Gliding on the Wings of Spring – Soaring with Feng Shui

 

I’m ever observant of nature and the gifts it offers.  In Feng Shui we apply the elements of nature in our environment to create balance and harmony.  Nature is a mirror that reflects back to us the cycle of life and the process of evolving.  With the beginning of Spring I have been contemplating the connection of mind, body and spirit – of shedding the excess weight, heaviness and darkness associated with winter in order to make room for the light, growth and freedom that Spring inspires.  I understand that the clutter in my home is a result of clutter in my mind and the physical and mental clutter prevents me from being present.  This leaves me with a restlessness and spiritually unfulfilled.  

I have begun this seasonal rite of passage by endeavouring to go through boxes in my basement that have successfully transitioned through moves.  However, in their idleness and neglect, a burden and heaviness exists.   Perhaps it is in the understanding that in opening the boxes, parts of myself that have been repressed and neglected will surface.   I descend, clear off an old table and give it new life by adding some bright silk flowers, a table lamp and a lovely forgotten about family picture that had been hidden away.  This centre I have created acts as my light and inspiration in moving forward.  As I create and cultivate space through the decluttering process, I plant seeds for the unknown – for something new to enter my life.  In the practice of Feng Shui, we first clear the clutter because in so doing, the most dramatic and exciting changes begin to form and take place.  With the sights, scents and tastes of Spring exploding all around us, there is a desire to create this in our homes and lives.

With the re-discovery of what makes my heart sing and what things elicit a negative or no response, I am able to clear a space that leaves me feeling more motivated and productive.  I sow the seeds and allow for the process of yielding and maturing.  In essence, I am raising my vibration or ‘chi’ (energy) which prompts me to engage more in the connection with who I am and what my passions are.  In Feng Shui it is by observing and making the appropriate changes that allow this ‘chi’ to flow freely in our homes and lives.  There is a renewed will to move and stretch my body, an urge to clean and discard, a desire to add colour and life into my space and a longing for connection.  As my physical space and body become more engaged in the action that aligns with my intentions, my mind clears with the understanding of what serves me and what does not.  As my senses become more aware and sharper the restlessness settles into a gentle meandering flow of simplicity and curiosity.  I glide into Spring with ease, comfort and inspiration.

crocus

Empowered by the ‘Seat of Power’

Empowered by the ‘Seat of Power’

Take a moment to observe your current environment from where you are seated.  What is in front of you, what is at your sides and what is behind you?  Do you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable or do you feel safe and protected?    In Feng Shui, the ideal position is known as ‘the seat of power’.  The general rule of thumb is that the ‘seat of power’ is the position that is furthest from the door with a view of the door and not in line with the door.   It is in this position that we feel the most secure and supported.  This is also known as the ‘armchair position’.  We have support at our back, protection on the sides and an open view in front of us.  In the office this position helps one to feel supported and competent.  When you feel this way, you maximize your potential for success.

In the bedroom it is important to have a solid wall at your back and a headboard offering protection and support.  In the living room, place your favourite chair or couch in this position.  In the photo shown, a new life was brought to this home office/yoga space with a change in furniture placement that aligned with the ‘power position’.  Before the changes were made, the area was neglected and lacked inspiration.  With the changes, the client welcomed new opportunities that entered her life and she felt supported in her newly awakened creative endeavours.

Do you wish to make a change in your home or office environment?   Do you wish to be more supported, prosperous and creative at work or home?  Evolving Spaces Feng Shui provides a range of services to fit each clients unique needs.

Evolving Spaces Feng Shui Consultations

On Becoming a Derby Girl!

Opportunity to evolve in a new space has arrived.  Instinctively I know it is to be this.  Cautiously hesitant at first,  but a persistent call to join the ranks in this rink of fire.  The ‘why’ is the mystery and I suppose I’m not to know until it unfolds but I’m wide open to the energy that is being created by it.

And so it began…the first night of practice with the Norfolk Derby Girls!  I was ready to roll!   I’d never used a mouth guard before and didn’t know what in the world to do with it so I put it in my bag crossing my fingers I wouldn’t knock my teeth out on this night.  Rollin’ out onto the floor I kind of got my groove on as memories of the 80’s came flooding back of roller skating with friends at the roller rink in Mississauga, ON  along with the tunes and the disco lights.  I quickly learned that this was not to be an evening of reverie.  The disco days ended as we were all called to the center.  There was work to be done!

