Feng Shui for the Transition Times: Happy New Year 2018

My Guitar                                       Catherine Al-Meten Meyers

Transition times are great times for clearing out the old and making room for the new. The Solar New Year, 2018 begins in January, and provides an excellent time to prepare for and to greet the energy of the new year. This 3-part series looks at how you can use Feng Shui to prepare for, celebrate, and enter into living an energy-filled good new year. 

Preparing for the New Year
As the old year winds down, it is natural to reflect on what has happened in the past and what we hope will happen in the future. We mark the passing of time, and this is a good practice to remind us of how our energy has been used. Try to do some intentional preparing before the new year begins.

• Assessing. Take a look around. Observe how your home and surroundings are. Notice where there are areas that need to be cleared, cleaned, or rearranged. Make note of what needs tending to, and then prioritize your list (not everything is of equal importance). Look at yourself-your health, your physical appearance and hygiene, your dress and hair style---all those things that reflect how you feel about yourself. Notice the colors you're being drawn to.  What, if anything, needs addressing?
• Decluttering.  Spend some time decluttering your home, your car, your desk, your office, your purse, and the areas around your doors. As you do this, separate items you want to give away, repurpose, or trash into baskets/bags, and pack them in your car so that you can take them to their intended destination before the new year.

Clearing. Going through files, drawers, cupboards, closets, and rooms to rid yourself of unnecessary items, is a form of decluttering, but focuses more on releasing energy that is more hidden. Files on computers or in filing cabinets/paper files, canned goods, products, outdated medicine, makeup, photo files (hard and efiles), and any other place where items sit unused or unneeded in some form. Everything we have holds a certain amount of our energy, and when we can release ourselves from that energy, we free the energy up to use in more creative and productive ways.  For example, in the interest of conserving resources, I save glass jars. My plan is to repurpose them, but often I create an overabundance of them. Recycling or giving to someone who will use them is a better idea of having them taking up space and energy. It's also a very good Feng Shui principle to give things away to those who need them or will use them. A good friend is very good at giving items she once loved to someone new to love that item. 

Giving away something of value to someone we care deeply for is also a great way to release ourselves from being too attached to a possession while realizing its value lies in being able to pass it to someone new to enjoy. Jewelry is one item that we often pass along, and it's a very good idea to share our beautiful things with those who could use a little more beauty in their lives. My most precious gifts are those items of jewelry that someone has given me, a bracelet of my Mothers', earrings of a friend, a necklace or ring that someone has worn and now passes along to me. It's easier to give away something that doesn't mean anything to us; it's harder to give away something of value, but there is a special magic and power in that kind of gifting.

Make the new year (or any transition time) an occasion to notice how you feel about your attachments to your surroundings, and even to your own habits.

Cleaning. Good Feng Shui is created when we allow the Chi/Energy to flow more freely. This pertains to both the arrangement and the condition of our homes, work spaces, and ourselves. Clean out the drains (vinegar and baking soda is a simple, non-toxic way to do this). Clean out the refrigerator.

Taking a hint from Jewish practices of the Sabbath, try to have all your cooking and cleaning done the day before New Years, so you arrive into the new year with everything clean and in place and you relieve yourself of having to work too much as the year begins. One of the blessings of Feng Shui is creating a flow of energy that allows you to balance all areas of your life--body, mind, and spirit. Allow yourself time and energy to enjoy life, get enough rest, and find ways to balance work with the joy of living.

Change your linens, get the laundry done, clean up any messes that create negative Chi/energy in your home. Clean up the areas around your doors, and adorn them with something red or gold (good luck colors). Change your clothes, and dress up a bit. Clean out your wallet and purse (get a new red wallet for yourself).


Creating an Inviting Home. Along with decorating your doors for guests coming and going, make your home inviting. Yesterday I stopped to admire the beautiful winter bouquets in my little neighborhood market, and the shop owner gave me a bouquet. It is full of white and red flowers, adorned with red tissue, and brightens up my home. Rearrange your home to take advantage of the light and open all the windows (even briefly if it's stormy) to let in fresh air.
A year ago I moved, and realized that years of wear and tear and pets had made my rugs past their shelf life. A friend gave me a gift of two new rugs, and now I realize how important it is to keep the house not only looking good but also making it easier to keep clean and presentable. Area rugs are often on sale at this time of year, and provide an easy, colorful update to your environment. Donate the rugs and let someone else get the use out of the ones you let go of. Garage sales, yards sales, and clearance sales are great spots to find new lighting. Lamps are fairly easy to repair, and provide much needed light and style to your decor.

Change up the color in your decor.  This year I've added a lot of red, purple, and blue to my decorating. While on vacation I found some beautiful, inexpensive curtain panels at Target. Now I'm going to replace my vertical blinds with a big dash of color and more privacy. Add a dash of color to your wardrobe, your hair, or your accessories. Pick colors that enliven you, and notice what colors in your wardrobe or house are faded, worn out, or outdated for who you are now. Take the occasion to spruce things up, and in the process, get rid of what you no longer need. As you add to your life, be sure to release something in kind. For every new piece of clothing, one or two pieces go to be recycled. Same thing with items and pieces of art.

Be sure to use the five Feng Shui elements throughout your home. Wood, Fire, Water, Air, and Metal can help to balance the energy and vibrancy creating a better flow when placed in the home. For example, wood and water elements placed in the South and Southeast corner of your home/room/space will attract greater prosperity. Wood furniture and lush plants in the East areas of the house attract good health and well being.


Setting Intentions. One thing I've noticed for myself and have heard others also mention is that this time is a time to rest and relax. A time out, so to speak when we recharge our batteries and take some much-needed time to get outdoors, take a nap, read a book, catch up with friends, or simply spend time alone being quiet and peaceful. We might meditate or take long walks. Whatever we choose to do this weekend, let's include a little time to set some intentions for the next year. One mantra that has been running through my mind is 'be simple'; another is 'surrender to what is'. Your callings may be much different. Listen to that inner voice, the answer to those prayers of yours, or those desires you've had that you may have put on the shelf over and over. Rather that thinking about what you're going to change, think about what's working that you want to keep doing. Make a list of all that you've accomplished over the last year. Or a list of all that has changed since last new years. Make a list of what you are thankful for. And then consider what you want to release and not carry forward into the new year.

Your home and all the spaces where you spend your time/energy/Chi are sources of energy for your life. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your life, it is essential that you identify what it is that needs changing, and then make some effort to bring about changes in that area in the new year. Not to do so, means you carry that unhappy energy into your new year. Someone once told me when I wasn't feeling good about life to 'act as if'.  To dress up, imagine myself as the happy person I wanted to be, the healthy person, the prosperous person, and then act as if I were.

