West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Creating Success and Well Being

This morning I awoke to birds chirping and squirrels chattering outside my open window. It is a delight to have cool, clean air drift over your bed as you sleep and dream. My new northwest home invites a lush and quite environment for the wildlife to flourish and live in harmony with nature. Experiencing the sounds, smells, and energy of a location is life changing.

Looking back over my shoulder at the numerous places my husband and I have lived and worked, each house and landscape formed my life. Every location had its own Chi, some good and some not so good. From the Earth Element of the Midwest to the Fire Element of the Southwest, temperatures, experiences, colors and lessons change. Now it is time to enjoy the Wood Element of Washington's San Juan Islands. Green landscape mix with the Water Element in the form of waterscapes and rain, it is a joy to relax and feel the forest retreat.

There are many such retreats in the world where even your newest DVD's can't take you. Although videos, CD's, computers and the movie theater provide a vivid visual experience of spiritual places, there is no comparison to the real thing.

This morning I decided to write on the subject of gardens and how they influence your feelings and life decisions; when opening my email I received two messages from my friend and Feng Shui expert Deborah Gee, host of the popular PBS Feng Shui program which has been catalyst for promoting the Art Of Placement to the world in the form of her famous video, which has been shown worldwide, translated in several languages over the last few years.

Working with Deborah was my privilege during the pledge drives as the calls were more than numerous and she could only handle a fraction of the consultations. Marina Lighthouse and I would assist Deborah with the overload of inquiries when the Feng Shui programs were aired. Professor Lin, Grandmaster of Black Sect Feng Shui, needed all the assistance he could get from his experienced practitioners.

In turn my Feng Shui shoppe in Benicia became extremely busy, as people all over California wanted this ancient form of harmony and balance incorporated into their homes and businesses after seeing the video and Deborah with Master Lin Yun introducing the concept of Feng Shui. It was a win-win situation as clients found out this ancient science could revitalize their lives when following the advice of the consultant.

That allowed my new assistant Paula Buchanan to help with my booked consultations and long time friend and helper Barbara Pike to run the shoppe; and another great person, honest-to-the-max and quick learner was Colleen Smith. Colleen, who could and would run the business or organize my classes with no problems, completed the trio! I miss them daily, but life continues and becomes enriched by the combination of new experiences.

The new email from Deborah read: FENG SHUI WORKSHOP IN HAWAII, September 18th and 19th, 2004, given by Deborah Gee. Discover how your living and work environment actively influences your success and well-being through this ancient Chinese discipline of placement and design. 9 Star Productions Inc. chi@9star.net.

I stopped reading the email and ran to my appointment schedule - "Oh, no, I'm booked," I concluded. Immediately I felt sorry for myself and indulged in a quick "pity party". I regained my composure and dragged myself in a woebegone fashion back to the computer. I returned a brief reply to my friend explaining my problem, and she responded with new and exciting news of upcoming events and later meetings.

Living briefly in Hawaii, I can tell you if you haven't experienced the aloha spirit, this would be a perfect journey for the heart and soul. I have slept with the windows open in this location also. The islands have a feeling which can only be experienced firsthand. Living on the leeward side of Oahu at Makaha Valley, the rains came several times a day. Each type of rain is given a special name as they all have their own spirit and energy. As the mist fell on my face each afternoon, I healed on a level that can't be explained, and swam in the ocean at least twice daily.

Enjoy all five Elements of the planet. Go and visit each place if possible. Expand the possibilities of visiting these places of spirit by activating the Helpful People and Travel Gua or section of your home. Email me for information.