Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
West Meets East
By Caroline Patrick 7-16-01

What is your relationship with the telephone? Do you answer this modern device on the first ring or prefer to have the answering machine record the message? I suppose your reaction to this situation would depend on your personality. We have the introvert and the extrovert. I have friends who would never think of answering a ringing phone!

Why would you not be tempted to find out how this call could change your life? Personally I can’t put off the suspense. My friend’s reply might be, I need time to think out my reply to that person or it might be THAT person in the family who makes me crazy.

Many people want peace at home after a long stressful day. There are pros and cons to this dilemma, but I do advise home business owners to have a set schedule or business hours to answer calls when this communication mechanism is jingling in front of your nose. Hire a phone person if you aren’t willing to answer questions immediately.

Personally, I choose frame companies, art supply stores, beauty supply products, advisors, feng shui items and helpers based on their professional response. These are the winners. They have a goal and follow through.

Closing the Feng Shui Shoppe one day a week lets me evaluate business, catch up on details such as bills and order new items for customers. A prerecorded phone message relates class schedule of upcoming events, website info and business hours.

I vow not to answer the phone on Mondays so I can focus on other necessary projects. Four rings are programmed into the device before the machine "picks up". The first ring jolts my body with its unexpected wake up signal. The second ring I decided I must stick to the rules. The third ring finds me falling over myself, reaching backward to the cradle on which the phone rests for recharging and pushing buttons quickly before the recorded message kicks in!

Angry I have given in — again- but elated that someone wants to talk to me. This presents the same crazy dichotomy of excitement versus quietness and peace. Yin versus yang — receptive versus active. The duality of Feng Shui. The balance of these two energies.

This particular Monday, found me speaking to a delightful woman. Her voice filled my ears with a joyful feeling. As she talked on and one, I began to feel she was on "overdrive". I made a mental note of her "condition" next to the address where she lived, San Francisco, land of chi. This beautiful, world known city is one of my favorites. Its beauty draws millions of visitors with its high-energy atmosphere.

It is also a jungle of unknown side streets, giant hills and one-way streets. I love and dread driving in this city. It is an adventure.

The day of the consultation, I left for the city with plenty of extra time for the "unknown"! I felt happy driving toward the coolness of this famous city. A wonderful relief from the summer’s hot inland temperatures.

The bay bridge wasn’t congested and the freeway was moving along swiftly. I smugly stopped at a local San Francisco gas station, confirmed the directions to the area and slowly sipped a cool drink. Being on time for my appointments is high on my list for clients. It shows professionalism and courtesy. Everyone has a busy life and respecting each other’s schedules is a necessary consideration for future referrals.

Mapping out the location of the next visit the night before is a very helpful tool, when traveling into unknown regions. Since I have done many feng shui business consultations in the city, I felt confident of reaching the destination ahead of time. This gives me a few minutes to view the outside of the home. Other buildings and structures impact your dwelling. Where is the front entry? Are there several steps or a long stairway to the main doorway? Good job opportunities await the family with a delightful walkway. Too many stairs might indicate a long journey to the perfect career choice. Visually shortening a long staircase with feng shui adjustments could benefit the breadwinner’s salary.

With my mind wandering, I pulled over to the side of steep hill to recheck my map. "What’s wrong?’ I mumbled. "The address seems only one inch away from here, I’m here it’s there," was the logical, visual explanation. Looking up, up, up, I noted the only street connecting me with the client’s address unless I wanted to go back to the freeway and try the long way into the location. Hesitating, I looked forward again, measuring my fear against this San Francisco street in the sky. It appears there are four stop signs, one per city block, all heading toward heaven. I may be brave, but not crazy I determined. "Go back to the freeway scare-dee cat" I heard my older brother whisper in my ear. Years dropped away and I could feel his 12-year-old tyrannical voice challenge me to yet another triumph!

Reaching over to the lever I set the gear on the number 2. This lower power would help me up this mountain. I felt locals starring at my fear as I approached the first stop sign. Suddenly, I changed my mind and tried to make a left turn. A big truck blocked the four way stop. Cars stacked up behind me as I checked the rear view mirror for an escape route.

"I’m trapped." UP was the only option. "Onward," my brother’s voice echoed in my head. "I double dare you!" he coaxed loudly in his 12-year-old bullying manner. That’s all it took to force the issue. I put the ‘pedal to the metal’. The tailgate of the car almost met the pavement as the nose of the vehicle lunged forward and upward toward the sky. "Only 3 more stop signs and I’m at the top." I told myself. White knuckles grabbed the steering wheel. Relief was not in sight as I waited my turn at the next four-way stop. "Only one more stop sign and I can breathe." My head hurt as I began to hyperventilate.

The red truck in front of me rolled backward as his clutch slipped. "Why me?" I thought, as I visualized the rapid sequence of car destruction. As if dominoes fell, one against another, knocking them down quickly at random. Just then he took off and I was free to push forward to the last barrier into the clouds. Breaking over the top the view was worth the effort. "See there, I knew you could do it," came the soft endearing voice of a grown man. My brother’s 60-year-old calming tone brought me to reality. I answered into the void. Yes, I did it, didn’t I.

Two streets down I recognized the road sign which led me to the consultation I was 20 minutes late, but the client understood after my apology. Fear comes in all sizes. It can be big or little. Its how you perceive it.

Whether it’s answering the phone, not knowing who is on the other end or climbing a city mountain, you must get over "it" so you can be successful!

Next week we’ll explore this city home.

Come by Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe at 129 First St. to pick up your brochure for our upcoming Feng Shui Intensive Weekend. Registration is beginning now for this fabulous weekend getaway. Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. at the beautiful Embassy Suites in Burlingame. The nine story plant filled atrium will be the site of our luncheons. A special overnight room rate is available on a first come, first serve basis. Early bird registration fee $399. Call for more details (707) 748-1127. Other Fall classes include: Zen Garden — create an individual desktop zen garden, all materials provided. Saturday September 15 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Watercolor Greeting Cards — beginners and advanced students welcome. All supplies included. Saturday September 22 , 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

Location-Location-Location — How does your location affect your life? This class will be held at the McBride Center in Vacaville. Call 469-6671 to register. Special fee of only $30. Saturday, September 29, 6:30 — 8 p.m.

Feng Shui Secrets to Prosperity — the best office locations in your home or building and feng shui power placement of your desk and office equipment — business success. Register with the McBride Center in Vacaville 469-6671 for Thursday, October 11 10 — 11:30 a.m.