I love being paperless. Not only does it save trees, time, and space, it keeps my visual environment clear of clutter. Overall, being paperless lends itself to a better feng shui-ed space.

Or does it?

We still have the same amount of ‘information’ (arguably much more than ever before) filed and stored as before our Digital Age. It’s just floating around instead of stacked in file folders, cabinets, closets, desks, and so on. Information – which is really just energy – has essentially become less dense, but nevertheless it’s still energy. Instead of manila file folders in a filing cabinet, we can store the same information in a digital file folder on a computer and perhaps even on our smart phone. And so is the case with photos, addresses, phone numbers, tax returns, money, and virtually any piece of information you can think of.

In fact, the Digital Age is even turning physical objects into etherical energy. After all, my iPhone can morph into an alarm clock, a zen garden, a newspaper, a camera, a voice recorder, a board game, a Bagua Map, a flashlight and much more. Amazing! Before long, it might just become my nightstand.

As we have become less dense with this digital revolution, we still have to be mindful of the energy that floats around us. While we may have less physical objects around us, we are still overwhelmed with information. And so we must be conscious of what ‘information energy’ we have hanging around us that might in fact be clutter. (Clutter being anything that is no longer in our highest and best interest to keep.) Here are five places where digital clutter may be lurking in the ethers near you:

1. Phone contacts – When was the last time you updated your phone contacts? Chances are, there are people in your contacts that you no longer socialize with, do business with, or want to talk to. Clear them out. Although your phone may be able to hold a 1000 more contacts, you still need to make space for new people to come into your life. This is a great way to bring new people into your life – business, friends, or romance.
2. Computer file folders – If your computer file folders were in a filing cabinet, would it be bulging over by now? Probably so. Clean them out. Better yet, organize them while you’re cleaning them out if you haven’t already. And still while you’re at it, take the time to back up your important documents. Store any documents that you would be lost without if your computer crashed on a zip drive, or email them to yourself, or upload to Google docs so that they are stored somewhere else besides your hard drive.
3. Photos – Staying on top of photos seems just as difficult digitally as it was back when we had negatives. They at least don’t take up as much space, but that’s because we never get them printed! Are your digital photos strewn all around your computer, along with various online companies depending on who has the best deal? If so, take the time to store them all in one place on your computer in labeled folders. Commit to one online photo company so that all of your photos to be printed are in one place. And then have the ones you want to keep printed. The photo book option that most companies have is great for those of who don’t do scapbooking as a hobby.
4. Desktop icons/Phone apps – Is your computer desktop full of icons that you rarely, if ever, use?   These can cause some serious visual clutter that can lead to a cluttered mind. Sift through your icons to see if there are some you can remove. Removing the icon doesn’t remove the software, so you can still access the Program if later desired. Of course, this isn’t the case with phone apps. Periodically, go through your phone apps and delete the ones that didn’t live up to their hype or that you’ve lost interest in. It will just highlight the ones that you do use and love.
5. Bookmarks – Has your list of bookmarks become so lengthy that you feel like you are surfing the entire web trying to find something. Go through your bookmarks and delete the ones that are no longer of interest to you. For bookmarks you want to keep but don’t use that often, categorize them into folders, such as Recipes, Travel, and Good Ideas. In doing so, you may come across some great bookmark sites you’ve forgotten about. This is what clutter does – it hides the good stuff.

Where else do you have digital clutter?

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.mindbodyom.com.

Did you know that, similar to tv ads, we have subliminal messages all over our home?

Since we live, breathe, eat, and work in our home, it becomes one of those environments where we start to lose objectivity of our surroundings. Perhaps there is a lamp in the corner that you don’t particularly like, but have just gotten used to it to where you don’t even notice it anymore. Or do you?

Your conscious mind may not, but your subconscious mind certainly notices it, remembers it, and stores all memories and associations with that lamp. Imagine then what it picks up with family photos on the wall.

Your home may be lurking with subconscious minefields that are negatively programming your mind. Do you have furniture that is broken or leaning? What subconscious meanings are the images in pictures or artwork depicting? Do you have items sitting around that you don’t really like, but feel you should keep for one reason or another?

Because our subconscious has no filter, it constantly picks up literal messages.

So, for example, a cracked mirror could distort the way you see yourself. A desk with a wobbly leg can affect how you stand up for yourself. And, of course, a cluttered desk or room always leads to a cluttered mind.

