by llenore | Mar 20, 2024 | Beauty, Blog, Business, Color, Creativity, Energy, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Feng Shui, Good Life, Home, Interior Design, Intuition, Living Room, My Story, Nature, Reflect You, Self Care, White, Yellow
Have you ever made a poor choice in decorating your home? If you did, was it your choice or someone else’s opinion you followed?
Design Mistakes
Blue, single-cushion, extra-long sofa
It was 1970. The sheer draperies recently were installed in my living room when a ‘friend’ said, “What were you thinking when you chose that color?” I thought the color was fine. Afterall, it was basically white!
The interior designer from the big chain store told me they were a great choice based on the other furnishings. My friend proceeded to tell me they were “too grey” with the other yellow-based colors I had in the room.
I was so embarrassed! I’d spent a huge amount of money on those draperies and knew my husband would be furious if he ever found out “they were wrong for the room!”
That wasn’t my first design mistake. It was one in a series. Buying a 95” sofa was one of the worst since it didn’t fit anyplace. My then husband, who was 6’5” tall, insisted on it in order to stretch out on it.
Design Classes
My friend’s comment was the last straw. I looked for a class to teach me about interior design. I found one through the parks & recreation department being held in a church and taught by a teacher from the prestigious Parsons School of Design. What a learning experience!
I became fascinated with the many guidelines of design. Many were totally impractical since I had a 2-year-old daughter and was going to have another child later that year. I made a new life-long friend who helped me put things into perspective.
She said, “If you want your home to be a showplace, you might want to follow the rules. If you want to have a comfortable home where you can raise a family and not worry about the mishaps that happen with children, use your common sense.”
She was a wise woman who shared lots of sage advice on numerous topics throughout our 40-year friendship. Sometimes the most valuable lessons learned are not from “teachers,” but from friendships.
Design Business
Within a year I had started an interior design business with several neighborhood ladies. We all were taking interior design classes at the local college. Our company was called, It’s About Design.
Each one of us had specific qualities we brought to the company. I was great at teaching classes that brought us clients. My focus was on the PRACTICAL SIDE of design. If you had children, pets, and/or didn’t like to clean house, I was your gal!
Now I do know the difference between yellow-based and grey-based whites. I’ve trained my eye. I also know, life is too short to focus on material things. It’s family, friendships, experiences, and the beauty of nature that means the world to me.
But if you have design questions, I love to share the pros and cons, the practical, and what truly matters in life. I’m glad to share my stories, experiences, wisdom, and sage advice. Just ask me!
by llenore | Mar 8, 2024 | Ba-Gua, Beauty, Blog, Business, Creativity, Energy, Energy, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Feng Shui, Intuition, Intuition, Number 8, Number 8, Power - Power Tools, Self Care, Wealth, Wealth, Women - Feminine
In learning Feng Shui nearly 40 years ago I learned about the energy of numbers, especially the power behind the Number 8.
Number 8
The odd numbers are considered masculine, and the even numbers are considered feminine.
In many of the Asian cultures the pronunciation of the word for wealth and the word for “8” sound almost the same. There is just a slight difference in the intonation. Hence, 8 (eight) is considered the MONEY NUMBER!
Yet the power of eight goes far beyond money. It is a double container of creation. Most of the numbers are “open” when you write them numerically, except for 6, 8, and 9. With 6 and 9 you only have one closed circle. The number 8 has two closed circles or containers to hold potential.
Taking that one step further in relation to the feminine body, think of a pregnant woman with her enlarged belly, which holds a new creation. It is DOUBLE the life force!
Infinity
Another interesting aspect happens when you turn 8 on its side. It becomes the symbol for infinity! (∞)
A fascinating tidbit in my Feng Shui training was the power of the numbers energetically in correlation with the yearly dates. This is aside from the Zodiac Animals and Period timeframes. It goes back to my statement about masculine (odd) and feminine numbers (even)
The whole of the 1900 century was “masculine” because the first number was a “1” or odd, masculine number. When 2000 started, the energy slowly started to shift to a more feminine quality. I’m not going to go into all of that right now, and I will say the shift does take time. Yet you can start to see nuances toward feminine-based ways of doing things happening if you pay attention.
Add that the larger the single-digit number, the more power it has. The year 2008 was considered the beginning of “the Feminine Millennium” according to my Asian-cultured masters.
Knowing about these qualities or facts regarding the number 8, I find it interesting that International Woman’s DAY is observed on the 8th day of March because March has been designated as “National Women’s History Month.”
