Disney World is not my first destination for a get away. I'm a 38 year old woman with no kids, why would it be? So many people, so many lines and its all so exhausting.  My husband just LOVES the place though!  If you know my husband, you know he's a rather analytical guy who loves spreadsheets and business and most often comes off as a very serious guy.  Well, then there is Disney.... it's a place where he really lets loose and has fun.  It's honestly funny to watch him there. 

In January my father-in-law turned 75 and he wanted to go to Disney World to celebrate.  As you can imagine my husband jumped on the opportunity and had our entire trip planned within a day. 

I began to prepare myself; packing my essential oils to stay grounded, extra comfy shoes, and telling myself to relax and have fun.  We left early on a Thursday morning and stayed for five days.  To my surprise I had a really great time.  I literally laughed non-stop for five days.  Not only did it make me happy to see my husband delighted, but his father is hilarious and my mother-in-law was fun too.  I had no expectations for this trip, however, it seemed to be just what I needed.  My life has been a little crazy the past few months.  I've been trying to stay grounded and centered, doing yoga and meditating and all those things you're supposed to do during stressful times.  Who knew that one of the things to make me feel the best during this time was just laughter and acting like a kid again!

In Feng Shui we use what is called a Bagua Map.  This is a map that you use with the floorplan of your space to determine how to direct the energy flow.  There actually is an area of this map that is connected to your children, creativity and also child-like self.  In life we are so often focused on being a "grown-up" that we forget to let our inner child run wild. Its important to put down the phone, turn off the tablet and stop stressing for a few minutes. Acting like a child can be rejuvenating to the soul!  For clients needing to let loose a little I first help them locate this area. Then I'll recommend anything from a collection of photos from a recent family trip to the waterpark, to creating a place to play their favorite board game.  It's all about reminding yourself that its ok to have fun and act like a kid.  Sometimes you just need to make this feeling a little more accessible. 

This Disney trip reminded me that is ok to laugh, giggle, and squeal like a child on a rollercoaster.  Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. 

Churros and chocolate...so much sugar but soooo good!

Another highlight was convincing my father-in-law to ride the carousel!

I used to have this pink spiral bound notebook that I carried with me often.  I filled up EVERY SINGLE PAGE of that note book.  There were ideas, designs, sketches and sometimes just random scribbles.  This entire notebook was filled with ideas for a magical space.  A space where people could acquire Feng Shui tools, crystals and magical décor that I would lovingly curate.  On one of the last pages I came up with a name for this space…Good Chi.

Then about a year ago, this notebook found its way to the far back corner of my desk drawer.

Who was I to do this?

How would I do this?

Where do I even begin?

I’ll admit it, I was overwhelmed and frustrated, and sort of gave up.
 
In March, I traveled to Sedona for my advanced certification in Interior Alignment® Feng Shui.  Yes, so cool!!! This was as my teacher called, “a very experiential course” that included time in meditation, visualization, exploring Labyrinths, creating Medicine Wheels and we even took part in a mini spiritual quest.  It was an incredible experience.  It was in this training that I reignited the passion that was…. perhaps…asleep.  The time was now to run forward and take action.

Upon my return I felt invigorated to do things I’d been putting off.  One of those things was my online retail  shop Good Chi.  Sure I’m not a professional web developer, photographer, or graphic designer but I did what I could.  I just dove in and asked for help where I could too.

This photo was taken last summer when Good Chi had just launched.  I felt like a million bucks!  My dream of this retail space filled with magical goods was the real deal!

Photo: Meg Witt 

Fast forward seven months and it’s grown so quickly that I had to hire some help and also enlist the help of my husband and some close friends.  So many people have been supportive and excited about this adventure and I’m grateful.  I’m thrilled to not only have this come to fruition and be doing wonderfully, but I feel like I truly am able to help more people understand Feng Shui and crystals how they can impact your life and how to easily use these tools that I’m offering.

