Wellness

If the single best advice for your good health was the instruction not to worry...


Could you do it?

What Chinese birth animal are you?

Here's a lovely picture and rough guide... And if your birthday is in late January or early February, you can double check this table to ensure your correct animal sign.

looking to See

Here's a nice thought...

Here we stand, on the edge of a fresh new week

we could simply tumble into it-or-
what are you looking to see?


So much to look forward to these next few days....

imminent arrival of the One i love most in the world! ..our babies are on the lookout for him, pic above ;)

more waking up in paradise

an exciting trip to a place I've never been...

and special moments with family usually so far away!

love and blessings towards a wonderfully auspicious week for you, too!
xxx

Beyond Romance

Have you ever met someone you're really attracted to... when you're already in a relationship with someone you're really attracted to?





When a piece of you goes, "if this was another time, another place, or a year earlier...." - something inside you knows the two of you would go off like firecrackers!





Makes you think- why? Why would the universe give us such a gift- the gift of attraction?





And we know by now- we don't want that person, per se. We want the promise of that person- the way they make us feel. We want excitement, exploration, adventure- the emotions that generate new romantic love- in our life.





i walked away. Two times, three times. Loved the feeling: I want it... I can have it... I'm not going to take it.





Fidelity, yes. Foresight, yes. And... more than that- interest in the meaning underneath. Interest in the energy that attracts it in the beginning.

Because when you're in that state of mind- love walks into your life.



(i really write this post with two things in mind: 1. being attracted to someone new doesn't mean you don't love or honour your relationship. We can transmute this energy all sorts of ways if we feel we need to with our present partner; and 2. -most important- if you are single, and complain you never meet anyone attractive to you at all- that new romantic love works as a cause/effect, so by generating the emotions of adventure, excitement and exploration within yourself, you'll draw to you the energy of new love.)

The rowboat & the cloud

"the difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer."
-Fridtjof Nansen



Click here to enjoy the awe-inspiring adventure-in-progress of Olly Hicks, in the process of becoming the first person to row round the world solo...

I love to read his blogposts of the creatures of life at sea, and groan at his rows in the wrong direction. The sea has it's usual effect (or enhancement), drawing out wisdoms and witticisms...

"One can have too much of sea air jeeves, gets into the brain..."
"Very true sir."

sending good feng shui energy to the Flying Carrot! Keep rowing, Olly! what an adventurer you are!

Please yourself

aka "the art of extreme self-care"

Go for it!

xxx

pic 1 from posy gets cosy, 2 paris apartment

Another kind of Inspiration Board..

are shadow boxes...

perfect for keeping tid-bits of dreams we've yet to enjoy, exciting and delicious things we're looking forward to appearing in our future.

I found shadow boxes on sale last year at Pottery Barn in the US. But if you can't locate them, here's a novel idea... why not create an inpiration board in your head? It's free, and takes up very little space!

So as you go about your day, begin to become aware of the things you observe that you would like more of in your life... perhaps, as you pass a travel agency, a picture of a beautiful, palm fringed beach catches your eye. If you dream of enjoying a holiday, mentally "clip" out that image. Pretend to tuck it in a special corner of your mind which is dedicated to creating future memories.

You see a happy couple holding hands... or a girl walking the perfect pup you'd love to have... or you see a course advertised you'd love to attend. Mentall y gather up all these images and joyfully, happily, put them in the same place in your mind.

You can go back, fish them out and enjoy looking at them anytime you want. And if you do this joyfully, you may not even realise it, but very quickly many of the various images will show up in your life, as yours.

It's the Law of Atraction, in action.

you want to know a funny story? well, since being back in Australia, I've been absolutely fascinated by what people are wearing. Between the thongs, thongs, thongs (footwear, that is) and the muu-muus; i really fell in love with the beautiful lemon colour being sported around with big smiles by happy, fit-looking young things-and in particular, lemon playsuits- oooh la la, they look so fresh and fun! After just lusting after them for a week; simply appreciating the gorgeousness of anyone wearing yellow... quite accidentally this morning i stumbled upon une gorgeous petite lemon playsuit- kinda but not that much, like this - that amazingly, actually looked good on me, too! Natalie would call it synchronicity; I like to call it "accidentally realising the law of attraction"- the best way of living, ever. Of course, it had to be bought, and I've been enjoying wearing it all afternoon :)

"You are the creator of your own life experience, and as the creator of your experience, it is important to understand that it is not by virtue of your action, not by virtue of your doing—it is not even by virtue of what you are saying—that you are creating. You are creating by virtue of the thought that you are offering. "- Abraham-Hicks

pic from paris apartment

or this is glamorous

Your Life By The Sea- Sharon Hamblin

It's my pleasure to bring you a peek at the life by the sea of Sharon Hamblin, author of the "Adventure Guide to Maui" and the "Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu Adventure Guide".

