Transform Your Surroundings to Improve Your Prosperity

Are you running on almost empty when it comes to encouragement, motivation and self-confidence? Has self-empowerment fled the scene leaving you drained, alone and discouraged?

You are not alone. According to a study by Gallup-Healthways, stress is spiraling upward as the economy continues its uncertainty. This trend began in the last quarter the 2008, continued through 2009 and fast-forwarded right into 2010. Over 21% of those surveyed don't know how they are going to pay medical expenses and those between 30 and 55 years old are suffering the most and don't know how they are going to make their next house payment. To make matters worse, personal support systems for encouragement and strength are also jumping ship.

The good news is you don't have to be a victim. You can take control of your life by transforming your surroundings using Feng Shui principles and apply those same principles to your thought process - the result, transformed thinking, a return of self-empowerment and improved prosperity.

Courage

Develop the habit of courage. It takes a great deal of courage to see the problems you are facing and to own them. When you stop blaming others for being discouraged, unmotivated and deflated and stop seeing the cup as half-empty, you've taken a huge first step toward transforming yourself. It takes a great deal of courage to realize that you are in control and that only you can change your circumstances. Sometimes it is as simple as being grateful for what you have instead of being angry about what you don't have.

Use a simple tablet divided into two columns and label the left column negative and the right column positive. In the left column list all the things that make you feel discouraged, unmotivated and apathetic. In the right column write down all of the things you can think of to replace the items in the left column. For example, you may be one of the millions that have had to take a pay cut. Put that in the left column. In the right column you can write something like "I am grateful I still have a job when millions do not." Or maybe you can no longer pay for your child's day care. You do the positive offset with something like "I am grateful for my neighbors, family or friends who can help care for my children so I can continue working."

Support your courage by using Feng Shui elements. In the north area of your home or bedroom, place a small waterfall or picture of gently moving water, or the color dark blue or purple. This energizes the spiritual area of you home and life so you can draw on that courage that comes from deep within. Also, place a rock from the garden or beach, a semi-precious stone like quartz or even a decorative stone in the center of your home to ground your new found courage, making it rock solid, this will provide you stability.

Wisdom

Develop the habit of wisdom. It is through knowledge and understanding about what you are facing that you will discover how to deal with what is making you discouraged, drained and disillusioned. It takes wisdom to solve problems and regain your self-confidence, self-worth and self-empowerment. It also takes wisdom to unclutter your surroundings eliminating things and thoughts that no longer serve you well. This results in significantly improved positive energy in your surroundings and thinking so new solutions can enter.

Remove the stagnant energy in your life by eliminating all of the stacks of things, boxes of old memories and files of spent money and activities that no longer serve you well. This opens up stagnant areas of your life so you can begin anew. Once you've uncluttered your surroundings you are on the way to transforming your life because the next step is natural. Your body and mind will want to become aligned and balanced with your surroundings and shed its years of cluttered and outdated thinking.

You cannot live in the 21st century the same way you lived in the 20th century. New tools, uncluttered surroundings and new thinking are needed to help you shift your energy to be compatible with the energy of the new century. The typewriter and the dial phones of the last century gave way to computers, keyboards and cell phones that will soon be replaced by other more efficient electronic equipment like the new tablet. Creating and maintaining a positive flow of energy throughout your home and life is the Feng Shui foundation for transformation and creating a better tomorrow.

Resolve

Develop the habit of resolve. Make up your mind to do it, and then do it. Once you have decided to transform your surroundings and yourself, stand firm on your decision and make it happen. Don't do it half heartedly or think "well I'll try." Nothing ever happens by just trying. Have you ever tried to pick up a pencil? You don't try to pick it up, you either pick it up or you don't. Once you have the courage to face your fears and the wisdom to sift through all the chaos and clutter to find the answers you are seeking, the only step left is to be determined, steadfast and do it.

To help you through this step, use an Intentions Board. It can be a simple bulletin board with pushpins. Hang on the board only three to five things you want to accomplish. If you want to live in your own home, put a picture of that home on your board, if you want to earn a certain amount of money put either the amount of money or a faux check representing the monthly income. If you want better relationships with your children put a picture of you with them having a great time together. If you want a deeper spiritual connection put a picture of a place of worship or something that might represent a deep inner connection for you such as a candle burning brightly. Hang this board in the east area of your home to energize new growth and positive change.

While you are in the process of making it happen, be sure to take some time for yourself. When exerting so much energy to transform your surroundings and your thinking remember to nurture and care for yourself. Take long walks, plan for downtime, listen to music or sit and watch the rain. Become more creative, pick up a paint brush and create on a canvas, write in a journal, knit, crochet, play the piano, meditate, pray or sculpt. This is how you create balance to regenerate your body, mind and emotions.

Also energize the northwest helpful people area of your home or bedroom by placing something there that is silver like a trophy or a motivational poster framed in silver with someone like Lance Armstrong and his Tour de France team or Michael Phelps and his Olympic Gold Medal teammates. This energizes your support system so they will be there for you to encourage you and help you stay motivated.

The result of courage, wisdom and resolve is a transformation from where you are now to where you want to be; self-empowered, in-control and living a more prosperous life.

© Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2010