Not sure what 2019 has in store but we sure are off to a great start.  New products are being added, we’ve made more connections with local shops and yoga studios, and even shops around the mid-west are carrying Good Chi products.  Oh, and some REALLY fun pop up shop events are in the works too!

Grateful to be having so much fun on a daily basis!​

​Haven’t checked out our online shop?
​Here you go!

There’s no need to always go to great lengths to bring your space some good vibes.  Sometimes just small adjustments can make a huge difference.  Perhaps you're in a temporary living situation like I am, where any redecorating options are limited.

My husband has taken a job out of state and we are in temporary housing until we find a home.  It has been a huge wakeup call to me, reminding me that good Feng Shui doesn’t have to be a huge in-depth process.  I find that I always want to help clients reach their goals and make huge strides in their life.  However, sometimes you just need the energy of the space to be uplifted a bit.  Sometimes you just need a small tweak.  There’s a time for major adjustments later.  

Below have been some of my favorite tweaks that we’ve employed during this transition.  Perhaps they'll help you if you're ever in our situation.
 

Candles – Lighting scented candles has been huge at setting the mood. In the evenings in our apartment it doesn’t feel cozy and relaxing as we only have rented furniture.  Everything looks and feels foreign and it almost feels like we’ve been in a hotel for months.  Lighting candles gives the space a beautiful, relaxing glow and helps us decompress in the evenings without being surrounded by our favorite décor.
 
Plants – Our apartment has white walls with very little artwork which provides little to look at and enjoy.  I knew this would be especially bothersome.  I also knew that introducing plenty of the wood element of Feng Shui would be important so I brought some of our favorite plants from home.  Our jade plant and peace lily are spending time in the apartment with us and they both seem to be doing well.  Plants really help you connect to a space and having two of our favorites has been helpful. 
 
Music – Playing some relaxing music is huge at altering the mood. It’s providing for a relaxing dinner each evening where my husband and I can connect after busy schedules and these days we're especially enjoying time together. 
 
Textures – Our temporary living situation involves rented furniture. The colors, patterns, and styles are not what we would select.  When we sit down to relax on the weekend, it just feel different, not like our cozy comfortable furniture at home.  To improve this feeling, I brought a few of our favorite throws to drape across the back of the chair, our favorite toss pillows from home were added to the sofa.  One of our favorite colorful lamps from home was brought here too.  Introducing the colors and textures we are familiar with has made a huge shift.

This temporary living situation certainly has offered challenges, however, we're having fun and it also has reminded us of simpler times. When we only had a small place, only had a few pieces of clothing to select from and, only had a couple pots and pans. I will point out that most of all we're both missing all of our books!!! Hopefully the right home that is meant for us becomes available soon, but this definitely has been an excellent reminder of  making simple adjustments to improve the energy of the space.
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If you were to ask your home if it feels loved...what would it say? 

I believe that if you infuse your home with love it will show you love in return.  Often times I'm called in to do a space clearing on a home that has remained empty for months (or even years) and was recently purchased.  These homes have such a stale, sad, unloved energy to them.  The home literally feel abandoned!  Clients call me because they know it should be properly cleared prior to their family and possessions moving in.  However, I do more in clearings than just cleanse the space, I help my client understand the importance of removing that stagnant energy and infusing the space with love.  Love for the roof overhead, protection from the elements, a space to gather for meals, and love for having a restful place to go at the end of the day to enjoy time with loved ones. 


So how do you show your home love?  Buy some fresh flowers to place in the center of your home, bring home a new piece of art to hang on the walls, or simply give it a good cleaning with the intention of showing your home appreciation. 




Here's an excerpt from one of my favorite books Healing Environments by Carol Venolia:


"Love is the magic ingredient in any environment.  Loving the place where you are, loving yourself, and sharing love with others all build up the good feelings in a place, making them available to all who enter." 