So much of what happens to us in our lives is in direct proportion to how we're feeling about ourselves, others, situations, or conditions, and and what kind of energy we put into improving and lifting ourselves and others.  Our thoughts and actions are powerful sources of energy, so do a bit of self reflecting and set some intentions for improving. And then act as if it is already true. All actions have their roots in the imagination...thinking something could be or is so. Fill your mind with good positive thoughts of what you see yourself being, doing, having, creating, and achieving.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about celebrating the new year.

That One Good Thing

That One Good Thing

Organizing our lives, often revolves around the hardest times and the times we least know what to do to help ourselves or others. Early on in life, I learned that out of even the worst situation, there was something that could be learned or taken away from it. That one good thing. It probably came to me through my Mother's promptings to look on the bright side of life. It has been my practice to look for whatever that is in dark times as well as the good ones.

That one good thing may be finding something of value out of a wealth of information laying before you. When we open a webiste or read a 'how to' book, what is the one good thing that we remember? Years ago when the idea of decluttering caught up with my constant practice of trying to get life organized, I came upon a website called The Fly Lady. Maybe some of you have heard of her? I hadn't thought about the Fly Lady much for years, until yesterday when confronted with an unexpected need to get people organized to help a friend.

My friends' 17 year old son died on Sunday afternoon. He'd been undergoing chemotherapy for metassticized cancer. Bad enough, he developed a horrendous bacterial infection and within two days, he was dead. His Mother, my dear friend, contacted me and asked me if I'd keep an eye on her ex-husband. She herself has friends and family supporting her; he does not have nearly as much support. Both are different kinds of people with very different needs, so although very sad and wrecked about Alex's death, I knew his Mother would let me know what she needed. Alex's father on the other hand, was all over the place. A very emotional, dramatic guy, he's been devoted to his son, and was not dealing well at all.

Yesterday after yoga, I went to get a coffee before meeting a friend, and I ran into the dad. I held him as he sobbed and talked to me about how he was feeling, and he asked if I could help him move some things Now the dad, my friend, is a big guy who single-handedly lifted and moved my sofa up a steep flight of stairs (and back down again last year). I, on the other hand, am not a big person, and have reached the point where lifting is not okay. What I know about my friend is he needs company, grounding, and concrete ways to channel his grief, at least right now. I asked questions that enabled him to talk about specific needs (wanting to contact Alex's friends, needing to clean up the house that had been left in disrepair and disarray for months if not years. The father's grief is compounded by his lack of basic needs right now, so I knew he needed more than my help.

When I met my other friend, she told me about the people who wanted to help. Most everyone was in the position of not wanting to intrude on the parent's grief, but not wanting to do nothing. No one seemed to know where to begin. I, on the other hand, felt like I had been divinely guided to meet my friend on the pier. I had made certain both people knew I was available, but waited for them to let me know it was okay to act. My good friend's request to support her ex-husband, was my cue.

By the time I got home, I'd made a mental note of the people who I thought would want to help as well as the ones who had already said they would. I started by setting up a group page on FB, and inviting people to join. Then I set up a meal delivery plan, and got a sign up started to deliver meals and companionship daily for at least two weeks.

At each stage, more people added their ingredients to the pot of care. People offered trucks and time to help move items to Goodwill and local thrift shops. Others offered to set up a fundraiser in the community to help both parents with financial needs. And so the ball is rolling, and several of us are monitoring the changing situation to determine what is needed at different stages. One good friend is driving home from California to help clean and cook for a couple of days. I'll join her and do what I can. The most important part is solid, grounded company and a willingness to listen, to the different needs of both parents.

When something so unexpected happens, something as shocking as the loss of a young man who's barely had time to live, we, the community, all have to figure out how to deal with the horror of it. It makes those of us who are parents feel that unspoken dread we all have of wanting to protect our children from anything bad. It hits those without children of their own differently, but we all know what loss and grief feel like, and just how hard it is to know what to do about it.

After the day was done, and I needed to rest and relax a bit, I glanced across the room at the dishes and dish pan in the sink. I remembered The Fly Lady, whose first step toward's an organized life is cleaning the kitchen sink. I reread her instructions, although of course I know how to clean a sink. But I needed reminding of what each step was about. I took everything out of the sink, and filled it with hot water and bleach. I then rinsed the sink out and gave it a through cleaning. I washed and dried all the dishes, and then put everything away, including the dish pan and drainer. I cleaned and shined the sink, and then cleared and cleaned the counters. For the first time in a year, my kitchen looked neat and tidy.It took me a very little time to do this, and made me feel better.

This morning when i woke up, I saw the cleared and cleaned counters and sink, and felt it might be one thing I could do to make life a little easier. A step towards coping with bigger issues. The clean sink at night step is a bit like the Morning Pages of the Artist's Way--something small that make others things easier, lighter, and clearer. That one small thing that I can do, despite the overwhelming sense that there's just too much to tackle to ever get over the mountain. Kind of in line with doing it in littles, a habit or two that help put our lives in order, to let the flow, the Chi move unimpeded, as we live life that can become complex and tragic in a split second.

Out of our grief and sorrow, out of feeling of frustration or helplessness, in spite of our overwhelming sense of pain, we can all do something. One small thing that makes a difference, and it's usually for someone else. It helps us connect, unite, and express some compassion at times when we need that most.

Feng Shui and Inner Change: Your Lucky Day

Resting Place                  Catherine Al-Meten Meyers

Feng Shui is the art of working with your surroundings to influence the flow of Chi/Energy. According to ancient Chinese principles, luck or good fortune play a key role in the movement of life. Our inner lives are just as important as our outer lives and surroundings. The principles of the use of energy is the same.

Tien is the luck from Heaven. A divine gift or grace that you receive whether you are looking for it or not. We humans have no power to influence this kind of luck, other than to remain open to receiving its benefits. If we don't see the good fortune right in front of us, or if we turn away from the answer to our prayers when it arrives, we are being unreceptive to Tien, Heavenly luck.

Ti is the Earth luck, the good fortune that flows in and out of our lives. We can have an influence on Ti, Earth luck by how we use the energy in our surroundings. We can block bad energy and we can attract auspicious energy to us through the way we use our energy and arrange our lives.

Ren is the kind of luck we make for ourselves when we go beyond the boundaries we or others have set for us. Stepping out of our comfort zone, so to speak.

Together the three types of luck or good fortune influence and affect our lives. As I write this column today, The Sun and Jupiter meet in their annual meeting. This meeting, called a conjunction, heightens the energy of both the Sun/our star and Jupiter, the planet of benevolence and good fortune. Today is considered the luckiest day of the year. Since both Jupiter's orbit is distant from the Sun, it moves very slowly. That means that the influence that reaches its peak today continues to have an influence and continues to light up whatever area of our lives it has an impact on. Whatever we focus in on today, will continue to bring us gifts well into the future.

Whatever new path you have recently headed out on is highlighted by this influence. So how do we make the most of such energy? How do we use both Ti and Ren fortune to give ourselves a boost in the areas we hope will be shined upon by good fortune?

