Working in the feng shui field for over 14 rs. now,  I have learned a lot from the people I work with and about my own life.

I noticed that some people with a few feng shui suggestions, have great results.  Some with many remedies, have few, or many combinations in between.  One of my feng shui teachers, Master Lin Yun, taught us about the power of Intention.

It is considered one of the key components to having good feng shui.

He said if you want a better career and you move your desk to a more prosperous position (one that allows for good chi to flow to you), you will have 100%  improvement.  If you write Intentions for what you want, then you give gratitude for the things you have and will be getting, you will have over 150% positive effect.  It is not enough to move things around and want a change, you must INTEND it.  I have personally known this to be true.  I did exactly this in my corporate career.  I had more pay raises and promotions and constant growth  in a 2 yr. period than I had in the previous ten.  I tripeled my salary at the time.  It led me to do more work with Intentions and take a leap of fatih to  leave my corporate six figure salary to follow my passion.  While I had major growth in my career, I longed for more fulfilling work which I am doing today.

You may have heard about an actor carrying around  a ten million dollar check in his wallet and then later noticing he had achieved those millions.  It was to anchor an intention that he believed he would achieve, even if it was not a conscious daily thought.  This does not work for everyone because all our thoughts are not conscious. 

If we have a history of negative beliefs about money or prosperity, it carries over into everything we do.  If you are not achieving something in your life today, you must ask yourself if somehow you are blocking it?  Do you have a fear of getting what you say you want?  If you win the lottery, will you have everyone you know asking you for money?  Will you not have any privacy?  We may say we want to win big but deep down inside there may also be a fear of what it will bring.

Intentions do help you break those barriers especially if they are followed with daily affirmations.  “I am abundant in every way.  I have opportunities for money coming to me easily”.  Write your own and post these where you can read them daily.

Keep a gratitude journal.  This tells the universe you appreciate what you have and can handle more.  If you do good deeds with your money, more will flow.  It is a key to prosperity. 

I was asked recently by a client,” Can I ask for too much?”  Great question.  No.  The universe knows what you want and need more than you do.  The problem is in limiting ourselves.  It is our lack or poverty mentality that gets us into trouble.  We are all meant to be prosperous so we can do good things in the world to help ourselves and our communities.  What a great world if we had one class of wealth where we all had money and contributed in making our world a better place.  Now this may sound pollyanna-ish, but its meant to say that we often limit ourselves with our belief systems.  Now you can ask for the wrong things in that they are not good for anyone, in the case of a criminal.  But, I sincerely doubt a criminal would be sitting down writing intentions anyway.  So, don’t be afraid to ask.  Your higher self, creator, great spirit, universe, God, are awaiting your requests.

We will be conducting a powerful Vision Class for 2012 where we will set powerful intentions to help you have the most successful and prosperous year.   Sunday, Jan. 22nd from noon to 4pm.  $99.00

Check our website for details soon.  www.designforenergy.com

Happy Holiday to you and yours.

Belinda Mendoza

Certified Feng Shui Consultant and Personal/Business Coach

Feng Shui Austin, Tx.

While addictions are a disease and a complicated process to heal, feng shui, along with other alternative modalities are an excellent compliment to successful recovery.

Feng Shui is about energy and restoring balance and harmony where needed.  Addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, work, etc. are an imbalance in the person’s chi (energy).  This can be from many factors.  A person’s makeup may be a contributing factor so we take a look at a person’s birthdate to reveal energetic tendencies towards addictions.   In chinese astrology a  person with too much water can be prone to depression leading to alcohol abuse.  A good rehab program that one is committed to is a necessary part of recovery and is the first step to treating a severe addiction.

Many of the successful recovery programs now include meditation, chi gong, visualization, tai chi, yoga, and journaling to help aid the process.

What happens after one has completed a successful program and goes home?  The real work begins.  If your environment has the same chi or energy before you went to rehab, it will still be there.  In feng shui your environment should reflect where you are and want to go or be, not where you have been.

