Feng Shui to the Rescue Newsletter
Helping you attract wealth, harmony, love,
and much more.
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September 2023
It's My Anniversary!
September is the 25th anniversary of my certification as a Feng Shui practitioner! Where did that time go? I know the answer - it was filled with you, my amazing clients and readers of my books and newsletters. You opened up your homes, offices, businesses, and organizations to me and took my advice to heart. You have been so generous in your thanks and praise for my work. Thank you for 25 amazing years! Hopefully, I have improved even more lives than I know.
Some of my favorite projects include the redesign of a high-risk pregnancy wing at a medical center in a major metropolitan city, the addition of Feng Shui to the creation of a 23-story corporate headquarters, and helping a small firm grow from two offices to an entire floor. But, it's the everyday success stories that you so generously share that remind me of why I went down this Feng Shui path. From helping you find a new job, a spouse/partner, or the perfect home, I've been thanked for an uncountable number of achievements. Feng Shui is all about intention, so I think most of you were on the brink of making these big life changes when you contacted me, and what I added was direction to help make it happen. I have been credited with marriages (and divorces when it was the right decision), births, and promotions. This makes my heart sing. But I know that you are the architects of your own destiny, and I only play a small role in giving you direction to live your wildest dreams.
My Feng Shui practice has evolved over these 25 years. Some of it was planned, and much of it was in response to the times. Like everyone else, I made adjustments to fit our pandemic world, and I moved to doing more off-site consultations and fewer on site. I continue to be amazed by how effective remote consultations can be, and while I loved standing in front of an audience doing workshops, I have to admit I enjoy doing Zoom webinars because I can reach people at many different locations at the same time. I'm proud of the video class, "Grow Your Business with Feng Shui" that I created with my Feng Shui colleague and friend Nicolette Vajtay. We shot this video class eight years ago, and we keep talking about taking it down, but it continues to sell. Feng Shui advice can be timeless!
I have big changes planned as I pass the quarter-century mark (OK, just writing those words made me feel old), but I'm not quite ready to announce them. Look for something at the end of the year.
I would love to hear from you. How do you want to receive Feng Shui consulting advice? Do you prefer the newsletter format, or webinars, or individual consultations? How about a membership organization where you can receive answers to your questions and invitations to special webinars on a regular basis? Or is there a method I haven't yet offered?
Recently, I have been getting requests for help with what I call "powering-up," whether it's a relationship, a career, or just life in general as we all deal with a chaotic world. So, I am showcasing two Feng Shui Fixers this month that feature the Fire Element to give you a little extra "punch."
And speaking of Feng Shui Fixers, I started doing these during the pandemic lock down in response to clients asking for "a little something" they could hang or display when they needed to make a Feng Shui correction. Right now, I'm selling them only through my website, but some people are urging me to expand. If you have experience with online marketing and would be interested in sharing, I would love to hear from you.
Let's hope September brings some end to the intense heat and destructive weather so many of us have been experiencing.
Carol Olmstead
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
www.FengShuiForRealLife.com
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Tip for September:
Six Feng Shui Tips for Dorms and Small Apartments
If you're a student who has moved into a dorm room, small apartment, or studio, or if someone in your family is making this big move, it can be a quite a shock to realize just how much you'll have to give up - like your big bed - to fit in all the essentials. Even if you've been in your new, smaller space for a while, these six easy Feng Shui tips can help ease the transition to life in a smaller space and help assure successful studies.
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Position Your Bed Correctly. It's best to avoid sleeping with your feet facing directly out the door, which is considered the most inauspicious position for getting a good night's rest. If you can't move your bed, place a small screen or plant near the end of the bed for privacy, or throw a shawl or scarf across the foot of the bed for symbolic protection.
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Clear Clutter. In Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward, so be careful where you pile and file things. Excess "stuff" prevents the flow of positive chi around you and makes your room feel cold rather than welcoming. If you have the opportunity to add your own furniture to a dorm or a furnished apartment, look for pieces that double as storage space.
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Add Plants. Place a living plant within 3 feet of your computer to help balance any electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) that it generates. Choose plants with rounded leaves since this represents wealth, but avoid cactus and other spiky plants that repel energy. If you can't grow natural plants, silk is an acceptable fabric alternative. Avoid displaying dried flowers since, in Feng Shui, they represent dead energy.
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Clean Your Windows. Windows are considered the "eyes" of a building, so when they are dirty, your vision is clouded. It may sound radical, and don't shoot the messenger here, but clean the inside of your windows occasionally with a spritz of Windex to help see your future clearly. And be sure to open your windows frequently to let in positive chi.