Feeling well rested keeps us going throughout the day so it’s vital to have a bedroom that encourages a good night’s sleep.  I often am working with clients to help them find better sleep and it’s not uncommon to see these “no-no’s”.  Below is a list of items that I’ve been seeing in the bedroom lately.  We begin by removing these items and then we add in some lovely elements to promote good sleep.
 
Here’s my top three items to remove from your bedroom....
 
1. Dirty laundry hamper – A dirty laundry hamper is filled with dirt, germs, food residue, dust, and who knows what else.  Not to mention possible negative energy that you may have picked up while out and about in your day.  This is not something you want in your bedroom so place in a bathroom, laundry room or somewhere out of sight.

2. Waste basket – I’ve been noticing some clients having waste baskets in their bedrooms, especially visible from the entry door and visible from the bed.  I understand having waste such as tissues and such, however, unless you’re ill, the waste basket should be stored in another room, perhaps a nearby bathroom.  If you must have one in your bedroom, ensure that it is hidden from view.

​3. Computer – Yes, you’ve heard me discuss the problems with having a television in the bedroom, but I’ve been seeing a lot of computers in rooms lately.  Laptops or tablets lying next to the bed is not an uncommon sighting.  Looking at a computer, just prior to sleep can easily affect your sleep.  Don’t believe me?  Test it out with one week of electronics on and one off.  I’m sure you’ll transition to reading a book before bed instead of staring at a computer screen soon!
 
The next step is to introduce items to trigger rest and relaxation of your body.
And…that will be my next post! Stay tuned!

Lisa xoxo
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Antiquing is fun and I love searching for just the perfect vintage piece.  It also wonderful to receive treasured heirlooms from family members.  However, it’s important to clear the energy of these pieces of furniture, art and accessories along with the spaces they will go into.  Prior to bringing things of this nature into my home I have a ritual that I follow and I’d like to share it with you.

I have a large patio with a nice breeze often blowing across the yard.  Upon gaining a new treasure, I place it on the patio to let it air out.  This is especially nice if it’s been closed up in an antique store for some time.  I then give the piece a bit of love by wiping it down with a cloth and a water/vinegar mixture and then continue to let the air penetrate the items for a bit longer.  Next, I burn some Sweetgrass around the item and spritz an essential oil mist as a finishing touch.  It is only after this process that I introduce it into my home.  I like to make sure that it is cleared of any negative energy and just given a little love and attention.

This method can apply to a large piece of furniture, small accent, or even piece of vintage jewelry.  You may find you enjoy a different method, perhaps burning sage or using crystals.  Whatever your method, I encourage you to be cautious of what you’re bringing into your home and into your private space.  Take the time to clear and “reset” the energy of the object.  Give it a bit of love and you will surely enjoy the piece! ​

This will be the third time posting this article. I think its so important to set up young people for success. Each year I add a sentence or two, tweak it from feedback, and hope for the best. Enjoy and please share with anyone you know of who is heading off to college. 

​We all know of at least one young person who has gone off to college, only to return half way through the semester stressed out and anxiety ridden. It’s not uncommon for this to happen with all of the stresses involved. There is everything from moving into a strange space, eating cafeteria food, dealing with roommates, fully caring for one’s self, missing family and friends, all in addition to studying and performing well too! Whew! 

Feng Shui and the effects of altering your environment can be profound. A dorm room is often not the most calming and relaxing space, so it’s important to take a few extra steps to ensure that your child has a place to rest, relax and rejuvenate. These tips on top of a lot of love and positive reinforcement are sure to put your student on the right track.
 
