Feng Shui

When people refer to Feng Shui, they are generally referring to the impact that the environment has on a person. This theory can be exercised on a wide range of levels – but essentially it is all about understanding the space around you, and how that space affects you as a human being.The most obvious place to start implementing Feng Shui is in the home, since that’s where we spend the majority of our time.

The basics
Chi, or energy, is a word that will appear time and time again when discussing Feng Shui. Feng Shui literally translates as "wind-water", and since Chi is invisible it is often associated with the “Feng” part of Feng Shui. The Chinese believe in good Chi and bad Chi, and its presence in the environment – and any house hunter that has claimed that a property just doesn’t have the right “feel” will know what they mean!
The Five Elements
The Five Elements are a deeper understanding of Yin and Yang, and it is believed that they represent all aspects of an individual’s life from health to wealth. These elements are all part of a continuous cycle: water, which gives birth to wood, which erupts into fire, which transforms into earth, which turns into metal, which reverts back to water.Understanding which of these elements represents an aspect of a person’s life enables Feng Shui consultants to focus on the relevant aspect of their home.
The Pakua
The Pakua, or Bagua, is essentially a compass that denotes eight areas of the home. Each area represents a part in your life and, by concentrating in this section of your home, you should be able to improve the corresponding area of your life. The following list denotes which areas reflect which parts of your life:South: Fame/RecognitionSouth West: RelationshipsWest: Children/ProjectsNorth West: Mentors/Friends/TravelNorth: Career/JourneyNorth East: Study/ContemplationEast: Family/HealthSouth East: Wealth/Blessings If you are planning on concentrating on one particular area, it is essential that you pay some attention to the opposite sector too – after all, Feng Shui is all about balance!
In the home
The essentials of Feng Shui are really common sense by Western standards. By Feng Shui principles a home must have a positive flow of Chi – by today’s understanding that simply means plenty of fresh air. A cluttered house can stop the positive flow of Chi – or you could say that a cluttered house means a cluttered mind. Bad Chi can be created by dust and dirt, so ensure that your property is always sparkling. You get the picture…However, if you have made all of these basic changes to your home, and still think that there are areas of your life that could do with a helping hand, then read on.
In the bedroom
We can spend up to a third of our lives in our bedroom, yet it is a room that is often overlooked. Ultimately it needs to be a room that you find relaxing – somewhere that you will emerge from feeling well rested and ready for the day ahead.The position of your bedroom is something to consider, for example a bedroom over a garage isn’t ideal due to the “empty” space below. In reality, however, this isn’t likely to be something that you can change – so what should you do?The bed itself is the most important object in the room when it comes to Feng Shui. Firstly ensure that there is no clutter underneath it, so that the Chi can circulate freely around you. Secondly, ensure that it is stable – a stable bed should result in a stable relationship. And, if it is an improved relationship that you are after, ensure that there are no mirrors reflecting you while you are sleeping, as this can invite a third person into the relationship. Finally, ensure that the first thing that you see when you wake is a picture or object that you find inspiring – waking up to positive thoughts should set you in good stead for the rest of the day.
In the kitchen
Many people believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home – and Feng Shui experts are no exception. As a result, a Feng Shui friendly kitchen must not have a through draft – if you can see the back door through the kitchen from the front door, for example. If this is the case, then install a mirror above the hob so that the cook can see any bad Chi coming.The biggest problem in a modern kitchen, however, is the conflict between fire and water. While fire is encouraged, use a gas hob whenever possible, it shouldn’t be located either next to, or opposite, water. If your stove is situated near the sink, then place a wooden object (such as a chopping board) in between them in order to realign the Chi.Lastly, make sure that your fridge and cupboards are well stocked. Having a full larder represents abundance and generosity – and even wealth!
In the hall
The hallway of a home has a job, and that is to direct visitors where to go next. Therefore, if the first thing that they see when they walk in the door is a mirror they could get slightly confused – and it will reflect the Chi straight back out from where it came. Instead, hang an inspiring piece of artwork that will invite any guests into your home.Do hang a mirror, however, if the first thing that you see as you walk in is a cloakroom, as this represents the act of flushing money away. If this is the case in your home, ensure that the door is shut at all times.If you can see the back door as you enter the house, you risk the Chi disappearing straight out. Place plants and wind chimes in strategic places in an attempt to slow this fast-moving Chi down.
In the bathroom
Make sure that everything in this room is absolutely spotless. Also ensure that no taps are dripping, as this encourages you to waste money. In order to stop opportunities being flushed away, you could place some pebbles on top of the toilet, as such proximity of the element of Earth will realign that of Water.You are more likely to see loss of money if your bathroom is located in the South Eastern area of your home. If this is the case, always leave plugs in the sink and bath when you aren’t using them, and try hanging a full-length mirror on the outside of the door. Worst still is a bathroom that is situated in the centre of your house – mirrors are again the answer here, with one on both sides of the door, but even this is not ideal.Also avoid bathroom cabinets that have two mirrored doors – the division in your reflection will not show you the whole picture, and could lead to obstacles in your life.
In the home office
As an area where we need to concentrate and create, it is more important than ever that this room is tidy and clutter-free. Hang a painting or photograph that you find inspiring in front of you, and ensure that your back is against the wall, as this solid presence will provide you with necessary support. Similarly, don’t sit in between two windows, as this direct flow of Chi will result in all your ideas going straight out one of them!Remove any shelves that are located above your desk – especially if they are laden with books and papers. Such mess located directly above your head will leave you feeling burdened, and therefore less likely to concentrate.If your home office shares a space with another area, a dining area for example, try investing in a screen or room divider – a divided room should result in a divided mind.
And finally...
Good Feng Shui will allow people to feel comfortable in that room, without realising that it has been specifically designed. Therefore, banish all clutter and ensure that there is no dust present. Whatever specific Feng Shui practices you introduce will depend on what area of your life you want to improve, but it is important to do your research. A wind chime placed in the wrong position, for example, could have the opposite effect that you are after. If in doubt, have a professional consultation. Ultimately, the art of Feng Shui is about making you feel as happy as possible in your own home – and if you are happy at home it makes sense that other areas of your life will follow suit.x