While these subconscious minefields are powerful, they are as easily changeable.

First, take an objective look around your home.  Look at the imagery in your artwork.  See your furniture and accessories as if it’s the first time.  If you are unsure what a particular symbol means to your subconscious mind, then look it up in a dream dictionary.

Then, plant positive imagery in the form of photos, artwork, or even affirmations around your home. Also, any items that you don’t just love, get rid of them. Chances are your subconscious mind really doesn’t like it! Become conscious of your surroundings and you will become more conscious throughout your daily life.

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook.  NOW AVAILABLE!

Are you using your children as an excuse for your cluttered home?

If so, you’re not alone.

When I go to people’s home for feng shui consultations, I often hear clients immediately apologizing for their clutter. And then they point the finger at their children (and then their spouse!). While it is true that having a child or children is cause for more things in the house, it doesn’t mean your home has to be cluttered up.

Let’s first differentiate between simply having toys lying around the house AND clutter. For children, clutter would be anything that is no longer being used or enjoyed. And as children quickly grow up and change daily, clutter can pile up quickly. For items sitting around that are not clutter, then those are ripe for organization.

One of the best things about having children is the sense of play that they exude and that’s certainly something you don’t want to lose. With having kids, the perfectly clean zen home is most likely a thing of the past (that is, if you had it to begin with).  That being said, there are some ways to maintain a sense of peace, balance and order in the house without the accumulation of clutter.

1.  Be the Example.  Children learn by watching their parents.  If you keep your personal spaces clean, i.e. your bedroom, then they will already have a leg up.  Or if you are cleaning up, show your child what you are doing even to the point of narrating the process.  Those who are clutter-prone usually had clutter bug parents.  It is a learned trait.  Stop the cycle in your family!

2. Teach Your Child Organizational Skills.  Organization is learned.  It does not come natural for many people, especially more right-brained folks.  So, if you are not the poster child example for your child, then teach them organization.  There are hundreds of books on the topic.  Start with an organization system in their closet, i.e. shoe racks, sweater shelves, etc.  Show them where their dirty clothes go, where stuffed animals go, and where board games go.  Believe it or not, they want to know.

3. Budget in Clean-up time.  Make it a part of your child’s play time as clean-up time.  For example, if they have an hour or two of play-time, dedicate the last 5 or 10 minutes to clean-up time.  This will carry over into all areas of their life for the rest of their life!

4. Make it Fun.  Whenever I mention the “C” word in workshops the look of drudgery comes over the audience.  Clearing clutter does not have to be painful.  In fact, I recommend turning on some good music, pour yourself a glass of wine, and maybe even grab a buddy.  As for your children, it’s all about how you sell it.   Make it fun, upbeat, and positive.  Don’t pass the negative attitude on to your child (or the wine!).

5. Explain the Bigger Picture.  Clearing clutter can be a great teaching moment for children.  Have them help you pack up toys and clothes they no longer use in order to donate to those less fortunate. Children are inherently kind hearted and will enjoy this process.  This will make it easier the next time and the next time until they automatically start collecting unused items.

The bottom line is that children want to live in a clutter-free home. Studies show that they think better, socialize better, and feel better about themselves. In my article, Making a House a Home for Children, I discuss the benefits of a clutter-free home as it relates to the development of children. And with some simple teaching moments from the above list, children will quickly pick up on organizing skills which will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

So the next time you start to point the finger in the household, think about more productive actions you can take. We’ll work on the spouse later!

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook. NOW AVAILABLE!

One of the best things about being a writer is that there is virtually no overhead. All you pretty much need is a computer and some discipline. However, it is for this reason that a designated office space is often overlooked for writers, not to mention a feng shui-ed office space.

Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, blogs or books, a writer spends her day pouring herself out, emotionally and intellectually, onto paper and into the world. It can be a very vulnerable place. This is one reason why having an office space is so important and, more specifically, having your own office space – a space that is yours and yours alone without distraction.

Location

Writers usually work from home, again, thanks to the low overhead. But, finding adequate office space comes with challenges. If square footage is an issue, then home offices become an afterthought only to find themselves sharing space with a guest room, kitchen table, or the corner of the living room. And so it takes some creative planning of a space to make a home office work for writers.

