Feng Shui for the 21st Century
by Teresa Marie Marinelli
Garden State Women Magazine - November 2003

Feng Shui (Fung Shway). How can this new yet quite preserved approach to design have such an impact on our Western lives? If feng shui considers how people are influenced by their space, aesthetically and energetically, then one logical answer and certainly one that deserves some major attention is CLUTTER.

So quickly draw to mind some area of clutter in your office or in your home? Now, how does this make you feel? I would bet ALL of you reading this verbally sighed in pain when seeing this image. This sigh depletes your energy, brings it right down, NO?

Well, that sigh of pain is also a charge of energy. If you repeatedly reinforce this charge day after day in your space then what do you think happens? It sticks. Consequently, anyone walking into your office or home can also feel depleted, exhausted and not very motivated. This does not bode well with keeping pace in our busy lives, minimizing stress or maintaining good health.

This article will provide you with some practical insights and tips for implementation in your life immediately. You will absolutely feel better!
You might then entertain taking some of our classes and learning more. You can even begin working as a feng shui practitioner helping others in their space and facilitating powerful shifts in their lives! Feng Shui can truly be a magical and transforming experience.

Feng Shui Tips:

1. LOVE everything in your space. Love is also a charge of energy and quite frankly in my opinion the highest one you can create. This especially goes for the items you use frequently in your space i.e. tooth brush, coffee mug, or bath towel. Think about what a difference it would make if you did LOVE everything in your space!
   
   
2. Get rid of three items a day for the next nine days. In feng shui, we say, "items that no longer serve you prevent new fortune coming into your life".
   
   
3. For each ONE item you bring into your space, get rid of THREE unused or old ones. For example, if you get weekly reports at work, for each new report that gets dumped on your desk, consider purging THREE currently collecting dust under your desk.
   
   
4. The lower part of a wall represents the past, the midline the present and the highest part of the wall the future. Get your clutter off the floor to prevent you from being tied to the past. This includes old beliefs and patterns that no longer serve you.
   
   
5. Create flow and movement in your office and home. Feng shui design echoes nature. A meandering river flows effortlessly gathering nutrients (abundance from the earth). Water by feng shui standards also represents your financial status. Thus, if you can move in your space like a meandering river, your life will be easier, with less obstructions and obstacles allowing money to flow more easily.
   
   
6. Insure your phone cord is loose and flexible and your phone easily positioned on your dominant side. When you continually reach across from one side to the other, cross communication and misunderstanding can develop. The flow is cramped and sacrificed.
   
   
7. Whenever possible, place your desk and bed in the command position. This is the position in the room that is furthest from the door allowing you to see the full view of the room. Your central nervous system is most calm and focused in this position. Take notice that most executives’ desks are in this position.
   
   
8. If you just cannot find the time to clear out and clean up right now, just move 27 items around to create a flow of energy and opportunity in your space and hence in your life..

Teresa Marie Marinelli is a renowned feng shui practitioner and the author of the Feng Shui Journal. She is also the Founding Director of the Feng Shui Alliance School and Designworks in Edgewater, NJ.

The school offers a professional certification in feng shui studies. For limited private consultations with Teresa or for group lectures and business presentations contact her at 973.773.0773 or info@fengshuialliance.com.

© 2004 No reproduction. All rights Reserved.