Wildlife in the garden.

Click image to enlarge: Just a few photo's of the wildlife we have spotted up to now in the garden.

Update on August

All throughout August it's been up early and get cracking with the decorating, but it's been worth all the very hard work done by all. I have had some free time as no-one works on there Birthday now do they, my gorgeous girlfriend is due to come over on 18th but what she didn't know was that I was going to surprise her and meet her, ticket all booked and all that. So it's all hands to the decks and try to finish the painting, drilling, wallpapering, picking some stuff up, Argos and eat and sleep in between, I thinking it's fast approaching my birthday, only two days left and my girlfriend will be here.
So it's rush, rush, rush but also family members were also panicking to get things finished on this evening of the 16th August, it wasn't up until later that evening all became clear to me. Just had a text from my girlfriend who was babysitting for a friend, that the kids were bored and so on, I replied back saying, "play hide and seek with them". Anyway to cut a long story short my intercom goes at 10:50 and I thought it must be my mum as she had not long left and must have forgot something, I answered the intercom and it was the voice that I'd heard so many times before. Yep, I was totally speechless and in shock coz it was only the voice of my beautiful girlfriend who I assumed to be babysitting, I totally speechless and spellbound and from that day onwards it was tools down. She's full of amazing surprises! And here to stay forever and a day.
We also went to Liverpool on a ferry across the mersey for a trip down memory lane, visted St Johns Market, the oldest market in Liverpool and not forgetting the Caven club where the world famous Beatles story all began. We also took my mum to Manchester's Pride which she loved and was dancing in the street (lol). What an amazing Birthday and Month to remember.x

Getting Ship shape

A few days of hard work has pasted and with everyone mucking in nearly all complete, just a few odds and ends to do here and there. Carpet guys been and gone, flooring looks great plus I can now walk around in bare feet, a good friend came to fit the bedroom furniture which looks fab, just leaves the kitchen to complete.Big Thanks to all that helped.x

B and Q

Sun 5th. I should get shares in this diy store, yep back again for more paint and stuff. Everyone enjoying doing all this and having a laugh but does seem never ending...x

All work and no play...

