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Archive for the ‘Life Simplified’ Category

modern office interiorWhen you create an office with proper feng shui, you invite both opportunity and wealth. Your office is the place you put your talent to work, you earn money for your talent and you spend your energy turning dreams and goals into reality. It should motivate you, reflect your intentions now and for the future, and it should express both your personality and your profession.

As with everything feng shui, there are some basic underlying principles to apply. First, clear the clutter — from the top of your desk, the bookshelves, and the floor. Fix or get rid of all the broken things, throw out all the dead flowers and plants, and remove the things you never use. Get organized. Use organizing trays in drawers for pens, paper clips and more. Keep only active files and projects in filing cabinets and store the rest. Be efficient. Reflect the reputation you want — remember, your surroundings mirror you and you mirror you surroundings.

Consider placing your desk in an optimal position, one where you have a view of the largest part of room/entryway – not directly in front of door. A position where your back is supported by wall or something solid not a large window, one where your desk is divided from the discussion area if possible, and one where your desk is not shoved up against a wall with your back to the door.

Find a good chair. One that provides good ergonomic support … after all, you sit there all day.

Think color. Colorful offices liven things up. To support the business intent, consider a touch of red to motivate and increase action, yellow and orange to cheer, blue and lavender to sooth, green to balancing and invite new opportunities, black and brown accents to bring about stability, red and gold combined in accents to promote prosperity.

Accessorize. Add art depicting mountains, landscapes or seascapes are at eye level to encourage vision or hang inspirational art or pictures across from your desk to inspire endless possibilities. Display certificates or achievements in red frames– they are good for your confidence, self-worth, and enhance your reputation. Remove any items that remind you of unsuccessful projects. Consider adding soft-leaved plants rather than cacti. Consider bookshelves that are closed in. And, don’t place mirrors reflecting you at your desk – it multiplies your workload – who needs that?

For lighting, use halogen or incandescent rather than fluorescent lights. Even better, use full-spectrum bulbs.

For your health, get out and take a walk during lunch – sunlight is good for everyone. Lose the negative people and surround yourself with the positive. Place a plant next to your computer to counteract harmful electromagnetic effects. Play soft music for pleasure and privacy — especially if your office is a cubicle. And if allowed, place a water fountain in the wealth corner (the far left corner from the door) to calm.

This should get you off to a great start … now follow your intuition, have some fun and create your own “perfect office.”

- by Tammy Long

iStock_000009038691SmallLike attracts like – our experiences, our opportunities, our attitudes and our money.

The foundation for making your money work for you begins both at home and with you. Feng shui works to improve the energy flow of spaces and encourage overall balance and harmony in life.

Improving the energy flow of spaces calls for keeping one’s surroundings clutter free, organized, and properly aligned. Home is considered the foundation or personal retreat. Keep it simple. Too much stuff creates stress.

The office is the space that generates wealth and prosperity, the space you spend nearly a third of your life in. Make it inviting and comfortable – reflective of your intentions. And if your business is in retail, the store may be your office. Success depends on attracting customers. To draw them in, make the windows and doors attractive and interesting. Once in the door, give customers a reason to stay – the longer someone stays, the greater the sales potential. Make your displays beautiful! Make your space interesting! Create an experience!!!

People who live and work in well-balanced environments tend to be balanced, happy, healthy people. Balanced, happy, healthy people are more in harmony with life – an attitude that can be contagious. Be contagious. Make your money work for you by being a well-balanced, happy, and healthy person — and create a work environment that delivers a great customer service experience!!!

–by Tammy Long
This article first appeared in the July 2010 “Things To Do” Magazine.

iStock_000005007787Small

Spouse, lover, friend, mom, dad, coach, volunteer, mentor, son, daughter, homemaker, wage earner, handyman, taxi driver, cook …

    These are but a few of the things people list as the various roles they play. Most list at least five and while that may seem like a lot, chances are it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When asked what they’d like to learn and discover, they say they’d like to read more, become more spiritual, learn a new hobby or a new language, write a book, or take time to meditate. Seem disconnected? Absolutely!

    The roles listed are generally about a commitment to others while the things listed for learning and discovery are generally about self. Very seldom (if ever) do people list “nurturing me” as a role.

iStock_Bird on SillAs 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.

There’s nothing like the aroma of clean! It’s fresh, welcoming and stimulating. From a feng shui perspective, it’s healthy. Be ready for spring! Pick a sunny day, turn the music on, open the windows, de-clutter and give your home the gift of clean.

iStock_000010714875XSmallIt’s time to make your New Year’s resolutions! Feng shui is about transformation – of your surrounding environment and of you. This year, enhance each of the feng shui life areas and resolve to “be.”

CAREER
Life is a journey, have fun along the way. To make yourself available for opportunity, make sure your doorbell works properly. Seek to do the things you love doing, and visualize successful outcomes. Resolve to be accepting and go with the flow.

Gift iStockAccording to feng shui, gift giving with goodwill is auspicious for both the giver and the recipient. It’s essential to circulating positive energy. There’s also a bit of an art to it. Giving should encourage balance and harmony, not increased clutter or negative feelings.

It’s always best to listen to people, they often tell you what they want. If what they want is something you can give with an open heart and is something that fits comfortably within your budget, go for it! If not, here are some other ideas.

Thanksgiving iStock_000004322751SmallAs a symbol of cooperation and an expression of gratitude for an abundant crop, Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared their first autumn harvest feast in 1621. To many, this is considered to have been the very first Thanksgiving celebration.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving 2009, why not take time to honor your heritage, your traditions and your family. Honoring family in your home is not only a symbol of cooperation, but also an expression of gratitude that contributes to your overall life balance and prosperity.

Congratulations! You’ve purged the clutter, donated those old toys to Goodwill and enjoyed your yard sale rewards.

Now what? In today’s world, we’re all seeking ways to maximize our resources, live with less, and enjoy life more. It helps to simplify and get organized. Here’s how.

Begin with a variety of containers. Sort like items with like items. For example, drop spices in one container, board games in another, wrapping paper in another, books in another. You get the idea.