Office Feng Shui

I've been doing a lot of research on how to make my office space less dreary and more energetic. The office that I work in is filled with lots of different personalities and energy. Sometimes the energy is overwhelming and causes me to lose focus. At times, I step out of the office just to breathe and close my eyes for a few moments. It helps me clear my mind before I enter the hectic environment again. 

Recently, I have been changing my surroundings to better represent my personality and to allow for the good energy to flow around me. Here are a few ideas that I have found that can help make your office or cube more amenable to free flowing energy.

1) Buy a low maintenance plant. Not only will it help brighten up the place but it will also help purify the air. A few plants that need very little light include the Areca Palm, Peppermint, English Ivy, Lemon Balm, Golden Pothos, and Gardenia. There are several other plants that will work as well but these are a few that I personally like and have the potential to make the space fragrant.

2) Surround yourself with pictures. I know that most of us have photos on our phones and some think it is a waste of time to frame and display photos. I couldn't disagree more. My home is surrounded with pictures in lovely frames and each time I glance at them, I smile.  Having such a photo in your office space will remind you of a good time even if you're having a bad day.

3) Do you have a favorite quote or song? Put it up on your wall or tape a post it to your monitor. I have a gratitude list and I see it everyday. I like to change up the quotes from time to time. It all just depends on my mood but I always keep it lighthearted. 

4) Add some color to your space. Sometimes we don't have a whole lot of space but I make it a point to use colored folders and colorful office supplies. Everything always being white, beige and black doesn't invigorate me. Color it up!

5) Keep your space organized. Disorganization doesn't allow the brain to be able to focus on one task as easily as it could. I try to keep my space clutter free and before I leave every night I make neat piles and to do lists.

6) TO DO LIST! I do LOVE these! I prefer using colored pens on colored paper and creating lists of things that must be done. There is deep satisfaction in crossing off something from a list. Sigh! Beautiful!

7) Desk fountain. Depending on your work environment and space it could be possible to have a mini water fountain running in the background. Not only is the sound pristine but it also helps drown out unnecessary noises. 

8) Himalayan salt lamp. OK so the absolute fabulous thing about these are that they can be left on without any issue. Not only that but they have started making some that have USB plugs to connect right to your computer! How amazing is that? These will help to purify the air around you and they have a warm orange glow that soothes. 

There are a lot more suggestions and ideas out there. I will keep posting as they come to me. 

Namaste.

Go Hug A Tree!

Have you ever felt disconnected from the world and even the people you love? We are surrounded by machines but we are creatures who need to interact with one another. A machine cannot give us the warmth that we crave. Touch is such an essential part of the human experience. It is restorative and it connects you to other people. Hugs are fantastic! Find someone to hug! Smile. Take a moment and do something silly.

Your body craves to touch the earth, to smell the air, to feel the wind. We are inside so much of the time! Whether I want to or not I have to spend time outside at least twice a day so that my dogs can do their business. It doesn't matter how cold or hot, wet or dry the weather is because we are going to take a walk one way or another. I've learned to embrace those moments as my time to convene with nature. I look at the sky, the moon, the stars and in the morning the dew on the grass, the deer grazing and my dogs sniffing everything possible!

Another thing I try to do is actually touch the earth. When I stand near a tree I make sure to gently place my hand on it and connect with its energy. Everything is made of energy and you can feel it if you just clear your mind and allow the connection to unfold. There are a lot of unkind phrases for people who revere nature so much but there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking your shoes off and feeling the mud on your toes. In fact, it has now been scientifically proven that hugging a tree is good for you!!! Shocking? Not really! We have so much in common with trees, plants, insects and animals so that is why we must share this vast earth together.

I'm a big advocate of taking even a few minutes a day to be outside. This time you should get out there and hug a tree, speak to a plant or a bird, marvel in the colors around you and touch nature!

For more information on tree hugging check out the article below.

http://www.themindunleashed.org/2013/07/tree-hugging-now-scientifically.html

Stay True

Working in a diverse environment can provide for an alluring flow of knowledge and energy. Everyone comes from various backgrounds and experiences. They have so much to offer one another if they are willing to do so. There are a few complications in this realm because it’s always wise to keep personal and business separate as it can lead to various issues. My philosophy is to go in to work with kindness and the willingness to do my best. Keep your personal problems in your personal realm. I would never take out my bad mood from some personal situation on a co-worker. Sadly, I know many people that do in fact take out their aggression on unsuspecting coworkers.

In fact, I was one of those unsuspecting co-workers at one point. I came in early one morning and was grabbing some water, internally repeating my mantra and preparing for a great day at work. A fellow coworker walked in and I greeted her with a cheerful hello expecting a similar response. Instead, she blew up on me and cursed me out. I stood there in shock for a few moments and searched her face for an answer. All I saw was anger and frustration. So I said “excuse me?” in a genuinely confused voice and she repeated her tirade. I took one look at her and abruptly walked away. I was not going to engage in her vile attitude and I decided to simply go back to my desk.

Several hours later I heard that she had had a very bad evening and I was the first person she saw in the morning. I was the unfortunate individual that she took all of her emotions out on from the night before. The reason that I decided not to engage in her unprofessional behavior was because I did not want to meet anger with anger. Not only that but I was not going to allow her behavior to alter my attitude. I was in a great mood and nobody was going to disturb that!

She eventually apologized but the issue with this young woman was that she had a history of unprofessional dialogue at work and she was very negative. I pulled myself away from her path and ensured that her energy would not touch me. I have no hard feelings for her unwarranted attack.

The lesson that I learned was that because of the diversity in the work place; we must learn to adjust and sometimes even move away from individuals who don’t share our values. I don’t mean religious or political ideology. I believe in spreading happiness and knowledge at work instead of negativity and hate. Some people do not and when I interact with those people I am careful that they do not damage my state of mind. It is certainly easy to fall in to the trap when everyone around you is miserable or complaining. My suggestion is to get up from your seat every hour and take a few minutes to stretch, breathe and remind yourself why you are doing the work that you do.

Remember that NO one has the power to change who you are and who you want to be EXCEPT for you!