Some Key Feng Shui Tips to Aid in Addiction Recovery:

1) Space Clear.  Remove all stagnant energy from the past by smudging with native american sage.  Keep doors and windows open while doing this.  Visualize your past leaving the space.

2)Thoroughly clean your space by dusting and vaccuming after the clearing.   A fresh new space has new energy.

3)Declutter.  Get rid of anything from the past you do not need or want, esp. anything reminding you of your addiction like bongs, empty alcohol bottles, sex magazines, etc.

3) Paint your space a soothing color.  Earth tones are grounding and greens are healing.

4) Add calming artwork.

5) Replace old reading materials with new books on healing, joy, laughter.

6)Remove water features as it stimulates alcohol use.

7) Keep your space simple with furniture arranged harmoniously.  You’ve been through a lot with rehab and you need a space that is unencumbered, peaceful, and nuturing to your soul.  It should not be work to maintain.

8)Activate Helpful People corner which is the Northwest part of your home.  This will help to keep your sponsors, sober friends, healers, guides, always at your disposal.  It will also help you to want them in your life.

9) Place a lucky bamboo plant in the East for good health and longevity.

Many physicians in rehab facilities approach feng shui with an “all’s fair” attitude, acknowledging that release from rehab is scary and it’s impossible to know what will help a person stay on the wagon. “It all has to do with energy and the way we perceive things,” said Chris Prentiss, co-founder and co-director of the Malibu treatment center Passages. “How we feel is largely a product of the conditions in which we live. And feng shui has the ability to change that in quite a dramatic way.”

When Prentiss bought the Passages property in 2001, he used feng shui principles to determine where the furniture should go — and did the same on the six houses he subsequently added to the enclave.

Still, he agrees that feng shui should be used only as part of a full complement of proven therapies.

“Feng shui by itself isn’t going to do it,” he said.

As a feng shui practitioner and a member of a family  where  alcohol and drug abuse prevail, I agree, we need all the tools that are available.  No one modality will do it all but feng shui is quite powerful in affecting positive change. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction and you would like more information on how feng shui can help,  contact us via e-mail at:

www.designforenergy.com.

Feng Shui Wishes for Healthy and Happy Recovery,

Belinda
Feng Shui Austin, TX.

Feng Shui is about harmony.  Harmony with others  including our community.  Holidays can be stressful, sad, and disappointing for many.  There is often pressure to provide better gifts than the year before.  We can miss out on the meaning of the holiday spirit with all the commercialization. 

Fun, joy, and giving are all good feng shui.  It’s time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in foreign produced wrapping paper?

Here are some great ideas someone sent me I wanted to share with you with some feng shui tips that can send good feng shui into the world and your life:

1) Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

2) Gym membership?  It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.  Good karma for your own health.

3) Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed?  Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.  Cars are our vehicles through life so you are helping that person’s success.

4) Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a foreign made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his/her driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

5) There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift
certificates.  And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.  Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town merchants with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

6) How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the local working guy?

7) Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom ?  Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

8) My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

9) OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

10) Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.  And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

11)  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

12) Food is always a hit.  Try delicious preserves and homeade food gifts from local farmer’s market.

13)  Local artists need money and their work are some of the most unique gifts.

The best solution to any depression is to give.  It gets us out of ourselves.  It is better to give than to receive is good feng shui.  Blessings flow your way naturally as a result of good deeds.

Enjoy your holiday season with family and loved ones.

Warmly,

Belinda

www.designforenergy.com for feng shui holiday gift certificates.

Did you know your business card can either bring you business or take it away?  How does that 3- inch marketing tool have so much power?

While the art of feng shui which I practice and teach is about the environment in which we live, it is also about energy.  Its basic concept which you will see me referencing in all my blog posts, is chi (chinese word for energy).  The card is one of the first pieces of information you hand out about your business.  It is a lost opportunity if it feels cheap, looks tacky,  unprofessional, or is offensive in any way.  As it is said, the first few seconds of someone meeting you an impression is made, so is true of the business card.

