Respect is a basic human need, and its lack is the source of a lot of stress for many people. While one need not be praised to the skies, one should ideally be appreciated and respected by those in your life. This theme is one that can be looked at and changed in Feng Shui with the use of the Bagua Map, which examines specific areas of the home in connection with specific topics: in this case, the Fame & Reputation area – the back centre of the home when standing in the main entrance – is the area to look at.
As I explore in this video in my YouTube series, this is not necessarily about ending up on the cover of a magazine, but rather about stimulating recognition and appreciation within your sphere of influence. In this episode, I tell an amazing story about someone who utterly transformed his life with one simple fix. Check it out:
I have often resisted the use of images of famous people in this area, as I want to encourage people to focus on their own accomplishments. However, I realized when my colleague experienced such a shift in this case that an image of someone you appreciate isn’t riding their coattails so much as it is placing an anchor for the energy of appreciation, admiration, and respect.
In telling this tale and in the naming of other hints for this area in this video, I neglected to mention that one should indeed place in this area – if appropriate to the room, of course – an item or items that relate to your own successes and recognition: certificates & diplomas, awards, gifts, and the like can work well here. But indeed, someone you respect can help hold the energy of respect in this space, thereby stimulating that feeling in you every time you see the space.
Respect is a basic human need, and its lack is the source of a lot of stress for many people. While one need not be praised to the skies, one should ideally be appreciated and respected by those in your life. This theme is one that can be looked at and changed in Feng Shui with the use of the Bagua Map, which examines specific areas of the home in connection with specific topics: in this case, the Fame & Reputation area – the back centre of the home when standing in the main entrance – is the area to look at.
As I explore in this video in my YouTube series, this is not necessarily about ending up on the cover of a magazine, but rather about stimulating recognition and appreciation within your sphere of influence. In this episode, I tell an amazing story about someone who utterly transformed his life with one simple fix. Check it out:
I have often resisted the use of images of famous people in this area, as I want to encourage people to focus on their own accomplishments. However, I realized when my colleague experienced such a shift in this case that an image of someone you appreciate isn’t riding their coattails so much as it is placing an anchor for the energy of appreciation, admiration, and respect.
In telling this tale and in the naming of other hints for this area in this video, I neglected to mention that one should indeed place in this area – if appropriate to the room, of course – an item or items that relate to your own successes and recognition: certificates & diplomas, awards, gifts, and the like can work well here. But indeed, someone you respect can help hold the energy of respect in this space, thereby stimulating that feeling in you every time you see the space.
In Feng Shui, everything physical in your home translates symbolically from its practical function in the home to an energetic function in the larger fabric of your life. Therefore, your front door is more than just how you get into your home: it’s how the world sees and finds you, and how new opportunities can enter your life.
My video series on YouTube has launched a new episode about the importance of the entrance of your home, with simple tips that you can use to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your space that not only enables the area to function better but also to help attract aligned opportunities your way.
Make the changes that you can and keep your eyes peeled for shifts … you’d be amazed at the difference a little enhancement can make!
I am constantly working to evolve my practice of Feng Shui. As I consult with clients and also refine my own space, new insights and awarenesses come to me: sometimes it’s a refinement of what I’ve already been working with, at other times something completely new. I’ve long held the belief that Feng Shui is not a one-time learning or a one-time application, but that it is an ongoing relationship of engagement with our surroundings and the language of the environment, and therefore our awareness and practice must continue to evolve.
A couple of months ago, I was moving some things around at home, and as I made a new arrangement in my Helpful People/Travel area, out of the blue a thought came to my mind: “I need to be open to something that I’m not even aware of.” I realized as this awareness entered my consciousness that we often (appropriately) set specific goals in our lives – and certainly that is the case in Feng Shui, which can be used to target improvement in particular areas of our lives. While I know it’s important to be focused on specifics, I also know that there are larger forces at play that can take us to vistas that are more aligned than what we can envision.
A matter of hours after making that change in my home and having that thought of receptivity beyond my conscious intentions, an email came in from a local video production company that they were planning to create a Feng Shui channel on YouTube and were looking for a consultant to collaborate with.
I definitely didn’t see that one coming.
We exchanged a few emails and then set up a meeting to discuss the project. The good folks at October Studio and I got along with tremendous ease, and we made an appointment to film the following week. I brainstormed the topics for our first set of videos, prepared some props, and we filmed the introduction and several episodes over the course of a few hours.
