West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Giving Away Free Advice is Risky!

How do you know you are giving too much advice? There are several answers to that question, but the first clue that comes to mind is seeing your friend cross the street quickly and not notice you! If this scenario seems familiar, you give them the benefit of the doubt. Strolling down the street an inner thought process eliminates the possibilities of being snubbed, such as “They didn’t see me” or “I bet she/he is late for a meeting, picking up children, must be running to work, an appointment, need to catch a bus, ferry, train or shuttle… Well, I will give them a call so I can share my latest crisis, new vitamin, new exercise, new diet regimen. I’m sure they will be so interested!” Your brain spins with anticipation at all the new information and advice that will bond your friendship. The reasoning and silent dialogue continue. “She will be so happy to learn what I have uncovered about his/her health online, how to discipline the kids, make a soy smoothie, why the airline crashed, how to fix the marriage by using Feng Shui advice given to another friend, when to meditate, loose weight, gain weight or how to get an easy divorce. He/she is so lucky to know me,” you rationalize.

“Oh, I didn’t miss them after all, there they are going into the grocery store, I will share my advice in the paper towel aisle, it is not as crowded, then I can get some free legal advice, because they just got back from a weekend with Larry the Lawyer, Do-It-Yourself, Sue-the-City Seminar!” Running at full pace, you are sidetracked by Suzie’s teacher standing in line at the bank ATM. “I must share a smidge of my new Feng Shui knowledge to help her be a better communicator with my darling kindergartener,” I surmise. Now distracted by my own good advice, I see my other “friend” running through the automatic grocery store doors glancing back toward me. “Yoo-hoo,” I yell across the store to get his/her attention. “Huh, guess she/he didn’t have their contacts in, too bad, they should be using the new product I find helpful for long day use called “Seeing is Believing 24 / 7.” I pick up my cell phone and zip through my directory of important people to find the “friend.” I twitter through the 150 names and remember I can’t remember his/her last name. “Oh well, it will come to me later,” I conclude, forgetting the bread, celery and lettuce at the grocery store!

Yes, I confess. I have been on the giving end and the receiving end of excess advice and have now decided to not give advice unless someone asks for it, especially those who are in the business of providing services, such as a dentist, doctor, attorney, engineer or therapist. They must charge a fee to stay in business. It has taken me years to learn giving away free information without being asked weakens my immune system. For a visual of my findings, picture yourself as an information donor. See tubes attached to your brain and body. Advice is flowing from every tube without anyone wanting it. It is spilling like rain into a gutter. No one cares or wants to hear anymore. But once you refill your “tank” with a precious fuel called knowledge, they will pay for the advice. Your Chi is now high octane because you have “walked your talk,” become wiser, respect yourself and learned how to become one with yourself. Now people will feel your energy, turn and ask your opinion. Learn to listen to the whispers, your aching bones, your indigestion or blurry vision for clues of leaking Chi. Listen to your body, mind and soul. Listen to how people define you. Rest and restore, give back to yourself. Save all that advice for those who ask and value your answers. Then it is a win-win situation.

Caroline is now a RED RIBBON PROFESSIONAL FENG SHUI CONSULTANT OF THE INTERNATIONAL FENG SHUI GUILD. A universal assessment test has been developed by the IFSG’s . Universal Topics from all recognized schools of Feng Shui have been combined to test consultants on their understanding of this ancient art. It requires an understanding of the concepts and main components of compass school, flying star, 8 mansions, Black Sect, Form School & others; and to offer clients professionals who are experienced in this knowledge. She is able to offer clients this additional confirmation of experience and hopes you chose her for your next consultation. Call before August for phone consultations, as she will be traveling:

-August 21^st -25^th Calgary, Canada Workshop with Professor Lin Yun

-September 16^th-October 6^th, China Tour with James and Helen Jay, Feng Shui Designs, Golden School IFSG

-October 15^th –21^st speaking and teaching for the Arizona’s Feng Shui Festival hosted by Lisa Montgomery certified Golden School IFSG of Feng Shui Arizona.

-October 23^rd Boston with Professor Lin Yun Workshop

-October 25^th New York teaching and giving consultations

-November through December Bay Area, CA, for Napa Valley Casino groundbreaking, teaching and other consultations

Phone consultations are a great way to get help without leaving home. Choose an experienced consultant who can “see” the problem and give easy answers to complex problems. Caroline has given thousands of consultations. Call her at (360) 424-1501.

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called the Puget Sound in Washington State and is an experienced Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious student, lectures, does book illustrations, art demonstrations for Daniel Smiths Art Supplies and writes a weekly newspaper column for the Benicia Herald in California and other publications. Call (360) 424-1501 for her availability for speaking, teaching and consultations in the U.S. and abroad, or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com. Visit her websites: www.fengshuiartistry.com to view her special Feng Shui artwork designed especially for cures and corrections and enhancements of the 5 Elements (originals have sold, but prints can be purchased) and www.moongateschool.com for West Meets East archives.

Note: Caroline Patrick BorNei (pronounced Bornay) is Caroline's Chinese name give to her by her Master Teacher His Holiness Grandmaster Lin Yun.