When change is imminent, it usually is signaled by a confluence of chaotic, upsetting, and crisis-ridden events. One person I spoke to said every meeting she attended was rife with cranky people and conflict. So much so that she knew it wasn't just what she was feeling. And often we only need to look around us to see how our energy is blocked and tying things up for us.

How do your surroundings reflect your current energy?
Without getting up from where you are, think of all the places in your home or office or studio where there are piles, messes, or clutter. Are there still dishes in the sink, or clothes hanging on door knobs? When was the last time you cleaned out your purse, briefcase, or desktop? Outer reflects inner. Whatever you observe around you, is affected by and affects your inner balance.

What is most important to you at this time?
Whether you are just beginning a project or new path, are in the middle of a journey, or nearing the end of one, there are always new considerations that require balance of your time, energy, and resources. Rather that feeling like you have to act on every impulse, thought, or opportunity, it is crucial to take some time to determine what matters most. To do this, I'd make a short list of the top 4-5 immediate projects I'm working on or issues I'm dealing with. You might start with a longer list, and that's telling, because given the same 24 hours we each have in a day, most of us can only do a few things at a time, well. If we are over-programmed or over-scheduled (or both) this needs to be addressed. It's as important as having your desk facing the door (a Feng Shui suggestion), to have a clear view of what matters most.

Once you've narrowed down your list to 4-5 manageable projects or issues,  prioritize that list. This helps give you a clear picture of how much time and energy each project is taking or should be taking. We often spend too much time on some things and not enough on others. We may discover that what once was important, is no longer. What needs to go, what needs to stay?

Assess how you're using your energy and time. Time, like money and creativity, is energy. When we're working with our creativity (art, writing, music, drama, film, and other creative careers), we need to figure in time, money, energy, and space in order to see how we're using our energy.

For a while now, months if not years, I've been feeling the need to get assistance with my businesses. Running a one-woman show especially when it's more than one show, is not ideal. Besides being exhausting, it's not even efficient or effective. Once I made that need clear to myself and the Universe, the Divine, answers to my prayers began appearing. First were people who helped me with books I was working on. Then as my work increased, the opportunity to hand off a major chunk of my administrative, e-marketing, and organization work appeared.  Rather than greeting this with open arms and a positive 'can do'  feeling, I began finding reasons not to accept the help. As with many of us, most of those concerns revolved around the financial piece.

When I began examining why I was resisting taking this next big and necessary step, it boiled down to fear. Fear I wouldn't be able to afford it. Wrong! Fear is the block that must be removed, as the flow cannot happen when fear blocks the way. We can make all the excuses we need to explain it away, but fear is as bad as situating our homes on a cliff teetering over the ocean. When a big enough wave hits, the cliff is going to slide into the sea, and the house with it. When we get to these times in our lives when we allow fear to stop us in our tracks, the kind of Ti and Ren we need resides in first of all identifying what is holding us back. Second, it requires we take some risks and step out of the comfort zone in order to put ourselves on the path of good fortune.

If we never go in search of good fortune, we are guaranteed to occasionally run into luck anyway. Often though, we will turn our backs and walk away or see it as a stroke of good luck. What we may fail to see is how it is a door into a new way of traveling the path we're on. Any creative art is in some sense, an act of faith. We do what we love because we feel compelled to, and if we are courageous, that art and our life as an artist becomes more and more important.

On any path, be it the writer or artist's path or any other kind of calling or career, we find ourselves at stopping and turning point. We have new opportunities that appear or a path we're on disappears. We are offered a job or our job is eliminated. Both are opportunities, if we see them as such. When we meet with opportunity or challenges, we are arriving at a point where we again meet those two little ends of the spectrum. Like the proverbial angel and devil sitting on our shoulders, the two ends of the spectrum may be win-lose, rise-fall, open-shut, or Yes, yes-hell no. There is much in between the two ends though.

When we reach the stopping or turning points, we get to reassess and decide what we both want and need to do and what is stopping us from doing that. This inner Feng Shui (organizing your inner energy) is crucial as a means to grow, develop, and move more authentically in the direction you want to go. Once we take time to better understand what stops us, we can rearrange our thinking to address the blocks, challenges, and opportunities that lay before us.

On the luckiest day of the year, or any day, focusing our time, energy, attention, intentions, and resources on what is uplifting, the next best step, and energy-producing seems the likely move. Think back to any major choice you've made, and the amount of resistance you put into that before you made the choice. In most cases, when I do this, I realize the amount of resistance was so much greater than any kind of obstacle I met once I chose the path.

On this day, and every day, get out of your own way, and move towards what is enlivening to yourself and others. Do the work you have a passion for and have been trained and gifted with. Move out of your fears, frustration, or anger, and get on over that fence that seems to stand in your way. For on the other side of resistance, is life. Choose life. Always choose life.

Working Well Under Pressure and Outside the Box

Reflections                                                                                 Catherine Meyers

Judging from the last time I wrote this column, I'd say straightening up hasn't been on my agenda. Well at least that's what one might imagine. On the contrary, having just moved in December, my last column in January was just the beginning of a very focused period of organization. Most of that time was spent organizing from the move and working hard to a deadline to finish a book. Both are mostly done now, so I can come out from the haze of post-move and final deadline drama.

Today, when I ought to be getting the house ready for a gathering later on, I instead am out of the house by 7:10, and on my way to yoga and then last minute shopping. This column has popped out as a result of my reflections on how much better I like working under pressure than I do dragging things out over a long period of time. We all have different modes that work best for us. My writing-work mode is to stay focused and stay in. A weekly trip out to get supplies and if I really push myself, time to head to a yoga class or time to meet a friend for a walk, a chat, or a cuppa. My preferred mode is to stick to my routine and avoid too many distractions.

This comes after years of dividing my time, energy, strength, and focus among a number of competing demands and obligations. This morning after yoga, I headed to the store to pick up the few items I need for the Ceviche I'm fixing for tonight, and then I went to my favorite place on the river, Coffee Girl. I allow myself time at Coffee Girl at least once a week, and treasure the time there as if it were a trip to the Left Bank of Paris. Today, I met the owner, Betsy, and talked with her about book event. Then I stood in line to order my cafe au lait, and got myself a few Coffee Girl Stickers...to go with the Coffee Girl mug, my Coffee Girl sweatshirts and t-shirts (I don't even like t-shirts, but theirs are v-necked and soft). Along with my time alone with my coffee, I do a crossword puzzle or two and a Sudoko. This morning, I completed the puzzle in no time at all--a very rewarding feeling, and also did the Sudoko.