Wow!  What a great turn out of fabulous women!  Was I the oldest I wondered?  Did it matter really?  Someone had to be and I had this great image in my mind of being fit and fabulous at ummm…forty to fifty something!  Or is this what you call mid-life crisis?  Of course age and image were to be irrelevant in this moment and I’ve learned that if something feels right to not let the opportunity pass by.

The first thing we were taught was derby stance.   I knew my years of tree planting up in the Northern wilds would pay off.  Squat down just so…of course enough so you don’t pee on yourself and not so far down that your butt gets pricked on stinging nettles.  Okay, I could do this!

It was a night of learning t-stops, the plow, crossovers, and falling on your knees.  The knee pads rocked!  There were a few thuds throughout the night as flesh hit concrete and though I was able to save myself this time  while flailing ever so gracelessly ,I  know that I’m not immune and there will likely be many bruises to come.

It has been interesting to learn that roller derby dates back to the 1920’s and has undergone some pretty cool revivals as it has evolved over the years.  It hit a peak in the 1970’s.  “In 1972, 50,118 fans broke the record for the highest turnout to a game.”  I found that “0riginally, roller derby was a marathon sport, the goal being to complete 57,000 laps around the track.”

I also discovered that derby skaters sport some neat names such as ‘Viscious’,  ‘Black Betty’, ‘Suzie Sidewinder’, ‘Babe Ruthless’, ‘Ace of Skates’, and ‘Fire Kracker’ to name a few!  I’ve been playing around with a few.  Katatonic, Kat’s Ass, Kat Scratch Fever, Shit Kicked Out Of Me!

Well, ready to roll and burn, burn, burn on a rink of fire!  And if I’m still doing this when the hot flashes kick in, it’s sure to just add fuel to the fire!  I think Norfolk County has some great, unique entertainment rolling its way!

Celebrating and Honouring Someone Special

I have felt her love, inspiration and presence all week….she was a gardening client I had in North Vancouver who became a very dear friend. We had not been in touch for many years…for reasons that were probably meant to be at the time.  Right now I have never felt closer to her.  Kim and I had dinner together the night of the 9/11 attacks and prayed.  I sat with her on her back porch in silence celebrating a summer solstice evening.  We shared our dreams together as we created dream boards.  She came to the celebration of my first child with her cane and I felt so blessed that she was there for the short time she was able to.  I took her for a night out to the casino where I pushed her up to the roulette table in her wheelchair.  She completely took over, stunning the bystanders as she won round after round.  We had such a fun night together!   Kim had multiple sclerosis…She suffered so bravely and courageously and with such a beauty that I can only now understand.

I finished writing a song earlier in the week and I feel certain that the words coming out were guided by her spirit.   Playing and singing the song over and over, I thought of her…and I looked her up.  I would soon be going to Vancouver for a visit and thought that  perhaps we could see each other again.  I discovered that would not be possible – not physically.  What I found when I looked her up was her obituary.  She passed away on October 17th of this month.    There is a quote in her obituary:  “The Art of Living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”

I can’t have any regrets about losing touch.  She offered me presence that I was not yet able to absorb or comprehend.   I offered what I could to her at that time, understanding now that my ego then was too out of proportion for what she needed in her life.  Perhaps it is in the slow, gradual diminishing of mine that we are now able to reconnect in such a magical way.  In understanding that all we have are ‘moments’, I am so grateful for the ones we had, for it is those moments of presence that remain with me.  The name of the song I wrote was ‘Orenda’ which is the Iroquois word for ‘spritiual energy’…a spiritual force present in all objects and humans.  These are the last two verses of the song:

The raven glides above you

Carves his secret on your wings

Heaven and Earth lay within you

Uniting in mystery.

The land inhales the breath that leaves you

Dissolving in eternity

The light above that blinds you

Takes you home where you can see.

Connecting in Sacred Spaces

We all long to belong and to be heard or understood… to ‘connect’ in meaningful ways.  A Sacred Space is one in which meaningful connections are made.  Whether with ourselves or with others.  A place of vibrant gentleness where the freedom to express radiates upon a gentle breeze of honesty and sincerity.  It’s an honoured place where we feel safe as we cry, laugh, sing, dance, create, explore, love, communicate, share or meditate.

I was keenly aware and sensitive to the subtleties and nuances of the spaces around me from a very young age.  By not understanding this, I was provided and given a great gift to explore, navigate, design, grow and settle into the spaces around me. Sitting on the gym floor with my school mates in kindergarten to eat my lunch  was very scary and somewhat traumatizing…this was NOT a Sacred Space!  I opted instead to escape outside with my lunch and eat alone in the sand box where I suppose I did feel safe, in an enclosed box surrounded by sand and a gritty sandwich.

