My work as a Feng Shui consultant provides varied opportunities to help people create a space that speaks to their soul. This includes identifying what items that no longer support their life and items that could be essential to their life. The problem is that often these items are buried deep in a closet, basement or garage. In other words, potential inspiration could be packed up in a box!
When working with a Feng Shui client, I often hear “I forgot I had that.” We could be looking in a closet, or the basement or a kitchen drawer. Perhaps a book, a scarf or a piece of art, the object and its accompanying memories had been abandoned.
I’ve borne witness to a client who found a broken chair in the corner of her basement that she had forgotten about. It had been her grandmother’s whom she loved very much. Somehow the chair was broken and somehow it was forgotten. Just the anticipation of getting it fixed and cleaned up changed her whole demeanor. The re-birth of the beautiful and meaningful antique brought a smile to her face and tears to her eyes.
These items were set aside for some reason and patiently waited for a chance to re-ignite their importance. Other times, they are no longer useful. When we were moving from our house, I found an overhead projector in the back of my office closet. Some of you may be asking “What’s an overhead projector?” My point exactly. I found an artist who was delighted to take it off my hands, so it became useful in another way. On the other hand, I also found items that I was glad to have back in my life – a special ruler I use on appointments (had forgotten I had it) as well as a notebook from one of my classes with Professor Lin (thought I had lost it).
Also, during our moving venture, I discovered my sister’s precious dinnerware packed in a box. She’d hardly used it herself, then gave it to me during one of her own down-sizing efforts. I unpacked it and now use it. Yes, it’s delicate, fragile, and should be washed by hand. But it creates a beautiful table setting and, more importantly, I remember her with deep fondness as I use each piece. Its re-birth is my reward. Somehow, I think she’d approve.
This strategy isn’t just about de-cluttering although that is a default component. Rather it’s about uncovering objects that have waited patiently to support you again.
Re-birthing and remembering isn’t always about object to keep or toss. The painting here is entitled Sacred Remembrance. It didn’t always look like this – in fact, there’s another complete painting underneath. I didn’t like the original version, so I built another “story” on top of it. Yet, there are hints of what was there before which only I can see. The painting is better and more well-rounded now. It had its own re-birth.
Re-birthing is not so much about the item itself as it is its influence on you. Obviously, you want to keep those things that brighten your spirits and say good-bye to those that no longer inspire. To return to an underpinning of the power of Feng Shui – your space reflects your life.
Feng Shui is all about creating a sacred space. We all have items that can be re-birthed, remembered and maybe released or re-cycled. In doing so, we ourselves are re-birthed.
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