The HeART of Feng Shui… Simply Put

SEVEN – THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL

“Your thoughts have created your current reality,
no one else is responsible for anything
that you are currently experiencing.”
Anita Adrain

Conscious Awareness

Have you ever wondered what lies dormant within a seed that determines its future, and distinguishes whether it will grow into a tree, a flower, or a weed? What wisdom is embedded in that tiny seed?

Characteristic potentials, designed by nature, signal the seed to grow into a mighty oak tree, expanding outward, expressing its life purpose. Every living thing on this planet carries the same wisdom of growth—and that includes humans.

From the time of our conception we are programmed to grow as a baby, a toddler, a child, a teenager, and into adulthood. Within our genetic program (our DNA) is an innate sense, a natural desire, to expand and grow, to experience life as a human being reaching our fullest potential, or creating the best version of self, not unlike that of a tree.

It is natural for us to seek growth—to expand, to evolve and express ourselves—but, in my opinion, we have mistaken this ‘innate urge to grow’ by accumulating possessions.

Somewhere in our psyche, the need to feel accepted, loved, and respected is satiated by accumulating more stuff; consuming for the sake of comfort, prestige, status, and/or satisfying the ego. It is my observation that the increase in consumerism is a contributing factor to the increase in STRESS in the general population, which parallels the increase in disease.

Stuffology

In a world that grows materially, we continually add, over time, to our collection of ‘things.’ Expert marketing of gadgets and gismos, media blitzes for ‘new improved,’ intrigue us and cloud our natural sense of growth—and misleads us into thinking that the purchase and accumulation of ‘things’ is itself growth. It is a profitable (for some) illusion that has created a generation of human doings measuring success and accomplishment by the perceived value of possessions.

The ability to purchase more stuff that is bigger, better, shinier, and can be delivered right to your door, is the world we live in. According to a national survey of 5000 shoppers by The Wall Street Journal, 51% of purchases were made online. The exchange of energy for these goods is largely purchased with invisible energy: credit cards, PayPal, and e-transfers, even in deferred payment—in some instances, adding financial stress.

“The natural state of seeking to expand and grow
has been mistakenly interpreted by growing our possessions.”
Anita Adrain

In one of my speaking presentations I ask the audience to raise their hands if they have a post-secondary degree. I ask a few people to share what degree or profession they're in. I then ask who did not attend college or university—usually more than 50% of the room.

I reassure them that everyone in the room has a degree… a degree in Stuffology. Of course, everyone laughs, and they agree that we live in a time where we have… a lot of stuff. I have never offended anyone by this statement. Why? Because they agree they have too much stuff.

It was at one of these presentations that I met a business woman with more than fifteen years of experience as an interior designer. She had recently partnered with a home builder, and shared that she is looking forward to designing homes to fit more stuff. Based on her experience, she thinks her clients need more space to organize their stuff.

In my experience and opinion, what people need is the conscious awareness of how ‘the stuff’ is impacting the well-beingness and quality of life. Quantity needs to become less important, as does the space required to house ‘the stuff.’

There are several kinds of possessions that take up space in our home.

There are functional, useful objects which enhance or make our lives easier—fridge, stove, furnace, microwave, couch, chair, pots and pans, dishes, vehicle, tools... these possessions are there to ‘serve.’

Seasonal items, such as Christmas decorations, and garden tools like the lawnmower or snow shovel, need to be stored and easily accessed for their season. These items should be neatly organized and, if required, labeled for quick access to avoid any frustration when they are needed.

‘POSSESS’ions

We then have items that have been specifically chosen as a form of self-expression, items that represent that innate sense of growth and expansion. As we are naturally drawn to environments that reflect beauty, just as Mother Nature shows us it makes sense that we would want try and duplicate this feeling in our home. Quite often there are possessions that are primarily chosen for their aesthetic value, the ones that match the color pallet of the home.

These items usually have no apparent function, and often fall into the category of clutter. You will know if this is the case if you have to expend energy to maintain them. Possessions are here to make our lives easier, to enhance this experience known as life; they are not here to drain our life force energy or take control of how we live.

Functional, seasonal, aesthetically pleasing, and personal items all live together under one roof, contributing energetically to the visual triggers of all the home’s occupants. The possessions that hold deep meaning: the painting on the wall, the sculpture on the coffee table, the family photos on the cabinet, the fridge art, the knick-knacks and trinkets that adorn the shelves—all of these possessions hold memories and emotions. All of these items tell a story that is programmed in your subconscious. And here is the important part: the ‘item’ is either telling you an empowering story or a disempowering story.

It’s easy to become complacent in our home environment, no longer aware or conscious of what thoughts and/or emotions are attached to any ‘thing.’ When in fact ‘everything’ that resides with you is constantly broadcasting a subliminal message.

Contemplate the word possession, the root word being POSSESS. Are your possessions controlling your thoughts, your emotions? Are you being possessed by some unseen energy source that dictates how you show up in the world?

“If thoughts become things,
is it possible the things are in control of the thoughts that you think?”
Anita Adrain