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Decorate with the Five Elements. The Five Elements is the name used to describe colors and shapes in Feng Shui, and each is distinguished by a set of attributes. When you include a mix of all of these Elements in your dorm or small apartment, your space will feel more balanced and comfortable. For example, red is the Fire Element color that adds passion; yellow is an Earth Element color that helps ground you; white is a Metal Element color that gives you focus; blue is a Water Element color that will keep you relaxed; and green is the Wood Element color that helps your knowledge expand.
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Personalize. It might be rented or temporary space, but the more you display your personal things according to the Feng Shui bagua, the more your space will support your studies. For example, in the Future area of the room, hang images of the career field you're pursuing.
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Do I Really Need That?
We can always come up with good reasons why we keep things we know we should move out of our homes, especially when it comes to keepsakes and supplies. Sometimes, taking a good look at what you're telling yourself about an item versus the real story will help you decide whether you really need to save it. Start by taking a hard look at what you're keeping in these seven areas:
Books
What you're telling yourself: I might read these some day, I have good memories of reading that book, it's part of my identity.
The Feng Shui view: If a book doesn't have strong sentimental value, you won't reread it. And if you don't want it, chances are your friends and family won't either. Donate rather than pass along the clutter.
Purses and Bags
What you're telling yourself: There will be an occasion for this purse, I paid a lot of money for this, I'll keep one more tote bag just in case.
The Feng Shui view: If you didn't use it last year, you won't use it this year. Give yourself two more weeks, and if you don't use it, out it goes.
Hand-Me-Down Furniture
What you're telling yourself: This piece has a family story, it was free, I don't like it but it's hard to let it go.
The Feng Shui view: If furniture isn't comfortable, beautiful, or has no deep meaning, it doesn't enrich your life. If a relative doesn't want it, donate or give it away for free.
Clothes and Sports Apparel
What you're telling yourself: I'm holding on to this for when I lose weight, I'll need this when I start playing (fill in the sport) again, I paid a lot for this.
The Feng Shui view: If you haven't used something for a year, it's time for it to go. And if you lose weight, you'll deserve new clothes - including a cute new sports outfit.
Office Supplies
What you're telling yourself: These could come in handy, it's wasteful to toss useful things, I've already paid for these.
The Feng Shui view: You already have enough office supplies - even sticky notes - since you're primarily digital. Collect all supplies and store them in one place in your office. Then, "shop" from this stash before you buy anything new.
Toys
What you're telling yourself: The kids might ask for it, these toys were expensive, there are memories attached to this.
The Feng Shui view: Purging and updating your kids toy collection symbolizes helping them learn, develop, and grow.
High School, College, Grad School Mementos
What you're telling yourself: This shows all the work I did, there are still treasures in here, school was the best time of my life.
The Feng Shui view: You're probably never going to use any of this again and your kids won't need it. Keep only what's truly important like a thesis, scan it, and get rid of the rest to avoid living in the past.
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Ask the Feng Shui Maven
Q: The whole right side of the top floor or my new house is bathrooms. Yikes!! The master bath takes up Relationship, Creativity, and Helpful People areas of the bagua. Wow, that's a lot of energy that could be going down my toilets and drains. I assume I need to dry up all the water in these areas. Help! Please!
A: You definitely want to dry up all that excess and "contaminated" Water Element in those areas that don’t need it. Adding a representation of the Earth, Fire, or Wood Element will help. I do this with color, shape, and/or images. Any one of those will help balance all that Water Element. Avoid adding more water in the form of black, blue, or watery images. You can try other things like keeping the toilet lid down and keeping the bathroom door closed. Another option is to place a full-length mirror on the outside of bathroom door to push that energy away from the bedroom. Just be careful about what's across from the mirror, since it will double what it reflects.
Q: How do I deal with a difficult boss? I’d like to improve my relationship with my immediate supervisor. I work from home and see him frequently on Zoom and occasionally in person. I wrote his name on a piece of paper with a statement that I would like to improve my relationship with him, and I placed it in my Helpful People area. I also have a cactus in that area.
A: The written affirmation of a better relationship with your boss is a great idea, but the cactus has to go because it symbolizes a sharp and hostile relationship. Replace it with a bushy plant with rounded leaves to symbolize a smooth relationship with your boss. Avoid any plant with thorns or a bonsai or anything miniature that represents stunted growth. Also, remove anything from that area that has sharp points or edges, and any images that are harsh or fiery.