Head down in the newspaper Sudoko, I became aware of someone standing right beside me, and I looked up to see my friend, Margaret. She'd walked over to connect with me, and we had a nice catch up talk, before she joined her family for coffee. One thing we share in common is a very introverted personality...one that requires scads of time to regenerate. We also share a common background in teaching, administration, and theology...we even studied at the same seminary though not at the same time. This common bond makes it easy for me to tell her about my dislike of public events, and desire to do some small personal book events instead. Her response, "You don't need to tell me. We introverts need to find other ways of doing things." We looked one another in the eye, and nothing more was needed to understand what that's like.

My many extrovert friends, often wonder whether I'm slipping into a depression or losing touch with reality, but honestly, I feel like this time of my career as a writer is some of the most precious and valuable time I've ever had. My time is my own to organize or squander as I see fit. My writing, which is usually involving more than one project, allows me to take advantage of all kinds of experiences which help feed my mind, my imagination, my soul, and my creative yen. I can do extrovert when the need arises, and can even enjoy it---for a while. Then I need to get to a quiet space, rest up, and refocus on what is waiting to unfold before me.

Today, I thought about this column, and as I write it I find it's not just about organizing but it's about how to zero in on our own modus operandi. What works for me? How has my life changed, and what are the new demands, requirements, or challenges? Another good friend shared with me that she's been under the weather, and is looking for more energy to get back up to par. She's one of the busiest and most outgoing people I know, so it surprised me to hear her say she wasn't up to her usual pace and energy level.  We each have different kinds of metabolism.  And by that I'm not just referring to the physical rhythms and baseline level of health. The metabolism I refer to is our emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual, and baseline needs as a human being.

The system known as bio-feedback so popular in the 70s and 80s, allowed us to get back in touch with our rhythms and patterns of behavior.  When hooked up to the machine or when following the rhythms of our biological patterns, we learned to check in with our natural rhythms. The highs and lows, the ups and downs, and the regularities and inconsistencies that have such an effect on our lives, even when we're not paying attention.

Life, as many of us have lived it, has been determined to a great degree by the demands of the choices we've made regarding family, work, life styles, and our own dreams and desires. We have also been shaped by our limitations. One size does not fit all. Even in the same job or family situation, we recognize that individuals have very different needs and desires. What does this have to do with organizing? It has to do with finding the style of getting things in order that best suits us. And it also requires that we keep in mind that our styles change over time.  What worked when i was working at three separate campuses, and flying up and down the Eastern Seaboard, does not work for my lifestyle as a writer.

Not only different strokes for different folks, but also different ways to cope and adjust depending on what we're doing and what our priorities, needs, and demand are now. Some people stick to the old way of doing something, simply because, get ready, "that's the way I've always done it."  I'm sure you recognize that tendency. Do you recognize it in anything that has become routine and stagnant lately though? Stop for a minute and think of the routines you've established over the last year or so. Think of what your usual way of heading into summer usually looks like, and see if some adjustment isn't needed.

Tonight I'm having a small gathering for a good friend whose last day of work is today. She's done with the organized, structured, institutionalized work that she's been doing for over her adult work life. Now she's getting ready to enter a more creative exploration of what her life is going to turn into now. It's a meaningful transition for her, and I wanted to help her celebrate this threshold time. So my focus today, with the exception of writing this column, is to be about creating some special foods, preparing a comfortable setting, and getting myself and my home ready for greeting friends. Not concerned about who shows up, but more about showing my friend a celebration of moving out of a safe, comfortable, predictable mode into uncharted territory.

What moves me out of the complacent parts of my lifestyle, are those friends and family members who touch my heart and make me feel the need to do more for them. To go outside my own self-containment and open the doors to letting in more energy, joy, and celebration. So the menu that has been brewing in my imagination all week, is set to come together. Shrimp, lime, and onion are marinating. Avocados are waiting to be turned into guacamole and the topping on Ceveche Catrine, and the baguette and tortillas are waiting to become quesadillas and Bruschetta, complete with basel from my garden. And the Prosecco toast complete with lavender and mint, are ready to become toasts to the past, joy in the present, and hopes and dreams for the future.

For years I held a dream group at my home. Monthly we would gather to talk about our dreams. We'd also eat and toast to one another. One member of the group, Tiffany, brought us a gift of beautiful pink etched champagne glasses. They are our dream glasses, and tonight we will use them to toast the future.

In our daily lives, we organize, straighten, and put our lives in order or shape them with the simple things we do. Ever so often, though, it's good to shake things up, pull out the best china and crystal, and pick a bouquet of flowers to brighten up the lives of those who matter in our lives. Today is such a day, and the pleasure of shaking up my routine and getting out of the comfort zone, is worth it. So worth it.  As my friend Sally said this morning as she held her hands up like a box in front of her, "Life is happening outside the box."  And we should have a little bit of that excitement, departure from the routine, and out of the ordinary events to punctuate our lives each day.

Do something out of the ordinary. Change your routine just a bit. Look at the life in front of you from a different vantage point, and shake things up just a bit this weekend. Stop trying so hard at the things that are taking forever. Step away, pick stuff up off the floor, and toss out what is not longer working. Clear some space in your life to live more fully, and stop blocking yourself with busy work that keeps you from enjoying the fresh air, the sudden rain storm, the rainbows, and the gap in the day created when things don't work out. Find pleasure in the moments you find yourself in line or waiting for something. Use the time you have in more creative ways, and touch someone you love with a kiss of time, a prayer sent off in their direction, or a moment of forgiveness for someone who's has trapped your energy.  Release, let go, and celebrate. The time is right.  Get the energy in your life, your routines, and your thinking moving again, in a fresh direction. Shake things up a bit, and enjoy living outside the box.

Feng Shui and Moving: Mr Toad's Wild Ride

River's Song                                                              Catheirne Al-Meten Meyers

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, for anyone who hasn't visited Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, is a ride based on the book The Wind in the Willows. It's a crazy ride through the dark and through a series of curves, surprises, and exciting ups and downs. And that to me, best describes what moving is all about. Moving, for anyone who hasn't done this in a long while, is anything but a centering experience. In fact it is quite the opposite. It is the falling apart or the taking apart of your whole life. Piece by piece, unless you have the luxury of hiring professional movers, you pick up every single item you own and you do something with it. You may toss it out, or recycle it, or give it as a gift or you may carefully wrap it up and put it in a box. Whatever your move entails, you disassemble your life.

Imagine all the energy that goes into the process of moving? Energy shifts in all different directions and on all levels of your being. Moving is physically tiring, emotionally exhausting, and can challenge even the most sound minds. The process of moving from one home to another is all about changing the energy of just about every part of your being. It had been over 6 years since my last move, and that move was relatively easy. I drove from San Francisco to Oregon with my little Ford Focus packed with my bags and some household items. I pulled some furniture out of storage once I arrived here, and slowly set up house in my new apartment by the river.  About a month later, my household goods were delivered, carried in, leaving me with the task of unpacking and arranging my new home. I went to work right away, and have no recollection of it being a stressful time at all. In fact, it was such a nice relief to be back in Oregon, the move was secondary.

