Feng Shui Simply

Quote for the Day

2011-12-17T02:42:00.000-08:00

‎"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."
—Carl Bard

for more information on Cheryl, visit http://www.ggRedecorating.com

Happy Holidays!

Quote for the Day!

2011-12-01T03:10:00.000-08:00

“You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”
― Zig Ziglar

Quote for the Day!

2011-11-29T02:43:00.000-08:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. —Mark Twain

Quote for the Day

2011-11-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

Always remember to be happy because you never know who's falling in love with your smile. ~Author Unknown

Feng Shui Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas

2011-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Feng Shui Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas
By Cheryl Grace

The holiday season is here and it can be challenging to find the perfect gift for your Zen friends who seem to have everything! Feng shui is a system of intentional design therefore; everything you choose for your home furnishings should have significance and meaningful intent. Because we all have opinions, associations, or memories about everything we have in our home, every object, even a vase or sofa, is alive with energy. A feng shui gift is the perfect choice to add to new energy to any home or business décor.
With feng shui, it becomes important to carefully choose everything you put in your home or office and workplace that has meaning and keeps you moving forward in the direction you want to go. If you have items in your home that take you back to a negative experience, this is two steps backwards on your journey. It takes the same amount of energy to have a positive thought as a negative thought, but positive thoughts simply make you feel better!
Here are some feng shui enhancements located at two Sarasota stores that will help you find the perfect feng shui gift for a friend, loved one or yourself.

Feng Shui Sarasota, located at 2135 Siesta Drive in Southgate Village directly across the street from Dillards at Southgate Mall. Phone: (941) 366-8113 Email: info@feng-shui-sarasota.com or visit www.feng-shui-sarasota.com

Feng Shui Essentials: In Feng Shui, one of the most important tools used to enhance the energy of our living space is symbolism. Symbolism serves as a constant reminder for us to think positively about every area of our lives. You can find all sorts of traditional feng shui symbolism here like hand carved mandarin ducks made out of rose quartz, beautifully cast bronze doves, and the powerful “Phoenix and Dragon” combination - all used for attracting love into your life. The store also has gorgeous, hand carved jade dragons, horses and fish that can all be used for increasing your wealth and promoting your career. One can basically find something meaningful to give a friend, loved one, or family member of any age.

Positive Energy or “Chi” Maximizers: Another critical aspect of feng shui is the positive energy or “chi” that you try to surround yourself with in your living and work spaces. There are many ways to do this that include enhancing your own personal energy as well as enhancing the energy of your living environment. Feng Shui Sarasota is the first retailer in the United States to carry the high end line of Gemisphere healing crystals which offer healing on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels (something all of us could probably use these days). They are also the only retailer in the state of Florida of Aura Soma – innovative tools used to heal and strengthen all the chakras in your body. Kathy Keh, storeowner and a feng shui practitioner, is very knowledgeable about how one can increase positive energy flow in your living space and she can guide you to the perfect gift.

Outdoor Garden Bliss: Another way to create feng shui bliss in your life is by creating a beautiful and calming ambiance in your garden. Here you can find wide selections that are one of a kind and hand-carved in stone. They include Buddhas, Kwan Yins, Foo dogs, pagodas, and small garden animals like rabbits, ducks and fish. These weather friendly ideas do not break down over time like other statuary made of concrete or plaster. The store offers delivery for a fee, with set up service included.

Elysian Fields, located at 1273 Tamiami Trail South on the corner of Tamiami and Bahia Vista, Sarasota, FL Phone: (941) 361-3006 or visit www.elysianfieldsonline.com. Elysian Fields is celebrating 20 wonderful years of business! It began as a dream of creating an atmosphere that “felt good” combined with a magical shopping experience— high quality gifts to inspire and enrich our lives.
Books: Elysian Fields carry a variety of books for conscious living. Among the feng shui books Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. This book talks about what the issue is behind your clutter problem and gives you steps to let it all go. Informational books, such as The Feng Shui Bible and Balance and Harmony for Every Room, to any book by Terah Kathryn Collins, are easy to understand and have a practical approach. Other books that provide tremendous support are You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay and Loving What Is by Byron Katie. If you have ever felt that you are not good enough, it’s only a thought and thoughts can be changed.
Music: If you meditate and like background music, try the CD Feng Shui the Eight Fold Path by Chinmaya Dunster or Sonic Feng Shui by Patrick Kernhard. These soulful sounds can nurture your imagination and visualization of what experiences and people you want to draw into your life.
Gifts: If you are looking to fire up your wealth corner of your home (the far left rear corner of your home based on the location of your front door), choose luck and prosperity traditional feng shui enhancements such the prosperity turtle or frog, red envelopes and cords or amethyst crystals and stones.

Bring this article into Elysian Fields or Feng Shui Sarasota to help you generate ideas. The professional and knowledgeable sales staff will also be able to recommend additional ideas to help you find your ideal gift for that special person, including yourself!

Feng Shui Consulations: You may have friends or family members who are curious about feng shui but don’t know enough about it to place enhancements in the correct position in their home. A feng shui consultation with a certified feng shui consultant may be your perfect idea for the hard-to-buy-for on your list. And, you don’t have to fight the mall shoppers to give this timeless gift. Both Elysian Fields and Feng Shui Sarasota can recommend a qualified and professional feng shui practitioner or refer to Natural Awakening’s Natural Choice Award Winners for Preferred Feng Shui Practitioner voted by the community.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant and nationally certified Interior Refiner. For a Feng Shui consultation for home or business, and a great holiday gift idea, contact Cheryl at (941) 400-3816 or visit ggRedecorating@yahoo.com. Cheryl is also available speaking engagements and seminars.

Quote for the Day

2011-11-09T07:43:00.001-08:00

‎"Ask not what fun does for you. Ask rather what you do for fun."

quote of the day

2011-10-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

When one door of happiness closes, another opens,
but often we look so long at the closed door
that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
- Helen Keller

Quote for the Day

2011-10-28T05:46:00.001-07:00

Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be silent if only the birds with the best voices sang.

Your Kitchen...The Soul of Your Home

2011-10-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

Your Kitchen …The Soul of your Home
By Cheryl Grace

“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.”
—Louis Parrish

Feng Shui doctrine considers the kitchen to be one of the most important rooms in the house, as it is the heartbeat of the home. Family and friends love to gather together and celebrate while the cook prepares the food. When the cook is happy, it’s good feng shui!

People like to hang out in the kitchen therefore it can become a haven for clutter with toys, gadgets, mail, and back packs. It’s important to return your kitchen to a clean and uncluttered space after each meal. The feng shui motto is, “use it everyday or put it away!” When you clear your counters, you refresh and energize the whole kitchen and make plenty of room for creative cooking, planning, and sustaining a calm environment.

Feng Shui is based on the principle that everything is interconnected energetically. If your stove is against the wall as many are, your back is to the room. This position is not placing you in the rank of power, or the command position. If your back is exposed, you may feel uneasy that someone can sneak up on you unexpectedly. That unsettled energy can be communicated to the food you prepare and have a ripple affect throughout the day. To correct this situation, place a mirror over the stove so you can see who is behind you.

If a mirror behind your stove is not a viable, any reflective artwork will serve the purpose. The reflection doubles the abundance, for example, from 4 stove top burners to “8”. Food is associated with health and wealth. Use all burners regularly. When we have a steady income, we can afford to buy foods that nourish and sustain our good health. By buying the most nutritious food we can, we take good care of our health and increase our ability to concentrate, succeed in all of our endeavors, and enjoy an abundant life.

Have an eye for safety. When you have the opportunity, design countertops that curve or have rounded corners. Knives go into the drawer for safety sake or if you have a knife caddy, put it into a cabinet and bring it out only when you are cooking. Your kitchen will be more peaceful if they are out of sight.

Your kitchen workspace should be spacious, clean, organized and well lighted, preferably with non-fluorescent lights. These bulbs cast cold white light that fails to add any ambience and warmth to the kitchen. Instead, replace the bulbs with environmentally friendly lighting.

Adding soothing music helps calm the nervous energy and allows the preparation to be fun. Turn off the kitchen TV and listen to the sounds of chopping, mixing and stirring. It has a rhythmical dance to the process and can be quite soothing.

It is not considered good Feng Shui to have a view of your kitchen from the front door or entryway, especially the refrigerator. You can find ways to creatively block this view, including keeping the door between the kitchen and the entryway closed, or using something like a plant stand with flowers. If you are having any issues with weight management, seeing a view of the kitchen when you first come in from a hectic day begins a mental trigger of desiring food. Find ways to move through the house to a quiet place to regroup before your evening begins.

If your floor plan has a kitchen adjacent to a bathroom, keep the door closed at all times, along with the toilet seat and the sink stopper.

Invite prosperity into your kitchen and create a happy environment for family and friends. Your joy will rejuvenate all who enter. Fill your kitchen with color and create a vibrant, playful place to allow prosperity and creativity to flourish.

If you have a question on how to redecorate your home and improve your life using feng shui principles, email ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or send your question to Natural Awakenings Magazine, c/o Cheryl Grace, and your question may be featured in a future article.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant and nationally certified Interior Refiner. Cheryl is the 2008-2011 Winner of the Natural Choice Award for Preferred Feng Shui Practitioner. For more information on how a Feng Shui consultation can improve your life, contact Cheryl at (941) 400-3816 or visit ggRedecorating@yahoo.com. Cheryl is also available speaking engagements and seminars.

Shaping Your Legacy

2011-09-12T01:44:00.000-07:00

Shaping Your Legacy
By Cheryl Grace

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
~Jawaharlal Nehru

Many believe that it is one’s spirituality—a deep inner need— that drives us to do what seems impossible. Our imagination allows us to dream of better things and therefore guides our desire to reach our full potential. Destiny is often defined as a predetermined course of events that is governed on the belief that there is a fixed or natural order to one’s life path. In this view, destiny is seen as a sequence of events that is inevitable, predictable and unchangeable. With this view, there would be little or no consideration for the uniqueness of who you are today, right here, right now, and how you can create an amazing lasting legacy from the choices you make employing free will.
In one of the greatest debates of humanity, destiny is often used interchangeably with fate. Fate can imply that you have no choice in the course of events, as the outcome has been predetermined without the possibility of free will. At the very least it can signify that if you were born with blue eyes, this is your fate. At one time it was almost an accepted belief that every situation and encounter was governed by destiny. Over time, this definition was challenged by the consideration that all successes and failures are governed by the actions we take and that we are solely responsible for everything that happens in our life, good and bad.
In feng shui philosophy, all that happens in one’s life is a result of one’s own deeds. Your life is created by the choices you make, and your role is to bring blessings and tragedies into balance. Once you recognize your soul connection is linked to your life mission, your unwavering potential emits like a shining beacon of light.
Among the many core principles of feng shui is the understanding that, as way to be in harmony or in alliance with nature, there’s a difference between transformation and change. When we speak of change, it means viewing situations as “one way or the other”— similar to the action of flipping a light switch. Transformation, on the other hand, is a process that connects someone to his or her inner truth, providing clarity, direction, and a sense of purpose. Your inner thoughts are responsible for authorizing your outer actions. For change to be effective and lasting, it has to come “from the inside out.” One can choose excellent solutions to life’s challenges without being limited solely to “either-or” scenarios. Being in alignment with our inner senses moves us forward to our ultimate well-being.

An integral part of shaping your legacy is keeping an eye on your future by actively establishing your lasting legacy by not leaving it up to luck or “fate.” You have imminent control over your future and the manner you’ll be honored and remembered. At the very least, you can improve your reputation by contributing to the care of family members, friends, or charitable organizations through a will, trust, savings program, life insurance plans, or inheritance following your death. You don’t have to rely on becoming “famous” to be remembered for making a contribution. Simply raising well-adjusted and compassionate children, as an example, is a worthwhile and lasting legacy.
If you are clear about what matters most in terms of what you do for a living, but you don’t know where or how to proceed, you might pose a question in this way:

Question: “Can you connect me with any person, place, or experience that will help me achieve my goals?”

Then just listen. The answer may come instantly or with a little time. Your role is to be patient and observe.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant and nationally certified Interior Refiner. For more information on how a Feng Shui consultation can improve your life, contact Cheryl at (941) 400-3816 or visit ggRedecorating@yahoo.com. Cheryl is also available speaking engagements and seminars.

Listening to Your Inner Voice

2011-08-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

Listening to Your Inner Voice
By
Cheryl Grace

“When you come to the edge of all of the light you have
and must step into the darkness of the unknown,
believe that one of two things will happen.
Either there will be something solid for you to stand on,
or you will be taught to fly.” —Unknown

The instinctual knowledge that we all possess, known as intuition or a “gut feeling” can be the most effective tool for leading a successful and fulfilled life. This natural gift helps you to interpret information, signals, and observations to skillfully guide you to the right people and situations. When we choose to trust the information we receive through intuition, we are also learning to abandon the desire to know what is in our future. Listening to your inner voice is a concrete, no-nonsense ability and one you can develop with practice.

Scientists have shown that we use less than one-tenth of our cognitive abilities and intuition draws on that unused capacity. But scientists who study the phenomenon claim it’s a real ability that can be identified in lab experiments and visualized on brain scans. Intuition is founded in part on astute observation. During the Tsunami, researchers discovered that animals were tipped off by sound waves and ground vibrations, causing them to seek higher ground.

Consider the number of decisions one has to make in a day. There never seems to be time to listen. Quieting the mind begins the process of awakening your intuition. Eliminating distractions improves your concentration, allows you to feel more calm and relaxed, and opens doors to tapping into what you already know. Insight is instinctively knowing something that you don’t know how you know.

Being receptive is another way to create new opportunities and positive life experiences by adopting an attitude of accepting things just as they are without trying to change it. When you are fully present in the moment it activates intuition so that you may receive intuitive messages. Your thoughts are crystal clear. With time it becomes a reliable source of guidance for major decisions and at the same time unlocks your creative approaches in all aspects of your life.

