Feng Shui In The Home
Feng Shui is about bringing harmony into the home, it’s nuances and intricacies are practiced for the intention of increasing the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the home unobstructed. A space, much like a person, that has all its channels open, clear and receptive, invites creativity and productivity. In practice, Feng Shui is to address a space and optimize it’s functionality and openness to increase the flow of Qi, which in turn brings balance to the home and to the people within it. As a traditional Chinese practice, a lot of it’s nuances and applications are lost on our culture. Feng Shui is not just about designing a space or organizing the furniture - every room serves a function and a purpose towards our overall well being. The direction a room faces, the way utilities run through the house, the layout of the land and even the neighborhoods we live in hold a certain energy and affect us at a subconscious level. If you’re looking at building a new home, you could even talk to a Feng Shui consultant to advise you on the Qi of the lot,what kind of layout will optimize Qi flow and the timing of when an optimal time to build would be. Wheeling it back, a lot of us have homes that are already built and already in relationship with the land and neighborhoods they are in. In this scenario, the approach to Feng Shui is then to maximize a homes potential Qi flow. This blog is aimed at helping you take the first steps to understanding some of the most important elements of Feng Shui in regards to your current home, or the one you’re about to buy. One of the main elements to address when considering your home’s Feng Shui is the overall feeling in your body when you step through your front door. Do you automatically tighten up and feel constricted or do your spirits rise and feel spacious? Do you feel inspired, creative and relaxed? Or do you feel overwhelmed, unsupported and unhappy? Too many things that clutter a room or allowing your house to stay dirty and untidy will soon start to take a toll on your overall motivation and productivity. When we come home, we don’t want to feel bogged down and resentful towards our living space, our home is our sanctuary and we should feel inspired, excited and comfortable in our homes. The three most important areas to consider for optimal Qi in the home is the front door, the kitchen, and the main bedroom: The front door is the pathway for the Qi outside to enter into the home. It’s crucial to keep clutter out of the entryway, keep it spacious and flowing. Kitchen Qi determines health, so a clean, vibrant and “healthy” kitchen will translate into a healthier body and ultimately, flourishing spirit. The main bedroom is the place where you get your deep rest and rejuvenation to maintain good energy and vitality throughout your day. Having a calming color scheme and a peaceful setting will promote good sleep and in turn, higher productivity through your day. Another key element to be aware of is the landform and the areas around the house. An open, well maintained yard will contribute to your overall sense of well being and harmony. Also, certain land forms like ditches, overarching hills or erosion all holds unique energetic imprints that will feed into the subconscious of the home owner. Likewise, living near a body of water can be a symbol of wealth and can bring prosperity to the household, whereas living near a busy street may be a symbol of wealth leaving. One of our friends and colleagues here in Asheville has been running a Feng Shui consulting and organizing business for over 7 years. Roberta Anderson took the time to talk with me a bit and answer some questions so that I could put together this blog for you. She exudes care and reverence in everything she does, and as stated on her website, she “sees your home as a life-sized altar dedicated to you, beautiful in its accumulation of treasures, stories and love.” When I first considered writing this blog, there was no doubt in my mind that she was the best person to connect with. For a quick reference, Roberta put together a basic Do’s and Dont’s when designing and decorating your home in consideration of it’s Feng Shui: I asked Roberta what a person can expect from a consultation with her. When meeting with her, she’ll go over things such as the most ideal directions for you to sit/work/eat/sleep in and if your home is in a cycle or annual lock. She'll analyze how the energy of each direction applies to each area of your home and even the best and worst colors to paint your house and front door. And yes, for all you interior design and decorating enthusiasts, you'll also talk about the best placement for your furniture, and so much more! Overall, you can expect to learn all about the specific feng shui of your unique home and how to increase it's flow of Qi for more balance, harmony and inspiration. Starting with a zoom call, then to a walk around your property and within your home, a follow up 12+ page Feng Shui report of your property to a final follow up call to ensure your satisfaction and adress any next steps - She’s an all in and very thorough person to have on your home design team! Learn More About Roberta Here Whether or not this blog inspires you to pick up the phone as get professional assistance to Feng Shui or declutter your home, we hope that you’ve received some good insight, tips and information on how to maximize the flow of energy and inspiration in your home!
Winter Lights at the Arboretum!