The first step is to select one location for your workspace. Ideally, this is a designated home office. But, it could be a sitting chair, your bed, or the kitchen table. Whatever the space, it is important that you make this your space. In other words, this is the place you go to write. Similar to meditation, when you use the same space, it will help you drop in quicker to the flow. Also, in doing so, you are making writing a priority.

A note about writing in coffee shops: Some people need the stimulation of other people around them to get motivated to write. For others, however, it can be very distracting. So, experiment and notice what works best for you.

Desk Placement

To recap my article, Feng Shui for the Workplace: Where to Place Your Desk, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a workspace. The most important consideration for any office is desk placement. When sitting at your desk, you should be in “Command Position”. Simply put, this is the position that makes you most ‘in command.’ The Command Position emerges from our instinctive need to have visible control of our environment.

The ideal Command Position would be with a view of the door from your chair, a view out a window, and a solid wall behind you.

This may mean moving your desk into the room away from the wall. If this is absolutely not possible, then place a mirror to where you can see the entrance in the mirror. If you do not use a desk, but instead a counter or even your lap, it is still important to face the door entering the room. You want to feel in power and confident in your space – whether you are home alone or working amongst a 100 colleagues in a business office.

In this photo, the writer’s office also doubles as a guest room. The desk faces the door, but is not directly in line with the door (that would result in too much chi energy coming in). It would be better if the window was not right behind her. Why? A wall behind you provides support and for writers in an isolated profession, feeling supported is crucial. Keeping the blind closed is helpful so that there is not a feeling of being exposed.

Clear Clutter

Also notice in this picture the lack of clutter. It is imperative to have an uncluttered space when writing. Our mind is directly affected by our environment. So once you designate your workspace, then declutter it.

Size of Desk

The size of your desk will depend on your preference. Everyone likes or requires a different amount of surface area. For some, an executive-size desk makes them feel more powerful. For others, it’s just another place to collect clutter. I prefer a desk that will fit my laptop, tea, and my cell phone. I work virtually paperless and prefer to keep everything either on my phone or computer.

In this office, you can see that while the desk is relatively small, it takes center stage in my office. It faces the door without being in direct line and not being right in front of the window either. Find a desk or surface that fits your style and is comfortable. If you are physically cramped, then your creative juices will not be free-flowing.

As said in Field of Dreams, ‘if you build it, they will come,’ and so is the case if you designate a workspace that feels good to you. You will be more likely to write, enjoy writing, and be successful in your writing.

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook.  NOW AVAILABLE!

Bring balance to your mind body AND home!

Beginning Wednesday, December 1^st, 6:00p C.S.T.

presented by Author of “27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home”

Tisha Morris

Wednesday December 1^st | Feng Shui for Wealth & Prosperity | 6:00 C.S.T.

Want to attract more money, improve your finances, or change your mindset regarding prosperity? Start in your home! Using the Bagua Map, you will locate your Wealth corner, discover your blocks, increase your energy, and improve the flow of wealth and prosperity into your life.

Wednesday December 15^th | Using Feng Shui to Deck the Halls AND Declutter | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Christmas is a time for celebrating family, getting together with friends, and well lots of clutter! If you feel like you get swept away with the season, then tune in to this webinar. We’ll discuss ways to celebrate the season while maintaining balance in your home and in your life.

Wednesday January 12^th | Feng Shui for the Workplace | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Want to boost your business, get a promotion, or maybe even a new job? Or perhaps you keep getting passed over for a promotion. If so, then this is the workshop for you! Learn the best way to position your desk so that you will be in your power spot. Discover what may be blocking you and affirm a new sense of abundance. You will leave seeing your office in a whole new light.

Wednesday January 26^th Learn Space Clearing Techniques | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Want to rid your home of negative and stagnant energy? There is a whole world of invisible energies in our spaces that affect all of us on some level. Learn the importance of space clearing AND how to use space clearing techniques to instantly shift the energy in your home or office. A variety of methods will be discussed and practiced so that you will leave being your own feng shui expert.

A Replay will be available for all those who register!

REGISTER HERE!

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).   For more information, visit her website at www.mindbodyom.com

This is a repost from The New York Times by James Vatner

August 24, 2010

By Jonathan Vatner, New York Times

In July, Michael Rudder, a broker at Time Equities, was nearing completion of a deal with a Chinese client to buy two floors of office condominiums at 131 West 33rd Street when the client made some last-minute requests that struck Mr. Rudder as peculiar.

