The
Cycles of Life ~ Change
August 18, 1998
I was
asked to write a short story about Feng Shui and how it has changed my life.
I contemplated, and went in many different directions. Feng Shui has opened
my world in ways I never imagined. As a Practitioner, my clients have been
my best teachers and each one of them is special to me. I feel such great
satisfaction at sharing this ancient art and seeing the dramatic changes occur
in people’s lives. I feel as if I am contributing to the healing of our planet
one person at a time. And they in turn go out into the world and the healing
continues.
Every time I sat down to write about these feelings they wouldn't’t come together.
This past Summer I went through one of the major passages of my life. What
follows has come from my heart and seems appropriate at the moment.
Passages
As I sit by my Mother’s bedside contemplating what has come to pass, she is making her transition from this earthly existence. She cannot communicate with words anymore. Two months ago she walked into the hospital, optimistic about her upcoming surgery. Today she lay in a nursing home bed after 3 massive strokes, attached to feeding tubes and oxygen. How swiftly, in just one moment our lives can change so dramatically. Of course, one of the messages is that we all must learn to live in the moment and cherish what is placed before us. For there are no guarantees in life except we all will pass through the doorway of death. I am OK with all of this and am truly surprised at how I am able to feel peace as my Mother leaves this side. I know she will finally find that peace she has searched for her whole life. I send her on with much love and have already forgiven all those Mother – Daughter moments of struggle and hurtful words. We came together for a purpose that is now complete. I feel peace in that.
So what does all this have to do with Feng Shui? Feng Shui has given me many things and opened my world in many ways. But what I want to share with you is how Feng Shui has given me a new perspective, strength and understanding to assist me in my Mother’s passage. As we come to understand the cycles of life and our interconnectedness to all, we come to view change as part of it all. We know that whatever is alive must someday die.
Springs first succulent green sprout pushes up through the sun warmed soil. The cool spring rains feed the new growth, and further they push upward. Soon the weather warms and blossom heads begin to form. The summer brings forth the bursting of the blossoms into huge sunny heads. These glorious Sunflowers bask and reach for their namesake in the golden glow of days. The honeybees are busy collecting nectar. Everything has a purpose. Everything is connected in someway supporting the circle of life. As summer days begin to shorten the blossoms begin to fade. The brilliant yellow petals fold and drop. At the heart of the flower the seeds have swelled to their fullness and begin to dry. Autumn finishes their drying cycle and readies them for harvest. They may be picked or left on their stalk to feed the winter birds. And of course as winter approaches their cycle has come to an end and their purpose has been fulfilled. They leave knowing they have left some of their seeds behind that will sprout forth in early spring and carry on.
This story of the cycle of life reminds me of my Mother’s life. She was not a famous woman. She spent most of her life taking care of others. She was playful and silly at times. Other times she worried too much about her children and their children. It could feel intrusive but it was only her deep love and devotion to the most important and precious people in her life. She was a hardworking woman who gave her family all that she could. She basked in the sun in the prime of her life. She bore "seeds" that grew in their own way. She left behind a legacy with hopes that her "seeds" would find their own way and purpose and carry on.
My spiritual strength that has been derived from my further studies through Feng Shui has made this passage in my life a little easier to bear. I have found great comfort in my belief that we never leave. Pieces of my Mother are all around. The dollhouse that she spent hours, long into the night, pouring her heart and soul into sits in our living room reminding us daily of her love. As I look into my daughters eyes I see my Mother and her spending endless hours playing and laughing and creating a bond between them that can never be severed. My Daughter will carry part of my Mother with her, her whole life, and someday she will pass a little piece on to her children.
My strength also lies in my belief that as our souls leave our physical bodies and we reunite and fully remember our true essence, the bonds with those we love only strengthens. I feel my Mothers presence often. I feel her love more purely than I ever did since now her burdens of this life are gone. I know she is at my side and I feel her pure spirit will now be able to let go and guide me more unconditionally.
As I continue
down my life path, I have more purpose and determination to live my life more
fully. I am dedicated to sharing all that I carry within me and that includes
the knowledge of Feng Shui and how it can nurture and support your goals,
dreams, desires and of course the challenges of life.
The essence of Feng Shui urges us to respect the experience of the person in their place.
The goal is to foster a comfortable atmosphere, to acknowledge a difficult process for all involved
and to generate contentment via a supporting surroundings.
Following are a few Feng Shui recommendations to assist in
creating a supporting and nurturing health room environment.
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