In one of my favorite books of all time, The Greatest Salesman In The World, Og Mandingo, says he gives his card out to everyone he meets without fail.  Today, we may not do it so much feeling we are being pushy.  “Wait until someone asks for  your card before you give it out”, I have heard.  I would rather have someone’s card so I can contact them in the future if only for a question or a social reason.  The worst is to go to a networking meeting for the purpose of meeting potential customers and not have any cards on you.  Now, I  would not just walk up to someone I didn’t know and give my card out but how often do we do that anyway?  I am talking about a normal day where we are  usually in some sort of conversation with several people.  Whenever someone asks for my phone number not business related, I give them my card.  My number is  there and it is an opportunity for them to think about me for my business in the future.

So, now that we have decided to give our card out more, let’s make sure it’s inviting enough for people to want to keep and read.

Here are some basic tips to Feng Shui Your Business Card for Success:

1) LOVE your card.  If it is okay or you don’t like it in any way, it will lose effectiveness .  The lack of interest will be reflected in the card which then passes on to the receiver.  It is an extension of you and your business’s energy.

2) Company name must be clear in that it is easy for people to know what you do?  If you teach yoga and your card says, “The Red Door”,  you are losing energy.   Logo or name with your service in it is the most powerful. 

2) Have a powerful tag line.  This gives you a chance to state the benefit of what you do and build your brand.   The Red Door Yoga Studio,  “creating healthy bodies and minds”.  This adds more clarity and impact.

3) Use Powerful color combinations.   Use five element color combinations.  Elements support each other.  Water, Metal, Earth, Fire, Wood.  Best colors for new business are  White, Black, Green.   White is Metal element and it produces Water (Black).   Water nourishes Wood.  Wood is growth like a tree which means growth in the business.  Water creates the flow and metal the money. Metallic golds add money energy.

4) Card needs a good feel to it.  Use  good card stock, nothing flimsy.  Its sort of like shaking someones’ hand that goes limp.  The energy is low.  You want each moment to count.  See  your card as an extension of  you and your hand and that you are  handing over an energy boost to the person, leaving them feeling  positive about  you.

5)Keep it clean and uncluttered.   Too much writing on a card does  not leave room for opportunities to enter.  Leave room for some note writing that may be needed.  When I meet someone I will write a word on it to make me remember their name in the future.

6)Make sure people can get hold of you.  Have your phone number and e-mail prominent.  It is like being invited to your house but I can’t find it because the house numbers are hidden.   It says the chi is blocked and prosperity will be slow in coming  to you.

7)Add some red for recognition and prosperity. Red is the fire element and it activates and energizes things.

8)Use wealth symbols as logos.  Ships are good luck in feng shui esp. if they are moving towards you like bringing you wealth.  Water and goldfish are symbols for money.  Make sure logos and images are moving forward not backwards.

9) Round shapes signify harmony.    Use rounded fonts instead of sharp, angled, or pointed fonts.  Avoid sharp points aiming at you in your logo.  These create arguments and disputes.

10) Use wavy borders, logos,  to signify water and flow.  This will mean good movement in your career.

11)Use more traditional card shapes rather than something unique or odd-shaped.  People often throw away the ones they cannot fit into their filing system.  The horizontal shape is considered “lucky in feng shui”.

And of course make sure there are no typos or outdated info. as this will lower the energy of the card and its appeal.

We offer feng shui consultations for your marketing needs.  18 yrs. of succesful sales/marketing experience .  Future posts will be on feng shui for your website.  Contact us anytime at www.designforenergy.com

Update your business cards today to stay ahead of the competition and give you the added edge in your business.

Happy Selling,

Belinda

Whether you are looking for a job, wanting a better one, a promotion, more money, applying some feng shui principles can really help. Feng shui lucky symbols can attract the right opportunities to you.

Some of these Tips can strenthen your Career or help you set up a Power Office to attract success.

1)Sit in a commanding position.                                        

Don’t sit with your back to the door.  Sit furthest from the door but not in line with it.  Have a solid wall behind you.  No windows behind you as it makes you vulnerable.  Solid wall acts as a mountain of support.

