In this economy, simply having a job sometimes feels safe. That said, who wants a job that simply feels safe. Jobs should be fulfilling – personally and financially. Finding fulfillment is often the greater challenge, especially today. With salary and benefit cuts — and even worse, layoffs — hitting so many, the fear of not knowing how to make ends meet can be overwhelming, a feeling that can feed on itself. Don’t let it. Use your time wisely to assess. Ask yourself:
1) Am I following my dream?
2) Am I getting paid to do what I love doing?
3) Does my job define me?
Understand, following your dream is a journey. It takes commitment and persistence, especially now. It also calls for an open mind, a willingness to sometimes take a risk, and making yourself available for new opportunities. Maybe you were getting paid to do what you loved doing, but not anymore. So what would you love to do now? It’s not healthy to allow one’s job to define them … life calls for balance.
Set the stage. Locate the CAREER gua in your home. From the front door, it’s located center front.
“As water flows in a river, your life is a journey that drops you off at many destinations along the way to creating your destiny.” 1
To land a new job, get that promotion you’ve been working for, change careers, create a harmonious work environment or uncover the secrets to your life’s true purpose, remove all negatives including photos of angry bosses, destructive colleagues, things that don’t accurately reflect where you want to go. In fact, consider this your permission slip to trash all photos of yourself you don’t love and that don’t accurately reflect you and where your intentions.
To wake up your enthusiasm, maintain a healthy flow and circulation in this area. CLEAR THE CLUTTER! Then enhance with pictures of flowing water (to support the journey), a water fountain (for wealth), a mirror behind the fountain to double the water (wealth) energy, healthy plants (to encourage growth), framed congratulatory notes or articles that symbolize the organizations you support or hobbies you’re interested in (to support your intentions).
Accent with the colors black and dark blue and good lighting. Call on your courage to trust your instincts.
Ultimately, may the foundation you create manifest your dream to prosper from doing what you love doing.
1 Jayme Barrett (2003). feng shui your life. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co., 130
–by Tammy Long
A condensed version of this article first appeared in the August 2010 “Things To Do” Magazine.
“I see an elephant.”
I grew up on a ranch nearly seven miles from town and three miles from the nearest playmate. So when I became an annoyance at home, my parents would send me down the road to see my grandparents. And, when I became an annoyance to them, my grandfather would tell me to go play in the dirt. My options — hang out with my grandmother making mud pies or go with him to tend the potato patch. My favorite? Making mud pies, of course!
Much like the wind, we enjoy a healthy circulation of money that flows equally back and forth. So how is your money flow? Does your inflow support your outflow? Do you want a raise? Are you saving for a vacation or maybe a new car? Would you like to feel more financially secure? 
As we prod along through winter, we tend to spend more time indoors with doors and windows closed. Often, stale odors take over — from carpets, refrigerators, the furniture, laundry rooms and more.
According to feng shui five elements — fire, earth, metal, water and wood — make up our world. Harmonizing our living spaces calls for a proper balance of those elements. A simple way to achieve this balance is to use color, keeping in mind the need to feel comfortable with color selections. Here’s a look at how this might work.
