By understanding that the environment we live in is a reflection of our inner feelings, we can open our home’s energy to align with our true desires
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I was at a presentation you did last week where you mentioned in passing how our environments have messages that you can read that reflect our internal state. I was intrigued by what you said and wish to know more. Can you comment further about this topic?
The interpretation of environmental symbols is one of my favorite topics. Everything in your environment “speaks” to you, reflecting what is going on inside you and those with whom you live. This energetic message is picked up by your subconscious as you and others spend time in that environment, reinforcing the message. Over the years, I have found hundreds of amazing correlations between what is happening in people’s lives and what I see in their homes.
Her pictures and home were contrary to her desires
One consultation story that illustrates my point comes to mind as I’m writing this. A few years ago, I met with a woman I’ll call Jennifer, whose husband had died more than a dozen years prior. She wanted to share her life with someone new in the way she had with her husband many years ago. She told me she had been ready for years, but nothing had manifested. She was hoping that I could help her use feng shui to open up her space to find a serious relationship.
As I was assessing her home, I noticed that the way she set up her surroundings was incongruent with what she said she wanted in her life. In fact, it was completely the opposite.
What I noticed about her home
Everything in her home was “single.” In her bedroom she had one lamp, one pillow, one end table and on the wall were three images depicting a woman alone. In one of the images, the woman was sleeping alone; in another, she was lounging alone. These were “happy” alone images; in other words, not lonely looking.
In her living room was a large painting of a woman tending to her garden — peaceful and alone. Her TV room had only one cozy recliner, and even her dining room table where she ate her meals had only one chair.
Following that theme, anything in “pairs” was split up and its matching half was found somewhere else in the home, including matching figurines and images of males and females. Even the salt and pepper shakers were split up — the salt near the stove and the pepper on the dining table.
The need to get clarity on true desires
Since everything about her home screamed “single,” and because I know the environment is an external manifestation of everything going on within, I wanted to make sure she truly wanted to find a new mate. When people truly want something, the environment begins to shift naturally to reflect that new desire. Although she told me she wanted a new mate in her life, I saw nothing to even remotely support this statement.
I find that often when people say they want something that does not manifest for them, they are subconsciously resisting it. Why? Because they either do not want to leave their comfort zone or they gain some benefit by staying in their current situation. Ultimately, if what you want is not in alignment with how you feel subconsciously, no matter what you do with the environment, it will never manifest.
Our follow up conversation
I decided to talk to Jennifer a little bit more, and we uncovered that she was quite happy living a single life, but a few years ago she got the idea that she “should” start getting serious about finding someone. After our conversation, she realized that the reality of having a serious relationship would mean that she would have to dramatically shift her lifestyle focus from “me” to “us.” Deep down, she didn’t want to give up a lot of the things she cherished, such as doing what she wanted when she wanted and not having to be accountable to anyone else.
Together we came to the conclusion that what she really wanted was companionship — someone with whom to share common interests from time to time. She loved living by herself and was not ready to share her home.
My advice
Instead of suggesting that she change her bedroom (an intimate room) to reflect the “pair” energy, bringing in another pillow, another end table and changing her paintings to show love and partnership, I suggested she put her focus on the common areas of her home (social rooms). In this way, she could open up the energy to congruently and authentically depict what she really wanted.
What about you?
Carefully look around your home and ask yourself what it is saying. Is the energetic message congruent with how you feel? Do you need to change some things to match your heartfelt desires? If so, the beginning of the year is an excellent time to start.
Green with energy
If you feel stuck and stagnant, the next time you are at the store, pick up a live plant. Plants symbolize growth and can help bring the energy of movement into the environment. If you do not have a green thumb or do poorly with live plants, a quality silk plant will serve the same purpose!
Alice Inoue is a life guide at Alice Inoue Life Guidance LLC. Alice shares her wisdom as a professional speaker and personal consultant, and offers instructional DVDs on feng shui, as well as her award-winning books. Visit www.aliceinspired.com for more.