Pasadena Magazine

February 2016 - Beauty, Love and Money

Pasadena Magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of Pasadena and its surrounding areas – the diverse, historically rich and culturally vibrant region that includes Glendale, the Eastside of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley all the way to Claremont.

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Balancing Act Though based on age-old traditions, not modern science, the ancient Chinese harmonizing practice of feng shui isn't just moldy mysticism. Pragmatic application has the potential to bring calmness and balance to your life. STORY BY // SARA SMOLA ∫ WHEN SOME THINK OF FENG SHUI, THEY MIGHT MISTAKENLY ASSOCIATE IT WITH OF A TYPE OF MYSTICISM—MAGIC INTENDED TO PRODUCE GOOD FORTUNE AND PROSPERITY IN THE FORM OF A WINNING LOTTERY TICKET—AFTER SIMPLY MOVING AROUND SOME FURNITURE. THE TRUTH BEHIND THIS HARMONIZING PRACTICE HOWEVER, IS ROOTED IN DEPTH AND MEANING. THE GOAL OF FENG SHUI IS TO bring about good energy or "chi." A house that omits positive chi is said to improve the lives of those who dwell in it by positively impacting their wealth, health, and personal relationships. One of feng shui's guiding principles is that everything in a space has energy of both positive and negative infl uence, but the key to achieving success with feng shui is to create a balanced environment for the steady fl ow of positive energy. "I believe that feng shui is harmony, I don't like chaos, messy or dirty environments. I tend to be very organized, which helps me feel peaceful and in control in my busy life," explains Janice Lee, a renowned realtor in the Pasadena and San Marino area for Berkshire Hathaway with plenty of experience in understanding how to create a welcoming and calming environment. Certain items known for their "luckiness" can be used strengthen the positive chi such as turtles, koi and goldfi sh, foo dogs (a pair of these guardian lions are meant to serve as pro- tectors), golden cats and the laughing Buddha that's known for symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Mirrors are known for their energy shifting abilities and, when properly placed (Don't place them to refl ect your bed or the front door!), are commonly called "the aspirin of feng shui." Though feng shui is neither magic nor hard science, it's not entirely fi ctitious either. Achieving a well-balanced space could be as simple and straightforward as cleaning any messes like dirty dishes, picking up discarded toys or making sure everything is in its proper place. Clutter is one of feng shui's serious negative energy culprits and affects anyone—whether they're knowingly practicing feng shui or not. Most of us naturally feel more relaxed when everything is neat and tidy. We sleep more soundly knowing we have one less item to cross off the ever-growing to-do list or stressors lurking in the back of our minds. "I think true feng shui is very practical," says Lee. "When feng shui says certain trees are not good for the house, they are usually referring to trees TOO close to the property. So, in the practical sense, those trees would be very bad for plumbing. Another example is, you don't want to have your desk against a wall in a room where your back is facing the door; I like to know who is coming into my offi ce when I am working! This is the type of feng shui that I think people should adopt and practice—what makes good common sense to you! Again, going back to my belief of feng shui, it is living in harmony with what is natural." Feng shui teaches how balancing differ- ent elements and the placement of specifi c objects can create a harmonious, natural space. One of feng shui's guiding principles, derives from the ancient Chinese doctrine of "the fi ve elements. " This ancient organizational system posits that each of the fi ve elements (fi re, water, metal, earth and wood) interact in LUCKY CHARMS. Objects like turtles and fu dogs are said to bring positive chi into your home. with 1/20/16 2:48 PM FEBRUARY 2016 73 L I V I N G B Y D E S I G N REAL ESTATE space_Feb16.indd 73 1/20/16 2:53 PM

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