Sharon is one of the most postive-energy beings I know! So I was curious to discover what her environment is like to keep her so balanced and successful.

It seems her gorgeous pup Buttercup, lazy days at the beach and souvenirs from around the world fill her with happy energy...

I hope you enjoy a lovely look into her viewpoint on life in Northern California as much as I did.
Love n blessings!


Sharon, tell us! Where by the sea do you feel most relaxed yet energised?

It may be strange but whether I am living right next to the ocean or living a day's drive away from the sea, my favorite part of going to the beach and sea has to do with the anticipation of the visit. I love turning the first corner of
a road or trek where you get your first glimpse of the water. I get an explosion of emotion with the anticipation of seeing that vast blue sea... and the thought that in just a few minutes I will be enjoying the sounds of the waves, the view of endless swells and whitecaps and feeling that familiar guilty pleasure... because I have spent a huge portion of my life at the sea.

Such truth. What is the favourite room in your home, and why?

My bedroom is my favourite room - it's my sanctuary. It's filled with mementos from my worldwide travels - a rug from Bali, photos of friends in Australia, collages of time spent in Paris... all great reminders of fun times in my life. I love waking up surrounded by what I consider to be little inspirations; they help me jump into whatever the day may bring. And I have a very comfortable bed with lots of pillows.
I've figured out the perfect angle for me to lay in bed and use my laptop. My ideal morning starts with a cup of coffee and my laptop joining me and my dog Buttercup in bed.


Mmm, sounds like heaven! Do you have a favourite or lucky object?

I've always got a favourite a piece of jewelry that has a special meaning to me. Right now it's a pair of opal earrings that belonged to my late mother. Before that it was a very old ring that had been passed down from my
grandmother to me. I also have a large collection of sand dollars that I
collected at a Northern California beach. They are special to me because I spent
many spent hours with each one - cleaning, scrubbing, bleaching and drying them
by hand. I also save all my fortunes from fortune cookies.

Aha! Can we ask your fortunes in a later post? What places can you recommend in your local area that offer positive and joyful energy?

Although I'm not as close to the ocean as I would like to be, there are still some amazing on-land sites that have become magical to me. One is Mount Shasta, a dormant volcano that holds a very sacred spot in American Indian history. It is also a spiritual mecca of sorts that draws people from around the world. With a 14,162-foot summit, Mount Shasta is the fifth-tallest peak in California and a popular spot for mountain climbers, skiers and snowboarders.

Thank you for sharing your special energy with us, Sharon!

As well as the author of travel books,
"Adventure Guide to Maui" and the "Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu Adventure
Guide", Sharon has written magazine articles and content for many
prominent websites. After living in Hawaii for 12 glorious years, Sharon
Hamblin and her miniature schnauzer, Buttercup, now call Northern
California home. To order one of her books, visit www.sharonhamblin.com,
check out your local bookstore, or purchase online at Hunter
Publishing, Amazon, or Barnes &
Noble!

Valentines Day Colours 2009

girls, this picture could be the result if you wear yellow this Feb. 14!





It's almost Valentines Day! Have you planned your day of love yet? If you're really looking for something to add the special vibe to your day, or night- you'll love these feng shui Valentines Colours 2009.





What brings in love one year will have a different effect the next- not only in mood and environment- the same/old is just boring, isn't it? - but also in terms of energy. In the past year I've been intensely observing human relationships and feng shui for love- from in Doha and Dubai, to Florida, UK and Australia- and the below are the colours the loved up- the happy couples, the hottest designers, the most fabulous places, and the most sexy swimwear- is about. The Feng Shui colours for love in 2009.



Guys: the buzz colour this Valentines Day is Orange. Not as confronting as red, not as power-driven as yellow and not as feminine as pink, wearing the colour orange or choosing a restaurant that features this colour; even, if you’re entertaining at home, using orange candles and napkins to add that touch that says, “tonight’s a special night”… Orange at this time for men is a very strong positive love-energy colour.

Pair it with white if you live by the sea or it’s summer where you are; with black if it’s a high-powered city lifestyle you’re living. Orange brings true love and luck, this Valentines Day!

Girls: Regardless if it’s almost-spring (aka deep midwinter!) or high-summer, your powerful colour for love this VDay is Yellow. Reminiscent of sunshine and flowers, did you know that the combination of Yellow and Black for a woman to wear means “power”? Perhaps it’s to do with the yellow chakra, the solar plexus, where personal power is centred. From lemon to buttercup or deep gold and every shade in between, ditch the pink and warm up your heart’s desire with refreshing, interesting yellow- on your clothes or whilst entertaining, for these are the qualities it will lend you.