I’m not as experienced in front of the camera as I am with speaking to an audience, and have resisted video as a result – and while I often feel nervous in new circumstances and filming like this is a steep learning curve, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share what I do in a new way. “The walls of your comfort zone are lovingly decorated with your lifelong collection of favourite excuses,” author Jen Sincero articulated beautifully. How wonderful to be presented with a chance to redecorate those walls with new vistas instead of excuses (especially when that’s what I do with my clients)!
This process has helped me be aware that if you release your preconceptions of what you are willing to receive, you could be presented with something that you couldn’t anticipate but which is truly aligned. You might have to challenge yourself, but you can also be very well supported, as I have been by the wonderful staff at October Studio, as well as by my friends and colleagues with whom I have discussed this process.
I will post at the bottom of this page the individual videos uploaded so far, with a few additional comments. If you wish to view the videos, you can do so on this page or head over to the YouTube channel and click here for the playlist – a new video will be added every Monday (for #MotivationMonday), so you can subscribe to receive updated postings. I will also blog on each video separately to further highlight the key elements that I communicate.
Introductory Episode
I present a bit about my introduction to Feng Shui and why I believe its application needs to be updated, given some of the changes that have taken place in our world in the thousands of years since the principles of the practice were first expressed.
Episode 1: Energy & Vitality
One of the areas of Feng Shui that I find is frequently overlooked is that of energy circulation to support vitality. As I express in this video, the ‘wind’ and ‘water’ that make up the name Feng Shui are forms of energy that support our wellbeing, and the ‘Chi’ energy found in both can be cultivated in our homes.
Episode 2: Wealth & Blessings
This topic is radically misunderstood and I hope that I was able to convey the fact that it is not just about material wealth, and that ‘wealth’ is relative. As I state in the video, the ‘wavy cat’ (as my skeptical British friend who found it very effective referred to it) is not the kind of thing that I usually use in my practice: I shared it primarily because a total skeptic had found it so successful and he was taken aback by what he experienced. As with any of the suggestions I make, it is important to only use that which you like and want in your space: if you don’t like it, don’t use it. THAT is an important aspect of Feng Shui. Your home needs to reflect you and your preferences.
I hope that you will find some value in the suggestions in these videos. Any single change can bring about a shift in the feedback your environment gives you, thereby resulting in a change of mindset. If you feel so inclined,
Our society tends to view differences as a problem, believing that connection and alignment require a 100% match. We see the same concept demonstrated in interior design when matches colour palettes to the extent that the atmosphere becomes monochromatic. Spaces are designed this way can lead people to more readily believe that they need to be identical in order to get along, rather than being able to harmoniously connect with those who are different: the ‘match’ in the space makes anything contrasting seem like a misfit. The atmosphere does not support integrated individual expression.
Feng Shui speaks to the Five Elements that make up all physical matter: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. While there are various combinations that are more supportive than others, the entire cycle coexists harmoniously. While Water and Fire have an opposing relationship (water puts out fire), there is an excitement that gets created when black and red colours are combined in design. However, if they are not offset with the other elements, the contrast builds into antagonism and division; bringing metals, earthy tones, and lush greenery helps the two opposing elements find their common ground and connect to the greater nourishment that they all provide and receive from one another.
Image via Restoration Hardware
I’ve found a bit disconcerting the level to which many high-end chains and designers emphasize a ‘neutral’ palette with very little contrast or colour. One unintended consequence of this approach is emotional flatlining, where the highs and lows are cut in favour of perceived ‘safety’. It is remarkably difficult to find images in design magazines or online that show spaces designed with more than two elements balanced throughout the space without a garish blend of colours resembling a Rubik’s Cube. Isn’t it interesting that our society is simultaneously having a challenge with finding harmonious connection between people of opposing viewpoints.
When spaces are tastefully balanced with the Five Elements, as well as with Yin and Yang polarities (dark-light, low-high, curved-angular, and so on), the environment becomes a space that incubates the harmonious interplay of seemingly opposing factors. That which is different can peacefully coexist with and in fact be a much-needed complement: what connects is more important than what differs, and each supports the other.