Adjacent floors were available, but the company, Om-Ah-Hum Realty L.L.C., chose the 9th and 15th for its offices, then switched to the 9th and 14th upon learning that there was no 13th floor. And although the price had been set at $450 a square foot, the company asked for $448 — and offered to make up the difference in another way. In addition, Om-Ah-Hum requested that the deal be signed on a day with a date ending in 8. (The company declined to discuss its dealings for this article.)

Om-Ah-Hum’s requests were based on feng shui, the Chinese system of beliefs that governs building design, the calendar and numbers, among other things, and which is followed by many people in other cultures, particularly in East Asia. Mr. Rudder said the number of Asian buyers and lessees in New York had surged this year; he and other brokers are quickly learning just how pervasive feng shui can be.

As the deal at 131 West 33rd progressed, the principal of the business was spotted outside the building, taking measurements with a feng shui kit, Mr. Rudder said.

“It looks like a very elaborate compass,” said Mr. Rudder, who said he first encountered feng shui in a deal in 2007. “I joke that I can tell how much space my Asian clients are going to buy by how elaborate their feng shui kit is. And this buyer had the most beautiful feng shui kit I’ve ever seen.”

With the commercial market in New York still soft (prices for some of the buildings Mr. Rudder sells have declined 40 percent in the last few years), he said almost all of his recent sales of office condominiums had been to foreign buyers, especially those based in Asia, where the economy is booming.

“They have this huge appetite for office condos,” he said, adding that “they want to own real estate very badly. They do not want to pay rent.” Accordingly, he said, “I’ve completely redirected my marketing plan.”

John Lim, a vice president in the business and commercial banking group at Citibank, also said that Asian businesses were buying New York property that they perceive to be undervalued. As someone who provides owner-occupied commercial mortgages to many Asian-owned businesses, including some of Mr. Rudder’s clients, Mr. Lim has made it a point to understand feng shui.

According to Mr. Lim, numbers associated with a building and suite are significant: In Chinese, Japanese and Korean, the pronunciation of the number four sounds the same as the word for death — which is why many buildings in Asia do not have a fourth floor, the way American buildings often skip the 13th. And in Chinese, the number eight is a homophone for the word for getting rich. The eighth floor, and building numbers with eights in them, often sell at a premium.

For example, in Chinatown in Manhattan, office condos on the eighth floor of the building at 139 Centre Street have sold for as much as $100,000 more than those on other floors. And Queens Crossing, a retail-office building in downtown Flushing in Queens, is occupied almost entirely by Asian companies, but the fourth floor is taken by a non-Asian educational institute.

The concern over numbers extends to the timing of a closing, too. Not only should the day end in an eight, but certain times of day are more auspicious than others.

“Scheduling a closing in our system is like having a dinner party with eight of your closest friends,” said Luigi Rosabianca, a real estate lawyer. “It’s so difficult, and then when you start to insert cultural requirements, it becomes very challenging.”

Sometimes it is non-Asian clients who are guided by numerology. In the last year, Faith Hope Consolo, chairwoman of the retail leasing, marketing and sales division of Prudential Douglas Elliman, has overseen six leases in which the client would not sign in certain locations, on certain days and even in certain hours.

“It started with East Asian and Indian clients,” Ms. Consolo said, “but we’re seeing more American clients now. People are so cautious, they’re consulting not just feng shui but also the astrological calendar and the numerological calendar.

“In some instances,” she continued, “I now have clients telling me, ‘Please don’t present my proposal until tomorrow after 3.’ We’ve never had that before.”

Ms. Consolo attributes the increased anxiety that she has seen over dates to a general nervousness about the economy. “Our clients have stopped asking, ‘Is this the lowest rent?’ and ‘Are the rents going down?’ but they’re trying to rationalize the transaction by putting on other safety valves.”

Feng shui dictates more than just numbers and times; it is probably best known for its guiding principles for the design and orientation of homes and offices. There should be ample natural light, for example, entering through the windows and no open air shafts in the middle of the unit. Also, space should not abut fire-escape stairs.