What's so wonderful about this years feng shui colours for love is that whether you're single and ready for your soulmate...
happily together and planning a surprise...
or wanting to spice things up with your long-term partner...
you'll get the same, heart-fluttering results.




They WILL bring in more love, so make sure you're clear on what sort of relationship you want to enjoy with a special partner, this Valentines day and for the rest of the year!






Oh and- how cute is this simple feng shui bedroom? Look at the matching bedside tables and lamps... the his'n'her silhouettes.. hot pink sheets for laughter, fun and passion... and warm orange wall for nurturing and stability. You can read about it's simple creation here.







Hearts and love to you!

Samantha.
xxx

Everyday beauty

there is nothing tiny or insignificant. the smallest thing we turn our attention to with love and appreciation will be magically transformed into a theme of great joy.

Finally... some flying stars for 2009.

Happy here to bring you some updates on the Flying Stars for Year of the Earth Ox, 2009. The danger zones which really need prompt attention in your home and workplace this year are:

1. North- 5 yellow kiling star must be tempered this year. Place something metal- ideally five things in this area (a cluster of coins, 5 metal jugs or vases would do nicely).


2. North East- 3 jade star. Needs fire lit daily (incense or a candle is fine). Alternatively, place a large piece of art coloured in reds or red carpet in this area. This will offer you protection in legal affairs.


3. West- the 2 black star; avoid spending time in this area if possible. And again- metal is the enhancement to alleviate. Brass a good metal here- one large object placed in this direction will appease the energies and help positive life flow smoothly to you.

And on the bright side... the south east is BRILLIANT for wealth this year! I'll be sending subscribers a more detailed evaluation, complete with how to make the most of the auspicious flying stars... if you'd like to know more, and haven't already (oh how nice to meet new people! it's free!) please put your address in the sign-up box at the top of the page and info will be winging it's way to you vsoon.

xxx

Additional info:

In the Flying Star recommendations for 2009, the crystal Hematite Jasper is needed to balance the negative energy in the North East. Have you had trouble getting 8 pieces? If so, there are 2 alternatives: you can use Tigers Iron-within its formation jasper and hematite swirl with the tigers eye. Or use tumbled pieces of jasper with hematite, placed in a small pile. Eight pieces of hematite, and not more than eight of jasper.

On Gentleness

"When the world around me is so big and scary, full of loud noise and the unknown, I have been known to inflict meaningless violence on myself. But, just for today, as I walk this world... I can Soften my face.. my eyes, I can soften my cheeks and lips.
I can tread lightly upon this earth; seeing... understanding... never imposing. Showing mercy to all god’s animals and plants. After all, it is easy to be gentle. Because I understand, now. Everyone we meet is fighting some kind of battle."

DIY feng shui by the sea

I have to tell you that I am having a wonderful time relaxing back in Australia after being away fo so long! One of the things I am enjoying so much is learning to make art with oil pastels. (I was inspired to do this on our last return to Sydney when we went over to my ex-boyfriend and his new partner's home for dinner. Since she had moved in, the place had been transformed! By her beautiful flair for painting whimsical, bright colours on canvas. She completely inspired me, and really confirmed that painting canvas frames is a wonderful, cheap and totally enjoyable way to change the energy of any room!)

The apartment we are renting here has an extension in the south west- so it's the perfect love shack, really, this being the romance direction! But it did make me worry for a wee while that we had a missing south east corner, so I thought to hang this piece above the bed...

Yet water imagery in the bedroom is a no-no, it invites 3rd parties into your happy partnership...

So I'll have to do something up in a rich, deep purple- beautiful colour to use in an east or south east bedroom to empower wealth without calling in water. The south east corner isn't missing, but it's a wonderful opportunity to activate more prosperity, and that's always welcome, oui?

Fire & Ice

I was sad to read in The Australian this morning that 108 people lost their lives in the Victorian bushfires over the weekend. The little country town of Marysville, where we used to holiday as kids, is one pretty hamlet that has been incinerated. People who stayed to defend their homes, following all the recommendations of a good fire plan, were engulfed by a wall of flames as the hot wind swept the fire front over 388,000 ha. Remembering how quick the fires sweep through can bring us some comfort when we think about the 108 and animals in the areas.

Whilst up in beautiful Fintry, husby's family and their animals on the farm are shivering under a blanket of snow. Fire & Ice surround us- both too painful to touch.

Can you feel the energy growing in the days leading up to the full moon? Things become scatty, feelings intensify. These few days past we may have been feeling emotional- with the moon in Cancer, an intense water sign and the ruler of emotions. I wonder if the moon in cancer- the mother sign- intensified feelings of people being attached to their homes; and wanting to defend them.