2)Face your best direction.                                                       

Google, Kua calculator to find this. http://www.circle-of-light.com/fengshui/fs-kua.html If your best direction is South, then face that when at your desk for optimum strength in your career.

3)Avoid poison arrows.                                                      

Sharp edges create disharmony.  Be sure your file cabinets, bookshelf corners are not pointing at you.

4)Diffuse EMF radiation                                              

Computers, electrical devices emit electromagnetic energy that is draining to your body and mind.  Add plants like peace lily, philadendron ivy, bamboo palms,  or jade.  Rock crystals on your desk or near computer wires help to ground the energy.  Take breaks from your computer.

5)Add Feng Shui Colors                                                        

They stimulate creativity and inspire ideas.  Avoid bare walls and boring artwork.  Color adds energy which creates movement.  For walls, use metal colors like grays which are good for wealth and greens for money growth. 

6)Have Clean Air                                                                     

Create good chi flow with fresh air flowing.  Use air filters.  Open up windows ocassionally to allow the natural chi to flow in. This keeps career opportunities flowing.

7) Use  Natural Lighting                                                                                         

Avoid fluorescent lighting.  Use desk lamps and natural light as much as possible.  Lights add the fire element which enhances promotions and recognition at work. 

8)Add Feng Shui Cures.

The map of the world in your office is a good feng shui cure if you feel confused on your career path.  Place a picture of your ideal career, job, position, on the wall opposite you while working at your desk as this will help attract it to you.  Choose artwork with open views, great possibilities, and high energy.  Finally, write down your desires as though they are already here.  See yourself as abundant, in the right career, being recognized for what you do.

 

View our beautiful Feng Shui Prosperity Boxes on our website or on our Design For Energy facebook page that help energize any space for optimum abundance.  The one on this page is our Career Box with special cures and talismans especially for energizing your career/aspirations. If interested, just contact us at 512/740-1251. They are for sale.

Career Blessings,

Belinda

www.designforenergy.com

http://www.facebook.com/FengShuiBelinda

Our latest products, Feng Shui Altar or “Feng Shui Prosperity Box” is now available and is loaded with powerful wealth talismans.  The main  figure we include in almost all of our unique, hand crafted boxes, is the Wealth or Happiness Buddha.

One of feng shui’s and China’s most loved symbols is the Ho Tai Buddha. Most people know him as the Buddha of Wealth or as the Laughing/Happiness Buddha. His presence in homes and businesses brings joy and prosperity.

To the Chinese, the seat of the soul is in the stomach, so the Wealth Buddha’s stomach is large and round to symbolize his heavenly stature and to represent fullness and abundance. The one is the picture has special prayers inside his tummy.

The Happiness Buddha reminds us that good things come to happy, joyful people and that prosperity is also a sign of joyfulness. Keeping this Buddha lifts the whole household or business with his happy presence. 

The Prosperity Buddha lived over one thousand years ago. He was a happy fellow and carried a sack in which he carried candy for children and rice seed for planting. Because of this, he is associated with wealth and happiness and his statues often show him holding a bag. With his jolly nature, he is revered for his wealth-giving and joyful countenance, but also for his ability to take your worries from you.

You might say that this buddha was the original Santa Claus and is worshipped as the first of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Japan.  The prosperity Buddha can often be found in paintings and in figures surrounded by as many as 100 children. Because of his ability to attract children, he can even positively influence fertility and many couples place a picture or statues of him when they are anxious to conceive!

Display the feng shui laughing buddha when you need a dose of happiness or when you want to create greater abundance.

Wealth Buddha Brings Happiness, Wealth and Good Fortune

Worried about money?

Stop worrying and start relaxing. Displaying the relaxed and happy  Buddha at your desk, in your business, or the entrance to your home can help dissolve money worries and help you to be in the “receiving mode” for more prosperity!

Prosperity Buddha helps you get ahead at work.

