui---you might want to get some or make them by decorating white ones with RED. They are said to enhance what we are looking to achieve and since you're writing everything down, you're really infusing Energy into your thoughts--which helps them materialize.
Gayle, I don't always get the desired results, I guess I get what I am supposed to. But I do believe in writing things down and watching them materialize....
Chris, I happen to think you are a very wise person....your staging and web design skills....what other talents do you have?
Chris and Stephanie, I hate when I see this in Feng Shui--it's also the reason we are not supposed to make promises to our clients -- We can ONLY promise that the energy will change but NOT that they will get exactly what they want.
Val, We have had SO many conversations I'm not sure which one you're referring to. We don't talk as often anymore but I know we will again. I don't believe for a minute uou forgot to infuse your energy into anything....you have triple the amount of most people :) I don't know about you but I do need another lucky cat--mine has stopped waving.
Deborah, It sure does come, whether we want it to or not. Fighting something is not the best thing to do in life and a waste of some good energy--if we can help it. Isn't it funny that often times things come our way when we are least expecting them? Those are often the times we're floating.
Gayle, I'm glad that you told me about it--insisted actually and I promise I WILL get to it.It is after 1am and I am just getting back to my comments--moving again is very tiring.
Teri, Yes, at some point you need to move again. But taking that break is not going to harm you, it's going against the current that will. One of the reasons we say in Feng Shui "Go with the Flow."
Carole, Great post. I love the quote and the idea of the red envelope.
Carole My experiment worked well in some places but not in others. Came up #2 in E. Tn. but 3rd page for Norris Lake. Don't know the formula.
Carole: This is a wonderful post. I really like your quote at the end. And I think the idea of writing our intentions and putting them in a red envelope is very helpful. It gives further energetic strength to the intention. Thank you Carole and Happy (Western) New Year!
Thank you Carole - Apparently, I am very talented in the cat collecting department lately. : )
Carole -- You are so right that we must focus WITH INTENTION -- otherwise, it may be nothing more than a wish, a thought, a dream. We not only seem to need intention, but must take some action as well -- and then comes patience and acceptance. I love the idea of putting the written intension in the envelope -- it must be interesting for your clients to open them later in the process! I think it is time to FLOAT now!
Carole, I always love reading your posts! You continue to learn and grow and it inspires us all to expand our own lives as well.
Carole - They say good things come to him who waits so long as he works like while he waits.
Wayne Dyer says row gently down the stream. Isn't that good advice ... just like the song! Merrily Merrily Merrily ... Life is but a dream!
Carole, I'm not around Active Rain too much any more. I miss reading your blog. Whenever I check in to the Rain I always go to you first. As usual, you have uplifted my spirits and given me som excellent tools. Thank you!!
Gita, Thank you, you might want to try it. It's something we do in Feng Shui.
Gayle, I don't know the formula either....My posts are not coming up, my comments are :)
Michelle, Your posts on Feng Shui are fantastic....I'm glad you allowed the reblog and I need to go back and feature the other one. Thank you for all the wonderful advice--and wonderful New Year!
Chris, You are very talented in many departments! Rumours are flying about your fabulous web designs!
Joan, It is a number of steps but putting Intention into everything we do doubles the energy of it--and only takes a minute to really focus on it. It's said to account for 80% of what you get back according to HHH Professor Lin Yun.
Diane, Thank you. I am always learning something (though not the "techie" things I am supposed to....sigh. I have fallen far behind in that :(
Kathy, Sometimes people want instant results (and sometimes they get them). Other times it's a process but they DO come.
Lisa, I have been reading him and watching his shows for years. He is truly an enlightened person and I enjoy every second and everything I read by him.
Kate, I wondered where you've gone and am just hoping everything is ok with you--you are very much missed on Activerain and I hope you can come back soon. I also wish you a Blessed New Year with all the very best!
I thought those red envelopes were just for money purposes! Something that I focus on is to have clear cut intentions for my actions every month, week, and day. When I go out on appointments I will have a mental note as far as what my intentions are and this helps me be present in the moment and clear in my thoughts.
Nice post, I agree that as people, we are often standing in our own way. I love your method with the red envelopes, what a great idea! I also love the quote - we are working on spending more time just "being" and not just constantly "doing" - what a difference it makes. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2009!
I love the way you make your clients WRITE there goals, intentions, etc.... I always say, if you dont write it , it is just a dream
Hi Carole,
Very nice post. I had just read an article on goal setting, Goal Setting Powerful Written Goals in 7 Easy Steps. The thought/intention is much more powerful when written. Your post really hits home. I also really liked your favorite saying. I am going to write it down, and read it when I become impatient with things. Patience....not my strong suit. I try but.......
Hope you have a very wonderful New Year both in business and your personal life!
Trace