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Getting Unstuck
Allison felt stuck between "a rock and a hard place" when she contacted me to set up her Feng Shui home consultation. As a relatively new real estate agent, her finances were strained because of a lingering downturn in the market in her area. She had sold only a few of her listings and had not received a commission in months. To make matters worse, her roommate had moved out to live with a boyfriend and Allison couldn't afford to pay the rent on the pricey loft by herself. She was happy for her roommate, but was hoping that she, too, could find love. Complicating the situation even more, Allison's aging car was no longer appropriate for chauffeuring her clients around to see houses, and she needed a new one. Allison was afraid her limited finances would make her choose between getting a new apartment and buying a new car. To get her career and her life moving forward, I outlined a year of Feng Shui changes for Allison, starting with a thorough clutter clearing of her home to get rid of any negative energy and removing the "single-girl" stuffed animals from her bedroom, followed by powering-up her office with images of high-end homes and properties to symbolically attract more listings and sales.
Here is what Allison wrote about her year of Feng Shui changes:
Since I put Feng Shui to work for me last year, I have paid in full for a new car, moved into a new fabulous apartment, and have fallen madly in love with a guy I met in the fitness center of my new complex. And to think that when I began this process, I thought I would have to choose between a car and an apartment! I felt so stuck when I first started making daily Feng Shui changes, but with slow and steady implementation of a day-by-day plan, I was able to gradually make things happen that I previously thought were impossible.
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Enhance Your Space!
The Feng Shui Fixer series includes one-of-a-kind creations that are designed as simple, beautiful, and real-world Feng Shui "cures" and adjustments. These art pieces can be placed in a specific bagua area of a home or workplace to fix a Feng Shui issue, or to attract wealth, harmony, love, and much more. Hang them on the wall, in a closet, near the washer, or on the back of your computer monitor to block any negative energy. You can display one or a collection of them on a table-top easel. Place them anywhere you need to activate a Feng Shui Element.
Each unique Feng Shui Fixer starts with an imported vintage silk kimono textile. Then, it is embellished with embroidery floss, silk ribbon, vintage or new glass beads, natural stones, or charms. There are florals, geometrics, abstracts, and freestyle! Each framed design includes a small mirror on the back that symbolically pushes away any negative issues and attracts positive energy.
Give a Feng Shui Fixer as a gift to family, friends...or to yourself!
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Feng Shui Fixer of the Month:
"Proliferation of Poppies"
Need to add some fire and passion to your personal life and/or career? This is the Feng Shui Fixer for you! This design is all about the Fire Element colors – purple, magenta, red. Display it in your Fire Element areas to help you power up your surroundings, attract wealth, and enjoy prosperity. Display it in your office, the Wealth area of your home, or anywhere you want to pump up the volume.
Title: "Proliferation of Poppies"
Target Issue: Power, Wealth, Abundance
Feng Shui Element: Fire
Materials: Silk ribbon, cotton floss, metallic thread, and Czech glass beads on imported vintage kimono silk textile
Size: 6" round
Framing: Hand-stained bamboo frame.
Regular Price: $65+S&H
Shipping to the US only at this time.
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Feng Shui Fixer of the Month:
"Above My Feng Shui Garden"
Need to add fire and passion to your personal life and/or career? Try this Feng Shui Fixer! This design is all about the Fire Element colors of red and orange to add passion and excitement to your life, with some Earth Element yellow for grounding, and Wood Element green for growth. Display it anywhere in your Fire Element areas - Wealth, Future, Relationships - to help you power up your surroundings, attract wealth, and enjoy prosperity. It's perfect for the Wealth area in your office, or anywhere you want to pump up the volume.
Title: "Above My Feng Shui Garden"
Target Issue: Power, Wealth, Abundance
Feng Shui Element: Fire, Earth, Wood
Materials: Silk ribbon and cotton floss on imported vintage kimono silk textile
Size: 5" round
Framing: Hand-stained bamboo frame
Price: $55+S&H
Shipping to the US only at this time.
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SPECIAL OFFER:
Feng Shui Fixers work best in groups of three so they can be arranged in the triangle shape that represents wealth, abundance, and power.
Choose any three Feng Shui Fixers and receive a 10% discount on your total order, and a copy of 52 Feng Shui Tips for Balance and Harmony in 2023.
You must contact Carol directly to activate this special offer. Click on the link below.
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Feng Shui Quick Guide for Home and Office: Secrets for Attracting Wealth, Harmony, and Love
Own the award-winning Feng Shui book that is practical and easy to understand. The book includes easy-to-follow basics plus tips and secrets to make the practical magic of Feng Shui work for you. Sprinkled among the tips are success stories from real people who followed them with big results. The book includes a tip-a-day calendar so you can make small Feng Shui changes each day.