Your inner voice is your inner truth and is familiar. We all have experienced a time when you met someone and you have a subconscious feeling you just can’t shake. You either like them or you don’t. You either trust them or you don’t. It’s like an internal GPS signal. There are just some things you know for sure.

The practice of meditation clears away the mind chatter and creates space in the mind for intuition to thrive. You may experience new ways to do things by the way of dreams, imagery, thoughts, or feelings. Intuition offers new ideas and ways of doing things that may have not been readily apparent.

If you want to keep your life just as it is, then don’t do anything different than you are right now. If you want to make room for new something new to enter, then let your intuition guide you. Take a chance by trusting your instincts and see where it takes you.

It is on the intuitive plane that you can tap into the universal consciousness where all information is available to you. This is considered the highest form of truth. Perhaps you’ve had a decision you were struggling with and decided to “sleep on it.” This is a great way to awaken intuition by being open to any and all solutions and allowing it to emerge at its own pace.

The scariest aspect about intuition and listening to your inner voice is realizing too late that you were right! The most important thing is just to trust in your gut. Trust that your first feeling you feel about something and see where it goes.

Cheryl Grace is a professional feng shui consultant, nationally certified Interior Refiner, professional speaker, and the winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. Call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com.

ReSale Strategy for Sellers

2011-05-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Home ReSale Strategy for Sellers
By
Cheryl Grace

There is no question that Sarasota is a dream location and a desirable destination for baby boomers, young buyers, health professionals, and retirees. The Census Bureau continues to report that new residents relocating to Sarasota and the surrounding cities will support a strong housing market in the next 3-5 years.

As the real estate market remains challenging for sellers, we can better understand why there still remains relatively soft market. Even with the approaching August slump in home sales, there are common denominators of why homes won’t sell. So before you give up completely, determine if any of the following tips can improve your changes for a quick and easy sale:

• Calculate if your asking price is higher than the current market dictates. Your home should represent fair market value and be in line with recent sales in your area.

• Have an experienced real estate agent represent you and your property, as they can make a huge difference in the marketing approach and appeal of your home. Their expert guidance is crucial for competitive pricing and marketing your home effectively to increase traffic coming through your home. It only takes one buyer to secure a sale.

• Select a real estate agent who best represents your interests with strong people skills. Agents who don’t return phone calls to buyer’s agents or fail to network with other real estate professionals is not working in your best interest.

• Make your home easy to see. If you refuse to have a lock box on the front door, or you create obstacles with time restrictions for both the buying or selling agent, you are creating an environment for a slower sale. Agents will want to take their clients to see homes that are available to their clients when they want to view them, not when you do.

• Resist the temptation to sell your home “as is.” Homes that need a great deal of repair and are not ready to move in appeal to a very small number of potential buyers. You also may be unintentionally be signaling that there are an abundance of hidden repairs or problems. This is a recipe for disaster.

• Inadequate marketing will bring you the least amount of potential buyers. Effective marketing should include the Multiple Listing Systems (MLS), a visible sign in front of your home, and advertising in appropriate local/regional/national magazines, newspapers and Internet sites. In addition, open houses organized effectively by your agent will bring other agents and their clients into your home.

• Hire a professional to stage your home for sale. Homes staged with feng shui sell faster because they appeal to buyers with simplicity, ideal arrangement of furniture, artwork and accessories, curb appeal and staging to the strong selling points of the home. The goal is to transform your dwelling to a comfortable and spacious environment that raises the market value and invites perspective buyers to stay and linger. Feng shui will tip the scales in your direction for a faster and easier sale.

If you have a question on how to redecorate your home and improve your life using Feng Shui principles, email ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or send your question to Natural Awakenings Magazine, c/o Cheryl Grace, and your question may be featured in a future article.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant and nationally certified Interior Refiner. For more information on how a Feng Shui consultation can improve your life, contact Cheryl at (941) 400-3816 or visit ggRedecorating@yahoo.com. Cheryl is also available speaking engagements and seminars.

A Feng Shui Guide for Men

2011-05-06T14:05:00.001-07:00

A Feng Shui Guide for Men
By
Cheryl Grace

“Our homes have an enormous impact on our state of mind. They can make us feel as though we are plunging into the depths of despair, or they can be uplifting havens of beauty and rejuvenation. I believe the soul yearns for places of sanctuary and balance, ones that provide authentic reminders of what is truly important in life.” —Denise Linn, Feng Shui for the Soul

The subject of feng shui fascinates many people as a commonsense way to arrange your furniture in a way that creates balance and symmetry. Men instinctively practice good feng shui by their desire to produce stability in their personal surroundings. Yet beyond the physical environment, Feng Shui addresses one’s internal environment that includes your emotions, feelings and ultimately your actions.

Feng shui wisdom began in China over 3000 years ago with practitioners who were motivated to develop greater spirituality and honor by living toward their highest values such as modesty, sincerity, compassion, and forgiveness. By letting go of their ego, they followed their path toward greater spiritual harmony with patience and passive perseverance.

Higher understanding ultimately led these early practitioners of feng shui to serve others by providing precise information on how to locate and design an ideal living environment; an integral part of a person’s health and vitality. A vital principle used was the concept of Yin and Yang, defined as the balance between extremes. Yin and Yang are complementary forces that work together to achieve balance and harmony in the décor of any environment.

Feng shui literally means wind and water. With the external environment, the goal was to find a physical location for the home somewhere between the strong forces of the wind (such as the top of the mountain) and the strong flow of the water (such as an ocean). This centered location, half way between the extremes of the wind and water, became the ideal position where the home would be built.

This philosophy also applied to the person’s inner guidance system in the sense that it encouraged an individual to remain impartial and flexible during natural cycles of change and opposing forces. If, for an example, we applied traditional wealth and prosperity feng shui cures to the office environment in order to attract my tangible wealth, such as a piggy bank or the wealth colors of red, purple, and blue, it could go either way. We may receive it abundantly, or we may still face any number of money challenges. If your desire to increase wealth in the form of more money or a better paying job still eludes you, it’s time to look within for the answers. In other words, Feng Shui is not just about the placement of the furniture or adding the color purple to the wealth area of your home! If it were that simple, everyone would do it and life would be easy and predictable.

Wealth comes in many different packages, not only in greenbacks. A person already has an abundance of wealth if they are able to appreciate all of the blessings in their life. In order to draw in wealth, both material and spiritual, follow these feng shui principles:

• Pay it forward: If you feel that by doing something nice for someone or giving money to a charity generates reciprocal gestures, you’re missing the point. When you give freely without conditions, you will receive prosperity in return… often unexpectedly. Want to make more money? Give generously with your time, support, talent and money. If you always give, you will always have.

• Attitude of gratitude: Be aware of all the things that occur during the day that you can be grateful for, such as your health, a sunny day, a compliment made to you, a smooth and easy ride to work, etc. Write them down daily in a journal, or recite them to yourself before you go to bed. To dwell on things that are wrong is equal to being ungrateful for what is already going right for you. The Laws of Attraction also work with negative thought patterns. Focusing on negative aspects is reinforcing the thought that somehow you are lacking. If you find yourself immersed in negative conversation and worry all day about you life, ask yourself, who could you be without this gloomy story?

• Random Acts of Kindness: Donate whatever you can spare, both monetarily and with things you may have you no longer need or want. When you see someone struggling with a heavy box, help him or her out. By viewing the world and everyone you meet as interconnected, you will benefit from your unselfish act.

If you have a question on how to redecorate your home and improve your life using Feng Shui principles, email ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or send your question to Natural Awakenings Magazine, c/o Cheryl Grace, and your question may be featured in a future article.

Cheryl Grace is a professional feng shui consultant, nationally certified Interior Refiner, and the winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. Call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com.

Simplify Your Life

2011-04-08T12:26:00.001-07:00

Simplify Your Life
By
Cheryl Grace

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”—William Morris

When you finally make that difficult decision to downsize your home, relocate to a retirement facilitiy or you simply determine that you no longer want to be a slave to house keeping, the first thought is, “What am I going to do with all of my stuff?” Sorting through your possessions, family heirlooms, collectibles, children’s toys and clothing is time consuming. To make the task less complicated, think of the process as room-by-room editing in order to simply your life.

We intuitively know that we need to create a living environment that is a stress free. Doctors report that 75% of patient visits are stress related. Creating a clutter free, clean and organized home makes a huge difference in your ability to weather stress in the outside world. A room filled with cozy furniture, inspiring artwork and simple accessories will contribute to you feeling calm and peaceful in your surroundings. Eliminating clutter and living with less eliminates 40% of the housework in the average home.

Select furniture that is comfortable and sturdy with a timeless design. For your family room, choose a three-cushion sofa in a neural color and two upholstered chairs that can be arranged in a U-shape for an informal display. For smaller scaled rooms, select armless chairs. You can always add chairs from the kitchen or dining area to this basic layout for additional guests. Swivel chairs provide an adaptable alternative for family members and guests join in the conversation or watch TV without moving furniture. This straightforward floor plan keeps your main living area simple.

You’ll create a room that is balanced and symmetrical if the height of the sofa and chairs are all within one or two inches in height. Be sure to examine the design and beauty of the back of any chair to be used in an open floor plan. For smaller rooms, avoid sectional or modular seating, as it’s not as versatile in tight spaces. Ottomans are also resourceful for extra seating without adding bulk to a room.

If limited floor space is an issue in a living room, a round coffee table or stacking tables can help add breathing space to any environment. Use glass surfaces for a see-through style that opens up the area. A fresh coat of paint in cooler colors, such as icy blues, pale greens, and butter yellow will help small rooms feel bigger. Painting some of your furniture, such as divans, the same color as your walls will also make the furniture “disappear” into the background. You can then add stylist knobs to add interest.

Since you spend a third of your life in your bedroom just by sleeping, never skimp comfort of your master bedroom or the quality of your mattress. Pillows can make or break a good night sleep, and most only hold their shape for a few years. Add life to pillows by tossing them in the dryer with three tennis balls once a week. The battering of the tennis balls fluffs the pillows back to their original shape.

Select end tables for either side of your bed in a similar height, weight and finish with drawers or shelves for extra storage. For additional space saving, you can attach matching swing-arm lamps to the wall for reading or accent light. If square footage is still an issue, avoid a bed frame with a footboard or any frame that has curved headboard and footboards as this can take up an additional 10-15 inches of space. Stay away from putting anything under your bed, as it blocks the flow of energy that is essential for restful sleep.

Storage is always an issue in smaller spaces. You can find furniture that also doubles as storage hide-a-ways by choosing a trunk as a coffee table or decorative boxes as corner accessories to store off-season items. A living room sofa bed can double as a guest room sleeping area. The coffee table trunk can double as a place for linens and pillows, and can be easily is moved off to the side when guests are present.

Finally, add pops of color every chance you get to create a mood and personality in every room. Carefully choose the artwork that will fit in your new space that is meaningful for you and doesn’t just add visual clutter. Your selection of art takes on greater meaning when you select it for its ability to bring you both joy and inspiration.

If you have a question on how to redecorate your home or improve your life using Feng Shui principles, email ggRedecorating@yahoo.com and your question may be featured in a future column.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant and nationally certified interior refiner. Contact Cheryl at (941) 400-3816 for a Feng Shui consultation for your home or business. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for a full menu of services, seminars, and Feng Shui décor. Cheryl is the Winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Preferred Feng Shui Practitioner.

Feng Shui Prosperity in the New Year

2011-01-15T04:19:00.000-08:00

Prosperity in the New Year
By
Cheryl Grace

“Bloom where you are planted”
—Unknown

The Chinese New Year for 2011 begins on Thursday, February 3rd and therefore an additional opportunity to initiate good prosperity in the New Year. Wherever you call home, no matter if it’s one room, an apartment, or a house, it’s necessary to create your ideal sanctuary to restore your energy and give you a base of support. Don’t postpone happiness by living constantly in a “temporary” state.

As the number of houses for sale in Sarasota County grows, homeowners are frustrated that they cannot sell their house or be able to downsize to a more manageable home. Realtors have shared that some homes are simply priced too high or that the market is flooded with an abundance of affordable properties, making this a buyers market. If you are unable to sell your home or you simply want to live in a more desired environment, home staging may be for you.

Feng Shui uses age-old methods for creating an environment that is brings simple elegance and easy living into your space. You want to be able to come home to a place of serenity and tranquility after a hectic and stressful day. We are all aware of our human comfort zones and what makes us feel good. Your home is either contributing to your energy level or zapping your spirit. Everyone space can benefit from an optimum balance of colors, shapes, textures, lighting and ultimate arrangement of your furniture, artwork and accessories. It’s natural for us to seek new ways to achieve a sense of balance in our lives and redecorating your home is fun!

Remember a time when you were shopping for a home and toured model homes? The goal of a model home is to help a prospective buyer to be able to imagine how furniture, artwork and accessories would be arranged in a particular floor plan. This is the essence of home staging. Less is more and living with less automatically improves energy flow throughout the living space.

The best place to start with your own home make-over is with the view from the curb. When you approach your home, does it invite you to come in? If your yard and entryway are poorly maintained or if it lacks color and personality, you already feel wilted upon arrival. Your front door is the mouth of “chi” or prosperity and therefore is one of the most important influences of your home. All good fortune comes through your front door, so it is important to use your front door on a daily or on a weekly basis at a minimum. Don’t rely on a secondary entrance to bring restorative energy into the home.

A traditional Feng Shui cure is to paint the front door red, as this color represents the fire element to help manifest abundance and blessings entering your home. If painting your door red is not desirable or allowed in a community, add red flowers or colorful pots to raise the energetic influence. Alternate paint colors for the door are darker colors such as black, or natural wood. Avoid clear glass as the energy sweeps into the home and dissipates at a faster pace. In addition, there can also be a sense of unease when approaching a glass door, as a stranger will startle you without a solid barrier between the two of you.

The next most important area is the entryway or foyer to your living space. Keep the area spacious and decorated with your personal touch, as this is an opportunity for all who enter to learn about the owners’ personality and the character of the home. Traditionally, the most prized artwork is hung in the entryway to welcome all guests. To boost and circulate energy around architectural design elements, hang a round, multi faceted 40mm crystal from the ceiling just past the doorway.

