Feng Shui and Random Acts of Kindness

By Amanda Collins at the International Feng Shui School

Considering we spend more than 80-percent of our time indoors, it’s vital that our home is supportive and nurturing – that it serves as a haven for self-love and support. When you enter, it’s almost as if your abode is hugging and embracing you. This starts with you being kind to yourself, as your home is merely an outward expression of what’s happening inside.

As a Feng Shui teacher, people often ask me the best first step. Most importantly, I suggest that your home is clutter free. That means letting go of anything that no longer serves or honors you. For instance, clothing you haven’t worn in a year, appliances that are broken, objects you don’t need, use or LOVE. Oh and if someone gave you something that you don’t love, re-gift it or at least pass it on to someone who can truly use it. Find a charity you believe in and exercise a random act of kindness. You will probably receive even more in return.

I often drop off carloads of discarded clothes and housewares to a battered women’s shelter and watch the women’s faces light up with joy – which in turn fills me with joy. It seems synchronicity abounds when we look to share. I recently did a consultation for a single mom of a darling little girl. The springs on their couch had gone out and the cornerstone of their living room was falling apart. The very next day I happened to consult a client in La Jolla who was eager to discard a beautiful white sofa. A friend with a truck offered to deliver it, making one delighted mother. “Wow, Feng Shui works fast!,” my client exclaimed with wonder, as she snuggled her daughter in their gently used couch.

The truth is, it’s gratifying to give to others. You will also find yourself feeling lighter, with more room to think and dream in your living space.

Through the process of letting go, I feel blessed to witness transformation on a regular basis. One client who lost her husband three years and was frozen in time and grief. Her house had become a shine to her ex-husband, filled with large posters and photos of him everywhere. For six months, we worked on letting go of the pieces that caused her to relive the suffering over and over. While initially unthinkable, she found tremendous healing in letting go, which still honoring the deep love she had for him. In the process, she realized her departed husband would want her to be happy and she deserved to be. She is now happily dating a wonderful man.

Feng Shui offers plenty of opportunities to commit random acts of kindness to your partner, or even your future mate. If you want to attract or enhance a love relationship, dress up your home like you’re already in that relationship. Think in twos. Buy night stands and lamps in pairs – one for you and another for your beloved.

As anyone who’s ever been in a relationship knows, love also means giving your partner space. Start with the closet, clearing shelves and hangers for your ideal mate to spread out. Not only is it practical, it energetically sends the message that you have room in your life for a relationship. Collect artwork and statues that reflect intimacy. The bedroom is best suited for rest and romance, so remove anything that doesn’t support this – such as that pile of unpaid bills, which can subliminally quash amorous moments.

Also, keep photos of your family, friends and past lovers out of your bedroom. One of my clients had a beautiful photo of her late grandma hovering over the bed. Once she moved her grandmothers’ watchful eye to another room, her love life blossomed!

Want more abundance? Make sure your home reflects that too. This can be simple and celebratory. Get yourself fresh flowers every week. Make your front entrance warm and welcoming to invite good energy into your home. Pointed objects or plants, such as cactus, by the front door can deter abundance from entering. Position your bed in the “command position,” with a solid wall behind you and a clear view of the door.

The same rule goes for your desk positioning. The power position is one where you can see the door from your desk. Your nervous systems will relax so you can be more focused on what you’re doing.  You also invite opportunities into your life by facing them, rather than turning your back on them.

You can enact little acts of kindness to your bodily temple in your very own kitchen. To improve health and well-being, keep it clean and bright. This includes minimizing electro magnetic fields, or EMFs. Get rid of the microwave and cook your food with good old-fashioned heat. This will help nourish your body more fully with every meal.

Also, allow natural light and fresh air into your home. Besides being beautiful and alive, fresh plants will clean up the air. In Feng Shui, we want to invite all the elements of nature into the house – natural gems, gentle water fountains, fresh flowers, and natural sunlight for the fire element.

As an act of self-kindness, create an altar where that you can meditate, dream, and journal. It can be simple, with photos of saints or people who inspire you, a flower or a crystal gem. Even if it’s just the corner of a room, create sacred space that’s private for you.

By every choice to re-gift, reuse or recycle, we are also being kind to mother earth, which gives us everything we have. Be grateful for all she provides and inspires. Love our planetary home, your own home and ultimately love yourself. There’s nothing random about that.