The Story of Your Stuff
Every time I travel, I learn new things and the same applies when I teach: I find that new insights come out spontaneously, and I often learn valuable perspectives from my students as well. My recent trip to Japan provided one such viewpoint when a lady who has taken two of the four advanced programs that I offer towards becoming a facilitator in this field gave a brief talk in my weekend seminar in Tokyo. This lovely retired lady has a true knack for feng shui and she articulated a brilliant point that illustrated the essence of the practice.
The Japanese word for ‘story’ – monogatari – is made up of two root words: ‘mono’ means ‘things’ and ‘gataru’ is the verb ‘to talk’. She stated eloquently how our homes and possessions speak to us and speak ABOUT us, and how Feng Shui helps us to better understand what they’re saying, and how our home reflects the story of our life, what WE are saying in the world. Since applying the principles that she learned in the two trainings she’s taken with me thus far (only a total of six days), she has been experiencing more flow and seamlessness in her life experience: increased simplicity, less complication. She said she is more conscious of what she owns, and has gratitude for her possessions: she thanks them for being there and at the end of the day, she thanks her day and all that happened.
The audience was moved almost to tears (as was I!) hearing this diminutive senior citizen speak so gracefully about the new lease on life she has experienced applying Contemporary Feng Shui in her traditional home. We were all filled with encouragement, realizing that it is never to late to experience gratitude and to wake up to our life story as it is, and we can always start taking new steps to enhance our life experience.
What is your home saying to you? What have you not been hearing? What is there in your home you would love to listen to some more and how can you showcase it more prominently? Is there anything that has been centre-stage that no longer deserves the spotlight?