Michael Heaner, a partner of the Kaufman Organization, which leases and manages office space in New York, said he had seen many deals fall through because of bad feng shui. For companies that put stock in it, therefore, Mr. Heaner has learned to ask for their feng shui master to examine the space before negotiating a lease. “Frequently you’ll get all the way down the road and figure out that the space really does not have the proper feng shui,” he said.

In one instance a few years ago, he said, the feng shui master for a fashion company rejected the space because it faced too many water towers. “Personally, I think they add scenery,” Mr. Heaner said.

For Indian clients who follow the Hindu system of design called Vastu, the shape and orientation of a building and rooms affect a space’s desirability. Parag Mehta, the principal of PM Architecture, said that square and rectangular rooms were good but that L-shaped rooms were not. The entrance to the office, as well as the principal of the business, should face north or east. “You never face south,” Mr. Mehta said. “It’s totally a no-no.”

If a client is dead set on a space with a south-facing entrance, Mr. Mehta sometimes extends the hallway and moves the entrance so that it faces north. “If they really like the office,” he said, “we can make it happen.”

Some of the potential sticking points are more easily understood by Americans. In adherence to the Jain religion, the owners of Amikam & Paras, an Indian diamond company, are strictly vegetarian, and they worried that meat smells from the neighboring Keens Steakhouse would waft into the 5,500-square-foot space they were buying from Time Equities at 70 West 36th Street.

Once they were satisfied with the smell of the place, they closed the deal; since then, three other Jain companies have inquired about other floors in the building.

Even if requests like this make Mr. Rudder’s job more difficult, he said he was thrilled about every new one he received. “I don’t know that you’re running into this much diversity in any other city,” he said. “It’s been such an education.”

By Jonathan Vatner, New York Times

News Source:  New York Times

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If you or your business is interested in incorporating Feng Shui, contact me at tisha@tishamorris.com or click here to check out my Services available.

Mapquest

As a feng shui consultant, I am always driving to people’s homes. I’ve never invested in any GPS gadgets. Instead I use my iPhone. For a long time, I simply used the map feature that comes standard on the iPhone. It got me where I needed to go. And then I found Mapquest. It is great! You can set it to where you don’t have to keep refreshing the screen. And it also uses vocals if you so choose. Now there is woman who tells me when to turn. And her pronunciation of street names is pretty impressive. I’ve also set it to use interstates whenever possible. It really has everything that you would need. And, yes, it’s free.

Dragon Dictation

There isn’t much I miss about being an attorney. But being able to dictate is one of them. Now with Dragon Dictation, I can dictate emails or for that matter an entire book (by emailing it to myself). It does surprisingly well and is great for when you don’t want to use the miniscule keyboard to type out an email. Between this and Mapquest, that’s two less gadgets I need to have on hand.

Words With Friends

Yes, I am a nerd. This is my favorite game on the iPhone. It’s a great way to connect with family and friends in a really round-about way. It can make bank lines and boring meetings go a lot quicker while sharpening your mind up as well. It is a definite for anyone who loves Scrabble or word games. Feel free to start a game with me…  my WWF name is Tishka.

iFeltThat

If you’re into tracking natural disasters, then this is the app for you. Seriously though, this app shows you up to the minute earthquakes, including all the stats. If you’ve ever wondered if an Earthquake hit your area, then this app is perfect.

Feng Shui Bagua Map

So yes this is shameless promotion. But it really is an app that I use all the time with clients to show them what area of their home is associated with certain energies, i.e. wealth, love, career, etc. You can feng shui your office, home, desk, or your hotel room for those of you on the go. Click here for more info!

Share what Apps that have changed your life…I would love to know!

That being said, I kept putting it off until I had hit my creative rock bottom, also referred to as burnout. In other words, instead of taking preventive care of myself I waited until I needed to go the emergency room (not literally), which admittedly is against everything I believe in as a holistic practitioner. So I ordered the Fire Starter Sessions searching for anything that would, well, light my fire.

The best way I can describe what transcribed over the next 24 hours is by analogy. In the way that just holding The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle brings about awareness or reading about Reconnective Healing makes my hands warm and tingly, just starting THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS by Danielle LaPorte sparked my creative juices. The energy of  ’fire’ is simply embedded within the essence of the material. And so before I had even finished the first session, I had a journal-page full of ideas.

I really can’t explain how or why. As there was no one question or statement that sparked me. It did remind me or help me remember why I do what I do. And to me that is everything. From there, ideas, inspiration, motivation, and energy can flow freely.

