Happy New Year! Get ready for some adjustments this year. 2012 will be a year of transformations and changes. These changes will be quick. There is a shift happening in the Universe. It began on 11-11-11 and will continue until 12-12-12. We are shifting towards something greater than us.  Some of us have already experienced this energy shift on our planet. We have seen it in the sports arena for example, the Penn State scandal, in politics, with the ever-changing Republican primaries, and in the financial world, with the volatile European markets.

James Redfield the author of “The Celestine Prophecy” describes this year as “a period of strong energies making us feel uneasy and restless”. He also believes we are starting a new period in history and this is why we are hearing more about the Mayan Prophecy. We are ending one era and starting another one. Redfield explains that in order to adjust to the changes, we need to be more spiritually centered and create a strong connection to nature’s powerful energies.

Transformational author Christine Kloser talks about how we are living in a transformational world. Things are happening at an accelerated pace. She describes” that if we are not connected to our core, we will begin to feel out of balance”. Our core is our beliefs, values, and passions. With all these changes occurring, we might start to feel them taking a toll on us. The more grounded and balanced we are, the easier it will be able to handle these shifts.

This is not just a shift in the human realm, but also in the natural world. Earthquakes, floods and tornados happen for a reason, I believe the reason is for us to take stock of our lives and value what is most important. Usually the first thing people say after they survive a disaster is, “I am so glad I am safe and my family is alright.” They rarely make comments about the loss of their material possessions. After a disaster, mundane objects really don’t mean much to us. What really matters are the people and the relationships in our lives. I think this is why disasters occur.  They shake us to our core, and help us realize what is essential in our lives.  In an odd way, these tragedies help us to put our lives back into perspective. They teach us where we should invest our time and energy.

As all these shifts continue, you might start to notice changes. Now you are probably wondering after all this doom and gloom, “what can I do?” You might ask yourself, “is there anything that I can do to cope with these changes?” Well you can, and the first thing I would suggest is to ground yourself. Stabilize the energies around you by eating well-balanced meals, sleeping, exercising, and spending time in nature. All these things will help you to stay balanced and grounded.

The energies on the outside of your homes might change. It is important to keep the balance inside your homes and bodies to handle these rapid changes. You can make sure our environment is healthy and nurturing. Make a point to create harmony in your homes. As the world is changing and feeling more stressful, make sure your home is a place where you can rest, relax and escape from the chaos in the world.  Invest your energies and time with the people who matter in your life. Spend time with people who are positive, upbeat and inspire you. It is the simple things that can make you feel balanced and grounded. These are the best ways to handle the shift and transformations that you are experiencing in the world today.

FENG SHUI Holiday Gift Ideas
 

At this time of the gift giving season there are certain gifts that can bring us FENG SHUI luck. When you select a present for someone, you want to choose something that reflects their personality. Make sure the gift has a personal touch that reflects the recipient’s individuality. This will ensure Good Luck for you and the recipient. Gifts don’t have to be expensive or elaborate in order to bring FENG SHUI luck. You want the gifts you give to have a special meaning and bring happiness and joy to the recipient.
 
 
1) Plants or flowers are a great choice, because in FENG SHUI we believe they bring us abundance and increase our wealth. Plants and flowers also keep us healthy, balanced and grounded. Some examples of good FENG SHUI plants are bamboo, jade and ivy. In addition to those plants, the Chinese believe Narcissus or Amaryllis bulbs bring good luck in the New Year.
 
2) Candles are another good gift to give because we use them up and they don’t create clutter. They keep us calm and brighten up our spaces. They can lift our spirits and warm up a dark and cold place. Candles are great way to incorporate aromatherapy into our environment.
 
3) Angels are a perfect gift because they are good for protection and can help keep us safe from negative energies. We can pass this feeling of security to our family and friends when we give them a gift of an angel. Angels are a nice way to let our loved ones know we are thinking of them and we are sending them special protection. 
 
4) Wind Chimes are one of my favorite gifts to give. Wind chimes represent abundance in FENG SHUI and we believe that they can help us to hold onto our wealth. The beautiful sound of the chimes activates the good Chi (energy) around our homes and breaks up the stagnant energy that may fill our space.
 
5) Gift Certificates are always a good choice because you can use them up and they don’t clutter your living space. Recipients can get exactly what they want or what they may need. When you give a gift card for a restaurant, movie or a special event you are giving more than a gift you are giving them memories to share and enjoy.
 
