As the Michigan Chapter Director of the International Feng Shui Guild, I am organizing our annual community service project. We’ve selected a high school teacher’s art classroom in the Chippewa Valley School District. Her student population is at risk teens and her classroom needs some organizing and purging assistance. As part of the project, we received a wish list from the teacher that would aid in this effort. I’d be grateful if you could check your basements, attics, garages, etc. for any of these items. If you can contribute and live in the Detroit area, please contact me at 248-547-4965 and I’ll come and pick them up.
Art Room Wish List:
Labels or label maker
Clear shoe box size containers
Clear containers of various other sizes with lids. (Cabinet depths are 24” & 26”)
Curtains for window (2 windows each about 6’ x 6’)
Curtain rod
Table top fountain
Large size mirror to hang on wall
Small book shelf to hold supplies (mine is falling apart)
I am an emotionally-based being and as such can have large swings between my ups and downs. I’ve learned to do many things to reduce the delta between the two and quite frankly I must stay focused on that all the time. Yes, it can create pressure and sometimes I just don’t have it in me. However, my ups are much more frequent and long lasting when I cultivate behaviors that feed my soul on a regular basis. Here are some things that feed my soul (when I’m doing them!!)
Working. I feel so fulfilled and alive while I’m working and my clients are the best!
Meditating & giving thanks. This is my version of going to church.
Getting plenty of sleep. I’ve found there’s no way around this.
Eating healthy. I’ve found there’s no way around this either.
Smiling. I instantly feel different when I smile.
Laughing. There’s nothing like laughing to cleanse the soul!
Exercise regularly. If I don’t, I feel like crap and it shows to those around me.
Twitter & Facebook. I love the social interaction & connection with people I care about. It’s very meaningful to me and the first thing I do everyday while drinking my tea.
Creative projects. Every now and then, it’s great to pull out the paints & pencils and do a whimsical project.
Connecting with friends and family, especially my sisters.
Catherine Ferguson Academy is a Detroit Alternative School devoted to assisting pregnant and parenting teens complete their high school education. The girlswork on the Academy owned farm, where they work to raise organic produce and care for bees and animals, with the surplus being sold at Eastern Market. The Academy boasts a 90% graduation rate, in stark contrast to the dismal number ofthe City as a whole. This film was produced by a visiting couple from theNetherlands, Masha and Manfred Poppenk. They see Detroit as the City of tomorrow.
Ms. Andrews, Academy Principal, will be on hand to answer questions.
While in yoga class this morning, the instructor encouraged me to make a tiny adjustment in one of my poses. Immediately, I tapped into my core strength and as I remembered to focus on the adjustment, the rest of the class was much easier. I could hold my poses longer, especially ones that take me to my edge much quicker. I had a major aha moment today. The tiniest of adjustments, had a profound impact on my practice. I also realized if I make this tiny adjustment to my posture throughout the day, my regular low back soreness will evaporate.
Today’s experience reminds me of a meditation from many years ago. As I was meditating on my own energy, I sensed the ripple effect it had on everything around me. And though my energy was “tiny” compared to all, its impact was profound. I had another aha moment. I became very aware of the responsibility I (we all) have on the world at large. My energy adds either positive or negative energy to the world around me. My attitude is a tiny thing yet has a HUGE impact on my experience and those around me.
Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “The Tipping Point” describes this topic very well. He gives many examples of how little things set in motion events that create a movement, a trend, a change in society.
This begs the question: Do I enliven or degrade those in the world around me? Wow! I’ll leave you with the words of Sgt. Phil Esterhaus from Hill Street Blues (remember that show?), “Let’s be careful out there.”
I love the simple yet challenging tenets of the Four Agreements®. They are:
Don’t make assumptions
Be impeccable with your word
Don’t take things personally
Always do your best
My focus this year is to master not making assumptions and not taking things personal. By not making assumptions, I will head off misunderstandings and potentially making someone else wrong (instead of different). By not taking things personal, I can eliminate a LOT of suffering.
This is the question raised by the card I picked this morning from the Feng Shui Deck as it relates to endings. Here’s the passage from the card:
“All change in nature has a consistent rhythm. Endings give way to new beginnings, which then cycle around to another ending, seamlessly blending into eternity. … When we understand where we are in any given cycle of life, we can harness the resources we need to meet challenges effectively.”
So the question being asked of me, where am I in the cycle of life? I’ll have to think on that. Where are you in the cycle of life?
I was turned on to this project via Becks Davis, the author of Detroit Moxie. November is a great month to focus on gratitude. The attribute of gratitude is the predecessor to receiving abundance in all forms. Do this for 30 days and be amazed at your shift in awareness. All you have to do is create a very simple profile on the site and off you go. Here’s the link:
