West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

Business Inspiration and Activation Using Feng Shui

If you are having trouble deciding “what next?” you aren’t alone. Hang on, take a lot of deep breaths as the cosmos are trying to realign. Our history both worldwide and personally seems certain one day and the next is upside down and backwards. It’s okay; just try to stay calm on the back of the leaping Metal Tiger. Next year the Metal Hare may bring answers to this year’s indecision.

Here is a question that triggered some thoughts on how I do networking.

Hi, Caroline,

Thanks for your words. Of course, you can share it. I am an open book and hope that what I have to offer may help someone else experiencing the same thing.

I do have a question for you. I want to get on a lecture circuit, but not sure how to do this. I lectured this past week at a Retirement Community on Reiki and have lectured before on Reiki, but I want to share more of what is happening and what I have experienced and am experiencing. Thought you might have suggestions.

Thanks so much for what you share of yourself.

Love to you,

A Reader

Hi there, to answer your question you might want to Google information about professional speakers on lecture circuits. The pay for well-known speakers is several thousand. Do you want payment for your talks or are you offering them free? I found venues the old-fashioned way before computers, which is still a good way, because you are presenting yourself one on one. Many groups and businesses have a monthly guest speaker.

I “walked the streets,” excuse the expression, flyers in hand, listened to what people wanted, such as company mini-meetings at lunch, a general lecture, class or workshop. Sometimes the groups came to my Feng Shui Shoppe, many times I traveled to their locations within a 100-mile or so radius, from Sacramento to Auburn, to San Jose, to San Rafael, Napa, Monterey, Marin County, north, south, east and west, and later I traveled to other cities and states.

I made cold calls every day. I gave talks to veterinarians, mothers’ groups, health clinics, schools, colleges, churches, realtors, government facilities, clubs, newspaper and publishing companies and all kinds of businesses; but I guess if it is about Reiki, you will target the clinics, mothers’ groups, and healing facilities, churches, colleges, bookstores, massage places, alternative healing places, herbal workshops, etc., showing how this hands-on healing will work. Also, as you know, besides people you can Reiki animals, autos, buildings, land, etc.

I would make from $50 to $5,000, but now everyone is giving talks free and so this attempt to generate business has backfired and affected all teachers, speakers and practitioners. It is good that you can demonstrate, as hands-on is a good tool to seek, feel, teach and educate.

But I always use Feng Shui techniques to start any process, as there are 9 Guas or stations of aspects to manifest from. So I would activate the Helpful People or Heaven Triad and add cures to this section in the house, offices, land, etc. to have new people come into your life that are asking for this service. There are many “cures” and placements according to how you combine the 5 or more Elements that will support your venture.

An example of what not to do would be place “Wood” in a “Metal” side of the house or the color and shape of Wood could be “chopped” by the “Metal” Element. Also make sure the decor and the subject of any artwork is in a constructive cycle in the room and house.

Facebook and texting are also new ways of getting out there, but personally I am feeling really uneasy about the amount of time used to participate in these options. The computer, it seems, is robbing us of any creativity and time with our families, and personally I am tiring of all the teleclasses. Those started out costing a ton of money and now are being offered free. It is hard to value what you do when others are giving away “it” away free. The backside of this practice is that we must continue to grow, learn, perfect our studies and skills, and explore new ways to do our thing and be of service in a unique way.

I am really worried about the Facebook and twittering thing. Although I spend a bit of time on Facebook to announce my classes, I see some people on it several hours a day. We are becoming a society who rarely speaks or listens to our children, friends and family, such a loss! Last week I saw several mothers on cell phones or texting as their kids fought and cried in stores and cars.

I will get off my soapbox now and continue to unload more possessions out of my loft to make room to start my new series of paintings called “Art That Transforms People and Places.” One table is now empty and I going for the second one. When I moved a year ago, I got rid of 700+ books. My friends and I have been talking about age and possessions. It seems as you age possessions become a burden. Many of my clients are clutter-busting and making room for the new energy that is quickly surrounding our planet and solar system. This is a number one way to get things moving. Empty a space in the house which you want to activate, such as the far back corner, and money will start to come in, unless there is a leaky faucet inside or outside this area which will leak money right back out of your pocket no matter how much you eliminate the clutter. You can give relief to children’s grades in school by adding a quick Feng Shui addition. There are many “cures” given to me from Grandmaster Lin Yun’s teachings to activate business.

For personal evaluations, my phone consultations are an easy way to find and fix the problem.

Sending luck and hope this helps.

Caroline

Caroline Patrick BorNei is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a Red Ribbon Professional of The International Feng Shui Guild. Her abilities as a consultant and artist are widely known in the US and abroad. Caroline has completed over 5000 consultations for individuals, large and small businesses. Return clients appreciate the value of her suggestions both mundane and transcendental, providing support on multiple levels. As a college art instructor for many years, Caroline understands the power of color; its symbolism and the visual effect images have on individuals in their surroundings. Her home base is Portland, OR where she continues to write, teach, paint, do illustrations and give herbal medicine making classes. She is available for Feng Shui consultations; Feng Shui art consultant, advises builders, architects and mentors a few serious students.

Call (503) 208-2960 or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.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.

Caroline’s “West Meets East” weekly newspaper column can be read from archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.