Each room in your home should reflect your unique style and treasures and not be where the furniture lives and you don’t! To give your home a facelift room by room, begin by taking all the furniture out of one room that you use the most, and apply a fresh coat of paint. If it is time to replace the floors or add new lighting fixtures, this is the opportunity to enhance the value of your home. Now you can evaluate each piece of furniture to see if is truly something you love and at the same time is comfortable and safe. If not, pay it forward by donating it to a charitable organization or furniture consignment shop. Keep in mind that by eliminating something that no longer serves you, you are making room for something new to enter in all aspects of your life, not just the family room!!

For the very reason that your accessories and collections convey the detail of your personal taste and style, choose everything in your home with great care. Photos and artwork should reflect your fondest memories and not be associated with anything remotely negative. Everything is alive with energy and therefore, interconnected to your life and spirit. You want to have each and every room in your home and all of its contents to fully support who you are today and the natural growth of your best self.

If you have a question on how to redecorate your home and improve your life using Feng Shui principles, email ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or send your question to Natural Awakenings Magazine, c/o Cheryl Grace, and your question may be featured in a future article.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui consultant, nationally certified Interior Refiner, and the winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Favoritie Feng Shui Practitioner. Call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com.

Trust....Learned and Earned

2011-01-01T11:12:00.001-08:00

Trust
Learned and Earned

By Cheryl Grace

“The key is to get to know people and trust them to be who they are. Instead, we trust people to be who we want them to be- and when they're not, we cry.”—Unknown

Trust is the steering mechanism to navigate your life journey. The components of trust include trusting yourself by believing that you have the ability to handle any situation life throws at you. It comes from an inner knowing that you always learn from mistakes and are capable of gracefully moving on to a better way of doing things. Trust often requires you to follow your intuitive prompts, valuing your instinct, and perhaps going in a direction that’s out of your immediate comfort zone.

Trust also consists of trusting others by observing and evaluating another’s words and actions and their commitment to keeping promises. Instead of immediately trusting someone unconditionally, trust is earned over time. This requires having empathy and compassion with others by accepting that there are many sides to every story and no one is perfect.

An important element of trust is having faith in a joyous future in spite of facing uncertainty. Rely on the notion that generally people are good-hearted and life is full of abundance. All decisions made in the course of a day have a residual impact on how confident we feel; that includes our relationship choices and preferences, the way we communicate and interact with others, and the degree of integrity, modesty, and compassion we embody. Everything around us, and everyone with whom we come in contact must be a contributing, consistent, and reliable source of uplifting energy. In this way, we’re always operating at peak performance and don’t have to rely on a perfect night’s sleep to restore our energy levels to 100% in order to function or improve our mood.

As children we learned to do what we were told even if our natural instincts told us otherwise. Therefore, as adults, we must take responsibility to learn trust skills and not rely on our childhood experiences to teach us. While the virtue of trust is a feeling, it is also a conscious choice. Over time, people will reveal their true nature. Don’t succumb to feeling that your partner is looking for better because you’re not good enough. Your partner might very well be trustworthy and constant doubt undermines a relationship.

Everyone is responsible for his or her own trust competency. Build your trustworthiness by taking responsibility for everything that happens in your life. Recognize a destructive pattern if you overact to a situation and undermine your self worth, or if you complain to others about another person’s behavior without first having an open and honest dialog with that person. If you can’t accept your own imperfections, you can’t expect others to do so.

True friends do not reject you when your behavior is less than stellar. A true romantic partnership is grounded in mutual respect and admiration so being able having an honest conversation without fear of disapproval or rejection is the key to building increased trust and understanding. Avoid teasing or sarcasm when trying to convey what is bothering you. Resist leaving hints of behavior you want changed rather than talking opening about it.

When you trust others, you no longer have the need to control their every move. Hold on to the courage to speak the truth without concern of dire consequences and believe in your immeasurable potential to envision a happy and bright future.

Suggested reading material:

The Speed of Trust–The One Thing That Changed Everything by Steven Covey with Rebecca R. Merrill
The Courage to Trust-A guide to Building Deep and Lasting Relationships by Cynthia L. Wall, LCSW

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui décor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Eco Friendly Home Redecorating

2010-10-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Eco Friendly Home Redecorating
By Cheryl Grace

Redecorating your home room by room is a simple and economical approach to transforming your environment into your personal paradise. Begin with the rooms that you use the most and consider a complete make over, including a fresh coat of paint, non-toxic floors, easy to clean window treatments, comfortable furniture, inspiring artwork, and accessories that best represent your personal taste and personality. And with each replacement, choose safe and eco friendly products that will enhance your décor and improve the quality of energy in your surroundings.
First take everything out of room and do thorough cleaning using chemical free products. Most household products, including cleaning, disinfecting, polishing and freshening chemicals contain various levels of toxicity. There are many green cleaning products on the market or you can make your own all-purpose cleaner.

It may be time to consider replacing your flooring with a greener choice. Carpets are often made of synthetic material or the material has been doused in pesticides and they are also notorious for housing dust mites. Carpet backings may also be treated carcinogenic materials. The new smell of carpet is actually the out-gassing of VOC’s. When choosing area rugs, select natural materials, such as wool, cotton, or jute. Washable rugs are a good choice to keep dust mites at bay.

There are many great choices for flooring including stone, slate, brick, tile, mosaic, terrazzo and concrete. However, growing favorites include bamboo, solid wood, and cork. Bamboo is a grass that doesn’t require pesticides and fertilizers to grow and is dense and as hard wearing as oak. Cork is an entirely sustainable crop, comes in many beautiful designs and is durable and resistant to water. Sustainable hardwoods or softwoods can be found as prefinished floors or refurbished wood. Avoid engineered and composite flooring, particleboard, plywood, and vinyl.

A new coat of low or non-VOV paint in a medium range flat hue will add vitality to any room. Synthetic paint uses petrochemicals during the manufacturing process and disposal of unused paint are nonbiodegradable. Select a durable natural or organic paint, such as Benjamin Moore’s Aura, which is low VOC and covers most surfaces in a single coat or Benjamin Moore’s Saman that is a water-based wood stain. Eco friendly paint is derived from plants and minerals that contain food-safe ingredients, including essential oils, beeswax, tree resins, and mineral pigments. Casein point is another solid choice for unfinished, plaster, wood, or earth walls, as it doesn’t peel or chip and is VOC free.

There are some wallpaper choices made out of recycled paper, however, the culprit is the adhesive backing. Be careful of dyes, inks and mold inhibitors on the wallpaper.

Window treatment fabrics are often saturated with chemicals dyes including pesticides needed to ward off resilient pests present during the growth of cotton and yarn fiber. Chlorine and formaldehyde are just two of the toxic chemicals used for cleaning, bleaching, softening and wrinkle free applications and preshrinking fibers into fabric. Look for fabric for curtains and furniture made with organic cotton or sustainable man-made fabrics manufactured with recycled materials. Natural color dyes are mainly neutral colors such as beige and brown. Or choose other natural options, such as certified wood products for window cover.

Now you’re ready for staging your room with your furniture, artwork, and accessories. Be aware of the function of the room and place only those objects that best suits the activity the room is designed for. For example, children’s toys, workout and office equipment, and craft projects should not be placed in the master bedroom. Next select a theme to inspire the selection of décor, color, style, artwork and accessories. Use what you have in the home first, but avoid purchasing any new objects or products that are organic, eco friendly, safe, and chemical free. Every purchase that is unrecyclable ultimately impacts the earth.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09-10 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui décor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Feng Shui Home Design

2010-09-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Feng Shui HomeDesign

By Cheryl Grace

The Feng Shui Bagua Map is one of the key tools in transforming the energy in your environment into a powerhouse of creativity. The Bagua Map has a dual purpose of serving as the treasure map of your home as well as the road map of your life. There are nine areas called guas or trigrams that correlate important aspects of your life with various sections of buildings and properties. The Bagua Map identifies energetic patterns in each area. It’s intended to be used over land, over one’s home, apartment, office, or business location as well as with every room or surface, such as a desk. To use this tool, align the bottom edge of the map to the wall where the front door or entry to the home or building is located.

The Bagua Map has a structural similarity to a tic-tac-toe board, with three columns and three rows, totaling nine guas (zones). The eight squares revolve around the ninth or center square, each representing a different life aspect essential to achieving harmony. The front three squares closest to the front door represent inspiration and motivation, the middle three squares (center of the home) concentrate on health, family and creativity, and in the rear section of the home, from left to right, are the power guas for prosperity, integrity/ legacy, and relationships. Each gua has an association with specific colors, shapes, symbols, and concepts that can be applied to that area to improve and empower the life aspect or situation it represents.

Here’s a quick overview of the nine squares of the Bagua Map. Again, each gua is oriented to the front door of the building or dwelling:

Wealth and Prosperity: The far left rear corner of your home (in relation to your front door) is the power corner for attracting and keeping money. If you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, it will be important to enhance this area. The life lesson is to be grateful for what you have, count your blessings daily, and pay it forward whenever you can with your time, talent and money. If you always give, you’ll always have.

Fame and Reputation: The middle rear square of your home (in relation to your front door) represents how you’re viewed by others and the ways your friends, co-workers, and family support you. If you’re having any issues around being recognized or honored for who you are, it’s time to contemplate how you can enhance this area and turn the situation around. This life aspect also serves to remind us to create and fulfill our lasting legacy.

Love, Marriage and Relationships: The far right rear corner (in relation to your front door) holds the space to create loving relationships. Whether you’re single or in a committed relationship, the goal is to interact with everyone in your life with an open and compassionate heart. We need the values of mutual respect, loyalty, and trust to attract and keep successful relationships. Enhance this gua to magnetically draw in the sweetness of true love.
Health and Family: The middle far left square of your home (in relation to your front door) deals with your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, as well as how family or friends support you during challenging times. We’re reminded that setting healthy boundaries strengthens relationships. Truthful and forthright communication is a key component for building relationships with family and friends that you can rely on. Forgiveness frees you from wishing the past could be changed.

Earth: The center middle square represents being grounded and living in present moment awareness. It’s conscious living every day, being neither tethered to the past nor obsessed with the future. You’re aware of every blessing in your life and are grateful for all you have. The center earth square comes together effortlessly when the other eight Bagua squares or life situations are in harmony.

Creativity and Children: The far right middle square nurtures and supports your creative sides, helping you explore what brings you joy. Just as small children find wonderment in everything they do, you can restore your natural fascination by creating something original or unique. Find a hobby, a part time job, or volunteer for something that shows the childlike side of your personality.

Knowledge and Self-Cultivation: This part of your home represents how you gather and use wisdom effectively through contemplation, meditation and rejuvenation. It is the far left front corner of your home.
Career: The front middle square is linked to your career path and life or soul purpose. Whether you’re looking for a job, have a job, or are retired, you stay purposefully connected to your life path by tapping into your own unique talent and destiny. Work then becomes play.

Helpful People and Travel: The most spiritual area is the front far right area of your home. It symbolizes your connection to the invisible energy that soulfully guides you through life. Mentors, special friends and family, and your spiritual beliefs are all ways to support you in challenging times. Asking for help is the way of Feng Shui.

To apply the Bagua Map, use a floor plan sketch or blueprint of your home or business, with all of the rooms and the main entrance or front door denoted. The
overall shape of the building may be square, rectangle, L-shaped, or any variation of those. If your dwelling is an irregular shape, draw a line to connect all the walls to form a square/rectangle that mirrors the square shape of the Bagua Map. Garages count if they are attached to a house. If your garage is not attached, it has it’s own Bagua Map. Now you can sketch a tic-tac-toe board in the perimeters of the square/rectangle by drawing two vertical lines and two horizontal lines to formulate nine equal squares.

You may find some portions of the Bagua Map are outside of the structure of your dwelling. For example, an L-shaped home may have some guas, such as Love, Marriage, and Relationships, and Creativity and Children, in located in your yard or belonging to another building. No worries! You can still creatively enhance the missing areas with symbolic gestures. Once you label each square according to the nine areas of the Bagua Map, you have the template for transformation.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09-10 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Quick Fixes to Boost Prosperity with Feng Shui

2010-08-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Quick Fixes to Boost Prosperity with Feng Shui
By Cheryl Grace

Feng Shui is the art of enhancing your environment to improve your life. By incorporating simple feng shui enhancements in your home or office, you can remove stagnant energy present in your environment and allow your dreams and goals to become the fuel to initiate positive changes in your life. Your surroundings are a direct reflection of you, much like an environmental mirror. If your home is uncluttered, clean, organized and spacious, you automatically feel more calm, grounded, and able to appreciate all the blessings in your life.

If you’ve ever declined having friends over because your home is a mess, you’ve
become a slave to clutter. You may spend money unnecessarily because you may
feel it’s reflective of your hard work or you believe that by owning a particular item it
will make your life easier. If your home is chaotic, on-the-spot purchases may result
simply because you can’t easily find what you’re looking for and just give up.

Vibrant energy will not flow properly if your home is dirty, cluttered and in
disorder. And when stale energy resides, one can’t help but feel lethargic. By turning
your home into a powerhouse of creativity by removing stacks of paper, clothes,
boxes, and toys and rejuvenate your surroundings by removing out dated
furnishings, such as bulky furniture, patterned wallpaper, dark or contradicting
colors, and old-fashioned curtains. Inexpensive decorating changes and a fresh coat
of paint to a room you use the most will jump start your prosperity in the right
direction. It’s a small financial investment to motivate your future.

Once you’ve decluttered, updated and refreshed your environment, now you’re
ready to place feng shui enhancements that are representative of the direction of
your hopes and dreams. Traditional Feng Shui cures such as Chinese coins, Bagua
mirrors or flutes do not have to be used to inspire change. Contemporary décor
such color, shapes, artwork or symbolic accessories creates visual energy and serve
as image motivators.

