Feng Shui Your Mind

I was just in my library in my house looking for a book and bam!, I ran my finger across the amazing Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth”. I wasn’t looking for it at all but when I realized what book I just touched, I had to pull it out and open it up to a random page. This is what I got:

A big subtitle jumped out at me, “You want peace or drama?”

Oh man, if you only knew my day you’d know how perfect that was to see.
And even better, he went on to say:

“You want peace. There is no one who does not want peace. Yet there is something else in you that wants the drama, wants the conflict. You may not be able to feel it at this moment. You may have to wait for a situation or even just a thought that triggers a reaction in you: someone accusing you of this or that, not acknowledging you, encroaching on your territory, questioning the way you do things. … Can you feel there is something in you that would rather be right than at peace?”

Now the crappy thing that happened today, the one I had to tell all my friends about, feels a little different. I want peace, right? I don’t want to give energy and life to the bad of the situation — of that I am clear. I quickly found that I could come back to my mental feng shui. In fact, one thing that has always helped me Feng Shui My Mind is that I’m always striving for peace as the outcome of any situation. So even though I’ve found myself in some pretty stinky situations lately (filled with misinterpretations and hurt feelings), I’m taking the higher route out. Of course my first reaction is to defend myself and be “right”. But then I remembered to take a breath and listen. Really listen. What did they say to me? What is the situation teaching me right now? Is there an opportunity to connect in the midst of conflict? Is there an opportunity to learn and focus on the deeper spiritual meaning of the situation? When I let all defenses down, the answers to these questions come popping out, as clear as day. At that moment, my scary, annoying or irritating situation can become interesting, light and inspiring. I can interact with it on a completely different level and be more present and at peace. So whenever you are in a situation of big conflict I encourage you to pause… Take a breath, step back and listen. There is no need to react to it because as Tolle says, it is here to teach you what you need to learn, right now in this very moment.

Oh man! I am so happy! I just feng shui-ed my little life and ended a friendship that reappeared as a blast from the past. Initially I was excited to reconnect with this friend. We had shared many memories together as young adults and initially, had a good time going down memory lane. I tend to be one of those people full of forgiveness, so I didn’t remember much of the dynamics of our friendship until . . . they began to reappear. No matter what I said, she had a passive way of trying to get me to doubt everything about myself. It was so passive that initially it worked. I started wondering and seconding guessing myself about many things about my life. Even things that I actually love about my life, I started to doubt. It was as if her little thoughts snuck in and started cluttering my mind. And I let them!

Honestly, I loved our connection to the past but every time I was with her, I left feeling exhausted and depressed. Finally, just the other day, I realized that I needed to cut the cord. I told her that I felt like I really loved my life and just needed friends that really supported me. Sounds simple, right? I think if someone said that to me, I’d say, “oh I’m sorry, how can I support you more?” But no, I was surprised when that really pissed her off. She attempted to make me feel bad about myself again but this time, I was really clear with a decluttered mind. I was calm, strong and able to be compassionate with her as I held my boundaries. It felt so energizing! I think the little Feng Shui lesson here is to to develop discernment and determine who is really on your side. This is easy to see – people who get excited for you anytime you move forward or experience success are exactly the ones who will support you on your Feng Shui Your Mind journey. They are also the people who reconnect you with your best self anytime you feel somewhat lost or confused. These folks are your kindred spirits, never failing to see the best in you, even when you struggle to find that within yourself. Who are your kindred spirits? Call them today and express your gratitude! Thank them for all the energy they have generated in your life!