The thing to remember is to avoid giving gifts that will become clutter. It is important to give a gift that you have thought about and it reflects the recipient’s true tastes. If you do this, you know the gift will used and treasured.  If you make sure each gift will benefit the person you give it to, that in turn will bestow Good FENG SHUI Luck upon you. This will help make sure yourHoliday will be filled with lots of joy and happiness. I hope these suggestions help make your holiday shopping easier. May you enjoy this Holiday Season! 

Give the Gift of FENG SHUI
Gift certificates for a personalized FENG SHUI consultation are available
and make a great gift for that special someone.
Please contact me for details.
216-409-6159
Cgallagher9@juno.com 

Last month I wrote about therapeutic drives and for this post, I decided to write about walking with REIKI. I find sending REIKI as I walk, is a way to make my walks more powerful and meaningful. REIKI is a Japanese healing method that uses a “laying on of hands” technique. It is based on the concept that the “Universal Life Force Energy” can flow through an attuned practitioner, to their client, by simply laying their hands on the individual. Reiki is a safe, simple, and natural system of healing.

REIKI is an effective way to reduce stress, promote relaxation and encourage healing. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness from physical to psychological aliments. REIKI also works in conjunction with other medical techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

I use REIKI in my Environmental Healing practice. I project REIKI to set the tone and energy for the space before I give a personalized consultation. It is a way for me to send calming energy to a place before I enter. REIKI is a tool I use with my clients in order to break up stagnant energy and get beneficial energy flowing throughout their particular setting. I like to call it “Environmental REIKI”.

In addition to being a powerful tool used to balance an environment, I use REIKI everyday to balance and heal myself. I even charge my food and water with REIKI. There are situations like traffic jams or waiting in long lines when I like to send REIKI to get things moving. REIKI has many different uses besides just being a powerful tool to heal one’s body.

One day when I was walking, I started sending REIKI ahead and I discovered that it made for a more relaxing and enjoyable walk. My body seemed less tense and I walked with ease. I began to walk in rhythm and just floated along the path. I also noticed, where there were certain dogs that always barked at me, almost instantly they would quiet down. I use REIKI as a way to make my walks more effective. I found myself in more of a contemplative mood. I slowed down and enjoyed my walk. I discovered I walked farther with less stress on my body when I incorporated REIKI into my journey. REIKI makes walking more enjoyable and I find myself looking forward to the journey, instead of dreading it.

You might be wondering, “what if I am not attuned to REIKI?”. You don’t have to be attuned, to utilize this powerful energy. I tell people all the time to set your intention out into the Universe ahead of you. Ask that the spirit open you up to this powerful energy and allow the Universal Energy to flow through you. The difference between an attuned REIKI practitioner and someone who is not attuned is, the energy of a REIKI practitioner is stronger and the healing process can be quicker.

We all have the unique ability to heal ourselves. Think about when we get a headache, usually we hold our head. In essence, we are healing ourselves. Or when our stomach is upset, we grab our gut. It is a simple way to calm our bodies down and send healthy energy to the areas that are affecting us. We all have this healing ability; we just need to practice using this technique in order to increase the healing strength.

The next time you go for a walk, run or even a bike ride, think about using REIKI as a way to make your journey more powerful. Set an intention out ahead of you to insure that you will have a smooth trek. REIKI is a simple but effective way to make a walk more meaningful and enjoyable. REIKI is more than just a healing modality that you can use for your body. Remember you can send REIKI to an object, a particular situation or even your environment. I think you will find that this Japanese healing technique can transform your life!

Therapeutic Drives

My husband and I took a trip to Maryland this summer and we had the pleasure of driving on the National Pike or Route 40. As my husband drove, I gazed out the window and was in awe of nature’s beauty. I commented to him on how good I felt and how relaxed I was. This area of the Mid-Atlantic made for a therapeutic drive, because the area had such nourishing energy. I could literally feel the energy from the pine trees, the rich earth and the blue sky. I have been on other drives where I felt the powerful energy of nature. One time driving through the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, I recall seeing a stream flowing down the mountain on the side of the road. I remember thinking how peaceful it was. The windows were open and fresh air was flowing through the car. I could smell the fresh mountain air and hear the stream bubbling through the woods. I remember how relaxing that ride was and trying to absorb all of the beneficial natural energy. Another time driving I remember through New Hampshire on the Kancamagus Highway or “The Kanc” as the locals refer to it. Every “switch back” left me breathless. I was in awe of the beauty and brilliant colors of this area. In every one of these places, I felt the power of nature and found it was easy to tap into the amazing energies these areas hold. It did not take long before I felt relaxed and calm. The next time you take a road trip, look at the different routes and check to see if there is a scenic path. Pick a route that will take you through nature so you can appreciate all its splendor and wonder.