• For a career boost, choose artwork in your office that best represents your life work or life purpose. For example, if you want to become a veterinarian, choose artwork of your favorite animals.
• Personal growth is always strengthened by supplementary education. No matter what phase you are in your life, stretch yourself by reading and taking classes. Any time you are looking to move into a different job market or chapter of your life, begin by immersing yourself in the chosen industry or activity. Simultaneously, allow quiet time for meditating or writing to nurture the spirit and the body. Set up a private space in your home as a reading corner or meditation area with appropriate lighting and atmosphere.
• Family relationships can provide help, guidance, leadership and direction in times of need. Don’t wait for a difficult or tragic event to connect you to loved ones. Photos of you with your family members on happy occasions or vacations should be placed around your home to reinforce the connection.
• Empower your wealth and prosperity by recognizing all of the blessings already present in your life. Avoid negative dialog, repeating sad stories, or dwelling on what is not going well for you. Improve your awareness of your immediate surroundings by collecting lucky coins you find and placing them in a piggy bank. It’s a great reminder that wealth accumulated over time is the most lasting.
• All loving relationships improve by one being open, flexible, receptive, and always coming from a place of love. Forming strong connections significantly contribute to the quality of your life. Place symbolic objects in your surroundings that best represent healthy and loving relationships. Posters, paintings, or accessories pertaining to love or meaningful relationships can replace piles of work to be done or images of a solitary person.

Feng Shui is not just about the furniture. It’s creating a way of life that is filled with positive and inspiring images in your environment, maintaining a great attitude, and being enthusiastic and optimistic about the future.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-2009-2010 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui décor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Get in Touch With Your Pet

2010-08-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Getting In Touch With Your Pet
By Cheryl Grace

“Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.”—Author Unknown

Everything in creation is made up of electromagnetic energy fields (EMF’s) vibrating at different frequencies that correspond to sound, light and color. The existence of EMF’s around every object in the world is referred by the Chinese as energy or Chi (pronounced Chee), the vital life force energy of the Universe. Other cultures express energy in a similar way; the Japanese call it qi and the Hindus call it prana. Energy is constantly in flux; it’s either flowing, stagnant, concentrated, or depleted.
Vital energy or Chi, present in every person, pet, object and place, either supports or depletes universal energy already present in the environment. Pets are extremely sensitive to environmental energy and show exactly how they feel through their behavior. By improving the energy flow in your environment, your personal Chi and those of your pets is nurtured and strengthened. Removing clutter and keeping your home clean, organized and spacious is the essential first step to creating good energy flow throughout the environment.
For a household pet, gentle human touch feels safe and strengthens the bond of trust with their owner. By tapping into your energy reservoir and transferring it through touch to your pet, you can reduce their daily stress, facilitate the healing of injuries and illnesses, and improve behavioral problems. The more you touch your pet, the more you’ll be able to interpret their body language to determine their level of receptiveness— anywhere from open and friendly to defensive and fearful.
Most animals respond to healing touch therapy by becoming sleepy and calm. By being alert and aware of their reactions you’ll know exactly where to place your hands by their physical cues. They will shuffle, twitch, or move around or even push your hand to an area where they do or do not want treatment!
Pets respond instinctively to touch as an empathic way to help them ward off the cumulative effects of minor stresses. Just witness how puppies or kittens spontaneously curl up with each other to take a nap. Touch gives them a feeling of security and comfort. Any pet can benefit from healing touch whether they are recovering from an injury or just feeling out of sorts. Channeling your energy through touch is a simply way to bring a pet’s body back into balance by recharging existing energy levels and working towards preventing potential disease.
While some of the strongest healing comes simply from a loving heart, recognized healing therapies include Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Seichem, to name a few. However, you don’t have to be a certified professional to apply healing treatment. Rely on feedback from the animal and let the animal determine the amount and location of the treatment.
Begin by making the animal comfortable, either on the floor, a table, sofa, or wherever the animal feels safe. Keep the animal away from their other pet companions and distractions. Place your hand lightly anywhere on the body and project energy in, as if you were a skillful surgeon. The shoulders, spine and joints are usually safe places to start. Be aware of how the animal responds to the first feeling of warm energy by keeping one hand in contact with the skin at all times. From here, you can work up and down the body including the tail, followed by the neck and head. The most effective way to develop a strong flow of energy is to treat your animal twice a day until it becomes second nature. Consistency keeps your own energy levels steadily recharged.
While you can not do harm by giving healing energy treatments, more serious pet injuries, such as broken bones, open wounds, etc. should first be treated by a medical professional. However, you can give healing touch treatments along side of conventional medicine or post-operative recovery to enhance the effect of any other treatment being given.
Routine healing touch can maintain your pet’s overall health. The benefits include a peaceful night of sleep, improved behavior, relaxation, and coping effectively with other pets and family members. Many injuries such as pulled muscles are a result of continued pressure on a particular part of the body, leaving it weaker and more prone to injury. An every day session designed to relax your pet reduces nervous energy, hyper activity and restlessness. Combining healing touch with good nutrition, a comfortable and safe environment, and daily exercise can help a pet maintain optimum health. Refrain from extremes of over-exercising to housing your pet in a cage or kennel for any period of time. The balance of rest and play reduces anxiety and you’ll have a happier and healthier pet.
For more information on healing touch:
Natural Healing for Animals by Clare Wilde
Getting in TTouch with Your Cat by Linda Tellington-Jones
Getting in TTouch with your Dog by Linda Tellington-Jones

Cheryl Grace is a Reiki Master and trained in Pranic and Restructure healing. For more information on Cheryl, visit http://www.ggRedecorating.com

Back to School Safety Tips for Children

2010-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Back to School Safety Tips
By
Cheryl Grace

Whether kids are dreading going back to school or they can’t wait to reconnect with teachers and friends after a fun-filled summer vacation, a child’s safety is always a concern for parents. Potential accidents can be prevented by establishing the habit of basic security from the time kids leave the house until the time that they are home for the evening. Depending on the age of the children, they can manage daily tasks related to their safety and security.

Potential hazards can be prevented if parents and students are on the lookout. Begin by planning a safe route to and from school, regardless if the child is walking, biking, riding a school bus, or traveling by car with friends or family. Look for unfamiliar cars or strangers in the neighborhood. They just may be sizing up potential targets. Use your instinct and report any suspicious behavior to the police department with a complete description of the vehicle or individual that concerns you.

Choose a route to school that is the most direct and away from parks, vacant lots, fields and locations that are void of people. Whether a child is walking or riding the bus, it’s a good plan to have a travel buddy along that knows important information about the other. Be aware of putting a child’s name on anything that is readily visible to discourage a would-be abductor or burglar from addressing a child by their first name. It’s important to let children know that strangers might use various ploys to gain their trust—anything from asking for directions to helping find their lost dog. Having a child armed with a cell phone to dial 911 in case of any emergency and equipped with locations along the way that are safe to run to are just the beginning to establishing concrete security measures. Having another adult that the child is accustomed be readily available to be reached in case of an emergency adds a indispensable precaution.

If driving to school, drop a child in a safe location and wait until they are well into the schoolyard or a building before leaving the area. Bicycles, skateboards or in-line skates used for transportation should be accompanied as warranted with wearing sturdy shoes, kneepads, elbow pads and a helmet that meet maximum safety standards. According to Reader’s Digest, research indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by up to 85 percent.

According to Dr. Arthur Valadie, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist of Coastal Orthopedics, requiring a student backpack be based on safety rather than only style and color is a simple way to avoid injury to a child’s back muscles and joints. Dr. Valadie recommends using both shoulder straps and tightening the straps so that the backpack is close to the body. This will help distribute the weight, rather than having one strap slung over the shoulder. A backpack should not weigh more than 15% of the child’s weight, and packing heavier items towards the center and utilizing all compartments will help deter back, neck, and shoulder pain as will as posture problems.

Bullying is happening more and more on school buses, at school, on the playground and in the neighborhood. Bullying can be defined as physical, verbal, or social harassment. Teaching a child simple steps to help stop another child from picking on them includes;
• staying calm in a difficult confrontation
• speaking in a firm voice requesting the bully not to speak to them in that manner,
• being willing to alert school officials to the problems to be able to work out an amiable solution.
Making sure an adult knows about the bullying can help watch out for the child’s safety and well-being when the parent is absent.

If your child is the bully, be sure to communicate that bullying is never ok, and set firm and consistent limits on the child’s aggressive behavior. Being a positive role model shows children that they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone. Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges. Work with school officials, teachers and counselors, and the parents of the children bullied to find practical and peaceful solutions. If a child witnesses another child being bullied, encourage the child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying and avoid cheering on or even watching passively.

After school, younger children need supervision until a parent returns home from work or from other obligations or commitments. Older children coming home to an empty house can still be supervised from a distance or be checked on by a neighbor. Developing good homework and study habits before allowing extra-curricular activities, playing video games, internet use or watching TV will help to motivate students to excel in school and still have plenty of time for fun.

Resources:

ReadersDigest.com
American Academy of Pediatrics
KidsHealth.org
Baltimore Police Department
Federal Citizen Information Center
Dr. Arthur Valadie, MD Coastal Orthopedic

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09-10 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Is the Water You're Drinking Safe?

2010-06-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know that more than 70% of the human body is made up of water? For this reason, your drinking water is extremely important to achieving optimum health. Even mild dehydration can slow down one’s metabolic rate as much as 3%. Further benefits of drinking good water can help with weight loss, reduce daytime fatigue, minimize back and joint pain, eliminate constipation, and improve short-term memory and concentration. Researchers and scientists are in agreement that by improving the quality of water you’re drinking, you can boost your immune system. Water carries out the important functions of purifying, filtering, filtering, and transporting excess water, proteins, and waste through the bloodstream.

Our bodies used to efficiently break down food and dispose of the resulting acid waste through the kidney and liver. Now because of the sheer amount of acid waste the average person produces, the body is losing its ability to neutralize and remove the acid proficiently. The average age when people start to show symptoms of hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes and other degenerative diseases is approximately 45. We simply cannot neutralize all the acid waste we produce and as a result it accumulates in our body, showing up as cholesterol, uric acid, kidney stones and more.

With so many options for drinking water, anything from tap water to ionized water, it’s difficult to decipher which is the best option at an economical price for the consumer. On the surface, tap water seems relatively safe since it has already gone through several stages of treatment by the municipal water system. The truth is that despite government regulations of drinking water through the EPA and FDA, dangerous contaminants may still be present in tap drinking water. While the EPA sets maximum contaminant levels (MCL’s) for drinking water, these levels are not at zero and may affect your health.

Many people may say that attacks on the quality of tap water are simply scare tactics designed to increase profit for the bottled water industry. Yet America’s tap water is frequently contaminated with toxic heavy metals, (particularly aluminum, antimony, arsenic and sometimes lead), chlorination by-products, hormones, pesticides, parasites, and thousands of synthetic organic chemicals. Chlorine in drinking water is currently a leading cause of bladder and rectal cancer, and asthma. Health officials are now linking chlorine ingestion to breast cancer as well. Lead in drinking water is especially harmful for young children and pregnant mothers. Giardia and Cryptosporidum are resistant to chlorine and these protozoa can lead to severe and widespread outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease if they make their way into a municipal water system. Water treatment facilities were not designed to take out synthetic organic chemicals nor toxic heavy metals.

And contrary to popular belief, bottled water is not any healthier for you than your tap water. The bottled water industry in the US falls under the regulatory authority of the FDA. About 70% of bottled water never crosses state lines for sale, making it exempt from FDA oversight. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested the most popular bottled water brands and found that many contained mixtures of pollutants, including bacteria, fertilizer, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals matching the levels found in some of the nation’s most polluted big city tap water systems. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that 40% of all bottled water comes from city water systems, not spring water.

Unlike public water utilities, bottled water companies are not required to notify their customers of the presence of contaminants in the water, and in many states, are not required to reveal where the water comes from. Pepsi’s Aquafina or Coca Cola’s Dasani are essentially filtered tap water, bottled close to their distribution point. The typical cost of a gallon of bottled water is $3.79—1,900 times the cost of a gallon of public tap water. Many bottled water being chemically indistinguishable from tap water and the plastic container may leach into the water supply. Further, bottled water produces up to l.5 million tons of plastic waste per year and up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. Combine this with the fact that 80% of plastic bottles are thrown into landfills, taking up to 1000 years for each bottle to biodegrade. The manufacture of bottles also can cause release of phthalates, and other byproducts of plastic-making, into the water, air, or other parts of the environment.

Many have used distilled or reverse osmosis water as a way to cleanse or detoxify the body, as this filtered water contains no minerals—simulating close to “pure water.” Natural water resources are never devoid of minerals. Studies have found that distilled water absorbs carbon dioxide when it comes in contact with air, making it acidic. The more distilled water a person drinks, the higher the body acidity becomes. The longer one drinks distilled water, the more likely the development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state.

Most toxic beverages that people consume (cola and other soft drinks) are made from distilled water, and heavy consumers of soft drinks (with or without sugar) spill huge amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals into the urine. The more mineral loss, the greater the risk of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. A poor diet including meat, sugar, white flour products, fried foods, soft drinks, process foods, dairy products and other junk foods may cause the body to become more acidic. When a body is acidic, it holds onto heavy metals that are the cause of many degenerative conditions.

Gravity fed water filter systems and restructured ionized water systems for the home or office have various capabilities of reducing or eliminating contaminants, bacteria, chlorine, heavy metals, VOC’s, etc., without eliminating healthy minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron and more. The healthiest people in the world drink slightly alkaline water with lots of minerals. You can also buy these filters for your shower, refrigerator, and whole house water filters.

However, not all gravity fed water systems are equal. Brita, for example, uses reverse-osmosis and consists of a two-tiered pitcher and a carbon and resin filter. Brita water filters do not aim to kill microorganisms, and Brita traps but does not kill bacteria. If the filter is not changed regularly, it can actually become a breeding ground for bacteria causing the filter to become useless. Carbon filters cannot change the pH balance of the water. If you already have acidic water, you will still have acidic water.