So what exactly is the THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS ? I call it a life coach/business advisor in a box. But it’s actually an e-book meets video transmission. It includes worksheets that help you draw conclusions, quick videos with motivational punch, connections to current thinkers, practical smarts, and frank wisdom.

Danielle has worked with 462+ entrepreneurs in her 1-on-1 Fire Starter consults (which are $500 and booked six weeks in advance.) For CEOs, coaches, artists, retailers, bestselling authors — from site design to big dreams — Danielle’s strategies combine passion with pragmatism to get to fulfillment and cash. Each chapter is it’s own “Fire Starter Session” that includes: e-book components, video inspiration or interviews, and worksheets.

Some of the sessions are: True Strengths & The Metrics of Ease; Branding: Clarifying the Diamond of You; Products & Services: Making Stuff That Feels Good to Make; Money: More is More, Enough is Plenty; Web Design & SEO: Your Virtual Real-Estate…and dozens of tips and motivating perspectives.

In addition to getting Danielle’s deep and detailed knowledge, THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS brings you contributions from some A-league marketing strategists, pro-bloggers, branding experts, and creativity coaches. Whether you’re in the early idea phase or a well-established rut, Danielle’s thorough, witty, and experience-based advice will most certainly light a fire under your…aspirations.

Also check out Part 2 of my Review here!

It seems like lately everything I read stresses the importance of ‘being’.  What used to be words of only the enlightened masters has crept into all areas, including the business world.   The “do, do, do” mentality of the 80s and 90s has become “be, be, be” of the 2000s.

While I can sit and ‘be’ with the best of them, my practical side eventually rears its head saying, “with all this ‘being’, how do you ever get anything done?”  And so I pondered this question.

On an energetic level, ‘doing’ is an active, masculine energy, while ‘being’ is a passive, feminine energy.  Ultimately it is a balance (yin/yang) of these two energies that is optimal.  As a society, we are needing to balance as a whole and thus more feminine energies are permeating up from Mother Earth.

Putting the energy stuff aside for a second, I started to think back at all of the most pivotal times in my life… people, jobs, and situations.  I realized all of them just came to me or fell into my lap as opposed to my seeking it out.

Afterall, it is only when you are ‘being’ still that something can fall into your lap.”

Here is a personal example.

When I was graduating from law school and searching for my first law job, I sent out hundreds of resumes with not a single response. Then one evening at a law review reception, I saw my adjunct professor, who also happened to be a federal judge. Without even thinking about it, I walked up to him and asked if he knew of anyone hiring. He said, “Well, I am.” Within weeks, I was hired as his law clerk, which was far better than any of the jobs to which I had sent a resume. More importantly, he ended up being one of the most influential people in my life, which had nothing to do with law and everything to do with the meaning of life.

So you can see in my example where the delicate balance lies in ‘doing’ and ‘being’. I had enough active, doing energy to set an intention to get a law job (and to attend a boring law reception). From there, I was in a state of being waiting for the right opportunity and/or person to come along. And when it did, I listened to my inner voice and approached the Judge.

Sending out blind resumes was an example of too much ‘doing’. There is a huge difference between inspired action and busying yourself with activity to try to make things happen. Instead, by being present, you will be conscious and alert when those people or opportunities come along.

Think back on your most pivotal moments and use those as a template for finding your yin/yang balance point.

photo credit

With so much uncertainty in our economy, many people are turning to alternative ways to make money. Many are embracing their creative talents, while others are trying new marketing techniques. Ultimately, we are all being asked to change the way we do things and to become more creative in how we work and relate to others. If you look around at businesses right now – from restaurants to personal services — they are either failing or thriving. What is the secret behind those that are thriving?

I recently read the book, Think and Grow Rich, by Napolean Hill where he reports his findings of the secret behind the 500 most successful people, including Andrew Carnegie. Keep in mind: This book was written in 1937 during a similar economic downturn. What he found to be the commonality in all of their success was nothing that you would read in a business manual. Instead, it was the mental and emotional energy that each of these successful projected out.