Christmas time conjures up a sense of magic in people. The excitement of absolutely sourcing the BEST gifts for the people you love and those familiar holiday songs, remixed by someone from literally any genre you can think of. The parties and gatherings with cherished ones which yields too many of the “Oh, I shouldn’t, but I will have my 8th cookie tonight” situations. And then there’s the lights which brighten up these dark, chilly nights and dazzle beneath the sky, for one time of the year, mirroring the wonder of the stars. And when you’re really jonesin for a good light show, The Winter Lights at the Arboretum in Southwest Asheville (just off the Blue Ride Parkway!) is a guaranteed symphony for the senses. It’s one of the closest things we’ll get to walking in a galaxy, albeit a very specific holiday themed galaxy… Anyway, before we get too deep into outer space metaphors here, let me jump in and share with you some of the best parts of Winter Lights and why my family and I keep going back. Choo-Choo Cheer for Kids: The Train Sets Tiny snow-covered villages, miniature trees with twinkling lights, and cruising through the whole display are two classic trains, chugging their way along an expertly crafted, and quite huge railroad track. The Santa Train, of course, hauls presents as its cargo, overloaded and ready to pass out to all the mini children waiting in those small homes with frost-covered windows. The next train is one that carries more mystery and has this way of calling out to it’s human spectators, beckoning us onward to a magical adventure - its the Polar Express. And don’t try to tell me that you’ve never imagined yourself jumping on THAT train? A Symphony of Lights Walking up to the Winter Lights, it almost feels like you're walking into a grounded firework show that just keeps going without any pauses or fading. Every corner is decked with color and brilliance. Moving through the labyrinth of lights that seem to dance along to the rhythm of the Christmas music that plays throughout. (Great engineering or a trick of the mind?) Hmm.. It’s easy to get caught up in holiday cheer here, so curmudgeons and grinches beware - the spirit is STRONG around here. Trees laced up with lights to their starry tops, giant light ornaments and little children everywhere ooing, ahhing, and getting psyched for Santa. Did Someone Say S’mores? What’s a winter celebration without a few sweet treats? They fill up your souvenir cup with Hot Cocoa that you can enjoy as you walk - or nestle up by the fire pit with. Yes, thank you, I’ll have a couple of those gingerbread man cookies, as well. While I’m snacking cookies, the kids love when they get to start roasting marshmallows over the fire. Put the chocolate and graham cracker sandwich together with the melty mallow and I have some absolutely WIRED and happy children. (Bankin’ on that sugar crash on the way home.) Whether you’re In Asheville for the holidays, or live here full time, the Winter Lights celebration is definitely a sweet spot to take the family, have a jolly-good-time and get infused with that holiday cheer. So come along, and board this train!
Black Mountain; The perfect Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation
Ahh, Black Mountain. What can I say? This sweet little mountain town has me swooning! Each time I go up to visit, I am filled with a rare and palpable resonance of warmth and intrigue. With a deep-rooted appreciation of its mountain heritage and community wide indulgence of the arts, this little town invites nostalgia of the sweetest kind. A walk through Black Mountain gives me that old timey feeling. Especially when I cross over the (still functional) railroad or stop to rock with my baby on one of the painted rocking chairs scattered around downtown. With a satisfying mix of high mountain sunlight and a cool valley breeze, afternoons in Black Mountain hold a special tone for me. A visit here always charms my heart, filling me with a sentimentality that sounds like hammer dulcimers and tastes like freshly made, spiced apple cider. Forget chicken soup - this town is biscuits and marmalade for the soul! But Black Mountain is more than dreamy aesthetics and charm- Back in the 1930s, some of the town's visionary pioneers created Black Mountain College, an institute committed to exploring new ways of education with its “learning by doing” approach. Teachers and students were equal and each lesson was experimental, democratic and always centered in artistic expression. Their progressive approach was a bit revolutionary for the times, and its radical dedication to creativity continues to echo through the heart beat of the town. To this day you will find scholars, poets, painters, potters, story tellers, musicians and philosophers alike wandering the town and weaving art into their daily living. Me, I’m a generally curious person and I LOVE to open my mind with unique perspectives and new stories. In this town, I am almost eager to stand in that insanely long line at The Dripolater and strike up a conversation with a local (while shameslessly eyeing their drool-worthy pastries). More often than not, I walk out of there, perfectly caffeinated, and with a little nugget of wisdom, history or perspective that I get to mull over for a while. You can feel the obvious community pride and creative impulse that drives the town when you visit its unique shops. Almost every store in Black Mountain is locally owned and features some crafts, art, home goods or products made by local residents. The entrepreneur spirit here is strong, which, as an entrepreneur myself, I have a deep respect for. My family and I are nature lovers, above all. So Black Mountain is an all around good day trip destination for whatever mood we’re in. Turn in any direction and there's a trailhead somewhere down the road. One of our favorite hikes are up in Montreat. It’s a summer haven, tucked within rhododendrons and pines with a crystalline river coursing beside us as we climb. It's pure magic up there! And my kids, well, they love to be monkeys up at Robert Lake Park. In a modern world filled with plastic and metal, the rustic feel of their wooden jungle gym is very refreshing. And again, another throwback kind of feeling. So whether you’re an artist, a nature lover, or an entreprenuer - Black Mountain’s got a little something to make anyone feel at home. Not just another tourist destination, but a pretty magical place to live as well. Where the past dances gracefully with the present, and the bonds of community are as strong and vibrant as the mountains that surround it! Moving in or just coming for a visit, the result is the same; Black Mountain is going to make an imprint on your heart.
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