Ionized water systems were first developed in the 50’s and were introduced into Japanese hospitals and clinics for health improvement and medical use. They are now more commonplace in American hospitals. The machine generates electrical current delivered to an electrolysis chamber where platinum coated titanium electrodes reside producing alkaline ionized water. As water flows through the chamber, the electrolysis process separates the water into acid and alkaline waters. While the basic technology is the same from manufacturer to manufacturer, the quality, reliability and consistency of production depends on the surface area of the electrolysis plates and the amount of electrical power used to accomplish electrolysis. Home units are now available, ranging from $1500-$4,000.

Ionized water is a powerful antioxidant, helps the balance of the body’s pH, and is six times more hydrating than conventional water. It’s also an efficient and effective way for the body to get its minerals. If you are overly acidic, an alkaline water device may provide a safe and easy way to restore the pH balance of your body.

Natural water is a rarity today due to industrial contamination and woodland loss. Filtration is just the first step. Your overall health and improving your immune system will benefit from good water that has not been polluted with chemical substances. The water you choose to drink plays a key role in the digestion, absorption, transportation and use of nutrients. There is no system in the body that doesn’t depend on water.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09-10 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

What's The Deal With Gluten?

2010-05-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

The term gluten is a generic term for the storage proteins that are found in grains. People who are diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, or Celiac Disease (or its skin form of dermatitis herpetiformis) must follow a strict gluten-free diet for life. It has been recognized that Celiac disease is one of the most common inherited diseases, with recent studies revealing that 1:100 or 1% of the population are affected. However, many people are finding themselves with a sensitivity to wheat and gluten based food who may not be formally diagnosed with Celiac disease and therefore can benefit from a gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune intestinal disorder. When susceptible individuals consume specific proteins in the grains of wheat, rye, malt, barley, (collectively known as gluten), the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged. This can cause malabsorption of nutrients needed for good health, including iron, calcium, and folate which are key nutrients absorbed in the first part of the small intestine. Celiac disease not only affects the gastrointestinal system but many other systems in the body, such as bone/joint pain, Edema, migraine headaches, mouth ulcers, chronic fatigue, bloating and gas, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. People diagnosed with Celiac disease may also be lactose and soy intolerant. Treatment for Celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a strict gluten free diet for life.

The diagnosis is often difficult because of the broad range of symptoms and can vary from very mild to severe or none at all. Individuals are often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or ulcers. While blood tests are available that can be used to diagnose the disease, the most effective is a small intestinal biopsy. It is critical that a gluten-free diet never be started before the blood tests and biopsy are completed as his can interfere with making an accurate diagnosis.

Following a gluten-free diet for a minimum of a month can help a person determine if there is any relief from symptoms of gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance. Gluten is the substance in flour responsible for forming the structure of dough, holding products together, and leavening. While gluten is evident in baked good such as breads, cookies, cakes, crackers and pasta, it is often a hidden ingredient in many other items such as sauces, marinades, gravies, salad dressings, soups, prepared and deli meats, candy, flavored coffees and teas, as well as some medications and nutritional supplements. Even red licorice and soy sauce contains gluten!

At first it may seem daunting to eliminate many of the foods we consume regularly. However, there are now many gluten free foods to choose from in health and whole food grocery stores, including bread, pasta, cookies and pizza dough. It is important to read all labels before purchasing any product. You’ll find that eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein is the way to get started while you are checking out the labels on all processed, frozen and packaged foods.

There are many foods that you can have that are healthy alternatives or a special treat when you need it. Most ice cream, bread made with millet, flax or corn; popcorn, nuts and seeds just to name a few. Common foods or beverages to avoid are beer, frozen French Fries, canned soups, restaurant sandwiches, fast food burgers and anything breaded are normally made with gluten. Plan ahead when you travel with food and snacks. You can always default to a fresh salad with vinegar and oil dressing and non-breaded protein topping such as chicken or fish. Think fresh and natural food and you won’t go wrong.

When you start feeling better and restore your optimal health, avoiding the foods that formally made you sick won’t be difficult. You’ll notice the hidden benefit of losing extra weight and feeling more energetic just by eating fresh food. It becomes a way of life. For a comprehensive overview of a Gluten-Free Diet, read A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Shelley Case.

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Living Large in Smaller Spaces

2010-04-13T03:49:00.002-07:00

Hello everyone,

When you finally make that decision to downsize your home or move to a retirement community, the first thought is, “what am I going to do with all of my stuff?” Applying simple feng shui principles along with careful planning can help you through the process of sorting through your possessions and taking only those things that bring you joy. Think of it as room-by-room editing.

We need to view our living environment as our sanctuary that is stress free. Research shows that creating a clutter free, clean and organized home makes a huge difference in your ability to weather stress in the outside world. Put safety and comfort first when selecting the furniture for your new home. If you sit in an uncomfortable chair for any length of time, you can expect your health to suffer. A room filled with cozy furniture will contribute to you feeling calm and peaceful in your new surroundings.

Begin selecting furniture that you truly love and will foster an atmosphere that is both welcoming and warm. Before you move, you can measure all the furniture and plan the arrangement according to the new floor plan. For your main living area, choose a sofa or loveseat and two upholstered chairs to create a conversational area arranged in a U-shape. For smaller scaled rooms, select armless chairs. A swivel chair gives you more options to easily watch a TV, enjoy a view, or join into conversation around the room. You will create a room that is balanced and symmetrical if the height of the sofa and chairs are all within one or two inches in height. Avoid sectional or modular seating, as it is not as versatile in smaller spaces. Now you can add chairs from the kitchen or dining area to the conversational living area any time you have additional guests. Ottomans are also versatile to bring in extra seating or prop up your feet, without adding bulk to a room.

If space is an issue, a round coffee table or stacking tables can contribute to a spacious environment. Choosing lamps with 3 way switches will contribute to the mood you want to set without having to add dimmer switches in each room. For cheerful lighting, select white lamp shapes, and light bulbs that simulate natural sunlight, such as GE’s Reveal. They are made to filter out yellow rays that hide life’s true colors, and produce cleaner, whiter-looking light.

Since you spend a third of your life in your bedroom, just by sleeping, the quality of your mattress should be of primary importance. If you have a mattress you are satisfied with, don’t forget to flip the mattress often, as your body impression becomes memorized in the bedding. Pillows can make or break a good night sleep, and most only hold their shape for a few years. You can fluff up your pillows once a week by tossing them in the dryer with 3 tennis balls. The battering of the tennis balls fluffs the pillows back to their original shape. You want to have a full night’s rest in order to shape the quality of your day. Select end tables for either side of your bed of a similar size and finish, with lamps suitable for reading. For additional space saving, you can attach matching swing-arm lamps to the wall If square footage is still an issue, avoid a bed frame with a footboard or any frame that has curved headboard and footboards as this can take up an additional 10-15 inches of space.

Set up an area for your TV viewing outside of your bedroom. You can establish a great habit of enjoying your favorite TV programs and going to bed at a consistent time each evening for a quality night of sleep. You’ll wake up rested and ready to start your day.

Storage is always an issue in smaller spaces. You can find furniture and accessories that also serve as unique storage hide-a-ways by choosing a trunk, end tables with shelves or drawers, and decorative boxes to store off-season items. A living room sofa bed can double as a guest room sleeping area. A truck used as a coffee table can double as a place for linens and pillows, and can be easily is moved off to the side when guests are present.

Finally, add color every chance you get to create a mood and personality in every room. Carefully choose the artwork that will fit in your new space and not just add visual clutter. Feng shui is the art of intentional design, so your selection of art takes on greater meaning when you select it for its ability to bring you joy, inspiration or fulfill your destiny.

For money saving decorating ideas for individuals who are downsizing or moving to a retirement community, contact Cheryl Grace at (941) 400-3816 or visit www.ggRedecorating.com for a consultation.

2010-04-13T03:49:00.001-07:00

Creative Expression

2010-03-11T03:13:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Tapping into Creative Expression

With all of the troubling news about the economy and rising gas prices, it is no wonder that people are looking to establish a more secure life. Feeling “at home” is having a sense of being grounded, centered, and peaceful. Feng Shui is a design science that focuses on creating a home that is organized, uncluttered and spacious. You automatically feel more in control of your life when your home is designed for comfort and easy living, with artwork and sentimental objects aesthetically placed to enjoy.

Once your home is in order, you have the time in your schedule to discover ways you can nurture your creative spirit. Your unique talent or skill set can be expressed in a variety of ways. You may lean towards arts and crafts, creative writing, or preparing culinary delights, just to name a few. Whatever stirs your soul and ignites your passion to fully express yourself will bring you joy. Just as you would encourage your children to learn and grow through a variety of activities and opportunities, adults must also make room in their day to allow for artistic and imaginative endeavors.

Use all of your senses as a navigational tool for creating your ideal living environment. Simultaneously, you’ll be increasing a positive flow of energy that encourages your playful side:

• Sense of Touch: Choose luxurious and gentle fabrics for your furniture, bedroom linens, and clothing. Not only do they feel soft against your skin; they instantly bring comfort and relaxation to a tired body. The support of the bedroom mattress, your office chair, or the sofa you curl up on to watch TV shouldn’t leave your back in distress. Over time, an uncomfortable position will lead to additional aggravation and pain that may require doctor’s care.

• Sense of Smell: The use of scents in your home can trigger fond memories and define what feels like “home” for you. This can be as simple as baking cookies or lighting a candle with your favorite fragrance. When cleaning, lean towards using products that avoid making the rooms smell sanitized. Instead, use natural products and pleasant scents, such as lemon or lavender. Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen can motivate you to cook a gourmet meal for your family or for a dinner party. Fresh flowers or any form of aromatherapy in your entry way brings a sense of delight to what may seem like a stale existence. If you’re in the market to sell a home, a pan of sugar and water sprinkled with cinnamon placed in a slow oven before an open house suggests to potential buyers that they are entering a warm and comfortable home.

• Sense of Taste: Sitting in a quiet environment for a meal, away from the TV is a first step to consciously enjoying our food. Preparing the food with fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices can make all the difference in the volume of food we eat to feel satisfied. Taste always influences our choices and habits, whether it is the toothpaste we use or the kind of snacks we eat. With each bite, pay attention to the flavor, texture, and the food’s aroma to help slow down the need to shove food into your body just to feel full and satisfied.

• Sense of Sight: The choice of colors, textures, shapes and architectural design elements of our home can inspire or tire our energy levels. Lighting is a mood booster, especially natural light. Pets also bring in good chi. You can feel loved just by a wagging tail on your beloved pet or feel instantly peaceful and memorized by exotic fish floating in a fish tank. Photos displayed through out the home can anchor fond memories of vacations, family visits, and far-away friends. A home that is joyful, organized, and uncluttered gives you the sensation that you have plenty of free time to pursue other interests.

In Sarasota, you can explore any of the following locations to calm your spirit, raise your creative instinct, and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new:

The John Ringling Bridge: If you need to jump start your exercise program or just need a breath-taking view outdoors, take a walk over the Ringling Bridge. If you begin at Marina Jack’s restaurant where you can park your car, it is 4,700 walking steps to reach the end of the bridge and back. By adding 2,000 steps a day in your daily routine, you can lose one to two pounds in a year according to researchers at Colorado on the Move.

The Art Studio of Colleen Cassidy-Burns: Located at 4613 S. Tamiami Trail, Colleen is a well-known Sarasota artist and a skillful and inspiring teacher. If you want to explore your artistic potential, call Lisa Seaboyer, Artistic Director, at the Studio to inquire about watercolor classes, furniture painting, and other craft classes at (941) 924-1200. They also have a beautiful gift shop of Colleen’s artwork and one-of-a-kind gift ideas including jewelry, furniture, and collectibles for that special person in your life or to enhance your home in a unique way.

Ringling College of Art and Design: You do not have to be an aspiring interior designer to attend classes at Ringling College. Ringling offers a variety of classes open to the public through their Continuing Studies and Special Programs. They include botanical art and illustration, fine arts, art and healing, photography, Feng Shui and interior concepts. Sign up for a class that sparks your interest and see where it leads. The fall catalog will be out on August 15th, and you can view the class schedule on-line at www.ringling.edu/cssp. Ringling is located at 2700 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. You can call (941) 955-8866 or e-mail for more information at cssp@ringling.edu.

Elysian Fields: This unique and luxurious store will delight all of your senses with their variety of books and gifts for conscious living. Select items from a variety of products including books, music, greeting cards, candles, aromatherapy, crystals and stones, intuitive readings, Feng Shui cures, and a variety of classes. Elysian Fields is located at 1273 Tamiami Trail South at Bahia Vista in the Midtown Plaza in Sarasota. Call (941) 361-3006 or visit www.elysianfieldsonline.com for ideas to inspire your creativity.

The saying, “to go where you have never been, you must do what you what you have never done” can be your new mantra and voice of encouragement to get you out of any slump. Now is the time to live your best life!

Best,
Cheryl

www.ggRedecorating.com

Energize your Crystals

2010-02-27T03:38:00.000-08:00

Hello,

The Full Moon is an excellent time to energize any crystals you may have in your house. The Full Moon's healing energy adds fuel to the power of the crystals.

Crystals are active energy, so if you have any trouble sleeping, don't keep them in your bedroom. Other active energy don'ts for the bedroom include: TV's, mirrors, workout equipment, office desks, electronics, lots of books or photographs, pets, and even live plants.

If you have trouble sleeping, don't take an Ambien or a PM pill just yet. Work on eliminating active or awake energy one thing at a time.

You can place a throw over your exposed TV or put the TV in a cabinet and close the doors. Place a throw over the mirror and see if it doesn't help your sleep. Try everything for a month.

If you want to improve your wealth and prosperity, put the crystals in the Wealth Corner of your home (Back Left third of your home.

And just sit in the Full Moon's energy and take it all in. Or a Kayak ride!

Have fun,
Cheryl

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for more Feng Shui articles, seminars, and Living Art® Feng Shui Home Decor and Products.

Feng Shui Simply!

