Feng Shui Q & A

DECORATIVE FISH

Dear Carol,

For optimal Feng Shui, there should be a clear line between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Generally, living plants or animals that are now dead represent a strongly negative form of "yin" energy that is best kept out of the house. This means that taxidermied animals are considered negative in the home. This also would apply to dried flowers, most sea shells and animal skins. The type of plastic mounted fish that your boss is ordering, matching the living fish that was set free, is a good alternative to displaying an authentic taxidermied fish.

The two alternative mountings in your photos of are very different from each other. The first appears to be a dull gray color and has its back arched up. Its body is in the shape of a frown. The second is a bright glossy blue and gray. Its body is in the shape of a smile and you can almost see it swimming. The second appears to be much more positive and lively, and is therefore the mounting that I recommend for your bosses residence.

AWAITING RECOGNITION AND SUCCESS

Dear Jane,

The west is associated with creativity, but it sounds like you have that covered. To be sure, hang a large windchime of 6 hollow metal rods in the garden on the west side of your house. The north is associated with career success. Place a small fountain in the north sector of the office in which you write. If the water is flowing horizontally from one point to another, rather than in every direction or just vertically, then have it flow directly towards where you sit.

Are there any ways in which you are blocking your own success? If you believed in yourself and your talents 100%, would you do anything differently? There are so many different avenues through which screenplays can be marketed. Are there some that you have not pursued? If so, why not? Are you at the point where you refuse to take rejection to heart? If not, then you must get to that point to be successful in this or any other creative career. Northern Arizona is a stone’s throw from Los Angeles. Have you and your writing partner taken a couple of weeks to pound the pavement in Hollywood? Something tells me you may find the right contacts there.

WELTSCHMERZ

Dear Desperate,

It is true that if you look around you will find many tragedies and injustices. This has, up to now, always been the human condition. Can things get better? Of course they can, but we each need to help make the world a better place, by doing the best we can one day at a time. When you determine to make the world a better place, you will find you are not alone. There is so much love, kindness and generosity all around us as well. If you need to get away to a place that you perceive as better, you can always do that. Or you can make things better right where you are now.

It sounds to me like you need a break. I strongly suggest that you get away for even a couple of days. Maybe a bus ride to a quiet town in the mountains, or a couple of days at the beach? This does not require much planning or a great deal of packing – a change of underwear and a toothbrush will do! So no excuses, OK?

Now, how much news are you watching? Too many people let their brains get marinated with cable news networks and other sources of negativity. I’m not suggesting that you bury your head in the sand, but don’t overdue your exposure to the news media – it focuses on the negative!

When you get home, find some people who think like you do. You live in a large city, where there are so many groups working for every imaginable cause. Choose just one to get involved with – you do not need to spread yourself too thin right now.

Keep your home simple and organized. Clear out anything that creates negative emotions FOR YOU. That old pile of newspapers you plan to "get to someday"? Are they really so important? Recycle them now! Books with negative ideas, and anything else that you find disturbing or that brings up bad memories? Give them away, sell them, recycle them or simply throw them out. If you do not feel safe and at home anywhere else in the world, you have the right to feel safe, secure and happy within your own home. Get rid of anything that in any way detracts from feeling good there. Your feelings matter more than any "things"!

Refuse to let outside problems get to you! Let me leave you with a quote from Florida in the "Good Times" TV show – "I may not be able to change the system, but I’m sure not gonna let the system change me!"