As a Feng Shui Consultant, one of my most important responsibilities is to listen, observe and create the sacred spaces that will prompt change and create positive transitions.  It is to create spaces of comfort and safety that allow for full freedom of expression and creativity.  By taking charge of our homes and treating them as though they were sacred spaces we support and nurture our desires, goals and intentions.  Spaces that holds us back, preventing personal growth are ones where we feel unrest and unease.  When we connect with our personal space we pave the way to having a deeper connection with ourself, radiating to promote greater connections with the all else’s that best support our journey.

It is so important to surround ourselves with what we love and to create and open up space for what we may need and desire to come into our lives.  The rest demands to be surrendered and released – a task that can be immensely challenging.  We often surround ourselves with things that do not serve us or support us, building up to create an unbreakable cocoon of fear.  Fear of what our greatest connection and potential may offer us.

A sacred space is one which gives us the freedom to express, to create and to live fully and relentlessly.  A sacred space is one in which change occurs, where the cocoon breaks open to release the most beautiful of transformations.

photo credit: fotolia

Searching, Silence and Sound – A Voice Found

This Is Life As It Ought To Be

And It’s Swillin’ Around Inside Of Me

This Is Life As It Ought To Be

Setting Fire To The Ground In Front Of Me

And I Walk On Flames

Burn With Ecstasy

Nothing Could Make Me Feel So Free

-KCL

Songwriting and Playing music in front of others has been a process of struggle, revelation, awareness, courage, inspiration, and identity.  It has been the realization that what is hidden or suppressed within me, finds its way out through melody and words. It has been the experience of mystery and intrigue that the writing and vibration of these words and song manifest years after expressing them.  It has also been the understanding that ‘perfection’ is not necessary to feel joy in what one does or to positively affect another.

For me, the process of ‘finding my voice’, claiming it, and sharing it,  has taken me on impactful and touching solo journeys such as this-   Living out of my car and travelling down the Pacific Coast Hwy. in California armed with fear, my guitar an amplifier and mike;  A 2 month journey through India, figuring out how to get on packed busses and trains with an overstuffed knapsack and my guitar; Playing for a wonderful group with my daughter of about 80 individuals at the soup kitchen in Fort McMurray, AB…where life on the streets offers a combination of beauty and cruelty.

It has been these such moments that have brought me back from a voice that was safely tucked away in a capsule of fear.   It has been the burning desire to eject myself out of the capsule knowing that to express what is within will allow for change and growth,  and it has been in doing so that has allowed more creativity and inspiration to gently ascend into the  space created.

I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to sing a few of my songs and what inspired them this Saturday Sept. 26th at 12:00pm  for the event:  AngelFest 2015 which is taking place at Lynedoch Lyceum Retreat in Delhi, ON.  from 10-4.

Please join us!

 

With Clutter As My ‘Guide’

I am no stranger to conquering and controlling clutter.   Through principles and knowledge gained with the practice of Feng Shui, I’ve learned of the energy clutter holds, how it affects us, where areas of clutter in our home accumulate and what area of your life it relates to.   We accumulate and surround ourselves with ‘things’ to give us an identity and a sense of security. The main reason we have difficulty letting go of clutter is because of ‘fear’.  Fear of moving forward, fear of change, fear of losing a part of ourselves or someone else, fear of making decisions… When it starts to accumulate I’ve come to see what is being mirrored in my life. What is it that I don’t want to accept, forgive, or surrender to? Sometimes I already know, other times the clutter gives me an opportunity to dig deeper. When the desire to clean and purge presents itself, I understand that I am ready to make a change and that change will indeed occur. The process of acceptance, forgiveness and/or surrender has begun and I can feel it moving when I pick up a broom and start sweeping. I can feel it when I start throwing out things that have no meaning and I can feel it when I start to glue together the pieces of broken objects that have been sitting in a drawer.  And when I am finished, well I’ve come to accept and understand that I never really truly am…that this cycle, like the cycle of life will continue. That again a drawer will fill up with meaningless items and perhaps another fear or challenge is upon me that I will have the opportunity to observe and learn from….But in that moment, in that space, I breathe…with a presence that fills me and allows me to inhale inspiration and see the mysteries and magic that life brings. The 3 main principles of Feng Shui include: Everything Is Connected, Everything Is Alive, and Everything Changes. These 3 principles become so very clear…with ‘clutter’ as my guide.

Feng Shui For The Kids! Back To School!