Not quite a month ago, circumstances resulted in my making a decision that I had been contemplating for quite some time. An offer of a new home came up, and I made the choice to give notice and move. Since that time, I have been in the process of going through my things, sorting, discarding, and packing up for the move. It's been over 10 or 11 years since I've done any kind of major move. What used to be fairly easy to do is now more difficult. And the reason is primarily emotional. Before I had even begun packing, my back started hurting. The lower back represents our sense of home and security, our base. When I moved here years ago, my desire was to have a home base from which to do my work. This home has been just that. So when I noticed the lower back pain, I recognized that I was feeling out of alignment and uncertain about my own security. Also, pain is a signal for us. When we feel pain, it shows us where we have overextended or pushed our limits. What is a big job, moving, became an even bigger challenge. How was I going to get up and over the mountain?

Feng Shui is about the art of paying attention to how energy/Chi works in and through our lives. When we are running into resistance, conflict, or difficulties, the cause can usually be traced back to some form of energy blocked or running wild in our lives. That energy may be within our environment; it may also be within our relationships to ourselves and to others. When we live in and around toxic situations or within a negative environment, we slowly adapt over time to adjust to that which we find threatening. If the challenge is for example, the weather, we may adjust our habits. If it's very cold, we learn how to dress more warmly. If our home is cold, we learn how to weather proof it. We all have to adjust to our environment in some way, and for many of us, we simply unconsciously tune out that which we find disturbing. For those of us who use Feng Shui to arrange our environment, we move things around and clear pathways and learn to use placement of objects and furniture to allow the flow of Chi/energy.

Assessing Energy Blocks: How do we arrange our lives to adjust to changes or conflicts in our environment? One of the first things we need to do is to become mindful of what is out of alignment, and what in our lives might be causing that misalignment. We can either pay attention to what is going on inside of us (our emotions, moods, thoughts, intuition, instincts, dreams) or we can observe what is going on in our environment. If our inner voices are not providing us with any clear information, it's time to look around us. Some of us who are highly intuitive or empathic, rely a great deal on those inner signals for information. When the signals aren't giving us information, that is a signal in itself. The message may be to look at the world we are living in. That world includes your immediate environment, your lifestyle, the neighborhood or community, and the wider world situations. During this past year that wider world has included some pretty disturbing events. Since we are so connected via technology, we are aware of so much more than our ancestors were. We are called upon to respond to many different types of situations and crises--many more than we are equipped to handle.

In looking at the outer influences that are affecting you, notice how your own schedule and lifestyle are in balance or not. Notice if you are being pulled into energy outside your own home or workplace, and if so , are you perhaps overwhelmed? Notice how much time and energy you spend each day connected to electronic media including television, the internet, or some other electronic device. Does your cell phone sit on your bed stand lighting up throughout the night, disturbing your sleep cycle? Are you drawn into political, religious, or personal battles where you do not necessarily belong?  Think of all the places your energy (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) might be trapped where it does not belong. Think about those people you care about whose burdens you are carrying unnecessarily.  Helping our family and friends and neighbors can be good; carrying the burdens they are meant to handle themselves is not. Being compassionate and caring needs to inlcude a healthy dose of self care. We cannot help others if we are depleted of energy ourselves. Notice where in your life you feel in balance, and where you do not.

 While you're at it, write down the inner observations and the outer ones. I noticed for example, about 2 months ago, a dream that was an indicator or what was to come. I dreamed of being shown into a house, "my new home" by a friend. At first, in the dream, I hesitated, but when I walked in, I recognized that I indeed had walked right into my right and perfect home." This was before I  knew I would be moving, but it was a piece of information that help ease my mind and helped me discern what the right decision was. One of the problems we often have when our lives start 'falling apart' or when we start feeling restless and uneasy, is that the signals tell us we need to change, but we're uncertain (another normal feeling and one the is in fact a natural law) and when we're uncertain, we often doubt ourselves. This is also a good time to listen to trusted friends--those who are not as attached to the places where your energy and vision might be clouded. Look to signs that what was once tolerable, is becoming less so. This too is a sign that change is afoot. Things fall apart. Parts of life become unmanageable. Stuff stops working, Old patterns and habits, no longer fit the bill.


Start to Identify the Blocks, Challenges, and Dark Holes: After an initial assessment of how we are using our energy and where our energy may be draining us or blocking our way, we can go to the next step. Begin identifying what is not working. What is blocking you? What challenges are you facing or coping with? Where is energy draining you of time, resources, purpose and meaning, or pleasure and fulfillment? I'm a list maker, so it helps me to write things down. You might work out your inner issues through art or find your answers or clarity during long walks or exercise. You may need a getaway to get some perspective, or you may simply need to vary your routine. Try whatever works for you to break up the energy patterns that are adding to your stress or burdens.

When I did this, I knew that physically, I could not do all the moving myself.  That was the truth of my situation. As one used to doing things myself, I was not in a position to continue doing that. I needed help. That was the bad news. My family and friends offered their assistance. That was the good news.  As Gerald May, called it, the gifts in the garbage. Knowing what I needed in the way of help and then being clear about what to ask of whom was a crucial part of asking for help. First I went to those I knew who were capable of helping me organize. While I usually do the organizing, I needed to delegate a part of this. I needed someone who was willing to be the reflective mirror and to help me form a clear picture of what needed to be done. I went to a couple of friends who helped me do this. And I listened to what people offered me and what their own needs and limitations were.
Then as all these ideas and advice and information was floating around in my head, in emails, texts, and messages, I felt overwhelmed. Another natural step in the disintegrating and re-imagining process.

With my head full of too many ideas, I did what I know how to do. I sat down and made a written plan. Step by step, I laid out what I needed to do between now and the day I moved to get to the end of the process. And then I began outlining tasks and steps that needed doing, and then fitting people into places where they had said they could help doing things they had told me they were capable of doing. It took me a while, but after gathering all the information from all the family and friends, I had a tentative plan. I sat with the plan for a while, made adjustments, and then sent it out to everyone. if any adjustments needed to take place, I would hear about it. And then I set about tackling what was right in front of me.

When lay out a plan, and break the plan down into steps and stages, we can then start working away at one thing at a time. I kept hearing the voices of my mentors saying, "do it in littles", "one small step at a time", and "deal with what is the next best thing to do".  Taking time to plot things out helps, but that's not all.

Accept that Change is Disturbing. The process of breaking down your life, taking your home apart, and preparing for a major change is disturbing. It affects all of you. Your appetite, your sleep and rest, your physical body and of course it affects your stress levels. Your body's fight or flight responses kick in, and the cortisol and adrenaline pump. To intentionally work on meeting the disturbances with calming, soothing, and healing practices, helps. Setting a routne in place to take breaks, get rest, get away from the messiness, and to find places of peace...those tiny pockets of time when we can simply breathe and take a time out.  I made a practice of leaving the house about midday or early afternoon. I'd go out for a walk, and meet up with a friend or go to someone's home. Sitting in a friend's home having a cup of tea or a meal helped tremendously. It allowed me to immerse myself in a space where a good friend (always good Chi) and I connected and it gave me the calming environment I needed...a reminder that my home would also come together again. I would find that place of peace again.

