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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick
By Caroline Patrick
Children and Possessions
Confusion, frustration and stagnation are but a reflection of ourselves. Daily stress builds as we try to comfort ourselves with comforting things. My brother’s favorite comment when confronted about excess purchases was “I deserve it!”
Adults that were deprived as children, buy grown up toys. Credit cards make these dreams possible.
Daily trips to the malls for instant gratification are the norm. Where did we fall “off the common sense wagon”? Homes bulge with necessary objects and we drown in our materialism. Sound familiar?
What are we looking for? Excess and clutter are but a symptom of some larger problem.
During Feng Shui consultations, I see an overabundance of furniture, toys, dishes, dried flowers, knick-knacks and food. Where does it end?
Buying things is a form of procrastination. It takes time, energy and can be temporarily fulfilling. The home becomes burdened with the weight of our expectations. Do yourself a favor — lighten the load. Give away, sell or throw away excess. Objects block Chi and lower your ability to get on with your life.
Children’s rooms bulge with computers, toys, clothes, shoes, clock radios and TVs. This week alone, I saw six children’s beds placed in wrong Feng Shui positions causing insomnia. Ease the flow of knowledge by removing the electromagnetic appliances from the bedroom. Bodies heal as they sleep in a Feng Shui friendly environment.
Waiting for a teen to clean their room can only impede the whole family’s harmony and balance; maybe the young person’s room is positioned in a important section of the Bagua or grid placed over the home which blocks your career. Shutting the door to his/her space only shuts off viable Chi in the home, causing energy blockage in that section of the house.
Consider other chores for the child, if cleaning their room is a weekly battle. During our children’s teen years, I let them chose chores. On a farm, there is plenty of hard work to share. My son chose outside work with crops, animals, harvesting and hoeing. My daughter loved to water and drive tractors outside, but also helped inside the house with washing clothes, loading the dishwasher and putting groceries away. We all canned food. From planting to gathering, it was a family project
Allowances were given but also taken away for discipline reasons. They also worked in town after school. Everyone has to decide how to keep peace and tranquility in the home for their own family.
Here is one of many questions pertaining to children and the frustration over everyone’s schedules in today’s rushed life style. As for me? I’ve given myself a couple of hours for relaxation. I’m headed to Toys R Us for a few necessary purchases. The grandkids are coming soon and I must prepare. My charge card is ready for action! Help!
Dear Caroline,
I have a million questions about Feng Shui, but first of all I need ideas about how to get harmony in my house. I have to battle with my children just to get them to clean up after themselves. I try to tell them when you have a clean home you feel better and it helps your moods, that didn’t help. I know kids are kids. I would be very grateful for any help you can offer. Thank you and have a great day!
Dear Reader,
Thank your for your question.
Many times children’s bedrooms are placed in the wrong Gua or section of the home. They can become overactive or under active, thin or overweight. Too much stress is placed on the child if he is placed in the far back right side of the house. This Gua is reserved for the disciplinary responsibility of the parents of the home. It is hard to evaluate any home without more information. When giving a consultation, I prefer to see the home or pictures of the house. I want to know the ages of the children and birthdays of the family to check out the elements you have already incorporated into the home and the favorite colors of clothing worn by each family member. For example, wearing too many cool colors in the wintertime doesn’t help the immune system. Wearing excessive reds and oranges in the summer months might overheat young children. Also foods relate to the season cycles; some foods are best for your body during a certain season.
The subject of artwork should be considered for improving and activating different sections of the home. A slow-moving water picture could be chosen for enhancing the career zone near the front door to the house.
Everyone in the family is responsible for improving the Chi or energy. When my children were teenagers, we moved to a ranch 10 miles from town. They had to be very creative to get my attention. When there are rows of garden to hoe and canning to be done, time is wasted when arguing. I worked for the college teaching art, ran a home, and took care of numerous farm animals. My husband was home on weekends. It was a hard time, but a happy time. The kids were too busy with chores to get into trouble.
I feel too many things are given and not earned when all they really want is your time, not things! When trying to give your children things you didn’t have, or competing with the ex by buying the child expensive possessions which they haven’t earned, the messages they are getting from the parents is “divide and conquer,” causing confusion and making Mom and Dad feel crazy. Then they will give the child anything they want to shut them up.
Thanks for listening to my lecture — Caroline Patrick
What is CUSTOMIZED MENTORING? First time ever offered!
Learn Feng Shui from your home via phone, email and fax...One on One.... 3 hours a month.
Caroline has recently been approached by past students and new contacts, wishing to learn Feng Shui from someone who has had on site experience and a successful practice.
To study with her, she will evaluate "where you are" ..... take into consideration your previous studies....and build on and include your present and previous experiences, such as landscaper, health practitioner, educator, interior designer, builder, architect, realtor, herbalist, clothing designer, artist or someone wanting to start Feng Shui 101.
Students are limited and private classes are "CUSTOMIZED" for the individual.
A 6- month commitment is required.
CALL OR EMAIL FOR 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. |