It is finally getting warm — nice! — where I am. With that change, comes a change within me. The need, obsession and desire to change my environment.
Out with the dull colors of winter and in with the bright, whites and vibrant splooches (made-up word because I’m so tired of the term “pops of color” used in conjunction with “working with the space” heard ad nauseam on decorating programs) of spring, summer, rebirth and renewal.
The “spaces” within my home are called rooms, each serving a specific purpose. I’ve lived in many places and I always made a point to Feng Shui each room. I’ve strayed away from that over the last few months and I firmly believe it has everything to do with feeling stuck or stagnant — both of which I’ve been feeling strongly lately. There’s obviously some blocked chi lurking around the corners of my home and I mean to clear it out, change it and in doing so, change me.
The Chinese believe that changing 27 things in your home changes your life. I certainly don’t have know all the ancient history of feng shui, but not only do I believe in it, it just makes sense. If there’s something in your home you don’t like or something that stresses you out each time you look at it or bump into it, it’s going to affect you every day and affect your mood which affects your life.
For those of you who may know about this principle, you know it’s all about the Bagua Map and how arranging your home in a way that flows to the tune of who you are introduces positive chi or energy into those “spaces” or rooms allowing creativity to flow, health to thrive, relationships to flourish and wealth (in all forms) to come into your life.
Below is an example of the Bagua Map.
The idea is to place your home’s floor plan over this and align it with these elements.
I can’t possibly cover all aspects of these principles in a blog, but one of the best books out there is Terah Kathryn Collins’ The Western Guide to Feng Shui. It breaks down the complexities of Feng Shui and puts it into easy-to-understand lingo for us Westerners.
Several years ago I mailed Ms.Collins a letter with my then home’s floor plan included. She actually wrote me back and added her comments about how to incorporate these principles. Talk about good karma.
Whether you believe in this ancient practice or not, it just makes sense to clear away the clutter and rid yourself of items that no longer bring you joy or don’t represent who you are. I’m not the me I was five years ago, but I still have some of that stuff hanging around blocking my chi.
Call it spring madness, but I’ve begun the process already on the entrance to my home and here I am, after a few days of neglecting my blog and my other writing, beginning to be inspired a bit. Maybe I’ve stirred that stagnant chi around and it’s leaving the premises.
Now, I’ve got to work on the other 25 or so things….
Chi. Internal energy. The essence of life. It moves inside of us. It flows through our bodies. Give us power from within. –Mr. Han from the Karate Kid
Brigitte's Banter 
Feng shui on Brigitte! I am a big believer as well but have yet to master the art – when we moved recently I read a great deal on the internet and tried to apply the principles – one of the items I learnt was that our kitchen wall color is too volatile and must change and then of course the counters and cabinets wont look as good and might have to change? I got vetoed. By my husband. But I persevere – like you said its the small changes that are the ones that make you feel good in your ‘space’ : )
Posted by BrindaBanerjee | April 5, 2012, 12:34 amHi Brinda, Yes, it does make a difference. It’s just getting started that’s the hard part — letting go of things that no longer ‘serve’ you to make room for new ones that do. Thanks for stopping by and good luck – – maybe a ‘toned’ down version on your walls or introducing colors in a subtle way instead of all over the walls would work. :).
Posted by Brigitte | April 5, 2012, 12:41 pmPaint is the easiest thing to change after all and I can be patient – first it’s the paint – then the cabinets and then the counters and before you know it – new kitchen. Don’t tell my husband ; )
Posted by BrindaBanerjee | April 7, 2012, 2:49 amHa! That’s the way it always work. You change one thing and before you know, you well past those 27 things…:).
Posted by Brigitte | April 7, 2012, 12:08 pmHey Brigitte,
This is a good light hearted blog, your really stamping a ‘voice’ to your blog. I am ignorant of feng shui, but hope this spring or summer has a move to another Queens apartment, I need to upgrade badly.
Cheers,
Matt
Posted by mallisonwhat | April 5, 2012, 2:24 amHey Matt, Thank you! I try and glad you enjoyed the post. Try it (feng shui your digs) before you move and see what happens. :).
Posted by Brigitte | April 5, 2012, 12:40 pm