Today I walked into the office of my real estate agent. From the moment I opened the door, I was struck by the beautiful, welcoming, elegant decor. The floor was covered with what appeared to be tapestries. They were just throw rugs on top of carpet, but they were laid out elegantly. Everything was arranged in such a welcoming, warm, and elegant way. I felt a sense of peace. And the way I was greeted was part of that. Connecting with people who are gracious and kind and who make difficult processes more bearable---well that is the key for me to how energy that is frenetic and chaotic finds the calming influences it needs for me to settle down, relax, and let myself into the flow of the process of moving.

What has been the greatest Feng Shui energy release, has indeed been the people in my life. My own family, friends, and all the people who I have had to deal with. The gals at my bank, my favorite checkers at the market, clerks in stores I'd never met, and even the police officer who stopped me the other night. No ticket, just some helpful advice about my lights. How often does that happen? Sipping tea and talking with friends, being the recipient of wonderful gifts of time, energy, and resources, and yes, even the physical pain and limitations, brings me to a point of surrender.  To acknowledging that energy flows in the direction where it is meant to, not in the direciton it has been. We can flow with change when we stop worrying about 'getting it right' or working against ourselves. We can tap into the flow when we acknowledge what we need and what others are offering us. Feng Shi isn't just about moving furniture around or hanging crystals and mirrors to attract or deflect energy. Feng Shui is about our energy and how we share, connect, and support ourselvs and one another.

We each have our own gifts for coping with crisis and disintegration. What is key is remembering that things falling apart is part and parcel with making room for growth and abundance. One makes way for the other. And so as I spend the witching hour once again awake and writing, I wish you peace amid any storms you are facing. When pushed too far or feeling overwhelmed, remember it's alright not to do a thing. Sometimes we wait for permission or a sign. Other times we find we simply have to trust that the answer to what the next best thing to do is right there within us. In that palce of peace and calm where you remember who you are and what you are capable of . Trust, surrender to the guiding force of Life, and keep moving in the dirction the river is flowing. And when in doubt or when under extreme stress, remember George Kastanza's father's prayer, Serenity Now! Serenity Now!

Clean Sweep on the New Moon

Sunrise in Sausalito                                                               Catherine Al-Meten Meyers

Finding ways to make organizing and keeping our homes, offices, and studios in some kind of workable order requires using the imagination.  By making weird and non-linear kinds of connections between what we have to do and what is going on in the Universe, we can make life a lot more fun at the very least. Personally, I love to follow the Moon's phases. Every night it's a different story. Yesterday was the New Moon phase in Scorpio. That means we are at the beginning of a new lunar month. We are also at the beginning of a new year according to a lot of cultures. Now is definitely time to spend some time getting ready for a new season of life.

We are right in the middle of the Christian holy days of All Souls Day, All Hallows Eve (Halloween), and All Saints Day. Today is Samhaim, the Celtic New Year in the North; Beltane in the South. Between now and January there are at least 19 different holy days celebrated throughout the world. Diwali, the festival of light also comes at this time of the year. While we're probably not going to celebrate all the sacred days, we might want to take some time to spruce our homes up just a bit.

New Moon energy is an infusion of Chi that is coming to you. New moons wax and grow in intensity. What is coming towards you at this time? Prepare to receive a renewed flow of energy.

Entryway: When we cross a threshold or turn a corner in our lives, we move from one frame of mind to another. As the New Moon marks the beginning of a new month and year, we want to look at the entryway of our own homes. One simple little thing you can do is to sweep off and clean up the area around your entryway, inside and out. Sweeping, a practice Feng Shui experts say we ought to do daily, is one very simple yet dramatic way we can clear energy in our homes. Clean up the entrance, remove any unnecessary items (get rid of dead or dying plants), rearrange the mud porch to fit the seasonal changes, and freshen up the look of this whole area.  What we see going in and out of our homes is crucial to our frame of mind. The entryway also reflects our personal health and well being. For greater abundance, improved health and well being, and for a greater flow of energy, clean the entryway and keep it clear, well organized, and inviting. This also extends to the gate to your yard or the stairway or hallway leading into your home. Clear the energy flow for what comes your way right now. Avoid lining shoes up right by the front door. This tends to indicate your abundance is walking out. Find a place away from the door if possible, or put the shoes in a cupboard or on a shelf instead.

Kitchen:  Time to clean out the fridge. Get rid of all food, beverages, and condiments that are past their expiration date. You'll recognize them because many of them have already changed form or emit a disgusting odor.  Toss and clean out the fridge, inside and out. Sweep the floor, clean the drains, counter tops, and stove top.  In Feng Shui the kitchen represents the family's abundance. That being the case, we want to take care of the room we prepare and store our food. Go through the pantry and toss old, past their prime packages and cans of food. It's also a good time to sort through kitchen drawers and cupboards to get rid of items you do not use or need.  Old dishes, cups, glasses, silverware, cookware, and the like.  Make certain the cookware and other utensils you use are made of non-toxic materials. If they're not, toss them.  What goes into your mouth or is used to prepare your food, makes its way into your system. Honor that by using good equipment. If you're on a budget, and who isn't, head to Goodwill or a local thrift shop. I've gotten some really good cookware this way.  Also discount stores like Marshalls  often have reasonably priced, high quality cookware. Avoid hanging onto old skillets that have wonky handles or scratched up surfaces, just because it hasn't completely fallen apart yet.  Recycle and get decent cookware.

Light:  The time changes just took place, and we are moving into the time of the year when days grow shorter and shorter and darkness prevails.  "Put some light on the subject" is what my Mother would say as she went around the house switching lights on. At the time I didn't understand, but here in the North and with my vision not as great as it once was, light becomes a crucial part of living in balance.  It's time to do what you can to add more light to your environment. If you can use full spectrum lighting, that's great as it is much better for you.  In any event, add more lighting to each room. Along with lighting comes removing obstacles from your path.  Good Feng Shui includes clear and open channels of energy in all the pathways in the house. If you use candles, use them carefully. An alternative to real candles are the battery-operated candles. They give off a warm glow and provide some extra light. Use dimmer switches to adjust the levels of light for different times of the day.


Overall Clearing: Feng Shui is about aligning all aspects of ourselves, the physical and the spiritual, our behavior with our beliefs, our thoughts and words with our actions.  The New Moon in Scorpio focuses our attention on that which is motivating us on  deep subconscious and unconscious levels. Look at your home, your work space, and other important areas of your life, and determine what their condition reflects of your own inner health and well being. How does the junk piled up in the corner, or on your desk say about your overall health? What does the sink full of dishes or the unreturned library books say about balance and harmony in your life? How do the unreturned phone calls or letters or the stack of unpaid bills say about flow and abundance in your life? How are your feelings and emotion affected by outside influences? And how is your inner well being stuck or depressed? Look at things honestly, not as a form of self punishment but to see more clearly what is working and what is not.

