Turn Over a New Leaf: Feng Shui for Spring

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March 17, 2010

Late last year, we attended an awesome class with Feng Shui expert and Life Coach Ariel Joseph Towne. The wisdom Ariel shared about our homelife got us through winter, and now, in a special celebration of spring - and the cleaning of the house and heart that comes with it–we're thrilled to have him on board for a unique Blush Health Series: "An Introduction to Feng Shui." For the next four weeks, Ariel will discuss four corner aspects of our lives: Love, Health, Career, and Money. In this series, he leads us through the different ways Feng Shui can revolutionize lives. Today, for the first part of the series, Ariel answers our questions about money and success. So read on - there's no better time than spring to implement change and start fresh!

Let's talk a little about Feng Shui itself. First thing we wanna know, do a lot of people come to you at the beginning of spring, seeking change?

Yes! Spring is a wonderful time for people to reinvent themselves as they emerge from their winter months, hibernation and introspective period and decide that they want to emerge and blossom as we move towards summer. Spring cleaning is a great first step. You have to put down what you are holding onto in order to make room for something new in your life.

Why should people adapt Feng Shui into their lives?

What I think people don’t realize is that they are doing it already. Every day we walk into environments and have an instant response to how the space feels. Either it feels good and we want to stay, it feels awful and we want to leave or it feels neutral and we don’t feel one way or another about it.

The thing is that many of us are working by trial and error. We may not know exactly why a space feels off. Or why it feels good and wonder how to recreate it at different times in our lives, which is why we use Feng Shui. But our environment affects us whether we believe in it or not. Like gravity. Would you want to work with the principles in your life, or just guess them?

What about those who can’t seem to catch a break–who feel like they’re talented but no one knows, or it goes to waste. And for those who start projects but never finish, what advice do you have?

I would suggest a 40-day journey to themselves. I would suggest doing a major purge (inner and outer.) I would let go of anything that is no longer serving them ("stuff", activities and relationships) that are not serving their highest good.

This is a story they have built for themselves (a victimization identification) and it is curable and reversible by purging thoughts from their mental space, by choosing to expand their thinking to create or identify with a different story. And then I would have them prove it to themselves. If they were struggling doing this all on their own, I would call in a professional to help with this process.

Most of what I have said is in regards to their thoughts, but that is where feng shui begins and it radiates out from there. Their thoughts turn into choices we make about everything from where we place things, what images we look at, what colors we attract, what colors we wear (on the outside and underneath) and then finally what actions we take. Our inner environment affects our outer life and our outer environment affects our inner experience. I believe that lasting change requires movement in both areas.

How can frustrated readers change their thinking process to finally become real success stories?

They can consider the parts of their lives where they have a proven track record of success. Consider where they do finish projects rather than focusing on all the unfinished ones. Sometimes we overlook things we do on a regular basis and dismiss them. As far as the other story (can’t seem to catch a break, or my talent goes to waste) these people are identifying with a different disempowering story. One where they are cursed, doomed to bad luck or that things just don’t work out for them. One way to break this cycle is to prove differently. But it may take some expanded thinking to imagine that it is even possible. Lastly they need accountability to help see their new vision to completion. Whether this is self accountability, or from a friend, loved one or life coach. Staying accountable helps us see things through to completion.

What would you tell people who can’t ever seem to pay their bills on time? What are they doing wrong?

They might not have a reminder system that works for them. They might have a sabotaging process at work. People are ultimately all doing their best, given their views of the world. Eventually people get fed up with penalties, or self torture and they might be guided to realize that there is another way to live their lives. I would suggest anything from sticky notes to calendar alerts to carrying a schedule and then putting things on it. And then using it.

How can they change their work/business practices and their home?

In order to change a practice you must first become aware of your process. Holding up a mirror to your process is an essential part of transformation. As far as peoples homes go, sometimes people are simply overwhelmed by their clutter, perhaps things don’t have a proper home. Perhaps they need a personal organizer to come in and help them set up a system and workflow that works for them? I would suggest Regina Leeds book One Year to an Organized Life. It is a great way to transform slowly and after a year to look back and be amazed.