When a house is taken by fire it is powerful symbology that we need to reach inside ourselves and do new things with our time and our talents. It calls us to connect more deeply with those around us; perform work we love; and create energetic value that can never be destroyed. However crazy it sounds- the people whose homes were destroyed this past weekend have, ultimately, been blessed by the universe. You cannot have something such as a home destroyed in this way in the time of the benevolent mother (moon in cancer) without there being a grander, more pure somehow, and more nurturing path ahead.

Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

- Robert Frost

The moon moves into Leo, fire sign, today, for the full moon. Prayers that more people in victoria decide to leave their homes; prayers that all the wonderful firefighters from our different states go to work in the perfect areas; prayers that the waning moon helps assist in containing and shrinking the blazes too.

The yin & the yang of it

I love to look at this picture of Strawberry Hill in Jamaica. There exists a lovely Yin/Yang synergy here.



Life is a delicate balance, isn't it?









We think of the ocean, or any body of water, to be Yin- calming, contemplative, dark and quiet..



But here in the land of the wide sky and incessantly crashing surf.. oh most beautiful white noise! oh most lovely air filled with healing ions!.. the environment is very Yang- so yang that inside, candle light seems too demanding, and drawing a curtain against the endless Pacific can offer some welcome calming energy.



"Exploring both extremes... we find our balance."






In Australia, dreaming of the Caribbean? That's because I'm loving the Gold Coast whilst looking forward to lovely new offerings in the West Indies come May. Exciting stuff! In next posts I'll share more!

xxx

Feng Shui in Paradise

Greetings from the beautiful Australian Gold Coast- one of the simply special places on earth, with it's miles of pristine beaches, most beautiful, peaceful hinterland, warm friendly people, delicious eateries, glittery nightlife and world-class boutiques.

And- architecture! wandering Surfer's Paradise... so many fresh buildings catch my eye. I'd love to peek inside and discern the feng shui of Jade...

And Q1, presently the world's tallest residential building and the striking, pointy newcomer to the Gold Coast skyline...

(this is the observation deck)

Now this excites me, feng-shui-wise... look how the shadow of Q1 falls over Jade in the afternoon.























Sun-drenched days, balmy nights and lots of feng shui await... For feng shui of your home on the east coast, you can contact me on 0409 799 455.

Pivoting- helping the Universe get your order right

Pivoting is the act of removing yourself from a place where you're attracting something you don't want... and into a place when you're beginning to attract what you do.

Have you ever opened a bill, and felt that sinking feeling, like "How am I going to pay this?" or been alone somewhere, surrounded by happy couples and felt a sense of despair, as in "I'll never find somebody really special!"

When we feel these negative emotions it's a sure sign we're on the path to attracting more of what we don't want, instead of what we do want. And as hard as it may seem in the moment, this is the exact and precise time we need to pivot, and let the Law of Attraction send us what we're dearly craving.

It's powerful to daydream about how we'd like our life to be, write happy memories, predictions and desires down when we're in a good state of mind. It brings these things closer to us and attracts more of them without question. But when we take a moment of despair or negativity and turn it into a powerfully positive new point of focus- this holds the energy within it to literally change our lives- and in a very short period of time.

Okay, so how to perform the powerful energy pivot?

Teachers of the law of attraction tell us that when we're in a place of negative emotion, it's helpful to stop and say, "Uh oh, I'm thinking about what I don't want here. What is it I do want?" Abraham and Esther Hicks, who coined the term Pivoting and offer wonderful advice on how to do it, is one of these.

Another way, and my favourite, to pivot, is to activate the most powerfully positive emotion of all- appreciation.

So, the next moment you feel yourself getting upset with the way things are, stop. The key that opens the door to Pivoting is appreciation. Immediately, look around and find something to appreciate... the pleasant temperature where you are, the nice day, or something around you or inside you; you can notice and begin to feel good about.

The first thing you'll notice when you either focus on what you do want, or look for something to appreciate, is how much better you feel. It's almost as if a weight is lifted off you. Abraham-Hicks says it's this feeling of relief that indicates that you're beginning to allow the free flow of energy towards you. This positive energy is what all the things, experiences and abundance you want to flow into your life rides in on. It's the sheng chi of your life!

I've pivoted successfully three times in the past day; and experienced wonderful results. Although it's not ideal to be in a position where you're summoning negative energy and needing to pivot (!), to perform one successfully is a wonderful feeling in itself, as well as a tool for life you can use that will make you feel better... thereby allowing what we truly desire to flow into our lives.

examples of how to Pivot successfully towards financial abundance

relationship harmony

a new relationship

and

a new, ideal home

are all in February's Cheat Sheet, winging it's way to you very soon. You can sign up in the box at the top left of the page!