Sat 4th. Up again, no rest for the wicked as they say. Today our Linda came along to give us all a hand with the glossing, between everyone we did all the front room which is now finished, the hallway and the dam doors in it, then wiped down paintwork ready for the day after, who said decorating was easy.x

Still Stripping!!

Fri 3rd Aug. Yet another early start and off to B & Q for paint, rollers and brushes then to the apartment for all to start painting ceiling and walls, I went to make a brew, "a well earned break, hard work being the clerk of works". As I was looking out of the window and I spotted a woodpecker in the trees, I was fascinated as I've never seen one in real life. The only one I ever seen was on the TV cartoon lol.

Stripping

Thurs 2nd. Up early to get cracking on with the stripping, today sweat pouring off everyone, spent all day doing that, harder than you think. Enjoyed it thoroughly being the clerk of works..x

Got the key

Wed 1st. Got a phone call this morning from John, got to meet him at the Apartment at 2 pm got there at 1.45, a guy that lives in the block came out being nosey. Anyway went in the apartment and looked around was very impressed signed for the property then was cheeky and asked if We could have a painting and decorating voucher. If you don't ask you don't get, I smiled and got.

Tutt,Tutt,Tutt

Tue 31st. Workman called today to look at the broken sink, "Hmm now I wonder how that happened! Shhh", having to order a new one.
Took a walk to put Lottery on and yep the sun is shinning, guess I got a few days to relax before all the hard work really begins, so I just going to chill out till then and do a little Internet shopping.

The Interview..

Mon 30th. Up at 8am today, a couple of brews and straighten hair then off to the Interview for 11-30, got there about 11-15 waited in Interview room the guy walked in and the first thing that came out of his mouth was to my mum, " I know you ", my mum said her first name and he said her second name. We both looked at each other, he was going back over 50 years ago probably one of her pageboys in the Whit Walks. The Interview took about 45 minutes sorting this and that out and everything ran smooth. Then went to the Dentist to make an appointment, we parked up then I spotted we were in the street of the very first house I lived in way back in 1964. Now how freaky is that!

Happy Birthday To...

Sat 28th. "How old is it this time Mum, Oh yes 21 again". Knock at the door at 10am this morning, mum answered it as I knew it was for her. A Guy standing there with a lovely arrangement of roses and a box of chocolates unfortunately not the guy of her dreams but the interflora man(lol). A Birthday Present sent from my Girlfriend, mum rang straight away to say Thank You. What else, two bottles of perfume, matching earrings and a necklet, willow branches with lights twisted around them and money from everyone else. Then later she's out on the razzle dazzle with her mate. "Happy Birthday Mum".x

The good old Console of days gone by...

The Very First Games Console My brother and I ever owned way back in the 70s. Who would have thought that a little square ball going from one end of the screen to the other and making a silly beeping noise as it hit the so called bats, would keep us glued to that TV set for hours on end. How the graphics and the power of the console have changed for the better over the years, and looking at these which we owned makes me feel even older especially the first two. Kids today don't no how lucky they are thanks to the gaming world,lol.

A Walk In The Park.

Views looking onto Radcliffe from Coronation Park...

24th Tue... Didn't do much yesterday just to the Bank, not a lot to do today really just put my Lottery on and with it being such a nice day went for a walk.
Decided to have a walk around Coronation Park and took a few photos. This is the park used to film A Kind Of Loving way back in 1962 with Alan Bates, Thora Hird and June Richie. Then the trilogy was made into a TV series in 1982 and ran for ten weeks, but this time around starring Joanna Whalley and Clive Wood. I remember my brother and I going up to the park and watching it being filmed and having to be very quite, also getting there autographs on the back of a cigarette packet.