Feng Shui Friday ;Soji

In many Zen Temples, after morning meditation, the monks participate in an activity called Soji. During Soji each member of the community is given a chore that they do for about 20 minutes.  When the twenty minutes is up, everyone stops doing their chore.

The monks clean for the sake of cleaning. They don't clean to achieve a goal or to even complete the chore. They clean as a way to bring their meditation to action. The monks also can't choose their chores. It doesn't matter if they like the chore or hate the chore. They just do it.

Imagine if we tackled some of our own projects in the Soji manner.

We could be so much more creative if we kept our focus on the action instead of the outcome.

We could let go of the angst of procrastination.

We could get so much more done. Every 20 minutes adds up.

Tomorrow is the date to start filling out the FAFSA.
I am going to do it Soji style.
I will not complain. I will set a timer. And I will just do it one small step at a time.

Feng Shui Friday: Making a Summer House

The summer sun has the power to increase self confidence ,creativity and drive. It is the time of year when we want to get things done.

If there is too much fire energy, summer can make us tired, cranky and unmotivated.

I love to take advantage of summer power. One way I do this is by balancing the outdoor heat with a cooler home.
      Heavy curtains are replaced with sheer ones.
   
      My dining room is moved to the to the screened-in  porch and my dining room stays totally empty.
   
      I take up all the rugs and leave the wood floors bare.
   
      I add cooler colors of blues and pinks and greens.
   
       I spend a weekend purging stuff.

On the bagua map The Fame and Reputation area is associated with fire. I also spend time fixing this area up. You can read about how to that here. 
   
An open airy home feels like the possibilities of summer are endless.

Remember Feng Shui is pronounced FUN Shway.  Enjoy creating a home that mirrors your wonderful life.

Blessings,
Virginia

Friday's Feng Shui

When my children were little I complained to my sister that my house was a wreck.
Her response changed how I look at my home.
"Gin, you have three little kids.  I would be worried and sad for your children ,if your house was neat. "

If we are too attached to 'everything in order'  creativity is stifled. Messes need to be made in order to express ourselves. Our children deserve to have creative free rein in their experimenting.  The goal of Feng Shui isn't to keep absolute order. Rather the goal of Feng Shui is to keep the energy moving. Messes  and order keep the energy balanced.

I recently completed a giant home project involving the front door and the living room.   I started in late August and just this past week all of the furniture was back where it belongs. 

We got the room ready in time for the Christmas tree. 

  After we took the Christmas tree down we set up the ping pong/ pool table in there. ( Fun Shway remember)

My office became a very crowded living room. The dining room table served as my office desk.  Life was a bit messy in the process but I didn't freak out.  I accepted that my house was going to be a chaotic for a few months because I was creating something better.

While the living room was under construction ,I made sure the rest of the house stayed clutter free as best I could.

The living room is in the career section of my house.  I enhanced the career area of every other room in the house. Some ways to enhance the career gua can be found here.

I also paid close attention to the three power areas,the other entry way, the kitchen and the bedroom.

Creative messes are important in Feng Shui . They are a part of the energy of life.

Remember Feng Shui is pronounced FUN Shway. Have fun making a creative mess!

Blessings,
Virginia