If you are tense about making money on the job, placing a small wealth  Buddha in red or gold on your desk will help stimulate your financial luck associated with your career. Select one with a gold ingot. Chinese gold ingots are shaped like a ship and displaying them promotes prosperity luck.

Dispel bad luck.

The Wealth and Prosperity Buddha is also used as a talisman. Besides inspiring happiness and abundance, this Buddha also wards off negativity, misfortune, and bad luck. Had your share of bad luck? Keep him close at hand to stop negativity and keep bad luck at bay.  In jade, he wards off jealousy.

Happiness draws more happiness.

It’s true. You know that one person who walks into the room and instantly lifts everyone up with their cheerful attitude. Displaying the Happiness Buddha at the entrance to your home or business is a way to instantly lift the HQ (happiness quotient) at your home and business and that draws blessings to your work and home.

Give your sadness to Happy Buddha.

Legend says that the sack the wealth buddha carries is full of riches, wealth, and candy, but others say he carries a sack to carry your sadness and worries away. Give your worries to him to lift your personal chi and attract more good fortune.

For more pictures of our beautiful “Feng Shui Prosperity Boxes”  for good luck in the home and business, check out our Design For Energy Facebook page.  We’d appreciate it if you’d LIKE us.  Our wealth and abundance boxes are made one at a time by a local artist and no two are alike.  They are beautiful art pieces. Call or e-mail us  at Design For Energy for pricing or special orders.  www.designforenergy.com.

Fortunate Blessings,

Belinda

Yes, it is a down economy, but there can be other reasons your home is not selling, especially if it is priced right, staged properly, and actively being marketed.

Make sure your home presents well on MLS listings.  Research shows that most people find their next home by viewing listings on the Internet.   Blurry pictures, depressed looking spaces, bad curb appeal, can all affect you getting any showings much less buyers.

Now, with all of that, there is the energy of the house.  Feng Shui, the ancient art of harmonious placement which I practice does not have energetic clearing as one of its core principles, but it is very important to the success of  having good feng shui since we are working with chi (energy) flow.  This chi flow can become stagnant, blocked,  or stuck.

There are many reasons for stuck energy such as  predecessor energy, house on market too long,  ghosts (experts say only 3% of stuck energy reported in homes are of this kind).  The Poltergeist activity one sees on televison is a rarity.  Most of what we are dealing with as professional “space clearers”, has to do with energy that is simply stagnant or stuck.  Perhaps someone died in the home, filed for divorce, had a long-term illness, filed bankruptcy.  The emotions and feelings that were expressed during that time in the home remains in the space.  It can often be felt by even the untrained person.  You know the feeling you have when you go somewhere and it just feels bad. You are not sure why then you find out later, someone died there.

It was important to me once I received my professional feng shui training, that I became trained in space clearing.  I had already been certified in energy work on the body so this art made sense to me.  I was healed of years of migraine headaches after learning Reiki, the japanese art of stress reduction. 

 You know the feeling when you buy a new home, before you bring in the furniture, you want the space to be really clean.  Well, this is the same thing but of an energetic (feel) nature.  Before I begin my feng shui process with clients, I recommend this so they can have a fresh start.

Ancient Feng Shui masters were the quantum physicists of their day. They observed nature for everything and noticed that all things were made up of chi (energy).  They noticed energy in objects, people, spaces, and even  thoughts.  In over 14 years of  doing space clearings, I have found the effects to be profound.

Today I had a client whose house has not been getting many showings and no offers.  While there are some feng shui issues with the house and it needs better staging, it is priced fairly and is in good condition.  She may not get the best price for it because of the above reasons, but it should be getting some showings and offers.

The client is also an energy worker and therapist but did not feel doing the process herself would do the job.  It is like saying your computer is broken and you know computers but do you do it for a living on a daily basis?  No, you need someone who does and is able to find things you may not detect.  As feng shui practitioners we are taught to “cultivate our chi” through meditation.  This helps to heighten my awareness of energy.  I have a daily meditation practice.  I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to learn how to feel energy.

