Feng Shui has been practiced in China for over 3,000 years. Hong Kong, one of the world's richest cities, is built according to Feng Shui principles. Today Feng Shui is becoming more and more popular in Western households and businesses. Increasingly, developers and retailers are using it to maximize customer satisfaction and return on investment . This environmental art and science sees the world as completely alive with all things - buildings streets, land, even furnishings connected in a dynamic relationship that influences all we experience. The growing popularity of Feng Shui is the result of its extraordinary effects of people, including improved health, rewarding relationships, and an increase in happiness and prosperity.

Here are few beginning steps you can take if you want to begin to quickly change your life in very profound ways.

---

Step 1: Declutter!

Most of the clients I've seen since graduating from the Western School of Feng Shui™ seem to be brimming with excitement that Feng Shui will be the magic cure-all for whatever is ailing them. And, well it is. However, when I mention the importance of decluttering first, they look at me with a befuddled look that says, "EGADS! You mean the Ancient Chinese Secret is housecleaning?"

Clutter blocks chi, the life force of the living space. It will prevent you from achieving desired health, wealth and happiness, depending on where the mess is located in the domicile. A mess in the garage, a pile of dirty towels on the bathroom floor, or a stuffed closet all contribute to blocking vital chi.

One client complained that she was bored. Life was stagnant. There was no flow and when I reached for the door knob to take a look at her master bathroom, she threw herself across the door to block me. She said she no longer used it. I opened the door and things toppled out on me! That room was packed tight from floor to ceiling with stuff!

As a first step in changing the energy of your living space, please take the time to sort your clutter. Decide what you keep and what has to go. If you don't love it and someone else will, give it up. Then start to notice the new energy you have!

 

Step 2: Clean And Fix What's Broken

After decluttering, and you have only those things you truly love sharing your living space with you, take a look at what needs cleaning or fixing. Cleanliness gives you clarity.

Fix any faucets or pipes that are leaking. Leaky faucets means leaky finances; stuck drains could indicate something stuck in your physical body's plumbing! Electrical problems may indicate neurological functions, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning could affect the lungs. Squeaky doors or floors can cause irritability.

Make sure the yard is beautiful and enticing. Keep the landscaping tidy and the trees and shrubs trimmed properly, and away from sidewalks. Make sure there is a spacious and gracious entry to your home, free of any debris or obstacles. If there is anything in your way, it is also blocking the flow of chi. Fill empty flower pots with healthy plants and remove all dead material from trees and plants, indoors and outside

Everything is energy and everything is constantly changing. Also, everything is in a relationship to everything else. When we have only the things in our homes that we need, want and love, our hearts open to life. The time we spend in our home supports and nurtures us because we have a sense of safety and oneness with what we have placed there.

 

Step 3: Make Your Front Door Indescribably Inviting

The goal is to entice all the beneficial, life-giving chi that you can. We know that chi enters the house through the front door, so think of this area as a still-life painting. Add color, harmony, contrast using all five elements. Anything that catches the eye because of its beauty attracts chi. Red doors are great for attracting chi, providing that works with the decor of the house. The front door and foyer areas should create a welcome transition from the pace of the outside world to your own little nest of tranquility.

 

Step 4: Enhancing The Home

The clutter is cleared, the broken things have been tossed or fixed, and you are living with the things you absolutely love, right? Now is the time to enhance your living space to bring into your life more of what you really want. Perhaps you have noticed a shift in energy already. Good. This was the goal of all that decluttering, cleaning and fixing you've been doing. Now is the fun part. Let's focus on enhancing the chi in the areas of your life that need a boost.

Here are some general ideas for enhancing, or raising the chi; Open windows and let in fresh air; Add a water feature such as a fountain or fish tank; Light incense or an aroma therapy lamp; Smudge the room by burning sage or sweet grass; Use sound such as rattles, or clapping to clear the room; Hang a wind chime; Play music you love; Add the right lighting. The rule is to make the room safe and comfortable.

From the following list, choose whatever chi enhancers feel appropriate for your interior design scheme, goals and lifestyle. Just make sure you absolutely love them because they are sharing your life and living space with you!

Mirrors Crystals Water features Plants and flowers

Sound makers, wind chimes Wind dancers Nature objects Lighting

Animals Colors

 

Step 5: Comfort And Safety

After clearing your home and/or office by letting go of unwanted stuff and making sure that you are living with what you love, you will begin to notice a good flow of chi. Can you feel it? Does the room "feel" good? Are you comfortable? Does the furniture fit you? Do you feel safe? Are there furniture pieces or protruding corners that you could hurt yourself on if you got too close to them?

Become fully aware of your surroundings. Be conscious of what is sharing your space with you. Our homes are a constant reflection of who we are at any given time, so, I suggest we be kinder to ourselves and choose furniture that is nice to us. If sharp corners can't be eliminated, soften them with hanging or climbing plants, or table cloths covering sharp tables or counters, for example.

Be sure to fix things that you could slip on such as on a slippery or torn rug, broken tiles, stair wells with loose railings, or floors that are uneven, etc. "Baby-proof" your home, even if you have no baby!

To feel safe, you want to sit in the power place of the room, (in view of the door), especially if you spend a lot of time there, such as an office, or bedroom, and regardless of how many locks you have on the door, or how safe your neighborhood is. By being in view of the door, you are able to embrace the chi and also see who's coming into the room.