Dragons have been everywhere the past few days as the countdown began to the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Why all the commotion?<\/p>\n
A bit of investigation revealed that there\u2019s much to be excited about when the Dragon Year rolls around.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
When I named my Saturday project Restore Order, I didn\u2019t realize that I was participating in the Chinese ritual of cleaning to welcome the Lunar New Year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sweeping the front entrance, I read, was especially important if I wanted to welcome good fortune this year.<\/p>\n
What other rituals could enhance health, wealth and happiness?<\/p>\n
I decided to revisit an article I\u2019d written several years ago for Winning Ways<\/em> newsletter\u00a0after 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 \u00a0said, “I want good energy in this place.”<\/p>\n I began investigating for myself and learned that feng shui masters were concerned with more than where to place one\u2019s bed. They had, in fact, developed a list of principles for improving business.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Then there were \u00a0suggestions for enhancing your workspace.\u00a0You can add good energy to your business with one or several of these suggestions.<\/p>\n \u00b0 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.)<\/p>\n \u00b0 To further your opportunities, unblock doorways and remove stored items from behind doors. (Clutter delays success.)<\/p>\n \u00b0 To support your vision and commitment, sit at a desk that is spacious, allowing room for the expansion of your ideas.<\/p>\n \u00b0 To meet this year\u2019s challenges, see in your mind\u2019s eye the faces of five people who can help you. (You could also post their pictures in your office.)<\/p>\n \u00b0 To call forth a clear vision, hang a brass chime just inside your office door.<\/p>\n \u00b0 To think creatively, hang a mirror to the right and to the left of your desk.<\/p>\n \u00b0 To cultivate good luck, place fresh flowers in your office. (I\u2019m thinking that I\u2019ll gather some of the lovely pear blossoms blooming on the trees outside my office window.)<\/p>\n \u00b0 Place your desk facing the door with your back to a sold wall rather than a window.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Happy Lunar New Year!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019s 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…<\/p>\n