What's intrinsically romantic about candlelight, soft music, and a crackling fire? Nothing, of course--these classic Valentine's traditions are just simple alterations to our environment that allow us to relax and focus on the other person. Valentine's Day is a perfect example of how sensitive we are to our surroundings, and how a few interior changes dramatically alters our mood. What's more, there are other simple changes we can make in our surroundings through the art of Feng Shui that will encourage closeness all year long.
Feng Shui is concerned with the energy of objects and energy's flow in a room or house. Sensitive creatures that we are to our environment, our relationships are also subject to the energy of our surroundings. And Feng Shui is gaining attention as a powerful tool for improving all kinds of relationships, from difficult to comfortable and dull.
But before you start moving things around or making changes to your environment, it's important to clarify exactly what you want to change. Called "setting your intention," this is a crucial first step that will guide your subsequent actions. Perhaps you want to strengthen or rekindle the flame of an existing relationship, or attract an exciting new romantic partner to your life. Possibly you want to find a life partner to share the future. There can be a variety of issues or scenarios, so it is important to begin by considering your current situation and recognizing what you would like to change.
More specifically, if you have a current relationship that you would like to improve, what is it that you'd like to improve? Do you want more passion in your relationship? More time together? Better communication? Start by becoming clear about exactly what the relationship is like now and how you would like it to change. When it does change, what will that look like? How will you feel?
If you don't have a current relationship but would like one, what kind of relationship would you like? Are you looking for a partner to have fun and go out with? Is your goal to get married? What qualities are you looking for in this person? It's important to be as clear and specific as possible.
After setting a clear intention, there are several things you can do that can enhance the flow of positive energy in the home, creating a more conducive environment in which to achieve your desires. A few basic tips include:
To symbolize a close relationship, it is important to position decorative items in pairs. For instance, display a painting of a couple, place two ornaments together, or hang two pictures that form a set. Two flowers in a vase or two stuffed animals beside one another are other examples of pairs that you can place in your environment.
If you already have a partner whom you wish to become closer to, it is important to display photos that feature only you both as a couple. Pictures of you with your partner and other individuals, whether family or friends, symbolize your propensity to give up time as a couple in order to become part of a larger group.
Clutter and other distractions in the bedroom, such as exercise equipment, a television, work-related items or a computer, serve to bring unwanted distractions into your relationship. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary that feels romantic and invites you to spend time with your loved one.
Make sure that the side of your bed is not against a wall because this position symbolizes only one way in and out of the bed and indicates that there is room for only one person.
When you make your bed, keep it relatively uncluttered and create a space that will easily accommodate a couple (not too many decorative pillows).
Master bedrooms ideally feature warm, soothing colors, such as cream, taupe, cocoa, or shades with a red or pink base. Such warm bedroom colors represent warm, close relationships.
When you remove clutter, don't move anything to a storage box under your bed. People store all kinds of things under the bed - fire extinguishers, ladders, guns, papers, books, exercise equipment and more. Remember that, based on the principles of Feng Shui, energy should freely flow throughout a space, including under the bed.
Large bedrooms should feature cozy, intimate nooks, such as sitting areas. Again, creating an intimate space reflects an intimate relationship.
One word of caution: once you start changing the energy in this way to create a more positive relationship things will start to change. That means that if your current relationship is not ideal for both of you, then you may find yourself drifting apart - that's be-cause it's the best thing for each person concerned. It's important not to fight it - what you will find is a relationship that does work for you.
Let's face it, our relationships do not always go as smoothly as we would like. Whether we're dealing with our partner, children, coworkers, friends or even mailman, our interactions with others can be tricky. As we struggle to make things work, often spending considerable time and emotional energy to figure out why certain relationships seem so difficult, many people fail to look at their environment as a factor in the way they manifest their lives. Yet for those who become familiar with the principles and practice of Feng Shui, the results can be remarkable.
Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. Sign up for her free 9-step E-course at http://www.HarmoniousLifeChoices.com
Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.
