tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147313642007-11-07T10:58:30.906-08:00Lisa Guymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395530103863069396noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731364.post-1123700639905676172005-08-10T11:58:00.000-07:002005-08-10T20:23:00.766-07:00<a href="http://www.inner-sanctum.com/newsletter_archive.htm">Newsletter Archive</a><br /><br /><strong>Inner and Outer Change</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />It's August and I'm feeling relaxed. Earlier this summer, I decided it was a good idea for me to move. That it was time for a change. I wanted to move to central Denver. My friend and realtor, Yemene, took me out for an initial showing and said "Lisa, central is a state of mind. You do live central and you're in a great place.? He went on to say that he wouldn't move if he were me. That wasn't what I wanted to hear. But after looking at over 20 places and feeling disheartened by each showing, I realized that I actually love where I live.<br /><br />I realized what I was seeking externally I really already had, but what I was truly seeking was an internal change. I was seeking renewal, inspiration, to be lifted out of the doldrums and I wasn't going to find it in another house ? I actually needed to find that within.<br /><br />Instead of moving, I realized I could make changes within. I could get re-focused on my dreams. And I could also make changes to my present home. So I decided to transform a portion of my basement to a home office and move my 'work' out of the dining room.<br /><br />You see, our environments affect us. In Feng Shui, the Chinese art of home décor and placement, it is essential that we create environments that support us. It is also true that we can be happy anywhere and alternatively we can have everything and not be happy. But, I truly believe our space and what we have in it creates a certain energy that is either life-enhancing, neutral, or depleting.<br /><br />One great way to get started is to clear clutter. Keep things that you love, keep things that you use and let other things go. It feels freeing to let things go and it frees up space for the new. And I'm not just talking about new material things, but new energy, ideas, and people, and a new way of relating to who and what is already in your life.<br /><br />Another way to feel freer and lighter is to organize your existing stuff. I know it sounds basic, but to get shelving and to store vertically makes a big spatial and visual difference. In my case, I donated some stuff and then moved everything from one room in the basement to shelves in the garage. I love the way the way my new space is developing (and my garage looks good too, well good for a garage).<br /><br />So I haven't moved, but I've moved energy. As a result I'm feeling supported and excited about the changes I'm making.<br /><br /><strong>Inquiry for the Month</strong><br />What energy needs to be moved in your life? And how can you shift your activities, your focus, your direction, your relationships to support this? And in what ways can you also change your external environment to better support you as you move forward?<br /><br />If you are interested in learning more about Feng Shui - couple books I'd recommend are: The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Kathryn Collins and Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life by Karen Rauch Carter. You might also want to check out Vastu, the Indian art of placement.<br /><br />from Lisa Guyman<br /><a href="http://www.inner-sanctum.com">http://www.inner-sanctum.com</a><br />Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor,<br />Life Coach, Author, Producer of the<br />"Journey into Meditation CD: Guided<br />Meditations for Healing, Insight and Manifestation"Lisa Guymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395530103863069396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14731364.post-1122061806731186332005-07-22T12:44:00.000-07:002005-07-24T11:24:34.033-07:00<a href="http://www.inner-sanctum.com/newsletter_archive.htm"><strong>Newsletter Archive</strong></a><br /><br /><strong>Taking Care of Ourselves and Others in the Midst of Challenge<br /></strong>I've been out-of-town 25 of the last 35 days. I wasn't lounging in a seaside town or on a road trip on the pacific coast, but I was on another sort of journey, one that was challenging, but also one that I'll cherish.<br /><br />Life brings us all challenges at times. We can be assured of that. The question is how do we show up during those challenges? Are we present to what is happening? Do we do what needs to be done without asking? And yet, how do we take care of ourselves at those times?<br />Do we expect our usual productivity and level of connection or do we give ourselves the breathing room we need? And when things settle down, do we recognize the gifts the experience has given to us?<br /><br />You see my mother was diagnosed with cancer right after her self-proclaimed 'lucky 77th birthday.' I flew back to Michigan to be there for her and help in any way I could. This was a difficult time for my mother (and I) on many levels. But three surgeries later she is doing well and I'm very grateful that I could be there for her. This journey has brought my mom and I closer and has also given us both a new appreciation for life.<br /><br />This challenged showed me that I could step up to the plate. But in the process of being there for another, I also recognized I had to be there for myself. So I took some time for me, too. I had evenings out with friends and walks among the tall Michigan trees. I also gave myself a break by not even attempting to maintain my life as normal, so I let phone calls go, projects slip, etc.<br /><br />I believe that we can handle whatever comes our way and ultimately we can be richer for it. To paraphrase Maya Angelou - "We can be changed by what happens to us. And at the same time, we can refuse to be reduced by it."<br /><br />By the way, my mother still believes it's a lucky year for her!<br /><br />from Lisa Guyman<br /><a href="http://www.inner-sanctum.com">http://www.inner-sanctum.com</a><br />Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor,<br />Life Coach, Author, Producer of the <br />"Journey into Meditation CD: Guided<br />Meditations for Healing, Insight and Manifestation"Lisa Guymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395530103863069396noreply@blogger.com