Feng Shui Joy Notes
E-zine #31— March 2005

Spring is just around the corner in the northern hemisphere. With the approach of sunnier, warmer days, our thoughts naturally turn to sprucing our homes up both inside and out. Today's feature article gives tips on how to make sure that we are creating an entrance that welcomes the chi into our homes.

If you've been wanting to learn more about Feng Shui, but you're not interested in reading and researching, check out the full-day workshop scheduled for either March 31 or April 2. You'll not only learn about Feng Shui, but you'll find out how it all relates to your home in particular. Early bird special deadline is Friday, March 18.

Also check out the new Interior Redesign and One-Day Move-In Services. I'm so excited about being able to help you create the environments that you desire either in your existing homes or your new ones.

In this issue:
Feature article:    Inviting the Chi into your home
New Service:       Interior redesign service
New Service:       One-Day Move-Ins
Joy Notes Q&A: Slanted ceilings
Upcoming classes and talks:
                             One day class scheduled!
                             Early bird price deadline - March 18

Feature article:

Inviting the Chi into your home

There's nothing like an inviting entrance to make you feel welcome wherever you go. By providing a nice entrance, you not only make your guests feel welcome, but the chi (energy) is welcomed too. The entrance area is actually three-fold. The pathway leading up to your home, the actual doorway/porch area and the foyer of your home are all considered part of the entrance.

When you're doing your spruce-up work this spring, include these Feng Shuip tips for a grand entrance area. Then watch the chi energize your home.

  1. Front doorÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ
    • Make sure that it's clean.
    • Give it a fresh coat of paint or stain, if needed.
    • Assure that it doesn't stick or squeak.
    • If there is anything stored behind the door that prevents it from opening fully, remove it.
  2. Front entrance
    • Repair any cracks in the sidewalk or stairs.
    • Railings - Make any necessary repairs and paint or stain as needed.
    • Greeters - Add a pot or two of flowers or a statue as a guardian/greeter by your front door/stairs.
    • Lighting - Make sure that the area is well lit, including the sidewalk leading up to your front door.
    • Clean the area thoroughly - Nothing says 'neglect' like cobwebs.
  3. Foyer
    • If the area is small or dark, consider putting up a mirror to expand and brighten the area.
    • Lighting - Is there adequate, pleasant lighting here?
    • If there is space, provide a chair or bench for your guests to either sit while putting on shoes/boots or to place their packages. (This shows you have their comfort in mind.)
    • Place a favorite piece of artwork here.
    • Make sure the area is clean and organized.
    • If you are a shoeless house, provide a place for the shoes so that they are organized.

By creating an inviting entrance you are creating a harmonious space that works for you. It becomes an energized environment that not only nurtures and comforts you and your family, but helps you achieve your goals too.

Have a wonderful spring,

Joy
Feng Shui with Joy!
Creating harmonious spaces that work for you

Graceful Lifestyles interior redesign service

I'm very excited to announce a new service - Graceful Lifestyles Interior Redesign. As a Graceful Lifestyles consultant, I am helping my clients with their interior redesign needs: furniture placement, choosing colors for walls/countertops, fabrics, window treatments and remodeling.

BUT this is interior redesign with a difference - it's holistic interior redesign. Along with the usual components of interior redesign, it also incorporates Feng Shui principles, the 5 elements, yin and yang, along with green design (using environmentally friendly products that help the environment and are healthier for you) and universal design (designing spaces that work for everyone no matter their age or physical abilities).

Preview wall colors
Would you like to see what your room would look like with a different wall color without painting a single brushstroke? Now you can! Pick from a palette of thousands of colors to find just the right shade for your walls. Experiment with an accent wall of a different color. It's all possible. Be certain before you paint.

Furniture arrangement
Have a difficult room to arrange furniture in? Want to create a different look in your room? You can have the look you want with the bonus that it will adhere to good Feng Shui principles and help to support and enhance your life.

Graceful Lifestyles Feng Shui Interior Redesign creates beautiful, comfortable homes and offices that help you achieve your life goals.

 

One-Day Move-ins

Are you moving this year? Be the envy of your new neighbors. Spend move-in day shopping, golfing, and going out to lunch? You arrive back at your new home that evening and literally start living as though you've been there for months. Your kitchen is arranged, books are on the shelves, clothes are hanging in the closet, pictures are on the wall, and the furniture is arranged. No boxes laying all over the house. No exhausted, aching body. No depressing thoughts of spending every evening and weekend unpacking for the next three months.

We can even arrange to have your home painted and the window treatments installed. On the very first night, see the beautiful home that you envisioned when you purchased your home.

Sound too good to be true? It's entirely possible! Contact me about the One-Day Move-In service. You'll never move without it again.

Joy Notes Q&A

Joy,

I have a slanted ceiling over my bed. I've heard that it isn't a good situation, but I can't move the bed to any other wall. What can I do about it?

Kris, Middleton, Wisconsin

*****************

Kris,

The reason that a slanted ceiling isn't good over a bed is that the energy is directed downward towards the head of the bed. If your head is in this location, you can experience headaches, sinus problems, forgetfulness, and insomnia.

If the bed can't be moved from this location, then we try to transcendentally raise the ceiling. This can be done several ways:

  • Place mirrors near there (i.e., nightstands) facing up at the ceiling.
  • Place torchiere lights or upward lighting sconces on that wall.
  • Hang a crystal on the slanted ceiling
  • Disguise the slanted ceiling with fabric to soften the effect

Joy

If you have a question you'd like to see answered in an
upcoming issue of Feng Shui Joy Notes, send your question
to Joy at Joy@FengShuiwithjoy.com

 

 

Pass on the Ch'i

Please share this enewsletter with interested friends by
forwarding the complete enewsletter to them. Subscribing
and unsubscribing information is included at the end of the
newsletter. I never sell or distribute email addresses.

Upcoming Classes and Talks

Enhance your Home with Feng Shui - Free Talks
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.
              AND
Wednesday, March 16, 2005, 1:00 p.m.
Natural Health Works
212 E. Verona Ave
Verona, WI 53593
608-848-8378
Free to the public. Please call to reserve your seat.
If your organization would like to have me do a talk or class to
your staff or group, pleasecontact me. joy@fengshuiwithjoy.com

******

CLASS

Feng Shui 104 - Energize your life with Feng Shui
One-Day Workshop
Reading books on Feng Shui can be confusing with the different types of Feng Shui available. And then you still have to figure out how to apply it to your home. How about learning in a fun class from a knowledgeable instructor with years of experience instead. Not only will you learn about Feng Shui but you'll know how to apply it to your home in particular. It's a course that will change your life.

In order to accommodate everyone who would like to take this exciting, fun-filled class, I've scheduled one on Thursday, March 31, and one on Saturday, April 2! I've also split it into two classes- Beginning and Advanced. This should meet everyone's needs. Sign up early and save with the early bird special on the full day! See details on the registration form.

Thursday, March 31, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Stark Realtors, 702 North High Point Rd, Madison, WI
Cost - $89 --  Early bird special -$79, if you sign up by
                      Friday, March 18 (postmarked)
Register: http://www.fengshuiwithjoy.com/html%20pages/registration-spring2005.html

Course highlights:
Work with your environment to manifest your dreams. You'll learn how to apply and use the bagua in your home to achieve your life goals. Basic principles, tips for the home, slide show of examples, ch'i enhancers, and the bagua will be covered. Interactive exercises to help you apply your knowledge. Create an environment that reflects the inner you. Bring a layout of your home.

Treat yourself to a day of fun and knowledge that will change your life.

If you have questions, please contact me: :joy@fengshuiwithjoy.com