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VIRTUAL CONSULTING
When you have Feng Shui questions about your home, office, or business that go beyond the basics, this virtual consulting option is for you! I will customize advice for the way you want to live in your home or work in your space. We'll schedule a Zoom to answer your questions and help you rearrange your space, shift your energy, and transform your life.
All sessions include:
- Review of photos or videos of your space.
- Consultation by Zoom.
- Personalized Feng Shui advice and guidance.
- Follow-up coaching check-in so you stay on track.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE OPTIONS:
Ideal for the room where you work, either at home or at the workplace.
It's your choice—ask about any room, any situation, any clutter-clearing problem, or any issue that needs Feng Shui help.
Perfect for any room in your home, condo, or apartment.
Email Carol for current fees and to schedule.
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"Finding Work-Life Balance with Feng Shui
The new way of working is here to stay. Employees are continuing to work at home, returning to the workplace part time, or experiencing a combination of both. This hybrid experience is different for each member of the team. The good news is that a few real-world Feng Shui tips can help you achieve balance between your personal and work lives. For almost 25 years, I have inspired diverse groups ranging from 5 to 500 with my in-person workshops. Now, I'm offering customized versions of these presentations via Zoom. I have taught thousands of clients, readers, and students the simple secrets of using Feng Shui to improve their lives and careers, and now I can teach them to you and your group virtually.
The "Feng Shui for the New Workplace" series of webinars is specially designed to meet the needs of the new hybrid workforce.
All my webinars include customized training that I create to meet the specific needs of your organization, office, or group. Your webinar will be customized to show each team member how to make Feng Shui “go to work” for them. They will learn how to rearrange their space, shift their energy, and achieve calm in this rapidly-changing world. In this fun and informative session, I share simple and often low-cost tips for using Feng Shui to transform both a home and workplace office. There will be plenty of time for questions.
I will customize the webinar for your group, and a typical session includes:
- Group Icebreaker
- 5 Power Principles
- 8 Transformation Tools
- 10 Top Tips
- Unlimited Resources
- Q&A
People are talking about Carol's Feng Shui Webinars for the New Workplace!
Thank you so much for hosting such a great presentation today. We’ve received really positive feedback from everyone, and I’m so happy to know there are small steps I can take to really feel more comfortable and positive every day.
– EG, Operations Manager, Washington, DC
Thank you again for the webinar yesterday. We got great feedback and tons of excitement around it. We hope to have you back sometime soon.
– AJH, Senior Manager, New York, NY
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Feng Shui for Your Office
Take a look at the video I did for the "Interview with the Experts" series for Interior Motions, a custom office design firm in California. I share tips for bringing Feng Shui into any office. I also talk about the Five Power Principles of Feng Shui, how any office can implement these principles to increase productivity, and what you should avoid doing when arranging an office. And of course, I talk about avoiding clutter in the workplace.
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Grow Your Business with Feng Shui
My 90-minute, self-paced video course includes tips for activating the Career/Work bagua area, along with simple changes you make at home to grow your career or business. You'll learn six amazing tips to help you create a space that supports you and your business. Watch as I use Feng Shui principles to conduct a hands-on transformation of a client's workplace and create a dynamic home office that opens the door to success.
People Are Talking About Carol's Classes:
Carol, you're a rock star! I loved listening to the podcast of your interview with "Law of Attraction Talk Radio with Jewels," so I took your class. You continue to be an inspiration to me and have forever changed the way I arrange each home I've lived in since I first heard you speak in 2012. Keep up the good work!
-GO
I took your class and watched several of your videos. Excellent! You have an absolute warm and welcoming approach. No wonder you are so successful.
--CW
This video class is nothing short of a delicious treat for your career. I loved it! Great practical pieces of advice. Well-taught in a fun, inspiring way.
--RW
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DID YOU KNOW?
Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA, is certified by the Feng Shui Institute of America and earned Red Ribbon Professional Status from the International Feng Shui Guild.
Articles in the Feng Shui To The Rescue Newsletter are copyrighted, but can be shared with credit to Carol M. Olmstead as author and link to www.FengShuiForRealLife.com.
FengShuiForRealLife.com and the Feng Shui To The Rescue Newsletter serve as a reference and guide for the principles of Feng Shui and as such bear no responsibility for results that a client or reader experiences. Individual results may vary based on the client's participation and intent.
©2023, Carol M. Olmstead
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