West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Bits And Pieces About Life And Feng Shui

Many new things are happening with my business. I have finished painting some portraits of my main Feng Shui teacher and Crystal Chu who organizes all of Professor Lin Yun’s itinerary for the year, writes a book and calendar each year, and travels the globe to fulfill these yearly workshop and lecturing schedules. The pictures are now delivered and I’m back home doing consultations and giving private mentoring classes to a few students by phone, email and fax. With gas prices so crazy (I just filled my gas tank a couple of hours ago), new ways will be created by people to earn a living by staying closer to home. Learning to go with the flow is a WOOD Element characteristic. Blending without breaking is a more solid approach to life, just as the sacred bamboo tree blend and flows with the wind and water.

I also wanted to share some emails I received and answered. Having good friends is nurturing, and we share stories to give comfort and sometimes support when needed. I hope you are encouraged to write down your experiences which have made you the person you are today, good and not so good. You will see life patterns which could use some “upgrading,” I’m sure, but also give yourself a pat on the back when realizing you did a lot of things right! Here are some of my stories to share...

Here is one about the dilemma of “How can I be in both places at the same time?” from an artist friend.

Dear Group,

I thought this might fit a lot of us. My husband and daughter had to rush down to San Diego today to see his father (just 90) who had just been put in hospice. Last night I had to make a decision to stay because of my Open Studio. No one can paint for me! While he was flying down, my sister-in-law called. Our stepmother (they just had their 45th anniversary) had just been rushed to another hospital with more heart problems. We were not told whole story from the family (trying to “save” us), and so I sit here without being with my husband, as I would like to be, and praying for my dear stepfather to pass easily. But of course, having been there, I worry about my husband and those hard – dare I say horrible – last days. The waiting. The hopelessness. The memories you don’t want.

I have both of my parents who are near 90 and have “all those ailments,” and my Aunt and Uncle who have taken my Mom’s place. All seem to be failing at once. I feel I am on hold (big breath). How do you go about dealing with all this death or imminent passing so close? As my aunt said when her Mom passed, “it moves up a level, you’re now the matron,” and she wasn’t ready. Any wisdom with which I can help prepare myself and family?

I know this in one of those letters you don’t send (“but” Chi) BUT I am asking. Thank you.

ANSWER FROM ME

I understand your feelings. My mother had Alzheimer’s for eight years. I took her with us (my husband and I) during our job traveling for about the first three years. She would run one way in the airports while I was buying tickets, and walk out of the condos and motels where we stayed, looking for my Dad who passed on four years earlier or to take an early morning walk without me knowing. I loved to have her see Hawaiian sunsets, visit the Grand Canyon, ride in a dune buggy and watch the joy in her eyes. She was a delight, and many say an angel. But after many wild experiences, soon I needed 24-hour care, as I was traveling with my art shows and exhausted also. I put her in a great care facility, but felt torn about the decision. She would have wanted me to continue to be with my husband, as her religion was strict about this.

Hang in there, and please take some time for yourself so you can continue to paint and gift the world. Go be with your loved ones in your mind, but sometimes the closed sign on the door is a good idea also.

Love, Caroline

Dear Group,

The original oil paintings of HH. Master Lin Yun and Crystal Chu, as Kuan Yin are delivered to their home in Berkeley! I'm relieved to have shipped them safely. Professor saw the beginnings of his picture in July and asked if he could take it “home.” I told him it was only “blocked in,” as I wanted Professor’s artist friend to critique the painting before I went further. If she didn’t see a potential in the image, I would try again, as I had been “shaken” awake over and over again in a dream state to paint Master Lin’s portrait. I could see the image clearly, but was unsure I could do it.

So I’m not sure where it will “live,” the Culture Center, the Temple, or in China? Professor also asked if I could do one of Crystal.....like Kuan Yin. So this is how Professor gently prods you to the next “step” of your unseen purpose. I asked him to critique the Kuan Yin’s, as two images came to me. It was an interesting interpretation. I told him that every time I began to paint all of Kuan Yin’s adornments (jewelry, symbols and vase), my brush would stop in midair and I would hear, “She wants to be FREE from the weight of these adornments.” We were sitting side by side, and he turned to me and said excitedly, “Yes, yes, this is what I wanted to see!” I sat there and stared at him and the picture. “Follow those whispers,” I thought.

With these finished, he has now ask for me to reach further with yet another project. I taught art for many years, but have never been a portrait painter, so I will try again to fulfill the next assignment.

Please continue to listen to your current teacher as her words are sacred and directly from HH. She can guide you through seeming difficult times with her clear vision, as she steps aside of emotion and clearly sees the cures necessary for each individual. Professor clearly sees each of our purposes and looking back over the years, he has been correct on every twist and turn of my life, gently guiding me toward the future. Even though I couldn’t see ahead, his cures were always correct and precise from my business situations to my personal life. Put your “Yes-But” Chi in your back pocket, as it serves no purpose.

If I seemed a bit “crazy” during the Berkeley Workshop, I was evolved with getting this process finished. I ask for your patience. It's been a wild year.

The Animal Zodiac print is now available through the temple, please call Frances. Prints of Professor Lin and Crystal will be availed through me at this time.

Love and blessings,

Caroline

Caroline,

I’m so impressed with your dedication to following your “whispers.” I’m sorry I missed Berkeley. I look forward to seeing your paintings. Are they on your webpage? Congratulations on completing what sounded like a very tough subject.

Hi again,

The whispers I have missed could fill this page. It is essential I listen to each one now. Although I have had many careers starting with nurse’s aide at 14 and continuing to cosmetologist, cashier for a finance company, bookkeeper for grocery chain, meat wrapper, working in my mother-in-law’s flower shop, cleaning apartments for her, owing a farm, garden, wheat, and barley crops, raising children and canning, home decor makeovers, teaching tole painting, giving herbal classes, teaching mural painting, children’s and adult art classes, and the last fifteen years owning a couple of businesses, doing book illustrations, columnist, Feng Shui consultant and teacher. Each had their successes and failures according to personal growth periods. Having to be right was one of my biggest blocks. Thank you for triggering the reminiscing. I didn’t realize the journey until I wrote it down. So, the whispers are truly important to follow, especially for me since I’m in the last quarter of my life. Love and continued success, Caroline

WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?

· It is for those wishing to study with me privately. ONE ON ONE.

· The cost is $350 for three hours a month, through phone, email and faxes.

· A six-month commitment is necessary.

· 27 red envelopes (first month only) and the first month’s payment of $350 due on the 1st of each month.

· A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals.

· Packets of hard-copy material are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course also as we go over floor plans.

· The material is copyrighted, but I will give you permission to share a lot of the information.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.com.

Any suggestions given in this column are only for entertainment. Please contact your physician for any medical or herbal advice or diagnosis. Caroline Patrick is not responsible for any misuse of her advice or suggestions.