Let’s take this one more step –
What if all the symbolism I’ve listed about number 8 brings those energies to life, like:
Women growing their wealth
Women sharing their female qualities
Women being the Creatrix of new ideas
Women stepping into their power
Women honoring their intuition (a quality often suggested as more female oriented)
Women growing in positions of power
Then we add this year (2024) is a year with 3 even-based numbers (2-0-2-4 – The number zero isn’t assigned a masculine or feminine quality), and you have a potentially very powerful year for women.
As I said, just interesting thoughts.
by llenore | Feb 26, 2024 | Beauty, Business, Dreams, Energy, Energy, Feng Shui, Feng Shui Schools, Good Life, Health, Linda Lenore, Mind-Body-Environment, Self Care, SelfCare, Spiritual, Symbolism, Visions - visioning - Vision Boards
February 26, 2002 will always be a MAGICAL DAY for me!
Diploma Certification as Feng Shui Master
It was the day I earned my Feng Shui Master’s degree/certification. Many things contributed to the “magic!”
The journey has been unexpected, long, interesting, terrifying, blissful, disconcerting, challenging, mystical, weird, expansive, and so much more – especially LIFE-CHANGING! Someday I’ll have written a book about it all, but for now I’ll share part of this particular day plus a few events that led up to it.
As I write this, I see it is going to be longer than what I want one post to be. Hence, this will be Part One.
I’d been taking courses on various topics including Feng Shui with Prof. Dr. Jes T.Y. Lim for several years. Because of his extensive and diverse education, these trainings encompassed so much more than Feng Shui. Since he has diplomas and degrees in psychology, medicine, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), hypnotherapy, and business administration, we’d learn all of these modalities and how to interconnect them.
Leading up to the 3-week course –
Culturally, as a student, it is disrespectful to arrive late to a class, and late could be as little as a couple of minutes. I was planning to attend this course when my “life-saving” best friend announced she was getting married. (I’ll share the “life-saving” story for another time also.) When the Twin Towers were attacked in September 2001, she was in Tahiti. That was a wake-up call for her to marry the love-of-her-life NOW! It was scheduled for February 9, which happened to be the first day of the Canary Island course.
It may sound strange, but back then many of us didn’t have, or use, email like we do now. It was still a very new technology and everyone was working out the bugs with it. I emailed the organizer to tell her I wouldn’t be attending after all – and why.
Arial View of Hotel – I believe it is Dreams Jardin Tropical
A couple days later I received a personal phone call from Dr. Lim from his home in Australia with this voice message: “Linda, you go to best friend’s wedding. Then you catch the first flight next morning out of San Francisco. When you arrive in Tenerife, you go straight to hotel, drop off bags, and come to class!”
WHAT?!!! That is totally unheard of!!! Many times I had seen a person kicked out of course, or even kicked out of the Feng Shui School, for being as late as an hour because it is such an insult or dishonoring to the Master when one is late. To be given permission to be almost 2 days late – actually to be given a directive to attend even though I was going to be 2 days late – I was in tears with gratitude!
I did exactly that.
I was stopped and searched in San Francisco because I was carrying eight 18″ hollow copper rods as part of the “tools” I needed for the training. Remember, this was about 4 months after 911 and security was exceptionally high.
I knew it might be challenging to get through security, even though I had contacted airport security telling them I was going to be traveling with the copper rods. I allowed plenty of time – at least I thought I had. I had allowed 4 hours and it took every bit of the four hours and then some – to the point where I did almost miss the flight!
Maybe this day stands out as magical to me because of the prelude. Yet when I tell you some of the rest of the story these following days, you just might see a Divine Directive was at play!
by llenore | Feb 24, 2024 | Animals & Birds, Balance, Beauty, Blog, Energy, Mindfulness, Self Care, Spiritual, Symbolism
Blue herons: majestic creatures that gracefully glide through wetlands, captivating our hearts and minds with their beauty.
Blue Heron Unexpectedly Lands in the Tree in Front of Me When I Go to Get the Mail
But beyond their physical allure, these birds hold deep spiritual and symbolic significance across various cultures. Let’s take a whimsical journey into the mystical realm of blue herons, blending spirituality with scientific marvels.
In many indigenous cultures, the blue heron symbolizes wisdom, patience, and inner reflection. Observing their deliberate movements as they hunt for prey in shallow waters, one can’t help but be reminded of the importance of mindfulness and perseverance in our own lives. Their solitary nature also reflects the value of introspection and solitude in spiritual growth.
From a scientific perspective, blue herons are marvels of adaptation and resilience. With their long legs and necks, they are perfectly equipped for navigating the marshy landscapes they call home. Their keen eyesight and sharp beaks enable them to hunt with precision, showcasing the wonders of evolutionary biology.
But it’s not just their physical attributes that make blue herons fascinating. Their role in the ecosystem as top predators helps maintain balance within wetland habitats. By controlling populations of fish and other small creatures, they contribute to the health and diversity of these ecosystems, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings.
