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West Meets East By ©Caroline Patrick Love Thy Neighbor
Feng shui email questions concerning the physical structure of houses and businesses are more numerous, but sometimes emotions flare among family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, communities and nations. One way we can do our part to bring peace in the world is to be responsible for our actions. This is a response from a woman who only wanted peace in the neighborhood and had asked for my feng shui advice. Is there a correction or cure to help with her neighbor. Before using a feng shui cure, I must always try to amend the problem first with a "love thy neighbor" approach. Here is her story of using a timeless solution. "Dear Caroline, I enjoyed meeting you today at my parents’ home. The consultation you gave them was very enlightening for me and confirmed some of my own feelings about my parents and their relationship. It was also nice to know that some of the suggestions that I had given them as far as colors in certain areas of their home and in the garden as well as putting "pairs" of birds or objects in their relationship corner of their home, were also in agreement with you, regarding feng shui principles. I felt that I was on the right track in helping my parents. Thank you so much for your help and suggestions. I had so many questions to ask you but did not want to intrude on the consultation you were giving my parents. I am also the person who wrote you an email letter several months ago about the "nasty neighbors." You have included it in your website articles (10/29/01 "Feng Shui and the neighbors"). Since that article was published on your website, positive changes have occurred between both homes. While I pray for me and my family to be safe from negative thoughts and deeds and for God to protect my home and family, I also include a prayer for the neighbors as well as the community. I pray for my heart to be softened towards them and for their hearts and mind to find peace and healing. On March 7th, a situation arose that forced us to confront each other. I found myself at a crossroad. I could respond with anger and hatred or I could respond with love and peace. I chose love and peace. I went to the edge of the property line and called out for the name of the wife who was sitting in the dark on the porch. The light of my porch light made it possible for me to see her silhouette. I called her three times. I heard her husband whisper to her to go and talk to me. I told her that I apologized for anything that I had done to make her feel angry and hateful towards me and my family. I expected some profanity and evil energy to be thrown at me but felt a very positive, strong peaceful energy that surrounded me. I had no fear and was shocked when she said that she accepted my apology. An open dialog was created and we ended, wishing each other well and to have a great evening. Since then, we have not spoken but there has been peace between both households. So when you mentioned to me "Love thy neighbor" in your email response, I really had to work hard to get to that place in my heart. With lots of prayer from family and friends, lots of positive energy was created. I just thought you would like to know the outcome of that particular situation. Thank you and I hope to see you soon. It was so wonderful to finally meet you today and spend some time with you. Sincerely, A reader" "Hi, I read your email response a few weeks ago and it made my day. You had the courage and conviction to move forward in a positive way, by becoming humble and loving toward a neighbor, which was actually calling out for help in a negative fashion. The principles of feng shui always demand harmony and balance for the flow of chi or energy to realign the problem. Whether it be environmental, spiritual or physical, there are laws of action and reaction to consider. Getting emotionally distraught only blocks the flow of chi for the correction. I myself deal with this choice daily. I can either be cranky or cheerful. If I feel totally out of control, I first check my home, office, business and family life for clue to change the situation. When you use all three of these feng shui solutions for a check and balance formula, it becomes easier to see where the fault lies. It doesn’t matter if you were right or wrong about the problem, to release the energy around the blockage makes life move forward. What are the rewards for being right? Many years of wasted time, disease, family and neighborhood misunderstanding. Have compassion for other human’s struggles. We re on this planet only briefly. My father’s advice on this subject was short and to the point. "It’s only a Shakespearean play. Don’t take it so serious. Life is over very quickly, enjoy!" I’m glad to have met you and your parents. I hope some of my advice will help them relax and enjoy their new home. Our bodies are always talking to us. If we can express our true selves, it shows up as discomfort and pain in the physical. Let me know if your Mom followed up on the medical suggestions I gave her. Caroline Patrick" Sign up for fall interest in classes. We have wind chimes in colors, rainbow mobiles. Call for feng shui consultations and speaking engagements. Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe 129 1st Street, Suite K Benicia 94510 Open 1-5 daily, closed Monday Offering feng shui supplies and classes in many areas. Please call or email for interest in the following class subjects: 707-748-1127 or caroline@fengshuiartistry.com Log onto her websites: www.fengshuiartistry.com and moongateschool.com for schedules, bio and weekly feng shui column. You can email her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com with questions. Fall Workshops 2002 Feng Shui Classes
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