West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

The Action of Giving and Receiving

Most everyone has heard the famous quote from the Bible, " it is better to give than to receive." Feng Shui, translated as wind and water, refers to the action and reaction of energy. As gentle winds blow upon water, ions are infused with Chi or the "life force." This dance of life is manifested by the constant motion of the circle of energy unless disturbed by violet storms, earthquakes, floods and firestorms.

The gentle flow of earth's creations runs smoothly unless the balance is disrupted by the crossover of five Elements, which are Water, Wood, Fire, Metal and Earth. An example might be a constant rainstorm which causes flooding, thus destroying and rotting a crop, or a drought which dries the grain on the stalk, and the Chi or energy dies and falls to the ground before harvest. There are productive and destructive cycles when nature restores or destroys her work to demand harmony and balance in the environment, the body, and our spiritual connection with a higher source.

Whether it is your home, business, a plot of land, landscaping, or a personal matter which needs realigning, Feng Shui, or the balance of wind and water, can help. First take a tour of your own environment. Check the plot shape for balance. If you have an odd piece of land on which your home was built, the odd shape can quickly give the owners a sensation of being pinched. Is the front yard larger than the backyard? Corrections such as spotlighting from the two back corners of the property, upward toward the roof line of the house can "lift" the Chi of the dwelling, while "widening" the lot and enhancing the Wealth and Partnerships sections of your life.

Placing heavy objects such as statuary, rocks or planting trees will ground those spaces which seem to float. Color inside and outside the home can bring joy and healing using Feng Shui to determine which colors are needed to activate the blocked section. Use shades of pink, salmon, coral, or red and white to spruce up a relationship. Add a bowl of oranges to any room to bring joy and health to an area.

Check your recent attitude. What are you projecting? Harmony and balance or discord? Walk around your home for clues to your current mood. What room do you use for paying bills? Is the desk against a wall? Do you feel boxed in by finances? Organize the bills and place them behind closed doors before the day is over. I find them visually depressing when left on the kitchen counter. Recently I reorganized my kitchen and left a drawer just to file bills, coupons, stamps, pencils, whiteout, rubber bands, stamps, MY screwdriver and hammer (no one ever finds them in the bill drawer).

How are your hormones, ladies? Make sure you make a doctor's appointment if EVERYONE in your family and those at work are giving you the evil eye! Guys need a Feng Shui check-up also. When was the last time you gave your partner the gift of time? This is my favorite one, as I love being alone to dream and think or go to workshops. Maybe you could take your significant other on a date. Remember, "It is better to give than to receive." This way the energy makes a circle and returns renewed. Today my husband bought a 12-foot trailer to haul God knows what? But he will be happy for at least two weeks, and now in return I will get the gift of time. I haven't decided where I'll go, but it will be wonderful.

Share your friends and invite new people to join fun groups. Do you have new neighbors? I have lived several places where neighbors only came out to introduce themselves as the moving truck was pulling away from the curb. How sad. Both parties are to blame when this occurs. A woman in her late 80's came to my door last August as we moved into our new home on a small island in Washington State. Bent over from years of living, she greeted us with a delightful smile, invited us to dinner and asked if she could baby-sit the grandchildren. She is a prize, and I love visiting her home on the water. Her life reads like a novel, and I have asked for an interview sometime. Blushing she replied, "I have nothing more to tell than any other woman." She is wrong, as I have heard a few of her adventures.

Stay connected with friends and coworkers. Help and network each other's businesses. Place their business cards and flyers in appropriate places. Your success is their success. Choose business partners wisely. Are your Elements similar, or is your Fire being put out by a Water or Earth person? Are you placing a water fountain in a Fire Zone or the Fame Gua or section of the office?

Make sure you are giving and receiving in equal amounts. If you are a constant giver, consider why you might be overdoing and causing stress and sickness. Receiving is very hard for me, but I'm doing better, what am I afraid of? These questions need answers, as balancing the mind and spirit are equally nurturing.