After my client and I were finished clearing her home, she said she noticed an immediate and different feel.  This comment was unsolicited. She was so excited.  I get the client involved in the process so they can let go of any attachments they might have to the home.  If a client is holding onto a home emotionally, it will not sell.  Some client’s have in-laws living with them.  In some cases, the in-laws or the kids don’t want to move.  It is important to have the discussion with family members about seeing their move as positive with new beginnings and possibilites.

In my client’s case she is recently divorced (only 3 months).  Husband is not totally sure its the best thing.  While they are not both living there together, they share the house with their kids on opposite weeks.  This may have had something to do with the house showings getting off to a slow start.  Now they are both on the same page with wanting the home to sell.

The space clearing process involves working with Intentions.  What do you really want?  “Sell the house now for the best price to a family who will love it”.   I then call in the client’s spiritual guides as well as my own to help with the process.  Using high -pitched bells, sage, prayers, in a harmonious way throughout the home, helps to clear any stuck energy.

It is a four-step process that is thorough and can be done in a couple of hours in a home that is 2,500 square feet or less.  Larger spaces require more time.  I once was asked to space clear a building that was over 50,000 square feet!  It was an old Sears building . I was getting all my energy worker friends and colleagues lined up for that one.  It was going to take a village.   The project fell through so I did not do it.  Whew!

There are a couple of good books on Amazon you can check out that give you steps to space clear.  These are basic steps for garden variety space clearing.  Anything serious needs a professional.

Denise Linn,  Space Clearing

Karen Kingston, Creating Sacred Space

I use both their methods, my reiki energy,and  feng shui cures, to space clear and help a house sell.

To freshen up your space to get ready to sell, remember these tips:

De-clutter – Clutter is stagnation and holds back a sale.

Organize-  Keeps energy flowing well.

Add freshness with live green plants

Water features to bring in money

Aromatherapy and air filters to keep space from feeling stagnant while closed up between showings

Open up windows to let house breathe and allow light in

Light some incense . Frankincense is good for clearing negative energy or native american sage.  With doors and windows open wave the scents around the entire space.

Stand in the center of the house and state Intentions out loud. ” My house is selling now, I release it to the right buyer”.

These are just a few  tips are for basic clearing.  If you find you have some history on the home that is quite negative (violent crime, death, etc.), hire a professional.

We are proud to say that all of our clearings have been highly successful creating movement to sale within a few days to a few weeks.

Read our testimonials on our website.  Watch our Youtubevideo on our site as well.  www.designforenergy.com

I am a feng shui consultant/teacher of over 14 yrs. and have feng shui-ed my home of course, and was vandalized this past week.

At 2:30am vandals, thieves, burglars, or whatever they might be called, tried to break into my house.  My doorbell rang which woke up my dogs which then alerted me to get up out of a deeply sound sleep.  Thank goodness for their excellent hearing and quick response.

I got up to look out my window when I saw a tall young man hurl a cinder block into my front window.  My window broke into many pieces.  I screamed a blood curdling sound which caused them to run off.  Yes, I was able to observe that there were about five altogether in a SUV outside my house.

I was shaking as I  called 911 to describe the situation and the police arrived at what seemed to be forever (20 minutes). 

Police officer seemed to feel the vandals had the wrong house and were looking to teach someone a lesson.  Other than the broken window, my terror, I am fine, my animals good, and nothing stolen.

I have a Bagua (8-sides) mirror over my front door which is for protection.  I also have one on the side of my house facing neighbors who have a very problematic teenager (I actually think the vandals were looking for him).

My home has been smudged to keep energy clear.  I have an altar where I pray to keep my home blessed.  I have a huge angel  on the wall where the window was broken.   I have my annual feng shui cures in place which balance out burglary and theft energies this year.

So why did this happen to me?  I do feel that often times it is not about us.  We can be in the way of something affecting or meant to affect someone else.  I also think that we are in a tough economy where people are desperate and in fear mode.  No neighborhood or house is totally safe. 

