West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Give the Gift of Releasing Expectations and Receive Freedom

Midwest traditions are deeply rooted into my family’s celebration of what Christmas is all about. Family, friends and relatives come together to eat way too much food and tell old funny stories about people in the other room and those who didn’t make it to the event! Attending church, being in the choir, singing with my mother on stage, my brother getting in trouble for tormenting me, and Daddy never coming for the big finale at church, are some of my memories. Daddy and mother had the same argument, at the same time, every year I can remember about why he should come to church to worship on THE big day!

He held to his position, that only hypocrites rallied to “their” place of worship two days a year, Christmas and Easter, and that he felt closer to God in his airplane and boat every day than all the saints in the universe, who only came to church to show off their new clothes!!! Later he softened his position on attendance after becoming a grandfather and joined us a couple of times at worship, just to show off his grandchildren. My mother’s smile after these rare occasions couldn’t be “wiped off her face for days,” as they used to say. Mom spent most of her life “trying to save Daddy for eternity,” mumbling something about her devotion to this mission, and starring at something out the kitchen window while washing the same dish over and over in a strange trance like manner. I knew not to bother Mama with she was conversing with God!

Most of my life has been, as I like to say, “abby-normal”, but I can see where I learned to be the observer, and that what I observed helped me understand the Yin and Yang of things. Stepping back and trying not to take sides was the hardest lesson. Of course, I took sides many times just learning to cope. Is this the key to becoming EMPTY so that we may help others? Yes, I have found that EMPTY is everything. Feng Shui is basically based on this theory. From clearing the clutter of your home to clearing the sediment of judgment which can clog all “arteries and veins” of your body and house, life becomes easier as you throw away past negative issues.

About the time I have everything figured out, things change, things move in a different direction than I had planned, and I feel “out of control.” Why? Because other people have the same right to live their life in a way which is right for them! Mother spent most of her life trying to change Daddy, when all that energy could have been put to use finding her real purpose. One day I found her outside sitting on a stump, a rake resting across her lap, looking across the lake. She loved the outdoors, and when troubled I could easily find her communing with nature. Her favorite fall task of raking and burning leaves was the current commitment. As I rounded the corner of the house, I could see tears flowing down her rosy cheeks as she stared into space. Not wanting to disturb her “conversation with God,” I began to back away. “It’s okay, I’m okay, I’m just resting,” she whispered. Her body looked tired, and her usual bouncy spirit seemed very subdued.

Mother looked old, and her white hair sprung up in a wild pattern above her fancy multi-colored scarf tied around the forehead in a hippy fashion. Daddy had long been diagnosed with lung cancer from the many years of smoking, and she had recently fallen and struck her head on the dining room table. Was it the beginning of many strokes? Yes, many. “You know, Caroline, Daddy is never going to join the church,” she said. Not waiting for my answer, she continued, “he’ll be okay though,” she concluded. They had been married 49 years.

“Wow,” I thought, “the years it took for her to let go of the idea that she would change Daddy to her way of thinking and we would all live happily ever after.” None of us can change anyone. Don’t let this idea be your life’s project. We can only change ourselves, and this is exactly what she did, finally. I continue to change only myself, and this is my project. When accomplished, others follow suit. Ask the question to those around you, what do you want to do? What would you like to be? And assist them by supporting their dreams and wishes. Celebrate their gifts and talents, and let that be your Holiday Gift to your loved ones. Give and you shall receive.

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.