Shifting into Serenity
Have you ever felt life is a like a game of dominoes ~ one thing goes wrong and it somehow causes a chain reaction? Unpleasant or inconvenient things happening when you least expect them, somehow making the day or week even more humbling?
The last 2 weeks have been precisely that for me. And even though I practice feng shui and believe strongly in the power of intention, sometimes the lessons we must learn are exactly what we attracted into our lives, whether we realize it or not. When I am in the midst of chaos, I wonder, "What about all the feng shui I do? What about the meditation, gratitude, and focus I practice every day? What about…yada, yada, yada?" When efforts are made and met by disappointment, it is time to reframe perspective. Underneath all the rubble might actually be the very essence of what you desire.
Since feng shui focuses on energy, and I am all about feng shui, I realized my recent frustrations provide the PERFECT opportunity for us to walk hand-in-hand through the methods I use to rid sagging energy in my home and life. While there are far more elaborate (and powerful) rituals available, this is my "sure shot" cure for the blues and blahs.
When life sucks the wind out of the sails, I employ 3 everyday tools: salt, air, and a vacuum. Don't be fooled by how simplistic these techniques seem ~ I have used them repeatedly with tremendous success, and I often encourage clients to try these first whenever things feel "off."
Salt is recognized universally as an amazing purifier. When using salt to cleanse a space, there are 2 options: rock or sea salt. Rock salt is from the Earth so it has a grounding nature. Use this if you desire balance. Sea salt is from the ocean so it carries water properties, making it an excellent tool for emotional healing. However you decide to proceed, you MUST buy a new container of salt for this method. I buy several boxes at a time with the intention of using them when the need arises.
Sprinkle salt peripherally around rooms, across thresholds (the transition from one room into another), and especially in corners (where the most stagnant energy resides). Leave it for 24 hours. The salt will absorb and cleanse the energy wherever it is left. After 24 hours, sweep or vacuum it up. MAKE SURE YOU DISPOSE OF IT immediately. All the work it has done for you and your home is voided if you let it sit in the vacuum bag in the vacuum in the closet in your house for the next 3 weeks. If you need more of a boost, leave some fresh salt in the corners over time and watch your energy soar!
Windows are the eyes of a home. Not only is it important to keep them sparkling clean, your home needs them WIDE OPEN so fresh air circulates throughout as much as possible. Once you have completed the salt ritual, OPEN YOUR WINDOWS. If the weather is bad, even a few minutes is better than nothing. It is believed in feng shui that the energy of the day shifts between [11:00] and [1:00] (both A.M. and P.M.). Empower your efforts even more by opening the windows during these hours.
When I vacuum up the salt, I vacuum the WHOLE house. I am literally sucking up any lingering negativity. And when I am done, not only has the energy in my home improved, I feel more open to life again.
Since house and body should be in harmony, I end the day with a salt bath. Dissolve a pound of salt in your bath water and soak 30 minutes. Adding rosemary or eucalyptus essential oil to your salt will give you a fresh surge of energy as they are POWERFULLY cleansing oils.
When life gets crazy, I go back to the basics. With a little salt, fresh air, and a quick vacuum around the house, my spirits are lifted and I feel whole again. We find serenity in the simplest of places, and I believe this ritual is one of the most affirming feng shui "cures" we can all easily use. As Winston Churchill said, "We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us." I completely concur!
