Sometimes anxiety gets the best of us. We pretend that things aren’t troubling us and we push them under the rug acting as though we’re not the slightest bit phased by the stresses that surround us. But they creep up on us. All of a sudden, we lose our appetite, we wake up in the middle of the night with what we pushed back in some corner of our mind inching towards us, we start exploding on our loved ones because they didn’t fold the napkins on the dinner table properly, we dread phone calls & e-mails because we know that they simply mean added stress, and we slowly lose ourselves…wishing we could remember what happened to that innocent being inside of us that had so many aspirations and plans on happiness.

But there must be a way to get rid of that anxiety that starts feeding on our spirit! I believe that all it takes is just a little action. Why would we remain anxious? Why let something linger and build up inside of us? Maybe it’s best to use the 4 d’s that I continuously hear about: Do, Delegate, Delay, and Dispose! If I were to categorize all my anxieties and ensure that I somehow dealt with them quickly, maybe I would start spending the rest of my free time on things that actually make me feel good! I would also feel less troubled if I had a system that helped take care of my issues that build up in a quick & efficient manner… If I am nervous about a presentation that is coming up, I should just DO as much possible by preparing and acting, and before I know it, it’s over. If I am worried about having another client added to my schedule, maybe I can DELEGATE that work to another manager. If I am so stressed about the dentist appointment that just so happens to fall on the wrong week, maybe I should stop whining and simply DELAY the appointment. And if I am anxious about trying to meet some acquaintance that ran into me on the street and now wants to go for dinner, a movie and a long walk, maybe I should simply DROP the appointment that brings me no added value.

I do believe that this may lead to a refreshing change in my life. These last two days, I was a nervous wreck. This showed in my physical appearance (worry lines, dark circles under the eyes, back pains due to stress, nausea, etc…) and in my mental functioning (cloudiness in the brain, heart palpitations, getting into little arguments with the love of my life, negative thinking, frustration, endless crying and sobbing, etc…). However, the moment I CHOSE to act and simply BE without worrying about my 3-page to do list and the last-minute emergencies, all these wonderful things came my way. I was referred for my ideal job, I had a wonderful talk with my love, I smiled more, I felt healthier, and I realized the insignificance of my worries! THAT helped me focus my energy on yoga, watching a movie, eating a healthy dinner and easing my mind… Isn’t that much better than spending the night by vigorously typing God knows what on the computer, not eating and sleeping with eyes wide open? I think so!

I cannot see. I am typing blind and I am so sad about it. Why is it that I am allergic to computers? Or is it work? Am I meant to be a flower child, a hippie, a bum? Am I meant to live a life of spiritual enlightenment and let go of all material possessions and “things”? Am I living a life of routine? Brainwash? Submission?

Of course I am!!! It’s all because of a little emotion called fear. Where will I be without my big salary? Money is what makes the world go round, right? Why is everyone else working? It’s not like they’re stupid and I am going to be the smart one that quits. But what am I to do if I am allergic to my computer? Maybe I can go on worker’s compensation for this allergy… It’s quite clear that this will be a permanent problem though.

Ah life! Isn’t it interesting how things come about… The world keeps turning and I keep making choices, walking along my journey’s path and wondering if I have gotten lost somewhere along the way… Should I turn back? Start from some other point? Change paths? Where will these lead though? They would be prettier some of them… filled with travel, adventure, instability, sadness, happiness, fortune, loss, COLOR!!! Accounting is so “brown socks”, “white collars” and “gray suits”… I want COLOR – lots and lots of color, flowers, plants, trees, sky, earth, stars, sailboats, wind blowing through my hair, freedom to move – hands in the air, songs, dance, laughter, peace, healthy energy around me… Where will it be? It’s not here, not in this little conference room – tucked away with beige walls, cold air and no windows, staring at my computer that is making me allergic.

It’s out there. In this wonderful world that God created I will find my colorful life, with my loving man next to me… Hope he’s willing to join me 😉

* Mainly taken & quoted from “Feng Shui your Life – Jayme Barrett”* 

Feng shui is about the correct energy of flow.  It applies to your health, work, and relationships.  There are four main categories in Feng Shui:

1) Practical Feng Shui – The logical and sensible methods of arranging your environment for happiness and success

This is the most logical category – what feels and looks good to you happens to be good feng shui.  For example, displaying photos or gifts from an ex is not good feng shui.  If you want to create new love in your life, you should remove anything that reminds you of a past relationship.  You do not want to be constantly surrounded by an ex-partner’s energy.  Some basic examples of practical feng shui are as follows:

• Clear clutter: it promotes happiness, efficiency and peace of mind;
• Finding room for new things in your life requires you to get rid of things you don’t use, want or need.  If your bookcase is crowded with old textbooks from college, you won’t have space for fresh, stimulating works that can inspire and educate you to achieve your present and future goals;
• Adding sunlight to an environment lifts your spirit and expands your vision, darkness inhibits life force and can be depressing.  Bright light is synonymous with birth, creativity and productivity.  Darkness is associated with constriction, hibernation and sadness;
• Bringing nature indoors adds harmony & healing to the surroundings.  Plants produce oxygen, helping people feel better.  The gentle sound of a water fountain eases your mind, blocks out disturbing noises, and calms nerves;
• Colors influence moods (colors discussed further in this post);
• Working in your bedroom is not a good idea.  The bedroom is a place for rest and connection.  You’ll want to remove all work-related items (computers & bills) so you can leave the stressful day behind you and concentrate on relaxation, quiet contemplation, or intimacy with your partner.

