FENG SHUI INSPIRATION                  by Carole Provenzale Stress is all around us.  Every day we see people rushing from place to place because their schedules are so full there isn’t enough time to get everything done.  Work pressures, home and family pressures and unexpected emergencies can happen to all of us.  If you’re feeling the same sort of stress, take a step back for a moment.  There are simple things you can do to help yourself cope and even become inspired to more easily achieve what you want out of life.  1. Remember to keep a Positive Attitude.  I know it’s easier said then done, but do remember that like attracts like.  It is less of a struggle in the long run to send out the best personal energy and positive attitude that will help you create what you would like to receive in return.  And be confident in the knowledge that you will create the best possible circumstances to help avoid difficulties that you may be expecting.  Catch yourself when you are sending up negative thoughts and turn them into the positive! 2. Surround yourself with things you love.  Principles of Feng Shui will always tell you to create a lovely atmosphere where you feel comfortable and serene. Your outer space has a direct energy connection to your inner space including your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.  Use your favorite colors, happy and uplifting pictures and photos and objects that you truly love to surround yourself with. 3. Find a few minutes to reconnect with Nature.  On beautiful days try to spend Some time outside to enjoy the beauty and energy of nature.  There you are surrounded by living things:  plants, trees and flowers all promote beautiful and positive energy that will enrich your inner being.  Sunshine promotes a feeling of well being. 4. Set your Intentions and be sure to be clear in them.  The Principles of Feng Shui tell us that your Intentions are 90% of the transformations you experience after making the physical changes in your surroundings.  Keep that in mind when making any changes in your physical surroundings to help you attain your goals.       5. Remember to be grateful and always give thanks for the blessings in your life. At times we can become so bogged down by some of the negative energy we literally forget to count our blessings.  Counting the blessings you already have can help have an impact on bringing in more.      6. Surround yourself with people that nourish your spirit and soul, not the ones that drains your wonderful energy.  Some people uplift you in a wonderful sense and make you feel good about yourself while others actually deprive you of your energy because they may be down and negative.  Choose the former to spend time with. 7. Get some physical exercise every day.  Aside from the obvious health benefits, remember that it helps in releasing stress and other emotional toxins from your body.  Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Qong are especially helpful but if you don’t have time for classes even talking a walk around the block can help replenish your body and spirit. 8. Use Visualization!  Just five or ten minutes when you wake up but before you Start your day can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your day. Take that time to just be still and visualize how you would like your day to turn out.  Think about what you have to do that day and see in your minds eye that everything will go smoothly with no obstacles which will help create your desired outcome for the day ahead. 9. Consider Meditation.  Although it is sometimes hard to fit into a busy schedule, it can help quiet your mind and thoughts from worries and problems and actually will help provide you with insights on the best direction to take and help you find solutions to difficulties when you are less focused on them. 10. Taking a moment each day no matter how busy you are to help another person will be some of the moments of your day that will actually make your day special.  There is no joy quite like the good feeling you get when you help another.  And the joy of that feeling will return to you long after the day is over.  It is something that replenishes our very hearts and souls. None of the above things should take more then a few minutes out of each day, yet you will be amazed at the wonderful returns that will come into your life in all aspects.  Each of them affect your body and spirit, just the combination you need to create wonderful transformations and changes you may otherwise would not have experienced!