West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Life Force of Computers

I have managed again this morning to avoid all household chores as I sit before this "think tank" as it eats away at my life! There are times when this wonderful tool needs de-cluttering, just as every important aspect in your life needs a tune-up. Last week I caught the same virus my computer was experiencing. Is this possible? I'm sure it is, as I have been closer to this machine than any other living thing all week. The first sign that my life was on hold came when my son announced he needed to download all new Microsoft stuff in my computer as the whole world was having trouble with computers (Mercury retrograde, the planet that deals with transactions such as contracts, houses, cars, court cases, or any major technical application goes haywire!) It seems the fine print on contracts always pops up at the 11th hour, throwing a monkey wench, as in Year of the Monkey, into the confusion pot.

I know better than to plan, purchase, or give my word to any deal or vacation planning at this phase of planetary joke time. But the perpetual optimist that I am plods onward toward glory and heavenly hopes, while the four times a year projection of "wait a minute before you open your mouth and say CERTAINLY to any written or verbal agreement or just wait another few days as the planet of communication moves forward in the heavens and gives the green light go ahead," is the silent warning of experience I ignore.

Instead of the two hour promised overhaul of my little laptop, the invisible force of Guard Dog , Spy Sweeper, anti this and that, web world, screen saver, printer/scanner, action setup…..security alerts, network screw-ups, and cable connections all went berserk! "Why ME?" I screamed into my wonderfully Feng Shui'd living and working space. "Because you are there," came the reply quickly and instantly filling the void of my vacant mind. Karma at its best - swift and accurate, action-reaction! Calling my son back once again to fix the latest computer mess is not pleasant, as I dislike bothering others. "His life is full enough with responsibilities without my mishaps," I tell myself, but I really respect his expertise of computers, since he worked for a large corporation for many years, and it was his job to put up satellites, so he understands the technology. "If needed I will again remind him of how many hours it takes to birth to a 10 lb. son," I demise. I shouldn't have worried as he was eager to solve the mystery, and I didn't have to pull rank!

Sick with the virus I caught from the computer, or perhaps it might have been that sweet kiss, straight on the lips, by my 4-year-old grandson sharing his potent playschool germs to anyone within virus range. Who knows for sure? I find myself back in the task chair writing about the wonders of Feng Shui. After having any violent verbal outburst, alone or with your computer, I suggest a great cure or correction for the office or home. Open the doors and let a new burst of fresh air blow the old energy out of the space. Play music, burn incense grown and harvested in high spiritual places. Throw away excess business and personnel catalogs, clean drawers, empty and discard. Delete more old records from the computer to create more space on the hard drive. Make room for new business. Feng Shui the desk by placing the Bagua or Feng Shui template over the desk. Let the sun shine in. Walk away, come back later with a new attitude.

Place the Career section facing your stomach and place objects relating to each section or Gua, which will automatically line up the Bagua with the desk or workstation. Example: The phone could be placed at the right front section of the desk. This Helpful People area is activated by new and old clients, as the phone is an object which is used by everyone worldwide. Place a small statue of a dragon, horse or pyramid straight across to the top or far side of the desk to bring in the action of Fire needed to be acknowledged or recognized by the community.

Now the real reorganization starts as my new Feng Shui Art is being added to my website. The webmaster, who lives in the Bay Area, is deleting old pages from the site, making room for new pages. The computer is healed once again as Mercury goes back to her old path of communication. New ideas spring into my head, as I took advantage of the downtime, to do fall house during the laptop crisis period. Three new headings on the home page will take you into an Art Gallery to purchase 5 Element gift cards, prints and original paintings. Another great page will be called Travelogue, pictures of travels with friends and teachers keeping you up to date with the World of Feng Shui. And the third section will be publications, illustrations by Caroline and friends.

Always see postponement as a "gift of time." Space clear your home. Open doors and windows to invite new energy and opportunity inside. Bless and activate the changes with rituals, prayers or chanting. Afterwards use extra precious moments to fill scrapbooks, change furniture, put a pot of soup on the stove and clear out the clutter that is blocking progress. Prepare for the next season of life.