Whether you are conscious of it or not, you are projecting your future through your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Thus, the best way to bring in abundance is exactly this way.  Here are eight ways to use your energy positively to bring about wealth and properity:

1. Helping Others

If you have ever been around really successful people (and by “successful” I mean prosperous in wealth and happiness), then you will quickly notice that they are always happy and willing to help others with their business. Many people think that to succeed, you must be competitive when, in fact, the opposite is true (even towards your “competitors”). Someone who is competitive and cut-throat is simply saying that they don’t trust in their own skills and talents.

If you are willing to help someone promote their business, they will do the same for you. In other words, what you put out you will get back in return. This principle has really been put to use in the new social networking world of Twitter. It is an example of the more you help others, the more you will receive in return.

There are so many ways in which we can help and encourage others. Here are some examples: a simple compliment, such as “Your ad in the paper looked great” or “I love your website”, making positive comments on others’ blog posts, offering others resources that were helpful to you, volunteering your services for free to a good cause, referring people, and being a patron of other people’s services. Helping others says that you are confident in yourself…and not to mention nice!

1. Gratitude
   

Being grateful for what you already have is the Number One way to bring in more of it. Say “Thank You” to yourself, others, mentors, angels, God, Universe, Source, and/or whoever you believe is a part of what has helped you to get and achieve what you have thus far. By doing so, more will come your way. This is essentially a high vibration affirmation.

1. Being Present
   

Living in the present moment is a phrase often used by those seeking a more zen way of life and/or enlightenment. But it is also a really great business practice. Your power is always in the present moment. When you align yourself with the present moment you have complete and total access to your own power. By “power” I mean your best skills, talents, and creativity. It is only when we look into the future that we become stressed, anxious, and fearful. For all that is meant for us to deal with in the present moment is just that…the present moment.

Because it is each small step (or moment) along our journey that makes up our life, the destination will only be as good as each of the moments that it encompasses. Eckhart Tolle profoundly describes this concept in A New Earth as follows:

“Everybody’s life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness. The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power.”

So, try being present in each moment of your day, from sending emails to talking to prospective clients. You will be amazed at how much better your focus and productivity is.

1. Use Feng Shui
   

Many may think that the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui is only used in Eastern cultures, but major U.S. businesses and business executives such Donald Trump are applying its 3,000-year-old principles in their daily business dealings.

By simply rearranging your office space, you are energizing your business in a new way. The shifts of earth energy in conjunction with your own mental intention can change your business quickly and dramatically. The position and arrangement of your desk can make a profound impact. Read my article, Feng Shui Your Desk, for more information.

And for businesses with a store-front, feng shui can make the difference between attracting customers and deterring them. Simply do a google search for a wealth of free information.

1. Affirmations
   

An affirmation is a set of positive words or phrases repeated out loud, to yourself, or just set out in visual sight. The more the affirmation is repeated consecutively and over time, the more the subconscious is being programmed to believe it. For example, if you repeat an affirmation such as, “I attract abundance in all areas of my life,” your subconscious mind will take it as truth (as it has no filter) and the law of attraction will begin to bring you abundance.
You could consciously want more money, but your subconscious mind may be working on a different agenda, potentially sabotaged by old belief systems, implanted societal fear, or simple unworthiness. This is why it is so important to be conscious of our subconscious.

Using affirmations is a great way to re-program the subconscious mind to be more in alignment with what you consciously want in your life. The amount of time it takes will depend on how engrained the current belief system being re-programmed is in your subconscious.

For specific affirmations for abundance, read my article, 8 Affirmations for Abundance.

1. Being Receptive
   

We are often our own worst enemy. As much as we would like to blame others or the economy, the truth is we oftentimes just get in our own way. Many of us have belief systems that prevent us from abundance. For example, some believe that they don’t deserve abundance, that wealth is only reserved for certain people, or that money is the root of all evil. If you consciously choose to have any of these belief systems, then so be it. But some of you may unconsciously have these thoughts while, at the same time, confused as to why money isn’t coming your way.

So explore to see what belief systems you have surrounding money. You may be surprised. In order to receive, your must be open. For a clinched fist will never be able to receive anything. And don’t forget to be present… for something to fall into your lap, you must be still.

Also be open to where the sources of abundance may come. While your energies may be in one direction, the fruits of your labor may return to you from another direction. Be open. Be receptive. And, again, be present.

1. Make a Vision Board
   

A vision board is a powerful visualization tool that activates the Law of Attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality. The concept of the vision board, also known as a goal board or treasure map, has been around for generations, but has gained a renewed interest and popularity from the documentary, The Secret.