Getting Unstuck:We all have times when life is more difficult than it is at other times. Energy or Chi, gets drained or trapped or stuck. And we do too. And sometimes we can't see a way out of a difficult or unsatisfying situation. We meet challenges and obstacles that simply confound us, and drain us of energy. One thing we can do during those times though is to take small steps in those areas where we can make change. Right now think of a place in the house that needs tending to.  For example, it might be the stove top.  Or it might be the top of your desk, or the counter in the kitchen.  Or the table or landing area by the door.  Right now, go take 5 minutes to do something about one of the areas that is bugging you.  Just 5 minutes. Set a timer if you must. Or if you honestly feel you don't have 5 minutes, take 2, or even 1. But do something. I'll be here when you get back.

Okay, I think that was about 5 minutes, and I managed to get several things done. The top of my stove is clean, the pot of leftovers from the chicken broth I made is strained, and now either down the drain or in the garbage. The silver candle holder has been polished (with toothpaste; it actually works well), and the filtered water is refilled.  One thing I have learned about energy is that way too much of ours gets used unnecessarily in worrying about something or of making mental excuses for not doing something. Granted we get involved in other things and don't take the little bit of time out to do some simple things. We all do that as well.  A couple of weeks ago, I was struggling with some editing I'm doing on a book I'm in the end stages with.  I knew I needed to take a break, but I wasn't doing it. All of a sudden I became obsessed with thoughts about 'what's under the sink?"  In the years I've lived here, I don't recall every doing a thorough clearing out. I just keep stuffing things in the cupboard. After a couple of days of having that on my mind, I knew it was time to take a look. Past time really. So I did. It took me no more than 5-10 minutes to clear out from under the kitchen sink and to rearrange things. I took the empty plastic tubs that I'd been storing and not using for three years, out to recycling. I did it right away  because otherwise I knew I'd store them somewhere else.

The key with moving energy, is to eliminate stuff as much as possible. Get it out of the house, and then get it to an end destination.  One of the problems we have in our physical life as well as our nonphysical life is we move energy around, but do not eliminate the source of the blocks. So by getting rid of 'stuff' that has no purpose in our physical world, we somehow unleash the energy that it takes up.  The same thing goes with our patterns of behavior and thoughts, but today I'm encouraging you to tackle the physical realm. Honestly, it does unleash energy in those other areas as well. Read my meditation blog if you're interested in finding out about behavioral and psychological traps and blocks.  Right now, let's remove some of the traps that are eating up energy in our homes.

Another thing I want to add, is I've found some easy, non-toxic ways to clean and clear. Toothpaste to clean silver.  Baking soda and vinegar to clean and clear drains.  Mrs. Meyers (no relation) cleaning products which are now available in my market, not only smell good but they also work well. Alcohol and newspaper to clean glass without leaving streaks. Baking soda, Dawn, and vinegar mixture to clean the oven (so happy to find this works). Do yourself a favor and find non-toxic ways to do your cleaning when you can.

The New Moon in Scorpio may bring some of the trash to the surface right now, because it has to be cleared out so we are open and ready to accept our good, the abundance, and flow of energy coming our way.  Clean up (yourself included, take a shower or bath), clean out, and organize your home, office, and life so that energy flows more freely. Clean the sheets, you'll rest better. Drink enough water, and eat healthy food. Slow down, and focus on the little things that you can do. The other big stuff will sort itself out as you become more energized, productive, and clear about what really matters. Have a beautiful week. Love to hear ways you find to help clear out the cobwebs for a clearer view of your life. Happy Halloween. Boo!

Changing with the Seasons: Energy Clearing Time

Reflections                                                                    Catherine Al-Meten Meyers

The Equinox (Autumnal in the North; Vernal in the South) has passed. The days grow shorter, the nights longer where I live, and the changes call for us to make adjustments to the way we live from day to day. Last night I got up to open the windows as it was unseasonably warm. Looking out to the East just before sunrise, I saw the waning crescent Moon hanging in the sky. Shortly after, the first light began to fill the day, bringing everything into brilliant, deep colors with dawn.

The lunar month is entering the period called the Dark of the Moon. It is the period of time just before the New Moon and the start of another lunar cycle. A new beginning that takes us further into the Autumn season.  The cooler, longer nights require some changes in the way we dress, our patterns of sleep and work, and in how we arrange our homes. The further north you live, the more extreme the changes. What are some to the changes we might make in the next few days to prepare ourselves for a new cycle? How can we energize ourselves for a new season? Where are the places in our lives where energy is stuck, stale, or blocked? How can we generate a positive flow of Chi (energy, life force)?

Getting Started.  Before you jump right in or run for the hills, take some time to notice what areas of your life are calling for attention. During the dark of the moon (the next few days before the New Moon in Libra on Friday), it's a good time to evaluate, assess, and ponder. Start where you are. By that I mean, don't do anything out of the ordinary to begin the process. Simply stop where you are right now, and notice. Notice your physical surroundings. And before you jump up to tackle the dishes or begin the laundry, I mean really notice how your surroundings feel to you. For example, recently I got a new bed, and since getting the bed, I have noticed how unpleasant it was for me to look out of my room into the messy bookcase in the corner of the living room. Each day for a week, it called for me to 'do something'. Without moving away from your cup of tea or coffee, I imagine you know which areas of your home need some kind of attention.  Jot down a short list of the areas. Pick 4-5, no more. You don't want to overwhelm yourself at the get go.

Do an Assessment. Next, do a little walk about.  Let yourself notice how the light is coming in the windows, and think about how the seasonal changes affect the different spaces in your home, office, or studio. On my walk about I notice the direct morning sunlight is about to disappear behind the slope of the hill behind my house. In a few more days, the sun will shine in the back of the house for only a few hours of the day until next Spring. Pay attention to the fluctuating temperatures over the next week or so, and remind yourself of what parts of the house need more heat and protection from the cold and damp. Also notice what items need to be stored or brought out of storage. Is it jacket or coat time yet? Where are your rain or snow boots and gear? Include your kitchen and pantry in the walk about. What foods are you less likely to be eating from now on, and what items do you need to stock up on for fall and winter? This is the time of the year I start making more soups. It's also time to pick apples and pears. Notice how your entry ways, mudrooms, or porches are organized. And also notice any areas that need fixing, cleaning, replacing, or clearing out.

