Our lives are busy enough, but during the holidays the turmoil often spirals out of control. Not surprisingly, our environments are often out of control as well. Busy schedules make it less tidy, guests and extra projects mean more clutter is added to our often already cluttered environments, both at the office and at home. Add to all the overwhelming the added pressure of emotional issues, like family discord, and we tend to take the attitude that vacations are something to be endured.
Our environments do more than just house us. They support us or prevent us from living the life we want. How? What we see and live with on a daily basis constantly sends messages to us, our family, friends and associates. With the blink of an eye, we are instantly aware of the life we are living now and creating for our future. More than just superstition, Feng Shui has its roots in clinically proven Quantum Physics and a host of other sciences as well.
The good news is that we can use Feng Shui even more consciously during the holidays to not only create Christmas Harmony but also harmony, abundance, wellness and prosperity for the coming year!
One of the misconceptions that we have about Feng Shui is that it is something that we must start, as if it is something new that we do. The truth is that our environments are always “Feng Shui’d”. It’s just that some parts are more in harmony and supportive than others. So really, all of Feng Shui is about tweaking and redesigning until you get the desired result. In fact, it’s often the simplest changes that have the biggest impact.
As with our internal energy, a simple adjustment to our environment, especially during the holidays, may be all it takes to direct vibrant waves of energy throughout the visible and invisible world, shifting momentum, propelling us towards success or success. towards more abundant directions.
Take a moment to stop and do a bowel check. How does your environment feel? Do you feel supportive, warm, invigorating and safe? If so, great. Your job will be to maintain that feeling. If not, that’s great too! Because acknowledging that there is a challenge is a big part of solving a problem, so you’re already on your way.
Here are some very powerful and quick Feng Shui concepts to quickly harmonize and invigorate home and office environments during the holidays:
* Don’t waste the red! – In Feng Shui, red transmits the energy of fire and is therefore incredibly energizing. Add a bit of red to any area and voila, the energy of that space is enhanced. Instead of slapping red decorations around the house, effectively raising the level of the same problems we currently have, be judicious about the placement of red decoration. Do you want to strengthen your relationships? Be sure to incorporate red decor in the relationship areas of your home and especially in the relationship-affecting rooms you want to improve, such as bedrooms or offices.
Feeling a little too energized? Isn’t family feud just a game show for your family? Stay away from the overwhelming red and instead use your Christmas decorations to increase calm, safety and peace. In Feng Shui, black is associated with water. Any color in a deeper shade, leaning towards black, actually enhances the look of the water. So if you experience too much anger or discord in any way, lean towards a more modern palette and use colors like deep burgundy or dark maroon. Other colors like warm tones, greens, and blues are also calming and relaxing. Be sure to increase the use of those calming tones throughout your holiday décor for a calm yet cheerful space.
*Give peace a chance – Overwhelm is a word we use a lot during the holidays, and while we want to do our best when decorating, we may be causing ourselves more trouble than good. In effective Feng Shui, colors and elements are balanced and the same goes for good design. Any design that screams jarringly instead of creating a special scene throws our energies out of balance and therefore more overwhelming. It takes a bit of mindful evaluation, planning, and sometimes moderation, but you can have rich, bright décor and still feel a sense of peace. As you go through the decor, be sure to take a step back and agree if the overall effect is cozy, relaxing, and peaceful. Pay special attention to the physical elements and strive to incorporate a balance between the elements of water, wind, wood and metal along with a balance of color to support a sense of wholeness.
* It’s time to receive too! – Since the holidays often include experiences of giving gifts, remember that there is a balance in our Universe and that this is the time of receiving as well. Take one or two things that you would like to manifest or experience, but have given up or haven’t really put any energy into, and reinforce the energy with your Feng Shui vacation. Is there a special work project you’ve wanted to do? Try putting the wreath on the front door if you’re in the Career Section and make sure it has a nice red ribbon on it. Then take a moment to reflect on how it would feel to manifest this experience successfully and pin that feeling to the crown so that every time you look at that big red bow you feel more excited and happy about your next success. Perhaps you need to resolve a relationship conflict or want to deepen a relationship. Now is the perfect time to add vacation photos that show this relationship in a happy time to enhance it and bring it back to the vibration of joyful love. Be careful not to place these photos over the fireplace, as the overwhelming element of fire below can set your relationship on fire. Instead, place these photos in the Fame and Reputation section of your home or office so that you and any visitors get the message that you are known for this wonderful relationship. Before long, you’ll begin to behave in ways that support a calmer, more joyful experience of this person.
What would you like to receive this holiday? Take a look at the appropriate sections of your home or office, do you have the feeling that your wishes are about to come true? If not, take steps to correct the imbalances and install helpful tweaks called “cures,” like a photo that represents your desired result or a symbol that only you would recognize. Then boost the energy with some carefully placed Christmas decorations. (Hint: Allowing is one of the biggest challenges we have in successfully realizing our expressed desires… but this is the area we don’t put as much effort into… get busy learning how to allow and you’re good to go.) I will be amazed at how much abundance abounds!)
* Test the waters – Sometimes we are not ready to commit to changes, especially in our environments. We may be unwilling to release old patterns or fear that changing the design of our space will not be comfortable or effective. If we love the way we have decorated, the idea of Feng Shui’ing may not be attractive as we do not want to give up our style. The holidays give us a time to take a break from the routine and try new settings without the strong feeling of commitment that we can have if we try to completely redecorate permanently. And the best news is that with Feng Shui it is often the small changes that are the most helpful. So take advantage of the temporary nature of the holidays and try out some new furniture placements and just a few décor items. Live with it over the holidays, and then make a note of what worked, what you’d like to try more of, and what you’d never want to live with again. And remember that aside from major renovations like knocking down walls, almost all Feng Shui tweaks aren’t set in stone. You can always go back or keep tweaking until you get it how you want it.
What to do once your environment is balanced and working on your behalf? Take a moment to evaluate your work and note any challenging thoughts or feelings. If you have any negative baggage, a bad feeling, a sense of impending disappointment, or a lack of self-worth, simply use whatever tools you can to clear and release these feelings and thoughts.
Now that you feel an easy detachment from the things you want, then go about your business enjoying a new level of joyous Christmas Harmony in eager anticipation of good things to come!