2010-02-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

It’s that time of the year when families are anticipating the start of the school year with either cheerful enthusiasm or a sad goodbye to a fun and unforgettable summer. It may trigger the occasion to see the family doctor or dentist for a check up prior to a family member resuming a full academic schedule. Health and wellness doesn’t stop with a daily vitamin or meals rich with organic vegetables and low-fat protein. Your environment is also a direct connection to healthy living, and now is a good time to look at your surroundings to see if necessary changes are needed to rejuvenate your spirit and nourish your soul.

Feng Shui teaches us the importance of cultivating good physical health as a solid foundation to nurture good family relationships and friendships. The healthier we are, the more we feel like participating in family activities, walking the dog, traveling and socializing with friends. As a direct result, the healthier our relationships are, we draw in their loyal support and friendship when challenges present themselves. Unexpected problems can surface much like a hurricane can develop just when you booked your fall vacation. We survive the turbulent times best when we are physically and emotionally strong.

One of our greatest challenges is to simplify our lives by organizing our possessions. My dad’s garage is a sea of tools, boxes, and things to be “fixed.” I dread going in there to retrieve any item I had been sent in to fetch, for fear of never finding my way out! You can begin to tackle the chaos of any room, including the garage, by setting up a system. Start with three boxes and label them: to be repaired, to gift away, and to consolidate or move to better location. Your fourth “box” is a garbage can to throw away anything that you deem as “junk” or is not recyclable. Now you are ready to face the de-clutter process by deciding immediately that you are only going to live with the basics. We can all live without much of the contents we have accumulated in our home and “downsizing” is a way to streamline your life.

As you select a room that needs the most attention, remember that you can start with one drawer and devote 15-30 minutes on the process. Small steps ease the mundane task at hand and once you get into it, you’ll find it therapeutic! You might discover the set of keys you misplaced or old letters and photographs that bring back special memories. It’s easiest to take everything out of a drawer and put back in only what is essential. Use your labeled boxes to get rid of possessions you no longer find are functional or that you don’t really need. A good way to evaluate each item is to ask yourself each time you pick something up, “Do I love it? Do I need it? What positive or negative thoughts or memories do I associate with it? Is it time to let it go, and sell, lend, or gift it away?”

Once a drawer or closet is empty, it’s a good opportunity to add shelf paper, paint a dingy closet and organize your stuff by grouping like items in containers. For closets, group your clothes according to season, and by color. You will find a sense of order and calm if you choose the same kind and color of hangers, and group all the clothes facing in the same direction. When it’s time to get dressed in the morning, you will easily find everything by the color coordination and enjoy the timesaving treat that all articles are clean, repaired and ready-to-wear.

With your box of “gift” away possessions, you now have an opportunity to turn what you consider your disposable items into treasures for someone else. Make an appointment for a charitable organization to pick up your items, arrange for a yard sale, or simply “gift” forward to a friend or relative something they may need. This process creates room for something new to come into your life, as the ripple effect attracts positive opportunities.

Having the constant reminder of repairs that need to be done takes valuable time away from enjoying life to its fullest. It’s also perpetuating negative thinking each time you give attention to a task that has not been completed. By grouping all of the repairs needed on a notepad, you can decide what can be done immediately with tools and supplies you already have on hand, and what you would need to purchase to finish the job. Once you tackle the repair list and restore it’s function, the reward is knowing that every item can be used to its intended purpose and your creative expression can be used in other ways to enhance your life.

Cleaning and maintaining your home will become much easier when you have less clutter to work around. Simple arrangement of your furniture and accessories keeps the cleaning process manageable. Of keen importance to healthy living is having natural light add warmth to you house. Clean windows play a key role in creating a bright feeling and adding good cheer to any environment. Clean to a sparkle, inside and out, and remove all things from the windowsill to give way to an uncluttered and peaceful view of your exterior “living” art, especially if you have a great view.

Live plants are valuable energy enhancers when they are healthy and vibrant. Not only do they add beauty to your home; they provide us with the fundamental benefit of cleaning the air around us. Choose plants with a friendly appearance such a jade, fichus, and palms. Avoid plants with unfriendly appearance or that are prickly in the line of traffic flow that can scratch when people pass by. Be sure to keep plants healthy and change the soil yearly to insure the plant’s growth and contribution to your overall energy and vitality. Silk plants are an alternative as long as they look healthy and alive. Use a blow dryer to dust silk plants on a regular basis to restore their appearance and replace them every 18-24 months, as they lose luster after a period of time.

If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of organizing and eliminating clutter, ask for the help of a friend or family member. Or, if you are just too busy, hire a professional organizer to help you. Your good health is the key to maintaining the foundation for happiness. Your environment acts like a huge magnet or anchor, holding old energy and thought patterns in place. If you want to improve your health, take time to organize your possessions, and witness the transformation of creating space in your life for things you want to achieve. Feng Shui views your home as a living entity that you are either in harmony or discord with. What you keep around you needs to change and grow as you do, so that it reflects who you are. You can restore a sense of balance by using these simple Feng Shui principles.

For more information on Cheryl or Feng Shui, visit www.ggRedecorating.com

Inspire Change by Clearing Your Clutter

2010-02-07T04:10:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

We treasure childhood memories, and after awhile, we accumulate an eclectic mix of furniture, artwork, collectibles, books, clothes, and all sorts of miscellaneous “stuff.” Family members pass on their heirlooms, these hand-me-downs get things rolling, and before you know it, you have a house full of furniture whether you want it or not. Just as a drawer can be so stuffed it has no room for one more thing, your home, office, or life can be equally filled to the brim. Downsizing your life through the process of letting go creates room for new things to enter. If you want to make a dramatic change in the course of your life, begin by creating space in your environment.

This can involve anything from eliminating items you no longer use or need to letting go of obligations you no longer want to fulfill and goals you no longer feel connected to. Each item removed, leaves an opening. With breathing space, we more clearly see the areas we need to develop in order to fulfill our hopes and dreams.

Also, giving—or, “gifting”—things away, in effect launches a “Circle of Prosperity.” As one thing is “paid forward” in the form of a donation, a gift, or recycling of something that’s no longer useful, we create openings for new opportunities in our lives.
Clutter appears in many forms. It can be the stack of old newspapers or magazines you can’t bring yourself to throw away. If you grew up in lean times, you may have learned to stockpile necessities and goods in order to provide for yourself and your family. You may believe that having more is somehow better, that material possessions define who you are and raise your value, status and reputation in the community. Even “favorite” collections can qualify as clutter if what you accumulate goes well beyond the space you have to display them modestly. Hoarding of any kind points to the “what if” mindset of always planning for any unforeseen event “just in case.”

Anyone can justify that his or her mess is systematic, but clutter feeds disorganization. If your justification for clutter is that you’re simply too busy to clean and organize your house, consider this: If you found the time to create the clutter, you can also make time to clear the clutter!

The benefits of simplicity outweigh the time and discipline it will take to lighten the load. You’re making room for something new—something better. By letting go of what no longer serves you, you’re declaring that you trust you’ll be taken care of. You’ll function better when you simplify your life. And you will come to understand what it means to become prosperity conscious.

Mental Clutter

Eliminating mental clutter—lightening up internally—is just as important as reducing physical clutter to create an easy and natural flow of life.

On an elementary level, the process for lightening up your day can begin by declining any obligation that doesn’t serve a purpose or move you in the direction of your goals. Every time you reluctantly accept an invitation to an event your heart really isn’t into, your energy takes a dip. If saying no to people or obligations seems daunting, you can ask yourself, “Is this experience vital to my survival?” Feeling obligated is tiring. Events or situations that lack value to you may end up as roadblocks to your creative path. Saying no to any unwanted commitments and responsibilities will allow you to concentrate your energy where you want and to be more centered and focused on what’s most important to you.

Mental clutter also includes: old belief systems that keep you tethered to the past; lack of openness to new ideas; anxiety about a future over which you have no control; participation in endless dialogs of criticizing and judging; obsessive thoughts that rehearse your history and continually reopen old wounds; and old anger that keeps you wasting energy on people in your past.

Feng Shui has a useful term—“poison arrow”—that refers, on a material level, to two corners coming together (on tables, counters, and other furniture) in ways that turn their sharp edges into blades that cut or bruise on contact.

In the same way that homes are “child-proofed” to protect small children from being injured by sharp corners or objects, we have to “adult proof” our life from the poison arrows we create with our thoughts, words, and actions. When your mind-set, belief system, or actions become extreme, inflexible, and void of compassion, you’ve created a poison arrow in your mind and inhibited the smooth flow of energy in yet another way.

Your ability to trust the natural and instinctive unfolding of your life, even when facing the unknown, is key to transforming chaotic situations into opportunities. It’s learning to live at ease with uncertainty. From this moment on, before you purchase one more item or revisit one more old wound or make one more commitment, ask yourself, “Will this decision result in adding more clutter—in any form—to my life?” If you pause long enough to answer the question thought-fully, you may free yourself from a compulsive action as well as keep unnecessary clutter from re-entering either your physical or internal environment.

Thanks everyone, have a great uncluttered day!
Cheryl

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com and follow me on Twitter www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply or www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen.

Are The Foods You're Eating Making You Hot?

2010-01-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

We're hot, sweaty, and experiencing night sweats or hot flashes. The question is, Are the Foods You’re Eating Making You Hot?

As we age, the fluctuation of our metabolism, hormone balance, and environmental influences places a challenge on our ability to maintain a healthy weight and overall good health. Western medicine has used the Food Pyramid Guide and the system of recommended daily allowance of food as rule. The Chinese also have time-proven food guidelines that are based on proportions, taste, quality, and the temperatures of food. The food we eat every day creates the environment of our digestive tract. When we eat food that our body doesn’t tolerate well, our digestion becomes sluggish.

In China, the temperature of food does not refer solely to whether it is being served hot or cold, but rather the heating effect or cooling effect it has on your body temperature. Foods are classified as hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold. Hot foods, such as spicy or curry, warms our bodies and also contributes to heat-related health problems such as fever, headaches, sore throat, bloodshot eyes, and even pimples of your face. The Chinese diet is careful not to include too much hot food, as the heat can make the body temperature even hotter. The Chinese diet consists of plenty of grains, vegetables, and less meat, fat, and dairy. It is believed that the digestion process is aided by first cooking the food, even slightly. Cold foods cool you down but also require more energy for digestion.

If you’re suffering any from heat related symptoms or break out in an unpredictable sweat with no apparent reason, be aware of the food you’re eating. It’s possible to balance the heat in our body by becoming aware of foods and their temperatures. The Chinese diet notes hot foods to include black pepper, chicken fat, chocolate, crispy rice (think Rice Krispies breakfast cereal), curry, hot chilies, lamb, mango, onions, peanut butter, sesame seeds, hot sauces, black tea, Chai lattes, whiskey, smoked fish, and trout. Warm foods include beef, brown sugar, cheese, chestnuts, chicken, egg yolk, dates, garlic, ginger, green pepper, ham, leeks, oats, peaches, pomegranates, potatoes, turkey, turnips, walnuts, vinegar and wine.

On the opposite end, cool and cold foods include almonds, apples, broccoli, celery, fish, oranges, pineapple, radishes, salt, spinach, strawberries, bananas, bean sprouts, cucumbers, duck, grapefruit, green tea, lettuce, tomatoes, yogurt, watermelon, and grapefruit. During the summer, eating more cool and cold foods will keep your body temperature cooler. It’s best to eat food that is fresh and free of chemicals, preservatives and additives. An apple, for example, can be sprayed up to 26 times before reaching your shopping cart. There’s a growing consensus among scientists that long-term ingestion of pesticides and chemicals found in fruit and vegetables can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood.

To aid digestion, eat at a leisurely pace in a relaxing environment to give time for the digestion process. The food needs to be chewed thoroughly and properly and is often the most important step in improving food digestion. Not only does chewing well pre-digests your food before sending it to your stomach, it also gives your taste buds a chance to work and your brain to signal when your body has had enough. Avoid drinking water or sodas with your meal as it dilutes your digestive juices and the fluid may wash down the food before it’s digested fully. If you eat up to three quarters full, your stomach will not become over-stressed, causing you to feel tired to the extra energy spent on digestion.

You can abuse your body to the age 35, and after that, it abuses you. Therefore, your food choices can help your body heal itself through proper nutrition, reducing inflammation, improving digestion, and avoiding chemical additives and pesticides.

All the best, Cheryl

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Double Your Chance for a Prosperous New Year

2009-12-12T04:40:00.000-08:00

Double Your Chances for a Prosperous New Year

Each year there are two chances to celebrate the beginning of the New Year and to set goals, aspirations and resolutions that will help insure your prosperity. The first is the traditional New Year on January 1st, and the second is the Chinese New Year of which the exact date varies from year to year. In 2010, the Chinese New Year is on February 14th, and it’s the year of the Tiger representing courage.

The traditional New Year dates back to the early Babylonians where the most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Over time the tradition became one of celebration by ringing in the New Year with parties that include good food and sparkling champagne. Typical resolutions include the desire to lose weight or quick smoking.

It was bandleader Guy Lombardo that popularized the song Auld Lang Syne and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard the song in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it was a classic tune sung by Scottish immigrants. When he formed his famous dance band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. In 1929, Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, and a tradition was born. Life magazine wrote that the song had became such a New Year's tradition if Lombardo failed to play Auld Lang Syne, the American public wouldn’t believe that the New Year had actually arrived.

The Chinese New Year is a second opportunity to celebrate life and set intentions for the coming year. The typical traditions include a thorough cleaning of every room in the house, and a dinner party with family and friends. The Tiger represents 2010 and is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac that consists of 12 animal signs. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. Red envelopes are commonly given out during the Chinese New Year and are considered to be very auspicious gifts. Red symbolizes fire and it is thought to ward off bad luck. The envelopes themselves often figure various Chinese characters for long life, prosperity, and good health.

A fresh new calendar is a great time to purge bad habits and envision a better life for you. Identifying easy and achievable objectives that include anything from a financial make over to simply having more fun in the New Year is a great start. Becoming more aware of what is critical to your happiness and well-being is a resolution without even writing it down. Instead of planning to be perfect, create a few goals that are balanced between work and play and are within reach by the end of the year.

