Dragons have been everywhere the past few days as the countdown began to the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Why all the commotion?
A bit of investigation revealed that there’s much to be excited about when the Dragon Year rolls around.
I was particularly intrigued by the bit of the forecast which proclaimed that Dragon Years are lucky for anyone thinking of starting a business or initiating a new project of any sort.
When I named my Saturday project Restore Order, I didn’t realize that I was participating in the Chinese ritual of cleaning to welcome the Lunar New Year.
Then I read an article on Sunday about making preparations. I was delighted to see that my Saturday frenzy had included many of the suggestions.
Sweeping the front entrance, I read, was especially important if I wanted to welcome good fortune this year.
What other rituals could enhance health, wealth and happiness?
I decided to revisit an article I’d written several years ago for Winning Ways newsletter after my friend Jill introduced me to the principles of feng shui. After she bought a new house she also bought a book on feng shui and said, “I want good energy in this place.”
I began investigating for myself and learned that feng shui masters were concerned with more than where to place one’s bed. They had, in fact, developed a list of principles for improving business.
For instance, to get the new year off to a prosperous start, they recommend greeting a new stranger every day for 27 days. I had no idea why that was important, but thought it sounded like fun so I challenged myself to do so.
Then there were suggestions for enhancing your workspace. You can add good energy to your business with one or several of these suggestions.
° To invite opportunity to knock, fix your front door. Allow no sticking or wobbling door knobs. (I also have a jazzy welcome mat outside of mine.)
° To further your opportunities, unblock doorways and remove stored items from behind doors. (Clutter delays success.)
° To support your vision and commitment, sit at a desk that is spacious, allowing room for the expansion of your ideas.
° To meet this year’s challenges, see in your mind’s eye the faces of five people who can help you. (You could also post their pictures in your office.)
° To call forth a clear vision, hang a brass chime just inside your office door.
° To think creatively, hang a mirror to the right and to the left of your desk.
° To cultivate good luck, place fresh flowers in your office. (I’m thinking that I’ll gather some of the lovely pear blossoms blooming on the trees outside my office window.)
° Place your desk facing the door with your back to a sold wall rather than a window.
Most importantly, make your workspace a place where you love to be, filled with images that make your heart sing, that remind you of your dreams.
Happy Lunar New Year!
Barbara,
I bought your book, “making a living without a job” and I enjoyed it very much. I also enjoy your blog very much. The next to last sentence in this post, “Most importantly, make your workspace a place where you love to be…” reminded me of the John Denver albums I have sitting in a closet in a back room in my house. John Denver has always inspired me and he certainly makes my heart sing. I have a perfect spot for them on a wall facing my desk. I am going to hang them on the wall so that I can see them everyday. Thank you for the idea.
John Tedder
What a fine idea, John. I have my office set up so that when I look up from my computer, I always see something that makes my heart sing. One of my favorite things is a sign over my door that says, “There is no such thing as small change.”