A case in point: a university administrator attending a presentation I was giving to designers, architects, and space custodians spoke to a successful classroom design that incorporated seating with multiple colours. He stated that students would go to class early to choose a seat in their preferred colour. I noted that the varied colour palette provided choice and allowed them to highlight their individuality in conjunction with the space, when academic environments can often leave students feeling anonymous and lacking in choice. The fact that these students wanted to show up early for class speaks volumes to how the integrated design made them feel welcome and encouraged more engaging and engaged behaviour – how often do students generally choose to show up early for class?
Guildford Town Centre by MCM Interiors Ltd.
Like everything in life (and feng shui), it’s about balance. Applying these principles does not mean you can’t have a colour scheme that highlights two elements to make a statement – but within that framework, providing balance with other elements brings even more life to the space. Just like some environments are hot and others are cold, some are lush and others are more arid, each space can have its flavour and atmosphere … but when the full cycle of natural balance is present contextually, the space is integrated beyond the immediate ‘statement’. This integrity supports connectivity, ease, and alignment amongst those who are present.
Cover image of Hyatt Vancouver by MCM Interiors Ltd.
With the New Year upon us, many people are inspired to turn over a new leaf and to motivate themselves to adopt new habits and behaviours. The use of affirmations – ‘positive’ statements that reflect a supportive way of thinking and being – is one commonly applied way to do change our thoughts and therefore behaviour. There are many greeting cards and posters with motivational sayings that are now commonly seen framed in offices and homes. While there is no doubt that what you think impacts your experience, there can be challenges with how affirmations are commonly used that impacts their effectiveness.
The choice of words in many affirmations can point to attractive concepts that are nevertheless not supportive. A popular one I’ve seen is Emily Dickinson’s quote “Dwell In Possibility”. Why would you want to do that? Don’t you want to get things done? Possibilities are great to explore, but if you want to take something from the world of possibility and then manifest something, you cannot continue to dwell in possibility.
Additionally, affirmations that use the imperative tense can also have unintended consequences, such as “Forgive” or “Do what you love.” The problem when faced with an ‘order’ like this (the imperative verb tense used here is telling you to do something) is that we often tend to resist commands: no one likes being told what to do, particularly at home… it triggers memories of a parent telling you to do what they think you should do. Additionally, this statement is affirming that we are not already doing this: if you were forgiving people in your life, you wouldn’t need to post a statement telling you to do so. So in fact, this affirmation reminds you that you are not naturally doing what you say you want to do.
I’ll never forget one consultation with a client who had opposite her bed a large banner that read, “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.” So she was being told that she needed to believe it (because she didn’t) and the statement stated that something wonderful was about to happen and therefore wasn’t happening now. When I brought this to her attention, she was aghast, as I had articulated her experience: she always felt that she was on the cusp of a breakthrough that never quite came…
So unfortunately affirmations can create the exact opposite from the intended consequences for which they are used. Their linguistic framework means the access point to our consciousness is restricted to mental language, which ties in with our belief system – the source of our limiting concepts. While words can help us over time to make shifts to broader emotional, spiritual, and physical states, they will not necessarily do so.
On the other hand, Feng Shui works by using subliminal affirmations in our surroundings: objects and images that create connections with desired states of being and thoughts. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the associations created from environmental stimuli can go a lot further than even the best-chosen words. Additionally, the colours, forms, and other connections created by these objects can work in subtler ways by bypassing the belief system’s linguistic centre and stimulating an emotional state that is consistent with the spiritual state we are looking to experience. A picture of a relaxing setting could work better than a poster that has words about being calm (we all probably know from experience that telling someone who is not calm to calm down rarely achieves that result!); an image of a person meditating is more powerful than something that says “Turn Inward” or “Trust Yourself.” A skilled Feng Shui consultant knows what kinds of images in what locations can help to stimulate supportive thoughts in specific areas of your life.
If you are going to use artwork that includes words, be mindful of what is being said. Often a single word – ideally referring to a state of being, like “Delight” or “Presence” – can work, but it’s better not to use single-word verbs like “Trust” or “Believe,” as these imply that you are not already doing that. Sentences are best chosen with caution – I prefer quotes that speak to a Truth as opposed to a command, such as a line from a poem or important text (ideally they will feature an image or be attractively written). If it has an image that catches your eye more than the text, it may help you to feel in the moment the state you wish to embody both now and in the future.
May your home speak to you in the layered languages of your experience.