 My neighbors are great watchdogs but at 2:30am with a/c running all night, people are in deep sleep.  One of my neighbors did hear the crash and my scream and came out.  She asked her son to stand watch all night on my porch so I could feel safe.  How super nice was that gesture? My helpful people aspect is working well.

Are there things I could have done differently? Sure.  As soon as I saw  people in my yard, I should have turned the porch light on so they knew someone was home.  I always have my porch light on but had turned it off the past week only using decorative lights.

Are there things I can do now to improve the feng shui/security even more? Sure.  I am adding more lighting to the outside of my home and more sensors to my already super alarm system.   I have all my neighbors telephone numbers so I can wake them up if I hear something.  I have a panic button on my alarm system which alerts police to come immediately.  Its faster than 911 which I would call as well.

I found out that you can call 911 to patrol your street anytime.   It does not have to be an emergency just a concern.

I was in a hotel room at a feng shui conference once and had really loud, drinking, people next door.  Could not sleep all night for the partying and banging noise.

Next day, I asked my feng shui master if I placed a bagua mirror facing them, if it would help the situation?  He said. “yes, but then you have to take action, you have to call the manager and complain”.

Feng Shui is not a magic bullet but a way to be aware and surround yourself with positive energy so you have better results.  It does not mean bad things won’t ever happen to you, but they may be diminished a great deal.  In the end, it is always how you transcend the negative events that count.  Staying in fear only brings more on.  Fear attracts negative energies.

In my case, I could have been injured, killed, raped, etc.  My dogs could have been harmed.  Other than my fright and lack of sleep for a week,  I only had a broken window which got repaired.

This event was an alert for me to be mindful about my security.  Good feng shui helped me from being harmed any further.  Feng Shui can fortify your life. 

Feng Shui Tip:

Each time you leave your home, see it surrounded in a bubble of  white light energy like a force field protecting it from anything unwanted.

And, if you want to feel safe and secure in your home, keep good feng shui but have a good alarm system or guard dog as well.

Contact us for protective Bagua Mirrors or other feng shui cures to protect your home.  www.designforenergy.com

Safe Living.

Belinda

Altars in feng shui can lift the energy and create a sacred feel to your space.  My feng shui master says one of the best ways to cultivate personal chi is through meditation.  If you meditate and pray in your space then you change the vibration of that space to a higher level.  Altars can be used in homes, businesses, cubicles,  dorm rooms, RV’s, road buses, classrooms, etc.  The places are endless where we need to clear energy and feel connected to a higher power or be reminded to be grateful in life.  Gratitude is one of the keys to abundance!

Growing up Catholic I was surrounded by rituals, altars, and beautiful ceremonies.  Now a practicing zen buddhist, an altar can be a simple flower and a candle.

I have been helping people set up altars in their homes for over ten years.  I would say my most requested one has been for LOVE and boy, do they work!

In feng shui, the more elegant,  beautiful, and prosperous looking  something is will reflect that energy in your life.

In feng shui, five elements make up an altar.  Fire, earth, metal, wood, and water.  Here are some ideas.

Fire- candle, light, or something red

Metal- a singing bowl, bells, metal picture frame with a loved one in it.

Earth- crystals, rocks, ceramic angel or spiritual icon.

Wood- plant, flower, wood incense holder

Water- bowl of water, mirror, picture of water

You then can place anything of meaning on your altar or something you want to manifest.

In feng shui, we write Intentions.  You can go to your altar and read these out loud.  Its as though you are asking the universe for what you want and are open to receiving it knowing its coming your way already. 

Go to your altar daily or as much as you can to give gratitude.  Light a candle or some incense to activate your altar.

Your altar is a reminder of your higher self, your source.  It helps you stay grounded and calm.

You can create something beautiful of your own by using a table, a shelf, or a  meditation room. Place a nice cloth down first, then lay your items on that surface for a softer effect.

I have been such a fan of altars for so long, I have wanted to create some for my clients.  I used to travel extensively and would set up a mini altar in my hotel room.  It would help to clear the energy of the previous tenant, protect me, and energize my work week. 

I wanted to create something beautiful that was all contained so the client would have everything they need.