I can take a couple of different routes on my drive home. One way is with buildings and concrete lining the road. The other drive is through a wonderful park system in Ohio nicknamed the Emerald Necklace. The Emerald necklace is a series of parks that outlines the city of Cleveland. It is one of the largest metropolitan park systems in the country and it is a natural treasure. I have the option of driving through this park on my way home, and I find the drive therapeutic for me. Just to slow down the pace of my car and drive through the area surrounded by lush trees and all of nature’s beauty; is moving for me. I like to roll down my windows, turn off the radio, let the fresh air in, and listen to the sounds of nature. This is a restorative ride for me. You might want to look at your commute. It does not have to be mundane and lifeless. Try to discover a new way home that will inspire you with nature. For those of you who spend hours in your car commuting, you might want to use this time to tap into nature’s amazing energy. On the other hand, you might even look forward to your drive home.

You may not think of driving as being therapeutic, but you can make the journey a healthy one. Certain routes can help you to slow down, relax and enjoy nature’s offerings. If you take the right road, it can be therapeutic. It doesn’t matter if the path is in some exotic destination or right in your own backyard. Therapeutic drives can be found anywhere. The power of nature is simple yet amazing. Instead of looking at your drives as a chore, look for roads that can restore your body, mind and spirit. You might even discover the best part of your trip is the journey. I would love to hear from you about any of your therapeutic journeys. What drives would you suggest? Email me at: cgallagher9@juno.com

The Chinese were masters at blending their indoor and outdoor spaces into one. They married the two as one continuous space. According to David Slawson, “the Chinese integrated buildings and landscapes into one area”. Often the Chinese would have a courtyard in the center of the home that brought in natural sunlight to their dark spaces. One could sit inside and enjoy the fresh air of the outside or sit outside and still be close to the conveniences of their home. They would blend the two spaces together to give a more expansive feel to their space. Let me explain how we can use these same principles in our home.

Gardens have always been a prominent feature of Chinese life.  In FENG SHUI, we believe the area surrounding ones home should harmonize with nature. It is important to enhance our natural surroundings, blending our indoor living spaces with our outdoor garden areas. When we apply FENG SHUI to the exterior surroundings of our home or workplace, we will enhance the energy, making our space more desirable.

In FENG SHUI, we view the garden as an extension of our homes. We think of porches and patios as an outdoor room. We want these areas to compliment and balance the structure of our homes. Our homes and yards should be linked physically and have a continuity of style. Frank Lloyd Wright was brilliant at doing this; bringing the style of our exteriors to the inside and vice versa. He did this by using the same building elements inside the home as well on the exterior. Wright was known for using the wood from the land that surrounded the property on the inside as flooring, cabinets and furniture.

I like to suggest to my clients to use their outdoor spaces as additional living space. They could start by making their front porch cozier or try using their deck as another dining area or a side yard as an additional living room. When they use these outdoor spaces as an extension of their living space, it gives them more room to spread out and to feel less constrained by the four walls of their home.

You can always incorporate furniture and accessories from inside your home and bring them outdoors. It is as simple as adding some throw pillows from inside and curling up with them on your porch.  Place some of your houseplants on your deck so they can enjoy the sunshine that they crave.  I love sitting on my patio and enjoying my backyard on a summer evening. When I add a soft blanket, it allows me to stay outside longer and linger in nature’s restoring energy.

When we combine our indoor living spaces with our outdoor gardens, we enhance the energy surrounding our homes. This makes our environment desirable and the energy more harmonious. We can add additional living space without a costly renovation. Try to view your outdoor spaces as extensions of your home; and think about how you can integrate the two into one area. When we marry our indoor and outdoor
environments into one, this will ensure that vibrant energy will encircle our living areas.