Feng what? Feng Shui! 的风水
The Chinese characters for the words “Feng Shui” represent “wind” and “water.” They are symbols for creating a gentle flow of energy into your environment. This is an ancient Chinese practice with a core belief that correct arrangement of physical objects attracts positive vibes into your health, work, relationships, and everyday interactions. As remote workers for a Chinese company, with weekly interactive teaching sessions, it seems an apropos subject to explore. Good vibrations coming your way...

Just curious… what does your desk currently look like?
Got clutter? If so, chances are good that abundant chi, what the Chinese refer to as Life Force Energy, isn’t exactly flowing your way. It’s time to tidy up! Feng Shui follows the principles of yin and yang, a balance between masculine and feminine. When it comes to your desk {kitchen counter or laundry folding table, as the case may be!}, the balancing act is between clear space and objects. Yep, some of that desktop needs to show through or there’s nowhere for the energy to flow and it just becomes stagnant. Clearing clutter has a direct impact on how fast Feng Shui manifests into your surroundings; the intention is to bring more abundance, opportunities and blessing into your life.

The Chinese bagua 八卦
One of the main goals of Feng Shui is to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses in your space. The premise is that space mirrors your life. The Chinese bagua is an energy map that represents nine areas of your life: health and well-being, love and relationships, career, wealth and prosperity, family, creativity and children, knowledge and wisdom, fame and reputation, and helpful people. You can apply the bagua to any area of our home to enhance good fortune in the desired energy center.

Feng Shui your desk
Imagine that your desk is divided into nine segments, like you’re placing a Bingo card with nine equal squares on top of it. Each one of those squares is a life element. Is there an area of your life you’d like to enhance? If so, those are the spaces where you will add objects to increase positive energy flow. For example, the center of the Chinese bagua is health & well-being. To enhance good health, keep the center of your desk clean and dust-free. To energize it, add symbols of the earth, like stones, or shells. The colors of yellow and green promote good health. What if your computer is smack, dab in the center of your desk? Change your screensaver to a nature scene or move it slightly toward you and place a small bowl of stones, collection of seashells, or mason jar of wildflowers directly behind it. Alternatively, you could add green and yellow embellishments to the cover of your laptop. It’s not necessary to do them all… use your intuition and do what feels right to you.

The blueprint
Pretend this is your Bingo calling card:
B1 is the top, left corner of your desk: Wealth & Prosperity- a plant in this area encourages monetary growth, as does an item of value, like jewelry or crystal a vase to represent your fortune. Something gold is prosperous.
B2 is the middle left: Family- to nourish close ties, display a family photo or gift from family member. If there isn’t room on top, tuck it in a drawer or tape to the underside of your desk.
B3 is bottom left: Knowledge & Wisdom- keep books or reference materials here {props!} along with a blue object to energize learning. Bonus: store your props in a blue basket or box!
B4 is the top, center: Fame & Reputation- to represent your image and character place your business cards, an award, certificate, or simply your name here. Something red is good if you are seeking a promotion.
B5 is the center square: Health & Well-being- suggestions mentioned above. Basically, keep the area clean and anchor with elements of nature.
B6 is the bottom, center: Career- place your computer here! This area symbolizes productivity and the foundation of the work you do. Wipe those fingerprints off the screen, delete old emails and unused files.
B7 is the top, right: Love & Relationships- uplifting quote or picture of a loved one nurtures those already in your life. A red or pink flower invites new or changed relationships into your life {turn trial students into regulars!}
B8 is the center, right: Children & Creativity- encourage creativity {meaningful and memorable TPR!} with a journal of ideas or mug filed with colorful pens. Bright note and affirmations on sticky notes also work to boost joy, like that of a child.
B9 is the bottom, right: Helpful People- place your cell phone here to encourage a call, text, email, or post from those who support your work. True story: when I found out that Sasha Gilbert was going to be my Demo teacher, I drew a quick sketch of her {think, stick figure!} from her FB profile and placed in under my cell phone at the right, bottom corner of my desk. The interview was awesome, and her “ESL elbow” tip helped to successfully launch an ancient B&M teacher into the online learning space.

Quick fixes…
Teach in the kitchen? A bowl of lemons is highly energizing!
In the midst of a move? Intentional writing {affirmations} can be used instead of objects.
Not getting noticed? Place a red candle at the top, center of your desk {attract new bookings!}
Just finished a trying/difficult class? Clear the air/energy before your next student by ringing a bell or clapping the space around your computer.
Seeking empowerment? One of the most important aspects of Feng Shui and your workspace is already taken care of. The requirement for a backdrop has teachers facing outward, which is perceived to be a power position.

Feng Shui is not magical thinking. It is an ancient, Chinese philosophy that serves to enhance good energy flow into specific areas of your life and correct any blockages. You must still do the work to achieve desired outcomes. If your desk needs an energetic makeover, shoot me a DM with a photo and I can make some suggestions.

May the energetic life force of Chi be with you,
~Lisa Lynn