Netflix has done the world a favour by launching their series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on January 1st, the day that North Americans traditionally focus on embracing new, healthier habits. Kondo’s approach to organizing homes has been a sensation not just in her native Japan but worldwide (her book is for sale in 40 countries and is even available at Costco). However, seeing her in action, observing her clients address the impact that the lack of clarity in their home has had on their frame of mind and their relationships, and seeing how they evolve throughout the process all make her philosophy much more real.
The New York Times has just published an article quoting scientists stating that clutter causes both stress and procrastination – I am not being sarcastic when I say that I am glad to see science supporting common sense, because some of these ideas rarely get fully explored in that way. The whole concept of organizing can stress people out because it requires accountability and responsibility for things that we have grown accustomed to ignoring (this is why moving is considered one of the top three stressors). Additionally, ‘letting go’ feels like a loss.
Kondo’s approach is brilliant because it’s actually about what you keep – and keeping only what brings you joy. By addressing each item and gauging the level of joy it sparks, you can tune into your current attitude towards what you possess to see if you are HAVING it (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) as opposed to simply POSSESSING it (physically).
The work that Kondo does is a significant part of what I do in my Contemporary Feng Shui consulting, where I invite clients to consider what they own, where it is placed, and how it makes them feel. I go a bit further in helping them draw connections to some of the unintended consequences of some of the items and arrangements. If their bookcases are overfull, they clearly enjoy reading and new ideas, but they don’t have the space to easily welcome in new ones, which thereby lessens their desired experience to learn more and expand their thinking. If they want to find a partner but have artwork of single individuals throughout the space, they are unwittingly cultivating a sense of solitude instead of togetherness. The home tells countless stories about our modus operandi and life experience.
What this is all about is having a conscious relationship with everything in your personal space, and clarifying your thoughts and feelings about your possessions invites more of that clarity in your waking experience, both at home and in the world at large. When you make everything accessible and aesthetically appealing, you bring more beauty and joy into even the mundane daily tasks of your life.
I have also enjoyed watching Kondo’s program because I have had a 26-year relationship with Japan, living in Tokyo for five years in the 1990s and traveling there extensively ever since, in particular consulting throughout the country multiple times a year for the last 15 years. Seeing Kondo walk through North American homes with an interpreter is eerily similar to my own experience going through Japanese homes with an interpreter in a foreign land, and the warm welcome and deep gratitude at the changes she ushers in has stimulated my own gratitude at how graciously I’ve been invited to hundreds of homes and businesses in Japan, a country where one traditionally does not invite even close acquaintances into one’s residence, and the significant changes I have witnessed in my clients’ lives.
I hope that Kondo’s Netflix series will encourage more and more people to recognize the reality that your home is not just where you reside: it is a workshop where you incubate and cultivate every dimension of your life.
May your surroundings ever spark joy and wholeness in your being!
Netflix has done the world a favour by launching their series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on January 1st, the day that North Americans traditionally focus on embracing new, healthier habits. Kondo’s approach to organizing homes has been a sensation not just in her native Japan but worldwide (her book is for sale in 40 countries and is even available at Costco). However, seeing her in action, observing her clients address the impact that the lack of clarity in their home has had on their frame of mind and their relationships, and seeing how they evolve throughout the process all make her philosophy much more real.
The New York Times has just published an article quoting scientists stating that clutter causes both stress and procrastination – I am not being sarcastic when I say that I am glad to see science supporting common sense, because some of these ideas rarely get fully explored in that way. The whole concept of organizing can stress people out because it requires accountability and responsibility for things that we have grown accustomed to ignoring (this is why moving is considered one of the top three stressors). Additionally, ‘letting go’ feels like a loss.
Kondo’s approach is brilliant because it’s actually about what you keep – and keeping only what brings you joy. By addressing each item and gauging the level of joy it sparks, you can tune into your current attitude towards what you possess to see if you are HAVING it (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) as opposed to simply POSSESSING it (physically).
The work that Kondo does is a significant part of what I do in my Contemporary Feng Shui consulting, where I invite clients to consider what they own, where it is placed, and how it makes them feel. I go a bit further in helping them draw connections to some of the unintended consequences of some of the items and arrangements. If their bookcases are overfull, they clearly enjoy reading and new ideas, but they don’t have the space to easily welcome in new ones, which thereby lessens their desired experience to learn more and expand their thinking. If they want to find a partner but have artwork of single individuals throughout the space, they are unwittingly cultivating a sense of solitude instead of togetherness. The home tells countless stories about our modus operandi and life experience.
