No matter how good your feng shui, we all experience what I like to call “life” issues and problems from time to time. After all, we are responsible for ourselves and there’s really no accounting for the actions of others- in the workplace or at a social event …even at the shopping mall or grocery store.
Since we are all ultimately only responsible for our OWN actions and reactions we have the ability to live a happy life – if we choose to. That might sound rather simplistic…but think about it. You can control what you think about…and as the saying goes – “we become what we think about most of the time”. When we let the words or actions of others infiltrate our thoughts and we react negatively to them as a result, in essence we are giving up control of our most precious possession – our mind!
So the choice is up to you…and in the ezine this week I touch on learning how to bend with grace like a blade of grass rather than adopting an inflexible attitude that in the end may defeat you. Nature gives us a lot of lessons if we just open our eyes! Adopt a strategy of non-confrontation, watch how you are reacting and be aware of the pattern of your thoughts. Don’t lose your mind, ok? It’s way too wonderful, precious and powerful…and you are totally in charge of what happens to it!
Love
Lillian
Good garden feng shui is very important. Gardens are where growth energy gets created and nurtured. People often renovate and upgrade the inside of their homes, but sometimes fail to take care of their garden or yard outside…and then wonder why their feng shui is not better.
When your garden is unkempt and overgrown it can destroy the existing good feng shui of your home.
If you want good garden feng shui, you must spend time creating the right mix of plants and flowers for your garden. For example, a low bushy plant at the front in full view of the main door symbolizes the crimson phoenix, which brings golden opportunities.
Tip! Choose a plant that is free flowering and has red flowers. A splash of red colour at the front brings excellent prospects for the residents of the home.
Plants represent the most positive attributes of the growing wood element and it is the only element amongst all of the five elements of earth, water, fire, metal and wood that has life! Plants also manifest the balance of yin and yang in your garden, responding to the mix of sunlight and shade, water and nutrients from the soil.
The Chinese appreciate every part of the plant…the leaves, flowers and fruit as well as the plant’s shape and silhouette. They bestow particular cultural attributes on the four plants…known as the Four Gentlemen of the Garden. You may want to include one or all of these in your own garden depending on the climate and where you live in the world.
The plum, whose blossoms are regarded as pure and superior.- The bamboo, which is disciplined and upright.
- The orchid, which is reclusive and strong in character.
- The chrysanthemum, which is pure and honest.
In feng shui certain plants are more auspicious than others. Succulent plants with full round leaves and rich dark leaves are deemed to be the most auspicious…symbolizing money and gold.
A good example is the jade plant, which attracts money and prosperity.
Here are a few more ideas to help you create good garden feng shui:
- Select plants and flowers wisely, according to the soil type, sunlight and climatic conditions of the garden.
- Never allow plants to grow wild or unchecked.
- Don’t allow weeds to choke the flowerbeds and always clear up leaves and other garden debris.
- If a plant is dying it’s better to get rid of it rather than trying to nurse it back to health. Dying and dead plants in the garden create a lot of harmful chi, which can seep into your house causing a lot of bad luck.
- Always remember that a garden planted with an abundance of healthy plants and flowers is the best indication that a house is enjoying good feng shui. It reflects the presence of healthy yang energy, which is synonymous with prosperous, happy and vibrant chi.
Happy gardening,
Lillian
As I was walking the other day, I saw a tall majestic-looking tree uprooted and humbled by the severity of an unexpected storm. It was a sad sight to see…this once proud, noble tree laying clumsily across the pavement…only the street crews seemed to have any interest as they readied it for removal.
Yet all around the base of the tree, tiny blades of grass that were able to bend with the changing wind had survived the stormy weather.
Such a sad sight…it made me think how the very strength and pride of the tree had made it inflexible and thus vulnerable to the fierce wind and rain…while the humble and lowly grass seemed so much better equipped to survive the howling winds and rainstorms.
Perhaps we should be more like the grass, and bend gracefully rather than stand inflexible in the face of difficult times. When things get rough, don’t let your pride make matters worse. Change your mental attitude toward the things that are going wrong in your life. Sometimes just looking at things from another perspective will provide you with different solutions.
There’s a lot to be said for taking the path of least resistance…and adopting a strategy of non-confrontation. When you see a conflict brewing or an argument getting out of hand…transform it by choosing your response thoughtfully. Be careful how you say things and how you phrase your opinions. As the saying goes… sometimes it’s better to be kind than to be right.
Learn to give in. Learn to compromise. Learn to walk away. Only those who survive have the opportunity to bounce back when things get better.
Bend gracefully today.
Love Lillian
Grand Master Lillian Too is undoubtedly the world’s most prolific and popular writer and advocate on living with good feng shui! She has written over 100 books that have been translated into 31 different languages, and over 10 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide.
After graduating with an MBA from Harvard Business School, Lillian went on to pursue a highly successful business career in banking and finance in the 1980’s in Hong Kong. Her business acumen, drive and abundant energy soon led her from the finance world to the world of luxury department stores and boutiques where, through a leveraged buy out, she became Chairman and shareholder of The Dragon Seed Group.
All the while she was guided and taught by her feng shui masters in Hong Kong and China – and she attributes much of her monumental and quick rise to success in Hong Kong directly to them.
Lillian soon decided to retire from active corporate life and return to Malaysia to raise her beautiful daughter, Jennifer, and spend more time with her family. It was at this time she began to devote her energy to writing and furthering her study of feng shui.
She published her first book in Malaysia in 1995 that quickly became a best seller and the rest is history. Today she is Chairman of Wofs.Com, a feng shui franchise and merchandising company run by her daughter, Jennifer Too.
She trains feng shui students and future consultants at her Certified Consulting Institute in Malaysia and is much loved by her readers, associates and students for the way she teaches practical feng shui in a user-friendly way, using ordinary situations and circumstances that interest people and affect their everyday lives.
In November 2009, at the International Feng Shui Convention in Singapore, the well-deserved title of GRAND MASTER OF FENG SHUI was conferred upon Lillian Too. Immediately following this accolade, in early January 2010, she received the prestigious Brand Laureate Personality of The Year Award presented by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia! There seems to be no stopping her popularity and these days!
Lillian believes everyone should know her secrets and learn how to adapt feng shui to modern life… and she warmly welcomes you into her Mandala.
You can learn more about Lillian by visiting her website at www.lillian-too.com.
Lillian Too Mandala – North American Office
3840 Blackhawk Rd,
Danville, CA 94506
Toll Free Info and Customer Servce : 1 866 508 8806
Email: info@lilliantoomandala.com Fax: +1 925 736 6177
Avoid Triangular Shaped Flower Beds
The triangle is the shape of fire, which clashes with the wood energy of plants. Also triangles have points that can be harmful and possess hidden afflictions. When pointing to the main door, they can cause misfortune to manifest.
Give Yourself A Sunshine Bath
Give yourself a sunshine bath this morning. Go into the yard before the sunlight has become excessively strong and allow it to nurture you. Open your mind, body and spirit to the cleansing energy of the sun’s power as your pores soak up this wonderful warm and life-giving energy. Try to bring light and love in the lives of all your loved ones.
Until next week,
Lillian
lilliantoosblog.wordpress.com 