I, along with a local talented artist are creating beautiful feng shui altars that are infused with feng shui cures and talismans to empower you.  They are small enough to pack.  They are art pieces so are delicate but the pieces in the altars are firmly anchored.

No two altars are alike as they each created per request.  I like to take the person’s birthdate to determine their element and color.  If there is something special a client wants to work on like health, romance, wealth, we can incorporate cures for those issues.

I am so excited about these offerings.  Feel free to visit my Design For Energy Facebook Page and LIKE it.   http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/FengShuiBelinda    You will see photos of some of our most recent altars.  While you may not be able to order one exactly like the ones you see, you can see the quality and feel confident yours will be uniquely for you and beautiful.

I have a client who has ordered one for his daughter’s room for her birthday.  While feng shui-ing her daddy’s condo, she asked for a cure for her room.  She loves pink!  Can’t wait to see what my artist comes up with for this 7 r. old.

Reach us at designforenergy.com for questions or pricing.

Many fortunate blessings!

I worked with Ragen Chastain  last week.  Ragen is a professional dancer who speaks and writes about self-esteem, body image and health at every size.  Visit her site by clicking on her name.  We discussed energizing areas to boost fame, prosperity and health.  She lives in a small duplex and so we had to be cognizant of the space.  No space is too small to have good feng shui.  Some of the smallest apts. in Manhattan (500 sq. ft.) can have better feng shui than a beautiful home on the cover of architectural digest.  Why?  Flow.  A unique space with staircases, beams, glass everywhere, can leak chi (energy).  I love working with all size spaces as it challenges me to think creatively for the best design solutions.

Ragen is the best type of client as she is open and ready for expansion in her career.  Feng Shui is all about change.   My job is to facilitate movement.  When people call me they often want some issue in their life resolved.   

When  Ragen and I  first met at her duplex a year ago, one of the many things I helped her with was furniture placement.  She uses her small space to excercise and conduct dance classes.  We moved bookcases and shelving in the living room off to the sides so they complimented the room and did not block any flow.  We took all her dancing awards and placed them on one wall for focus.  We moved her desk in her office so she faced the door and had a solid wall of support on her back.   This is called the “commanding position in feng shui”.   Who wants to sit with their back against a wall anyway?  After that consult she experienced much growth in her career. 

 This past week I suggested she  add red curtains on the south wall to boost her fame even more.  Green plants in the east to enhance health and vitality.  Water feature in North to bring in more money to career.   In feng shui we use a tool called the Bagua (means “8 sides or areas”).  It helps map out our space according to life areas.  Each area has an element, color, direction, number, and life meaning.  Using the element or color can energize a life area.  We discussed writing new Intentions for where she wants her career and life to be.  She  recharged her vision board.  She is well on her way to fulfilling her new more expansive goals.  

Here are just a few of the amazing  things she has experienced as a result of her hard work, enthusiasm, and good feng shui! 

 ” Now I average between 1500 and 2500 hits per day on my blog and have a vibrant community of readers who interact through the comments.   I am in Darryl Roberts new film “America the Beautiful II – The Thin Commandments” with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sibelius  among others, which is being released by Warner Brothers and will be premiering in NYC and LA in October.  I have a book coming out soon and, after winning three National Dance Championships I’m competing for my first World Professional Title this year”.  

“ Just a couple weeks after the fame and reputation work,  not only did the film screening in San Francisco go well (two of my heroes in the Health at Every Size movement told me that they are big fans of my work and most of the people at the conference knew who I was which and came up to tell me who much they liked my work which was crazy).  I’ll be walking red carpets in NYC and LA in October, designers are e-mailing me to ask if they can dress me, and there’s a possibility that I’ll be on CNN as well as going on a college speaking tour.  How’s that for fame  and reputation?”  Wow, you go Ragen!

One of the things I advise my clients is to Dream big.  Feng Shui is not a magic bullet.  It is about applying energy towards the things you desire in life (in a strategic and scientific way of course).  It is also about having your space reflect that vision.  Remember no space is too small.