In some cultures, blue herons are also associated with messages from the spirit world. Spotting a blue heron during a time of contemplation or decision-making is believed to be a sign of guidance and reassurance from the universe.
So, whether you view blue herons through a spiritual lens or appreciate them for their ecological importance, there’s no denying the enchantment they bring to our world. As we marvel at their beauty and grace, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the deeper lessons they impart about life, resilience, and the interconnectedness of all things. After all, in the dance between science and spirituality, there’s room for wonder and wisdom alike.
by llenore | Jan 31, 2024 | Beauty, Blog, Energy, Energy, Feng Shui, Health, Linda Lenore, Mind-Body Connection, Mind-Body-Environment, Optimistic, Sacred Space, Self Care, SelfCare, Spiritual, Symbolism
Blessings
Here is another example I wanted to share.
Second example:
In September I reached out on social media for prayers for my brother & husband. (My brother is doing well, and my husband is better.) Within the course of two days my husband was in such poor health he had an emergency blood transfusion.
They told us to head back home after waiting two days to make sure he didn’t have a negative reaction to the transfusion. Also, they made it clear we needed to see specialists within two weeks because they couldn’t find the cause of his anemia.
Over the next couple months numerous doctor’s appointments and tests lead to a medical procedure in December. Within 2 hours of returning home after the procedure, we found water on the laundry floor. Unbeknownst to us a small, non-detected leak within the walls was now a broken plumbing connection to the washer.
According to Feng Shui, our laundry room is the area related to the “oldest male” in the family; hence, the area associated with my husband. Ultimately, the procedure doctors had performed earlier that eventful day had found a “small, non-detected (blood) leak” in his plumbing.
The plumbers had arrived and fixed the washer problem quickly. I felt confident the doctors had found and fixed the leaky blood vessel within my husband. I felt the interactions of the household plumbers was a BLESSING to let me know the doctors had done the equivalent procedure with my husband.
Blessing a Home, Blesses Your Life
Moral of the stories
Calling bad or challenging situations a BLESSING is not easy! FEAR loves to jump in immediately. Yet when I can change my mental state – my mindset – by saying, “This is a blessing,” it changes the energy I put out into the Universe!
These last few months have shown me when life goes sideways, I have choices and opportunities to grow, learn, gain a new perspective, discover my strengths, and make course corrections. They all start with my thoughts and mind! What we think about, we attract! I’m attracting BLESSINGS!
That’s what Feng Shui does also. When we can change any part of our home, we change the energy around us. We can change the “negative” into a “Blessing” just by shifting the mental picture of it.
by llenore | Jan 27, 2024 | Beauty, Blog, Chinese New Year, Color, Color, Feng Shui, Front Door - Entrance, Health, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9, Red, Self Care, SelfCare, Symbolism, Yellow
As the Chinese New Year approaches, which is an important time to re-evaluate your home through Feng Shui eyes,
Nine Yellow Chrysanthemums in a Red container bring Good Luck, Abundance, and Power for the New Year
households across the world are adorned with vibrant decorations to usher in prosperity, good fortune, and happiness for the coming year. Among the various symbols and traditions, yellow chrysanthemums stand out as a significant and auspicious floral choice for this festive occasion.
Yellow, being a symbol of wealth and good luck in Chinese culture, makes chrysanthemums of this color particularly auspicious during the New Year celebrations. These radiant blooms are believed to bring positive energy and attract good fortune into homes and businesses. Their sunny hue not only adds a touch of warmth to the surroundings but also aligns with the vibrant spirit of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Chrysanthemums, in general, are highly esteemed in Chinese culture for their symbolic meanings. They are associated with longevity, resilience, and even immortality. The use of yellow chrysanthemums during the New Year celebration reflects a desire for a prosperous and enduring life, making them a popular choice for decorations and gifts.
Moreover, the intricate layers of chrysanthemum petals are likened to the layers of success and prosperity that individuals aspire to achieve in the coming year. The flower’s resilient nature, often blooming in the autumn, also serves as a reminder of overcoming challenges and embracing change—a fitting sentiment as families bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.
In addition to their positive symbolism, the aesthetic appeal of yellow chrysanthemums contributes to their popularity. Their bright and cheerful appearance complements the festive atmosphere, creating a visually pleasing environment that resonates with the joyous spirit of the occasion.
Plants of yellow chrysanthemums play a crucial role in enhancing the overall ambiance of the Chinese New Year celebrations. As families gather to usher in the Lunar New Year, these radiant blooms not only symbolize good fortune and longevity, they also serve as a beautiful representation of hope, prosperity, and the endless possibilities that the new year holds.