For example, if your financial future is causing daily stress, create a budget and aggressively pay down your debts. Start with the debt with highest interest and apply all the extra money you can spare until it is completely paid off. Stop using shopping as therapy and find another activity to boost your mood. You can cut spending by 10 per cent just by weeding out extra expenses such as unlimited texting, premium television channels, or eating out at restaurants. Join the “Five Dollar Bill Savings” program. At the end of the day, take out all five-dollar bills out of your wallet and put them in a savings envelope for unforeseen emergencies or to plan a special day.

Make it a point to have more fun throughout the year. The library is a great resource for planning your favorite dream vacation, reading novels or renting books on tape for your next car trip. Explore downtown at a different time than you normally would, such as when shops are just opening and relax with your favoritie cup of coffee. Organize a tournament of board games for family and friends. Research has shown the laughter and creativity fosters good health by boosting the immune system and relieving stress. Laugh more in the New Year!

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Boosting Prosperity

2009-11-30T03:59:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

Prosperity is on everyone's mind these days. Holiday shopping, taxes and insurance due, and the economy still struggling has everyone strapped for cash. The first thing you have to remember is that it's happening to everyone, and for some, it's devastating. It requires persistence, patience, and hope.

The very first thing you can do is begin donating any amount of money you can spare. There are always people and organizations helping others that are worse off than you. By paying it forward, you can initiate the cycle of prosperity. The second thing is to donate your time or services to others who can also benefit in these difficult times. You'll find that you won't be sulking in your own woes if you are helping lift the spirits of others.

And, of course, we can simply scale down. We're all probably over spending and feeling like we're entitled. Greed is one of the seven deadly sins, so only spending on necessities will help you gain financial stability.

Peace and Love during the holiday season,
Cheryl

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com

New Moon -Twilight series

2009-11-20T03:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

If you haven't read the 4 book series by Stephanie Meiers called the Twilight series (4 total), you may not be among the millions of fans who fell in love with the books. I am one of them. My friend Jack said he read a vampire book and thought I would like it. Well, I'm hooked on the entire book, movie, and music series. Today New Moon comes out, which is the second movie/book in the series. I have tickets for the 9:45am movie which is the first showing in Sarasota, FL.

Why is this good feng shui? Well, probably vampires are not good feng shui, but reading and enjoying movies is good feng shui! I'm often asked why I like this vampire series so much. Edward and Jacob, the male leads are gorgeous. They both don't seem to have any need to work or to earn a living in the future. Their full time job is to protect the lead actress (Bela) and are devoted to all things Bela. Should you become a vampire (a bite on the neck) you remain that age (all time stops in the aging process) and live forever. Immortal.

OK, so what's not to like? You have a hunky, handsome guy that hasmoney but doesn't spend a moment away from you working; he's devoted and loyal, and helps you stay young and beautiful for the rest of your life? No botox or plastic surgery??

Now, that's good feng shui!

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for more serious feng shui articles! Cheryl

Interpreting Green Labels

2009-11-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry I've been away from my blog for a bit, but I'm the event coordinator for Sarasota Naturally, a natural living festival to be held in Sarasota Saturday, Nov. 14th, from 8am-4pm. All things green, natural, and healthy. Free to the public.

I wanted to give you an overview of green labels so you can be sure that what you're buying a product that is made with minimal energy, packaged in recycled materials, and break down into nontoxic components when washed down the drain. Look for these logos/labels:

USDA Organic: these products contain at least 95 % organic ingredients that are grown without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers. or genetically modified organisms.

Natural Products Association Certified: These products contain at least 95% natural or naturally derived ingredients that come from renewable resources such as plants. Products are not tested on animals and are packaged using recycled materials.

Ecocert: This internationally recognized certification indicates that 100% of ingredients are of natural origin. Products meet environmental standards from formulation through processing.

Labels to look out for: Paraben-Free, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate free, and petroleum free.

If everyone does their part to reduce dependence on energy, buying locally grown , and avoiding toxic products, well help save the earth and our health at the same time.

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for all things good Feng Shui.

Follow my green tips at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

Follow my feng shui tips at www.Twitter.com/Feng Shui Simply

Ciao and good health,

Cheryl

Mercury Retrograde

2009-09-06T04:12:00.000-07:00

Hello,

The planet Mercury goes Retrograde from September 7 through the 29th, which creates mischief in all areas of your life. The planet does not literally go backwards, but it appears so. The strong planetary pull does create some havoc in people's lives.

This is a time you don't sign contracts or enter into business decisions. If you're already in a deal before the 7th, read every detail and watch out for hidden agendas. If you're traveling, allow extra time and take a good book with you to endure any travel delays.

This is a time to ride the ups and downs associated with Mercury Retrograde by taking a position of neutral. Don't get into arguments or scuffles with others. Just stay in a balanced position and wait til after the 29th to make your point.

Mercury Retrograde happens more than once a year so google search the times and mark them on your calendar so you can plan accordingly.

Blessings,

Cheryl

visit www.ggRedecorating.com for Feng Shui information.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at @FengShuiSimply

Follow Cheryl's Green Tips @FengShuiGreen

On writing a book....

2009-09-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

This week I put the final edit touches on my new feng shui book and it's off to the literary agent in NYC. Now I'm officially "out of thoughts." I've written feng shui columns and articles for years, but it's 1000-1500 words a pop. Writing a book is so much more comprehensive and you have to dig deep to put yourself in the book.

Now when anyone asks me what I think about anything these days, I have to say, "So sorry, I'm out of thoughts.....!"

In a few weeks I'll be giving a seminar at Elysian Fields in Sarasota, Florida and by then, I'll have plenty of thoughts on the connection between Feng Shui and Green Living. I'm on a mission to ban toxic cleaning chemicals in everyone's home.

If you're interested and near any of my seminars, visit www.ggRedecorating.com and click on seminars to get dates and registration information.

Blessings,

Cheryl

State of the Economy-Clean your Closet

2009-08-21T05:39:00.001-07:00

Hello,

With the current state of the economy, it has everyone anxious. It is requiring all of us to become more credit worthy by lowering our credit card debt, and curb our impulse shopping habits. It's time to go into your closet and see what creative outfits you can come up with, and get rid of clothes that don't fit.

Take all of your clothes out of the closet and group them by type: pants, tops, etc. Inspect and try on each article before making a decision: does it need to be cleaned or repaired, put in bin to give to charity, to a friend/family member or take to consignment, or can it go back into the closet to be ready wear. Purchase wood hangers and make the transfer of clothes onto these durable and easy on the eye hangers.

Group all of your clothes by color, and arrange them from sleeveless to long sleeves, by color. Now you can see your selections and will be able to creatively put outfits together to create some new fashion combinations. If everything is in good repair, ironed, and clean, you have many options on your fingertips to put on and go!

Now you can "shop" at home with your easy and ready-to-wear selections. And when you pay your unused clothes forward, you creating space and making room for something new to come in, something better! It doesn't necessarily mean new clothes (although it can). It may mean a new opportunity for a better job, relationship, or experience.

Cleaning your closet is good Feng Shui.

For more good Feng Shui, go to www.ggRedecorating.com.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

Follow Cheryl's Green tips at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

Have a great day,

Cheryl

My Feng Shui book is finished!

2009-08-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I haven't been able to contribute to my blog as I have been writing furiously to finish my first Feng Shui book. It's about the wisdom and philosophy of Feng Shui and what is behind the way it works to transform you life.

My book is now with the editor and hopefully I'll be able to announce the publish date in 2010. It's a slow process, but slow is the way of Feng Shui. Rushing to the end result does not insure that the outcome will be better. In fact, you may miss important steps along the way.

At the end of the year I'll begin my second book, also on contemporary Feng Shui. Go to www.ggRedecorating.com to keep up with my seminars dates, or find a special gift from my Living Art Feng Shui products. Click on SHOP.

Have a great weekend, Cheryl

Changing Over to Green

2009-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I am in the process of switching all of my cleaning products to non-toxic, eco friendly alternatives. I am turned on to the products available at www.wowgreen.net. I was able to get a complete kit of products in "green" designed bottles. They include:

Laundry detergent
Auto Dish Detergent
Hand Dish Soap
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Stain Pen
All Purpose Cleaner
Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner
Wood and Dust Cleaner
Tile and Bath Cleaner
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Fabric Pre0Wash
Rinse Free Floor Cleaner

And boom! I'm cleaning toxic free! What is great about this is I can skip the supermarket and get the products sent to me as I need refills. Check out www.wowgreen.com. Want to order a kit? Call Adam at (941) 531-3633.

We are more concerned with using strong chemicals for the threat of killer bacteria than we are the toxins we are polluting our environment with chemicals that ultimately has a detrimental affect on our health.

Don't forget to recycle used chemical cleaning products at the hazardous waste management. Tossing them down the drain is bad for wildlife and the environment.

Thanks for listening,

Cheryl

For Green Tips, follow me on twitter: www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

For Feng Shui Daily tips, follow me on twitter: www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for articles and information on Feng Shui

Energy Clearings

2009-07-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I'm often asked to do traditional Feng Shui energy clearings, which I perform in homes and workplaces. For my home, I burn Sage mixed with lavender once a month to clear out old energies. However, one of the best ways to change the energy in a room is to give it a thorough cleaning, and then a fresh coat of paint.

My kitchen was feeling very lethargic. I often recommend Brighter World Painting (941) 773-6988 as they are truly artists as well as interior and exterior painters. Adam is very precise and has a great eye for detail. Matt is a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design and creates amazing surface art, from Venetian Plaster to murals.

I'm having my kitchen done in Venetian plaster. It is 7 layers, and they work to create not only an amazing design but it ends up looking like a work of art. It resembles a polished stone, where all the light is captured with interesting nuances.

I also had my bathroom and office painted. Amazing, since I'm working on my feng shui book and the new color (associated with the Health and Family zone) is a deep green (great for career color for upward growth). I can't believe how painting lifts your spirits and creates new energy.

Hey, these guys travel to do their art on walls, even out of state, so give them a call. Their new website will be up soon, but check out their current website www.brighterworldpainting.com. They use eco friendly paint, low VOC and odor free.

Cheers,

Cheryl

visit www.ggRedecorating.com or follow me on Twitter www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply or www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen.

Feng Shui articles

2009-07-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that you can follow my monthly articles in Natural Awakenings Magazine, that are inspired by the wisdom of Feng Shui. Go to www.nasrq.com, and sign up for their free magazine on line, or pick up a hard copy in the Sarasota country area, all the way to some locations in Tampa and Ft. Meyers, in Florida. Go Green and go on line, and it's free.

For the August issue of Natural Awakenings, I wrote an article on Back to School Tips.

You can always visit my website at ggRedecorating.com, and click on books and articles to get a variety of articles on Feng Shui.

Get my daily Feng Shui tips by following me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

Get my daily Green tips by following me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

You can always shoot me an email at ggRedecorating@yahoo.com, and I'll be happy to answer your Feng Shui questions.

Best to you,

Cheryl

Michael Jackson

2009-06-29T05:20:00.001-07:00

Hello,

I find it so sad about the death of Michael Jackson. A talented but tortured artist, his interviews always revealed he just wanted to be loved for who he truly was. Now that he has passed, he is being adored as an international icon, frozen in time. I don't think he would have aged well. He was frail and controversial.

Like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, etc., they icon status will have us remembering only the good work he has done over the years. His music empire will only grow now.

Feng Shui focuses on being conscious of your legacy, and not leaving it up to "fate" or chance. Fate, in Feng Shui, is not considered chance, but a result of your actions. So today, think of what you're doing to insure your lasting legacy. Leave something important to the world..

Cheryl

visit ggRedecorating.com

Follow Feng Shui tips on my Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

Follow my Green tips on my Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

Victim or Recipient?

2009-06-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Geez, the financial landscape has us all in a Twitter, and I don't mean the Twitter network. I mean all in a flutter. People are still losing their jobs to downsizing, or just a lean marketplace. Don't worry, it's happening to us all, not just to you.

Your choice is not to take the victim point of view. Victim language is, "Why is this happening to me? If your a recipient of the Universal gift of opportunity, the language would be, "Why is this happening FOR me?" You may have been in a dead end job or even a job that you loved. It's over. It's time for something new. The Universe allows you a certain amount of time to discover this on your own. If you don't do anything about it, but long or dream of something better, whoa! the Universe may do it for you.

You lose your job. Now the opportunity has presented itself. What are you going to do about it? You still need to pay your bills, so at least job hunt in a field you're interested in. Ask to volunteer or be an paid or unpaid intern to get your foot in the door. Sign up with a temp agency who places people with skills in short assignments. That may lead to a job offer when the economy picks up.

Be grateful for all that you have, and more will come. Pity parties usually only have you at the party, cause no one else wants to come. And, don't forget to ask for help, even financial help, from family. Or, barter goods and services with others for something you need. Never know if your hairdresser would exchange a cut and color if you cleaned out their garage!!

Now, go for it!

Blessings, Cheryl

visit www.ggRedecorating.com

Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

or Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

or email me at ggRedecorating@yahoo.com Love to hear from you!

What Happens on a Feng Shui Consultation?

2009-06-05T05:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Mates,

I get this question all the time. What can I expect when I have a home or office feng shui consultation? Every feng shui practitioner is different so you have to ask what they are going to do to see if it fits into your needs and expectations. Generally, there are two broad categories of feng shui: Compass school feng shui and Form School feng shui. Compass school style is based more on geometry and the use of directional feng shui. Form School is more westernized and uses the Bagua Map based on the location of your front door.

Since I am also an interior decorator, I'm going beyond just applying good feng shui principles. I'm really looking at how you use color, the scale of your furniture in each room, good traffic patterns, clutter, organization, safety, comfort, and how your desires and intentions are reflected in your use of furniture, artwork and accessories. Feng shui is largely based on your intentions, and having your possessions reflect your intentions allows you to have visible reminders of where you're going. It's like a sticky note. It keeps your attention to your goals.