What this is all about is having a conscious relationship with everything in your personal space, and clarifying your thoughts and feelings about your possessions invites more of that clarity in your waking experience, both at home and in the world at large. When you make everything accessible and aesthetically appealing, you bring more beauty and joy into even the mundane daily tasks of your life.
I have also enjoyed watching Kondo’s program because I have had a 26-year relationship with Japan, living in Tokyo for five years in the 1990s and traveling there extensively ever since, in particular consulting throughout the country multiple times a year for the last 15 years. Seeing Kondo walk through North American homes with an interpreter is eerily similar to my own experience going through Japanese homes with an interpreter in a foreign land, and the warm welcome and deep gratitude at the changes she ushers in has stimulated my own gratitude at how graciously I’ve been invited to hundreds of homes and businesses in Japan, a country where one traditionally does not invite even close acquaintances into one’s residence, and the significant changes I have witnessed in my clients’ lives.
I hope that Kondo’s Netflix series will encourage more and more people to recognize the reality that your home is not just where you reside: it is a workshop where you incubate and cultivate every dimension of your life.
May your surroundings ever spark joy and wholeness in your being!
In historical Asian art, expansive landscapes of nature only hint at the presence of humans, with people depicted as miniscule in relation to the vastness of outdoor settings, with mountains, bodies of water, and clouds being more commanding of one’s attention. This indicates a belief that humans are part of the overall natural integrity of the planet but that the vastness and power of nature are much greater than the will of mankind.
I consider Feng Shui to be a nature-inspired mindset which (when well-applied) can cultivate a state of connectivity to that which is greater than us, situating us in the context of our current circumstances and life, supporting our orientation on a trajectory aligned with our true nature and role. An image in the home that shows the expanse of nature with a human for proportional reference helps to cultivate a state of connectivity with the wider landscape of our life, of nature, of the universe – and our place in it.
This gorgeous photograph by Tomas Havel (click here for his People In Natureimages)is a prime example of showing the beauty of nature and the contextual place of humanity in its midst. This is environmental friendliness – humanity coexisting harmoniously with nature. Your home is your most immediately impactful environment, and an image that stimulates this connectivity to the natural world beyond its walls helps you to connect to your innate nature as well as to that which exists beyond the manmade spaces in which we reside.
Every time I travel, I learn new things and the same applies when I teach: I find that new insights come out spontaneously, and I often learn valuable perspectives from my students as well. My recent trip to Japan provided one such viewpoint when a lady who has taken two of the four advanced programs that I offer towards becoming a facilitator in this field gave a brief talk in my weekend seminar in Tokyo. This lovely retired lady has a true knack for feng shui and she articulated a brilliant point that illustrated the essence of the practice.
The Japanese word for ‘story’ – monogatari – is made up of two root words: ‘mono’ means ‘things’ and ‘gataru’ is the verb ‘to talk’. She stated eloquently how our homes and possessions speak to us and speak ABOUT us, and how Feng Shui helps us to better understand what they’re saying, and how our home reflects the story of our life, what WE are saying in the world. Since applying the principles that she learned in the two trainings she’s taken with me thus far (only a total of six days), she has been experiencing more flow and seamlessness in her life experience: increased simplicity, less complication. She said she is more conscious of what she owns, and has gratitude for her possessions: she thanks them for being there and at the end of the day, she thanks her day and all that happened.
The audience was moved almost to tears (as was I!) hearing this diminutive senior citizen speak so gracefully about the new lease on life she has experienced applying Contemporary Feng Shui in her traditional home. We were all filled with encouragement, realizing that it is never to late to experience gratitude and to wake up to our life story as it is, and we can always start taking new steps to enhance our life experience.
What is your home saying to you? What have you not been hearing? What is there in your home you would love to listen to some more and how can you showcase it more prominently? Is there anything that has been centre-stage that no longer deserves the spotlight?
I have often resisted the use of images of famous people in this area, as I want to encourage people to focus on their own accomplishments. However, I realized when my colleague experienced such a shift in this case that an image of someone you appreciate isn’t riding their coattails so much as it is placing an anchor for the energy of appreciation, admiration, and respect.
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