2) Energetic Feng Shui – The manner in which subtle energy moves through each space you inhabit and affects your life

Feng shui is based on the idea that everything is energy.  The world and everything in it is composed of vital energy or of life force that vibrates at different frequencies.  It swirls in and around every living being in nature, buildings and in space.  Energy from the sun, earth, and air breathes life force into everyone and everything.  This energy is called “chi” in China and “prana” in India.  Energy is the universal breath of life that connects everything.

You & every object in your daily life have the ability to absorb, project, and deflect energy.  This is why it is important to ensure that the energy which surrounds you is healthy & life affirming.  Healthy energy is moving energy – it needs to flow & circulate to be beneficial.  Feng shui thus offers specific rules to guide the vital energy evenly and continually through your space.  You therefore must be careful with what & whom you bring in your home.  If you have to swim in this energy, it needs to be positive, or you may be sabotaging yourself.  Dwellings that radiate love, happiness, and fortuity present the same feelings and opportunities for you. 

3) Symbolic Feng Shui – How the contents of your home reflect who you are and where you’re going

Along with correct energy flow, you need to be keenly aware of what your house is saying to you on a daily basis.  Your house serves as a mirror for your thoughts, passions, morals, spiritual beliefs and much more.  An exciting aspect of feng shui is that you can change what your home is saying to you.  As you change your outer template of your home to encourage your unique dreams and goals, your inner life shifts. Becoming clear about your dreams and goals for health, love, happiness & success, and using symbols for them within your environment is essential.  When your intention for your life surrounds you, it tends to materialize in a better & faster way!

 4) Personal Feng Shui – How your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy influences your path to fulfillment

Your life is complete when you integrate balance, flow, and positive energy into your body, mind and spirit using the principles of feng shui.  Take care of your energy field through cleansing your eleven chakras (Basic, Sex, Meng Mein, Naval, Front Spleen, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Sight, Forehead, and Crown)

Remember – you must cleanse yourself before energizing yourself.  If not, it is like mixing sour milk with good milk.  The only way to enjoy milk is through eliminating the sour milk, cleansing your cup and then filling it with clean milk.  Proper ways of cleansing is through taking care of your body, then the feng shui can help with your energy.  This can be done through proper exercise and saltwater baths. 

Integrate pleasing colors into your wardrobe and environment to uplift your spirit, enliven your home, or accentuate a desired feeling or yearning.  The following is a listing of colors and their symbolism:

• RED: Passion, courage, power, wealth, motivation, and fame;
• PINK: Love, sweetness, uplift, happiness, tenderness, and enticement;
• ORANGE: Enthusiasm, joy, exuberance, interaction, fun, and captivation;
• GREEN: Harmony, beginnings, prosperity, nature, growth, and healing;
• YELLOW: Optimism, focus, communication, sunshine, inspiration, and fidelity;
• GOLD: Wealth, wisdom, luxury, abundance, sparkle, and influence;
• BLUE: Imagination, calm, serenity, relaxation, compassion, and ocean;
• VIOLET: Intuition, devotion, respect, peace, spirituality, and awareness;
• BROWN: Solidity, warmth, practicality, diligence, reliability, and patience;
• BLACK: Strength, elegance, protection, sophistication, intelligence, and shrewdness;
• WHITE: Purify, innocence, faith, benevolence, honesty, and grace.

OVERALL: Choosing good feng shui in any situation is nothing more than an awareness of what feels right and what doesn’t.  Each circumstance, thought, or person will energize you or deplete you.  It’s up to you to decide – move towards people and things that make you happy, and pass the ones that don’t. 

“Sometimes, you can base your choices on past events, but many times you’ll need to take a risk.  For example, if you have a friend who complains endlessly and brings you down, it is safe to say that spending time with that person is not good feng shui.  Similarly, staying in a job that squelches your creativity and underpays you is not beneficial.  Conversely, if you feel lonely, signing up for a class is excellent feng shui, even if you are nervous about meeting new people.  As you move through your day, make positive choices!

Observe how you feel when spending time with specific people in your life.  Include all of your love ones.  How do you feel when you’re with them? And how do you feel after you leave them?  Be aware of your emotional, mental, and physical state when you’re in friends’ homes, in restaurants, at work, etc… Are you uplifted or depressed?  You have free will to make conscious choices at every moment. 

Proceed on your journey with excitement and positive expectations.  At the same time, be patient.  Your path is unique.  The timetable for materialization is different for each person.  Regardless, your life will flourish as you welcome all feng shui possibilities. 

The great yogi Patanjali says: ‘When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations; your consciousness expands in every direction; and you find yourself in great, new, and wonderful worlds.  Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.’ “