What a great summer it’s been! Time exploring, playing, late nights, ice cream, popsicles, frolicking in the waves, making sand castles, roasting marshmallows… Now with both excitement and trepidation at play, the days and hours are being counted down. For now, the excitement of seeing friends, a new teacher, a new classroom, back to school shopping, loading up the new backpack and testing out the new ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ shoes ousts ‘time at the beach’.
I feel an innate urge to eliminate and declutter knowing that to simplify will alleviate unnecessary anxiety and stress.  For me, creating ‘space’ will aid in establishing a routine and the order needed to avoid complete mayhem and dishevelment.

How can we best prepare the children and ourselves for this time of transition?
1. ELIMINATE CLUTTER…throughout the home! The entryway where the shoes and knapsacks get tossed, the kitchen where school lunch preparation happens, the bathroom to help ease into the new schedule, and the bedroom – a child’s sanctuary! A cluttered room is one that creates stagnancy, lack of motivation and can cause one to feel overwhelmed.
2. SLEEP AND STUDY SPACES…that offer a feeling of comfort and safety. The ideal position for beds and desks is farthest from the door with a view of the door. This is known as the ‘power position’. When our back is to the door and we cannot see what is behind us, we are left feeling more vulnerable.
3. OTHER BEDROOM CONSIDERATIONS…Be sure areas are well-lit; Create a space for children to display their achievements; Create a relaxing energy in the room with soft, calming colours and a framed photo of loved ones; For children that need a boost of self-confidence consider adding a full length mirror or some more active colours; Incorporate artwork chosen by the child or that which represents the child’s interests; Display items that activate the child’s creativity and imagination (items from nature, a map, a chalkboard)
4. CREATE A MEAL PLAN…to make lunches more interesting, nutritious and economical! Consider adding lunchbox love notes to bring a surprised smile to your child’ face. Words of love, encouragement, or inspiring quotes!
5. CREATE RITUALS or return to them….one’s that align with your family dynamic and routine. For example, during your evening meal take turns talking of the good things that happened that day. Freshen up the bookshelf, and cuddle up for an evening story. Make time to dance!

Celebrate the last days of summer in preparation for the exciting transitions ahead!

Choosing Compassion Over Condemnation

What happens when we condemn? Not just condemning others but ourselves as well? What happens when we choose compassion over condemnation? When we offer others love – providing them with a choice – perhaps one they did not know they had. Would they not now have the ability to grow rather than wither and stagnate?  Or if we simply accepted one as they are and who they choose to by.  Would it not offer them safety, inclusion and connectedness?  As in the environments we live in, when we are surrounded by physical blockages, there is no room to expand. How do we move forward? Where do we begin? When the blockages are removed there is space. There is room to breathe, and to take in the oxygen that sustains us.  Or if we accepted our physical environment as it is, accepting both our limits and abilities without judgement.

If we are so accustomed to comdemning how do we recognize it? Is this not truly the condemnation of self and self-rejection that we are experiencing? To begin by releasing lack of compassion towards self would allow us to see the judgement and condemnation we place upon another. So how do we offer compassion? By first releasing lack of compassion or judgement we place upon ourselves.

When we are able to achieve this crucial first step, we have not just the abiity to see, but to feel the experiences of others…It is in that ‘feeling’ that the love offered is felt and received. In that exchange and reciprocity, one has the ability to flourish…knowing now that ‘choice’ is available and self-acceptance is in reach…and the circle continues.

A Magical Sense of ‘Place’

Magical? What does it feel like and how do we arrive at it? Depending on how we choose to view it, I believe we can create it and feel it, whoever we are and wherever we are. It is a feeling I’ve come to experience more and more often…It is in the making of connections and understanding how we are all connected. Of both being affected and of affecting change. It is getting blissfully lost in moments of silence. Of giving without the expectation of receiving. It is the feeling of presence in our environment. It is the feeling of ‘being home’.

Waterfall at Ivey’s Dam in Port Dover, ON

My home continues to evolve…day by day and with each passing season. Where I dwell, I have found that these magical moments come easily offering a place where I feel rooted, grounded, and free to fly. In Feng Shui, this is what we aim to achieve. The principles of Feng Shui offer us tools to mitigate unhealthy environments and to create spaces that nurture and inspire us.  We make a connection with all that surrounds us.  A place that elicits our curiosity, intrigue, creativity and freedom is one that has the power to stir us physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

When the spirit of place dwells within you, there exists a gravitational desire to experience all it has to offer and to return this by creating experience. It is where the physical and non-physical meet. Where celebrations, woods, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, soil, art and architecture dance in harmony with feelings of joy, happiness, challenges and love. When a place awakens all our senses we have the ability to experience all of this…and so much more!