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!