What if they hate their job?

What is the old saying about the guy who goes to the doctor and says "Doc, it hurts when I do this." And the doctor says "Don’t do that." It’s sort of the same thing.

You have three choices:
1. You can change your relationship to your job: focus on that which makes you feel grateful. If you are having a hard time with this, look again and see if you can feel gratitude for what it is providing in your life.
2. You can change the process: Give yourself something you do when you are not at work that puts you into such a good headspace and heartspace that the job can’t touch you, or at least that it affects you more mildly. Give yourself rewards. Give yourself a new chair, something you like to look at, something that smells good, something that makes you tap your toes, or makes you feel more at peace (like full spectrum bulbs that produce natural light). Change your eating habits. Exercise more. Meditate. Vent about what is frustrating to a therapist, or a journal that you keep or burn. Pray. And then listen for the response.
3. If you cannot change your thoughts and cannot change your process enough to have peace of mind, then take the plunge and let go of the job. Sometimes boldness comes to us and rewards us only after we take the risk and not before when we just seem to be hanging on with our toes.

What if they work from home? How do they separate their space for work and then also for relaxation?

The key is to be able to shut the door on work. To create separate areas. There shouldn’t be overlapping purposes within a space. What is that phrase? Don’t poop where you eat? Well don’t work where you sleep. Don’t fight where you make love. And don’t do things that stimulate, overwhelm you, or make you feel awful in places where you need to rest and rejuvenate.

Sometimes we need to think outside the desk. To create an area to store supplies, but then to work on a tabletop surface. Sometimes we need to get the desk out of the bedroom. And sometimes we have outgrown our space and we need to make getting into a larger space more of a priority. Take a look around and then get quiet. Listen inside and hear what is screaming for change.

If you are still overwhelmed, don’t be too prideful to ask for help.

What if they feel they don’t have the money to buy feng shui "accessories?"

Sometimes there is a poverty mentality functioning and no matter how much money they have they will always be battling some sort of voice inside that places something after the words "Not Enough______" (i.e. time, money, energy, space, help, resources) Or perhaps it is that they feel that they themselves are not enough.

That said, there are always choices I help people to create change in their life. Sometimes we can use what we already have and just reorganize. Sometimes we can make a small effort which can help create profound change and then once those changes are happening we can upgrade our "cures."

For example, if you need to change what you see in your space, you might find something in storage you can use to make changes in what you look at. Sometimes it's about moving the items you already have to a different area. Or by adding different intention to what you’ve got.

Secondly, you might print something from the Internet, cut out images from a brochure, magazine, newspaper or create something yourself. These can be placed up behind things (things don’t have to been seen in feng shui to work) or they can be placed into existing frames. Or on a vision board. Or in some other way that elevates them from torn pieces of paper.

Then once things have started to change in your life, you can get your hands on new artwork and those things will serve as seeds for what you manifest next. But there are always seeds to be planted. And there is always something you can do.

Does feng shui have to be expensive?

No. There are online resources, or free tips all over the web or the radio. I have some on my site. Otherwise, you can scan a magazine rack, go to the library or peruse a book at the bookstore and read it on the floor or at a café. How badly do you want to enact change in your life? But don’t underestimate the investment that transforming your foundation can have on your life. It will pay for itself tenfold, if not more.

Do a lot of people shy away because it sounds exotic, and therefore think it’s pricey?

I have no idea why people stay away. Some people think it is pricey. That’s why there are free options to get started. Or books to self motivate. I do know that some people view self care as a luxury and this goes for their health, well being and their process in all areas of their life.

Everything costs something. But what is going on in your space is going on in your life. Is your space saying what you want it to? Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding. If everything is going great for you, if everything is placed on purpose and with purpose in your space, if you love where you work and live, then why are you reading this? Go enjoy your life. You are magical.

To read more about how Ariel found his calling through Feng Shui, how he's changed lives, and how to consult with him (from anywhere on earth) go here. In addition to the Blush Blog, you can always find Ariel at his website, here.

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