You might also want to do a similar assessment of your own activities, goals, and life plans. What are you spending time doing, that you want to let go of? What would you like to do that you just haven't found time to do? What is feeding your soul? What is draining it? Include everything including the kinds of relationships you spend your time and energy in, the ways you use your free time, and the goals you've set (the ones you still want to do; the ones you are ready to let go). Look at your calendar or schedule, and see how much time you have allowed yourself for rest, exercise, recreation, sleep, service, quiet time, creative time, or time out in nature.  Assess how balanced your life is, and without judging yourself, consider what you might want to change.

Make a Plan. For most of us, our activities and work change as the seasons change. Some of us return to work, others begin on new phases of their work, while others are making plans for trips in the off season. Whatever your life looks like in the Autumn, this is a great time to get all those 'good ideas' down into some kind of written plan.  When we write down a plan of action, we relieve our minds of the pressure and stress of wondering what to do and when.

With chores related to organizing your home, office, studio, or yard/garden, select 4-5 tasks and determine their priority. Then guesstimate how long it would take to do each one. Then divide the task up and set time aside on your schedule to do the chore.  Some of us like to do the whole task, others like to pick away at it.  Whatever works for you, set a schedule to do it. It can be very simple. For example, I choose 10 minutes on Fridays to clean out my purse. And I choose one hour monthly to clean out the refrigerator.  I may do it more often, but I make a habit of doing it at least according to my plan.  And don't beat yourself up if you don't stick to the plan each time. Starting off with a plan, helps us establish some regular habits. Changing sheets on Sunday night, doing laundry on Mondays, or going produce shopping on Thursdays.  When it becomes part of your routine, it seems less stressful. And it clears your mind of the stress of wondering when chores are going to get done.

Doing It in Littles.

A wise woman once suggested to me that I do things in littles. Even big tasks are easier to tackle when I break down the big chore into little parts. If cleaning up the whole house is your goal, start small. First clear the area by the entryway. Then do the dishes and clear all the counters and surfaces in the house. Next pick things up off the floor and clear corners. This last trick (getting things off the floor) is a recent discovery for me. It's akin to clearing surfaces. All these suggestions free  up space and Chi/energy. Feng Shui principles are suggest that the kitchen is the hearth of the home, and it needs to be kept clear, clean, and free flowing. As hard as that might be, it is worth developing the habit of wiping off counters, clearing the sink of dishes, and of keeping the stove and refrigerator in good working order.

Whistle While You Work. How can we make the drudgery of housework less painful and exhausting? In the first place, at least for me, the thought attached to doing something I don't particularly enjoy is worse than the actual task itself. One thing to do, is when you think about a chore and wonder when you'll be able to make time to do it, take a few minutes to start. You might find that it takes a lot less time to simply do the work than to think about it all day.

Second, turn your attitude around. When you notice you're looking at an unpleasant task, find a way to make the task more pleasant. I use my dishwashing and pot scrubbing time into a meditative experience. I look out the kitchen window and watch the birds and trees and sky. I let the sunlight warm me as I wash away.  Put on music, if that pleases you, or sing or whistle (like Snow White does with the animals helping). I'm not guaranteeing that a bunch of mice or squirrels will show up to help you, but putting your energy into something more uplifting cannot hurt, and in fact, will lift your spirits and raise your vibration. Use chores for time to pray or talk to the Divine, or work out problems or time to memorize a poem or two. Stick a poem you want to memorize up on the wall in front of where you are working, and pretty soon you'll have it committed to memory. Learning languages can be helped along by labeling the household items in whatever language you are learning. And there's always the reward system. When you've finished a task, reward yourself with a cup of tea, a short walk, a nap, or time to chat with a friend.  We need to do what we can to free ourselves and our energy from fretting, stewing, and feeling overwhelmed about chores that need to be done.

Lighten Up.  Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect and you have to be the one to make it so.  Lighten up.  Some of us are a little too obsessed with getting things done. Begin appreciating what you've already accomplished. Before you make your list of things to do, make a list of what you've gotten done. Or pick up an old to-do list, and mark off what you've already done. Give yourself credit for getting as much done as you have. Especially for those of us who live alone, run our own businesses, or for some reason, end up feeling responsible for all the housework, give yourself a break from having to do everything by yourself. I have a couple of friends who work full time, have families, and are not feeling well. In order for them to get healthier, they need more time for themselves to heal and rest. It's particularly important that when we're ill, injured, or recovering from some major life issue, that we don't over do.  Healing takes time and energy. Healing requires rest, exercise, and an easing up of stress. It's also a time when we need to get our priorities in order. Not everything is equally important. Got that? I'll repeat it in case you didn't get that this is essential to our health and well being. Not everything is equally important.

Ask for Help.You do not have to do everything yourself. Get help. Ask a friend to help you when she/he says, "Is there anything I can do to help?"  Let them take the recycling to the thrift shop or let them help you organize a closet or move a piece of furniture. Spend a little bit of money hiring someone to come in to do some heavy house cleaning once a month. By spending $30-40 for a couple of hours  you get some relief, and you help someone else earn their own living. For some people this is normal, but for many of us, we were raised or we convinced ourselves to think that we had to do it all. I've had to ask for help and get someone to come in to help me on several occasions in my life, and found it to be well worth any expense.

And if you have a family, they can help to. They may not do it as well as you do it, but they can help. You're teaching your own children and grandchildren to take responsibility along with other members of the family. Divide the chores up. There's no reason in this day and age that any one member of a family should be doing all the housework on top of everything else they do. Yes, I know, it's easier to use do it yourself, but you're really doing yourself and your children no favors in not expecting that they participate in keeping the home they live in in reasonable order.  Make it fun. Set a timer, and have a pizza party afterward. Do whatever works for you, but don't think you have to do it all by yourself.  And yes, I know it's hard to ask for help.  But I would imagine there are people you know that would like to be able to do something to help you out, if only you would put your pride down and ask.

Another way to lighten your load is to get rid of having too much stuff around. Rid your space of extra everything. Dishes and cookware you never use. Use your favorite dinnerware, or make plans to rotate it throughout the year. If you never use it, give it to someone who will. Get rid of things that are broken and beyond repair. Get rid of clothes and shoes that you don't use or need. Give away furniture that is just taking up space. You know how to declutter by now. After all we've been brainwashed to thinking that's the be all and the end all. It's not necessarily, but decluttering can help rid our lives energy that is trapped in unused, broken, or outworn things, ways of being and thinking, and of our mental, emotional, and psychological energy. Remember how good it feels to release that which no longer belongs in your life.  And this goes for the mental and emotional clutter as well. Have a good cry, get mad, make some grand gesture (break a plate or tear up a photo), and then move on. Life is too precious to waste wallowing in the pain of the past. You are too precious not to be waking up each day expecting to have a great day. Take time right now to figure out how you're going to enter this new season with a clear slate, open arms, and a semi-clean and clear office, home, car, studio, or desk.  The important thing is to be happy doing what you're doing, and doing what is purposeful and healthy for you. Enjoy the energy of transforming your life as you move forward into the changes ahead.