A vision board is a visual collage of the things that you want to have, be, or do in your life. To make one, simply get a poster, cardboard, or foam board, magazines, glue and/or tape, scissors, and a desire. Cut out images either exact or symbolic representations of the things that you want in your life or the things that you want to become. Paste them on your board and display it, preferably somewhere visible to you. In no time, you will be amazed at what you will attract into your life!

1. Use the Number “8″
   

It is no coincidence that I used the number “8″ for this article. Numbers are one of the oldest symbols in our collective conscious. Each number carries its own meaning, frequency, and energy. The number “8″ is the number for abundance.

In Numerology, anytime you have double or triple digits, add them up until you come to a single digit. For example, 107 = 8; 44 = 8, and 800 = 8. So take advantage of this built-in power. Incorporate it into your life. For example, price your services or products using this auspicious number. I even once lived in an 8-house that made me lots of money when I sold it. Be creative with it!

Conclusion

If you are not bringing in as much wealth and prosperity as you would like, then try incorporating some of these concepts into your daily practice. Sometimes there is no need to spend a fortune on advertising or expensive classes. Invest in your own personal power first. Afterall, you are your most important asset.

Obama has been particularly vociferous about reducing our energy dependence as a way to resolve domestic and international problems.  In fact, he stated, “If I am President, I will immediately direct the full resources of the federal government and the full energy of the private sector to a single, overarching goal – in ten years, we will eliminate the need for oil from the entire Middle East and Venezuela.”  Well, Mr. President, I have the solution:  Install Solar Panels on the White House.

In my recent post, Why Don’t We Have Solar Panels On All Roofs, I pondered just that question — Why don’t we have solar panels on all roofs.  In doing so, we not only eliminate our dependence on oil, but coal.  This would allow everyone of us to be living off the grid and in complete harmony with Mother Earth.  It didn’t take me long to ask the next question– Why doesn’t the White House have solar panels? 

If President Obama really wants to walk the walk in regards to new energy technology, then this is the way.      

Through legislation, federal and state governments are encouraging the use of solar panels.  For example, the federal government is offering a 30% tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels or solar water heaters through 2016. This credit covers materials and installation costs with no ceiling on claims.  At the state level, as reported in USA Today, in More States Want Solar Panel to Be an Option on New Homes, a growing number of states are requiring builders to offer solar electricity and hot water as an upgrade option, right alongside granite countertops.  But legislation is not enough. 

In my article, what I discovered as the answer to why we don’t have solar panels on all roofs is simply cost.  For example, I calculated it to cost $85,000 to install solar panels on my 2000sf home.  This sort of reminds me of the cost of big screen TVs in the ‘80s, laptop computers in the ‘90s, and smart phones in the 2000s.  As I learned in Econ 101, once demand rises, competition increases and prices dramatically fall.  This will be the case with solar panels.  So how do we get demand to increase? 

The need is already here.  We have just gotten used to the idea of paying for oil and electricity when we could be getting it for free from the Sun.  So awareness and buzz must be the driving force for the demand.  What better place to start than the White House.  If the White House were to install solar panels, the buzz of this around the globe would be phenomenal. 

Once it became known just how much these panels are saving in taxpayer dollars, not only will Obama be seen as an energy hero, but every household will start inquiring, “Why don’t we have solar panels on our roof?”  Not to mention the pentagon, other government buildings, and the Obama motorcade. 

What about the cost of installing solar panels on the White House, you ask?  There has already been much debate as to whether the Obama’s should foot the bill for redecorating the White House.  As an interior designer and feng shui consultant, my personal opinion is that the White House is in dire need of not only redecorating (I’ve seen the pictures), but a space clearing (would you want to share the same energy as the former administration?). 

It is in our best interest as citizens that the Obama’s create a living space in which they can optimally live and work.  That being said, the Obama’s could use a portion of their decorating budget to foot the bill for the solar panels.  I would guess that there are many budding solar panel contractors that would love to be credited for installing the White House solar panels in exchange for a considerable discount.  Not to mention the 30% tax credit that President Obama will receive come tax time!   As for me, I will be happy to offer my feng shui and space clearing services to the Obama’s… ‘on the house’.

 (As a footnote, President Carter installed solar panels on the West Wing in 1977 but they were removed in the 1980s.)