Below are a few tips to help any young college bound student:

1. Green Plants – Not only are they providing fresh, clean oxygen, but they actually improve your mood and help you connect with your space. A plant with soft rounded leaves is recommended.
2. Aromatherapy – Essential oils can do wonders when struggling to relax or struggling with sleep. Mint and rosemary can be wonderful for clearing your mind after a long day. Inhaling a few drops of lavender or spritzing a lavender mist on your pillow is ideal for calming down. A diffuser can be a wonderful investment for a dorm room.
3. Calming Colors – It’s not uncommon for anyone to struggle with sleep, away from home. By enhancing a dorm room with soothing blues and lavenders they’re sure to drift off. Decorate with soft, comfortable bedding and décor of these colors for a calm feeling.
4. Lighting – Dorm room overhead lighting can often be unpleasant. The lighting can be cold and harsh. Be sure to pack a lamp or two with warm toned bulbs for your student.
5. Bed Location – Arrange the bed so that anyone entering can easily be seen. It’s good Feng Shui to have a clear view of the door, this provides a feeling of comfort and stability.

 
Be sure so share this with any friends or loved ones with students heading off to school. They’ll definitely thank you knowing their student will be able to perform well, while feeling their best.

The debate of faux flowers seems to be quite popular among Feng Shui practitioners.  When we’re completing a client consultation we’re looking to balance the Five Elements of Feng Shui; Fire, Water, Wood, Earth and Metal. Often times we need to introduce the Wood element through some form to create balance. The easiest way, is to add a plant. It provides connection to the wood element while also being a natural air purifier. 
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Unfortunately, I often have clients who don’t trust their kiddos or pets around the plants, or they simply don’t believe they’ll be able to take good care of the plant. Perhaps they travel often and can’t care for the plant or maybe they just don’t have a green thumb. In this instance, I see no problem with introducing a silk or faux plant in your home. It all goes back to intention as Interior Alignment® always promotes “Where Intention Goes, Energy Flows”.  It’s perfectly fine if you don’t feel like taking on a living plant, just make sure you find a silk floral or faux plant that you REALLY love. While some Feng Shui practitioners feel this is introducing fake or dead energy, I’d definitely prefer this over you repeatedly finding your newest plant dead upon your arrival home at the end of the day.

It’s certainly true that some faux plants are better looking than others. I have clients sometimes scowl at the mention of a faux floral arrangement, not realizing how far they’ve come in recent years and how beautiful they can be. Take some time and find just the right beautiful arrangement that fits your style and space. Make it a piece that will bring a smile to your face every time you see it.

Looking for a great silk plant or arrangement? I like to create my own with just the right blooms, colors, textures and container. If you’re not crafty, reach out to a local interior designer as they’ll have great resources. I’ve even found some cute arrangements at Target, Pier 1 and Pottery Barn. Keep in mind you can always tweak these store bought arrangements. Sometimes I’ll find the perfect creation that only needs a specific pop of color which I can easily add in.
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In conclusion, I recommend you go with what resonates with you. If you can care for a living plant, go for it! If not, feel free to introduce the wood element through a faux or silk arrangement. Just make sure it’s something that you really like and makes your home sparkle!

​​Looking for some symbols of protection for your home?  A pair of Foo Dogs may be just what you need.

Foo Dogs or Fu Dogs are popular symbols used in China to represent power and protection.  In China, they are called Shi which means “lion”.  This symbolism is in front of every important building in China, especially throughout the Forbidden City in Beijing.  They are also referred to as guardian lions. There is symbolism to each small detail in a pair of Foo Dogs.  Why a pair?  You’ll always see a pair of Foo Dogs; one is female which has a cub under its paw and should be placed on the left, the male has a ball of yarn under its paw and should be placed to the right of the female.  It’s important to have the pair as this represents harmony.

Add a pair of Foo Dogs to the entry of your home.  I continually encourage clients to investigate the FIRST thing they notice as they enter and to then enhance that specific area. Foo Dogs would be perfect here! If you’re looking for major impact, place a pair outside the entry of your home.  Now don’t be afraid to have some fun with this.  If a traditional Asian looking pair of Foo Dogs is not your style, opt for something fun.  I recently saw a pair of cobalt blue painted Foo Dogs that would be great in a modern interior.
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If you already have a pair of Foo Dogs, give them a little love.  Dust or wipe them down with a damp cloth and make sure they shine!