Feng Shui Q & A

CLOTHING NO LONGER FITS

Dear Practitioner,

Dear Alana,

Asking if your body might not be prone to losing weight is a way of making your weight out of your control. Unless you have a rare glandular disorder (and even if you do!), your weight is under your control! Here’s my weight loss advice. Start by learning to love and accept yourself exactly as you are now. That does not mean giving up your goal of losing weight. It just means not rejecting your larger self as a way of trying to motivate yourself. Practice looking in a full-length mirror, totally nude, and saying "I love you exactly as you are … I really do!" If this feels difficult or uncomfortable at first, spend a few minutes on this exercise each day and it will soon start to feel comfortable and natural.

You gained the weight for a reason. I do not know your personal motives. However, I do know that people who are very sensitive (and that is a good thing!) sometimes gain weight as they internalize a need for some type of protection. Is it possible that you have felt emotionally attacked or threatened in some way? If so, that might explain the need for an extra layer of "protection". Other people do not allow themselves to speak up and be themselves. They use food as a way of "pushing down" that which they have to say. Are there situations where you do not allow yourself to speak up? Still others feel empty inside. They have not gotten the love or emotional satisfaction that they need and they try to fill the void with food. Do you feel emotionally unsatisfied? If you can uncover the emotions behind your eating patterns, whatever they are in your case, then they will be easier to change.

If you can change the thinking behind your weight gain, the weight may come off surprisingly easily. To help things along, ANY sensible diet and ANY reasonable exercise program can work.

As for your clothing, start fresh with clothing that fits you beautifully now. Buy only that which you really love, and buy new items as your size goes down.

Give away the clothing that no longer fits. In many cities, there are organizations that help down and out women and men to prepare and DRESS for job interviews. Unlike many traditional charities, they do not sell the clothing, they give it to those in need. In your area, an excellent organization is Suited for Success with locations in Hempstead (516-539-0150) and in Brooklyn (718-237-9404). What a great use for your old attire and a wonderful way to generate good karma for yourself!

LOST THE JOB SHE LOVES

Dear Seeking,

People sometimes find a comfortable niche in a job, a relationship, even in the place where they live. There is nothing wrong with that but the universe sometimes nudges you into a more challenging or a better situation. When we ignore the gentle nudges, life sometimes motivates us in a harsher way. I do not know why you lost your job, but I strongly believe there is a good and positive reason for this painful change. You could choose to get angry and fight the circumstances, or you can choose to see it as an opportunity for positive growth. I strongly suggest you make the latter choice – turn this firing into an opportunity to get "fired up" for your next step in life!

I have several suggestions that can help you with your job search. First, be very open. The universe has a better situation waiting for you. When an opportunity presents itself, pursue it with an open mind. Consider other types of work, other geographical locations, whatever comes up!

Display a "tribute horse" statue near the entry to your home, positioned as if it just walked in. A "tribute horse" is a regal, dressed up horse that will help you with the competition of job hunting.

Before an interview, get mentally ready by thinking about some of your many successes and achievements in life, and all the skills and good energy that you bring to a position. Go into the interview without caring whether you get the job or not. Realize that some interviews will serve as "stepping stones" – opportunities to hone your interviewing skills.

When you go on an interview, bring along a symbol of good luck. When I worked in the corporate world, I actually used to go on job interviews with my favorite lucky teddy bear seat-buckled into the passenger seat of my car. I actually believe his support helped me and I got an amazing number of job offers! Of course, I had the good Feng Shui of my home on my side as well. Choose your own good luck symbol – something that was with you during times of exceptional luck – and trust it to help you!

BEDROOM ISSUES

Dear Chris,

Decorative molding in the bedroom is fine. However, it is best to avoid molding that is sharply pointed in design.

You should not sleep with your bed positioned so that your feet are aimed out a door. However, if it is just a closet door, don’t be concerned. If there is no other available bed position in the room, locate the bed under a window if necessary. That window should be closed with interior shutters, curtained and not used. Sometimes curtaining the entire wall behind the bed looks best.

I cannot pinpoint the exact consequences of sleeping with your feet to a room door, because different people react differently to flows of energy. Just as with healthy or unhealthy eating, the reactions will vary from individual to individual. Some individuals may not react visibly at all. However, I have seen a number of different health issues, both physical and emotional, in people sleeping in the "death" position and these issues frequently start to clear up when the bed is relocated. Try it!