I always do a 2 hour appointment and look at every room in the house and exterior environment. It all counts in feng shui. I also rearrange furniture right on the spot if I think it needs it and the client is game for it. Then they can see the transformation.

In all cases, you should be completely satisfied with your consultation, and remember, feng shui is not a one time appointment. It's a lifestyle. You have to continue to apply the principles, and continue to change your environment as your needs and desires change. Your environment is a direct reflection of what is going on inside you, much like an environmental mirror.

For more information on feng shui, read my articles on my website at www.ggRedecorating.com. Click on books and articles.

If you don't live in the Sarasota County area of Florida and still want a feng shui consultation, I do many phone consultations using photos and your floor plan. You'll still get all the benefits and knowledge to apply good feng shui to your home or office. Call me at 941 400-3816 or send me an email at ggRedecorating@yahoo.com.

Follow my daily feng shui tips on Twitter. My tweeter name is FengShuiSimply.

Cheers,

Cheryl

What does Feng Shui mean?

2009-06-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Feng Shui fans,

I'm often asked the question, what does Feng Shui actually mean? Most people are familiar with the term, and think it has something to do with how the furniture is arranged in the home. Feng shui literally means wind and water.

The original Feng Shui practitioners in China had the vast landscape to work with in locating the ideal place for the home. First, they went to the top of the mountain to place the home, with its panoramic views. Soon they found the home was exposed to the extreme elements of the WIND.

Next, they moved the home by the water, to enjoy the ocean views. Soon they were exposed to the extreme elements of the WATER. Think hurricanes!

So, they decided to put the home in the middle, half way between the Wind and the Water, to balance the effects of the "extremes", and that is how the term Feng Shui was born.

That is the goal of Feng Shui...to remove obstructions in the home that are interfering the good flow of energy in the home.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Motivation

2009-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi,

If finding your inner cheerleader seems to have wane, I can relate. My plate is full of ideas, everything from new feng shui products to design and create, updating my website, watercolor painting ideas, becoming proficient in PhotoShop, to finishing my first feng shui book.

What happens is that you become full of exciting ideas, but not doing much in any category because it all seems overwhelming.

I first write down all my ideas, by category, onto 5 x 7 cards. At least it gets out of my head. Then I start to organize my days, to fit in the gym, appointments, daily chores, and my action plan for each of my projects. If you save the things that are most fun for the end of the day, you can power through the other projects and responsibilities that take more of your focus and self motivation.

Since we all seem to stick to appointments, such as the dentist or doctor, it's best to make an appointment into your daily planner for your project, then stick to the time schedule. Instead of x-ing out the entire day for one project, begin with an hour appointment, and leave the schedule a bit loose to expand your hour if you're into the project.

I'm now focusing on my feng shui book. I have a great book outline, and have written 4 chapters, and parts of others. So, if I schedule 2 hours of research for one of the chapters, I'll be in a better position to write the chapter with ideas swarming in my head, waiting to jump on the page.

Now, let's all get motivated,

Blessings,

Cheryl

Wishes and Dreams

2009-05-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hi,

All of us some some time wishing and dreaming about a better, more interesting life. How do we turn our wishes into reality? First ask if your dream is possible. For example, if you think you want to be President of the United States, are you the right age, an American citizen, have the political savvy and support to make the dream come true?

If your dream is realistic, then write out an action plan. What do you have to do to jump start your dream? Education, experience, or a recommendation? From there, you can tackle the to-do list to accomplish what needs to be done. It's a step by step process. If you're following your passion, it won't feel tedious and you well avoid major road blocks.

Everything worth having takes time, so don't be discouraged. This is one of the most important principles of Feng Shui. Having the patience and desire to allow people, places and experiences to line up to realize your true dream.

Dream on,

Cheryl

Health and Well Being

2009-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I just returned from 3 weeks visiting my parents. My dad had prostate surgery at 91, and it was completely successful. It's a testimonial to be bouncing out of a major surgery at his age. What are his secrets to a long and predominately healthy life? Here is some of his mantras:

Laughter He is quite the jokester. Can't resist having fun, even prior to going into surgery. He told the surgical doctor and nurse that he had an important request before the surgery started. Should he need CPR, he wanted Miss California to perform the CPR in her bikini. Everyone cracked up.
Loyalty My mom is suffering from Alzheimer's. It's a sad and debilitating disease. He is the primary caretaker, and manages her health care with a skip in his step. For better or worse.....
Strength My dad still works around his hometown. He's the town handyman. He can fix anything, from electrical to plumbing and does it for $10 an hour. He maintains that knowing how to fix things keeps his brain strong while he has to figure things out, and working around town keeps his body and mind fit.
Street Smart My dad's father took him out of school when he was in the 7th grade to work on the family farm, as formal education wasn't a priority. Instead, he is a world war II veteran, with enough street smart to navigate him to the beautiful age of 91.

Lots to learn from a vivacious senior. Now that is good feng shui.

Have a beautiful day, and thank you for your prayers for my dad. They worked, Cheryl

Request for your prayers

2009-05-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Today my 91 year old father is having surgery. He's only been in the hospital one time before, living a healthy life due to good eating habits, a sense of humor, and a strong work ethic. Today I'm writing my blog from the hospital waiting room, and I ask that if you're reading this blog that you send good wishes and prayers for my dad's successful surgery and speedy recovery. He has a strong will to live, and my mom and I are sure he's going to continue living a zestful life.

On a continuous basis, I donate my time in service in a healing room at the Center of Spiritual Awareness in Sarasota, Florida. I'm a Reiki Master and it's my honor to use the healing Reiki energy on others who are in need. Today I'm using my Reiki on my dad, and other patients as well. It's through service, and paying it forward to others who need it more, allows for the circle of prosperity to continue. What you pay forward in service, through your time, talent, or financial donations, you will receive prosperity when you need it more. My dad needs it now.

My dad has always taught me such great life lessons of family first, loyalty, and working hard for everything that you earn. I learned my strong work ethic from my dad, who is one of the funniest people I have ever met. The nurses are cracking up at him. He told them that if he needs CPR, he'd like to have the current Miss California perform the CPR in her bathing suit.

Remember also that even if you don;t believe in prayer in the formal sense, your thoughts are a form of "prayer" or mantra. Therefore, positive thoughts will get you to your perfect place faster than negative thoughts, and it takes less energy in doing so.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Feng Shui Tweets

2009-04-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

For those of you who don't have the time for a longer blog on Feng Shui, welcome to my Tweets. Yes, I have joined the Twitter family. My Twitter name is FengShuiSimply. Go to Twitter and sign up. It's easy. Then type in FengShuiSimply in search and check that you want to follow me. I try to post a simple feng shui tip every day, or most every day! Even feng shui needs a rest once in a while!

You can get the tweets on your email or on Twitter. A Tweet is a short message, and in my case, it's a daily feng shui tip. It's fun and simple. My Twitter followers are growing slowly and I don't know most of them but thanks for the support!

You can also visit my website at www.ggRedecorating.com. Enjoy and have a great day!

2009-04-28T16:15:00.001-07:00

Spring Break!

2009-04-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

It's spring break for many high school and college kids. As you get older and begin your career or daily routine, you might feel you no longer can take a spring break. Wrong!! Good Feng Shui allows you to take a spring break by letting go of your mundane chores and self imposed obligations. Take a week off of anything that isn't your primary responsibility and have fun. You can either take a real vacation, or just lighten up you load and hit the closest beach with your favorite book and floater.

Taking time to relax your brain allows wisdom to enter. Wisdom whispers, so if you're hearing a wall-to-wall to do list recording in your head, let it go and enjoy your Spring Break!

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com or get my feng shui instant tips on Twitter: Feng Shui Simply

Ciao,

Cheryl

Feng Shui Tip

2009-03-31T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Feng Shui enthusiasts,

If you want to change the energy in your home, do a thorough spring cleaning. But, watch out for the cleaning products. We're getting too crazy about germs and bacteria so we're using more and more cleaning products that are toxic. Too many chemicals. The toxic chemicals that we are spraying on the countertops and furniture, spraying into the air or on furniture to freshen the smell, or polish on the floors and furniture are more toxic than the germs and bacteria we are trying to kill.

Use natural, non toxic, alternatives. Also, remove your shoes when you come into the house. There are toxins and pesticides on the bottom of your shoes. Also watch for mold in moist areas, especially bathrooms, kitchens and kitchen sponges or cloths.

Replace your toxic cleaning products with safe alternatives that also protect the environment.

For more feng shui tips, visit www.ggRedecorating.com. Cheers, Cheryl

CAALR Spring Art Show starts Today!

2009-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Art lovers....today is your day. The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch (Sarasota area) is holding their Spring Art Show beginning today at 3pm. Come on by to preview (and buy!) unique works of art from 20 plus artists. There is something for everyone. You can buy gifts for birthdays, awards, friends, special occasions or find something different for your home.

I will have all of my contemporary feng shui products there for sale. Each is designed for a specific area of the Bagua Map in Feng Shui. The Bagua Map is a road map for your home divided into nine squares. They are also called magic squares. For example, you can purchase either a piece of artwork, a tile, or an Intention Box called Feng Shui for Prosperity and place it in the Wealth corner of your house. This is a contemporary solution to anchor wealth in place of Chinese coins. To preview my products, go to www.ggRedecorating.com and click on shop.

Saturday the show goes from 8am-4pm. See you at the show! Cheryl

2009 Spring Art Show

2009-03-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch is hosting their 2009 Spring Art Show on March 20th and 21st at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Don't miss this event.

Friday March 20th 3-7pm

Saturday March 21st 8am-4pm

Free to the public! Come support your local artists.

Cheryl

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com and click on SHOP for a preview of what will be in the Spring Art Show.

CAALR Spring Art Show

2009-03-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

For anyone who wants to support the arts, Sarasota and Bradenton are hosting the 2009 Spring Art Show featuring top local artists showcasing their works of art in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastels, wood works, pottery, jewelry, feng shui products and more. Below is all of the information, so get out and support your local artists and it's free to the public. Everything is for sale at great prices!

Cheryl

Feng Shui for Prosperity

2009-01-29T06:05:00.001-08:00

Hello,

Thank you for visiting my Feng Shui Simply blogspot. If there is a particular subject you want me to cover or if you have a question, please let me know. If you want to return to my website, go to www.ggRedecorating.com. You'll find a list of Feng Shui seminars I'm giving in the month of February and March. You may also find contemporary Feng Shui enhancements, such as crystals, intention boxes, Bagua Map guides and posters, artwork, jewelry and tiles.

For the New Year, please take note of moving from poverty conscious to prosperity conscious by avoiding emotional spending to please yourself or your family members with their "wants." These are discretionary items that you just want to have, and are not needed. Instead, focus on protecting your financial future. Pay off credit card debt, and build an emergency fund (savings) that you can rely on in case of emergencies. Do not use your credit card for emergencies.

Nine out of ten people are not at risk for foreclosure of your home, but that doesn't mean you can't work on lowering your mortgage debt. Pay one extra mortgage payment a year by taking the monthly amount of your mortgage payment, dividing by twelve, and paying the extra amount along with your monthly payment towards your principle.

Many blessings,

Cheryl

2009-01-16T04:46:00.000-08:00

Hello,

With the Chinese New Year on Monday, January 26th, this is an excellent time to set your intentions for the year. Start with two red envelopes. Why two? Because you're stronger in pairs. Write out your intentions (goals, aspirations, dreams) that are realistic and can be accomplished within the year. Place them in the envelopes. You can put career objectives in one envelope and personal goals in the other.

Now place money in each envelope. Think big, as it's a shout out that you trust the process. The first time I put money in each envelope, I only put in $5, thinking that is all I could spare for a year. Imagine that, only $10 total. Now I put $100 in each. I trust that I can use this money for growth and prosperity. Each year I let the money "ride" in the envelopes, and it continues to grow.

There three steps remaining. Place your red envelopes in the Wealth and Prosperity corner of your home. As you face the front door of your home, the Wealth corner is in the back, left third of your home. Second step is to keep a copy of your intentions and write out an action plan for each of the intentions. What are the steps you must take to make the intention come true? If you're looking for a soulmate, what are you actively doing to meet your life partner? Staying home every night in your home most likely won't get you to your dream. The third and final step is to trust the process and let the intentions do their work. Don't peak at your intentions in the envelopes until the following year.

If you find you're working on your action plan for a particular intention all year, you're following your natural urges and desires and you're gaining momentum and energy toward that goal. Like energy attracts like energy. If you find after a year that you've done nothing productive towards that intention or goal, it was probably not important in the grand scheme of things.

Good Luck and Good Prosperity,

Cheryl

Welcome Prosperity to your home or business

2008-11-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

An easy way to welcome prosperity to your home or business is to place a mat at the front door that says "Welcome." Prosperity enters through your front door and adding the color red enhances the chance that good fortune is on its way. Do not place a mat with your name on it, as in Feng Shui, you are stepping on "your good name."

Traditionally, the Chinese paint their front door red to increase prosperity with the fire color. If painting your front door red is not an option, adding flower pots with the colors of wealth (red, purple or blue) can act as a prosperity booster.

Take a moment to enhance your entrance and increase your chances for good fortune to flourish.

Cheryl

Introduction to Feng Shui Simply

2008-09-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers!

For all of you who have been curious about Feng Shui but can't get through even one Feng Shui book without taking a chocolate break, I'm here for you! I'm a professional Feng Shui practitioner and will decode the Feng Shui rule book.

First lesson: Feng Shui literary means Wind and Water. Feng Shui was originated in China over 3000 years ago and it's been around this long simply because it works! The pioneers of Feng Shui believed that if you built your house at the top of a mountain (think of mud slides in California), you may expose your home to the extremes of the Wind. Those who located their home near the Water could exposed their home to the extremes of Water (think hurricanes). Therefore, the ideal location would be somewhere in the middle, half way between the Wind and the Water. From this concept, Feng Shui philosophy was born.

Let me know your thoughts and send in your questions. You can also visit my website at www.ggRedecorating.com.

Feng Shui Simply,

Cheryl