are now text and tweet.

Less is less?

Want to express your energetic self? Share your own Ch’i-Ku here.

The format’s simple: 3 syllable/ 5 syllable/3 syllable.

Middle lane.

Inhale – Hold – Exhale.

Letting Pass.

Want to express your energetic self? Share your own Ch’i-Ku here.

The format’s simple: 3 syllable/ 5 syllable/3 syllable.

High School is very different than when you were that age. The pressures are stronger and the stakes seem much higher. You want to help your teenagers do their best, but how?

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to a Learning Friendly Kid’s Room, Part 3: 9th-12th Grade.

Your Feng Shui Master - 17 and oh, so serious

Feng Shui will help your teenager in school and in life, but here’s a surprise for you. You’re probably not going to be able to do much in his or her room. By this age you’re dealing with an (almost) adult and changing their room will be more like negotiating with a foreign country. You’ll win some discussions and lose most arguments.

Basic Facts:

• You’re not the boss. (Sorry.)
• Your teenager is the boss, but he or she stills help and guidance.
• Feng Shui changes won’t work in their room if they’re not “on board” or at least open. Forced Feng Shui changes won’t create positive results.

Don’t despair, though. There’s a lot you can do to help, even if you can’t “help” their room.

Where to start:

First, despite what I just said, try for changes in their room. Just remember the Rule of Yin and Yang: You can’t tell them what to do (Yang), but you certainly can make suggestions (Yin).

Talk with them about some important spots to open the ch’i or energy flow:

• Clear under bed
• Clear door way with nothing behind the door
• Good task lighting for their work area

OK, I’ve tried all that. Now what?

Worry not. No matter how the negotiations went about changing your teen’s room, you still have a secret Feng Shui weapon! It’s time to bring your love and Feng Shui power to the Knowledge area of your house (and that grumpy teenager never even has to know you’re helping their ch’i grow).

To find the Knowledge gua or area we use the Bagua or energy map. Stand in the door way of your house and look in. The corner to the far left of you is the Knowledge gua (if your front door is to the far left of the house, you’re already in the Knowledge area).

I found it! What do I do?

What do you do? Why, take action, of course.

• Look around. What’s in that area of the house? Is it confused with clutter? Cleaning out the clutter with the intention of opening the flow of knowledge energy for the house will definitely benefit your kids!
• Try adding the color blue (the stronger, the better) to that area. You can use art or pillows or even paint the entire space blue (here I’d go pastel).
• Bring light into the space or, as my father used to say to the teenage me, “Let’s shed a little more light on the subject.” Torchere or standing floor lamps are great tools to bring lifting “up-light” energy.

Next: What you see is what you get.

Want your student to read books? Look around. Are there books in the house? The energy from books is powerful. Keeping a library or just a shelf of favorites sends a message that learning is important.

Best place for books in the house? Of course, in the knowledge area. (Just beware of clutter – choose books that are favorites and will be re-read.)

Finally: Be patient, change is on the way.

In my years of practice I’ve observed that there are three types of change you can look for when making Feng Shui power improvements.

• Sudden and immediate shifts
• Clear changes over a brief period of time (three weeks, three months, etc.)
• Gradual change so slow and subtle that it only shows in hindsight.

Kids and pre-teens show changes much more clearly than your average teen. Teenagers are slow to show change but, if you are putting your love energy and your powerful intentions into the adjustments you are putting into place, change is happening.

In ancient Chinese tradition there are 5 factors that impact your life: Fate, Luck, Feng Shui (of course), Charity, and the most powerful, Education. I would add one more, not as a substitute but just as powerful: Love.

Always remember, the evil alien possession of your teenager isn’t permanent. Be patient. Keep giving them love and support and they will come back to human form. Keep working on their Knowledge Feng Shui and they’ll come back to human form with a good education!

Coming Next: Part 4: Feng Shui from College to the Empty Nest.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

Sometimes you’re Mom. Then, without warning, it’s “Muth-e-e-e-r-r!”

I bet their room reflects that split personality, doesn’t it? Toys of childhood mixed with whatever’s the latest tween fad.

Don’t worry. That’s what it’s supposed to be. But, you ask, won’t all that stuff interfere with their school work and hurt their grades? Possibly, sometimes even probably, if the mess is overwhelming.

What can you do? Well, a little Feng Shui never hurts.

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to a Learning Friendly Kid’s Room, Part 2: 5th-8th Grade.

Your Mission: Reduce the level of Jangly, Jumpy, Gyrating Ch’i, creating a better environment for study and play.

Ground Rules:

1. You are no longer the boss. (Of course you are, but work with me here.)
2. Your child is not the boss, either, but he or she does need to feel some control.
3. Feng Shui will be most effective if your child gives you permission to make changes or, better yet, works with you to make decisions and changes.
4. Be prepared to be silly. *

Getting Started: It’s inventory time!

Time to sit down on the floor together and create three piles. One is for the really, really baby things that are now just there because they’ve always been there. This is automatic give-away. Work out together who you’re going to give these things to. It’s a great time for a lesson in giving to others.

(But don’t be too, too strict. We all have something special from those long ago days. Mine is a stuffed blue dog; nose and eyes gone but still precious to that little boy inside me.)

The next pile is for stuff that has seen better days (like games missing pieces or broken toys). This is an automatic out pile. Don’t hold on to something because the piece may show up some day or Dad will be able to fix it sometime (sorry, dads).

The last pile, hopefully the smallest, is for all the things from shelf, floor, closet and drawer that are still in good condition, still work, still fit, and still have a real reason to stay – meaning they’ll be used.

Inventory complete, now return the keepers to shelf, drawer, or closet. Not the floor and especially not under the bed!

Next: The Four Walls

Look around you. What message is being sent by the pictures on the walls. Positive energy supports positive work. Negative, angry images ooze angry ch’i.
This is an important step. If you wait until they’re teens, you’ll wind up with very little say.

Try to keep things in balance. Don’t cover every inch of the wall.
The walls are also a good place to add bright color energy. While the overall color should be soft blue or green, you can add bursts of red, pink, purple, blue. Stay away from black – that’s for adult career work.

Finally: Stuff

This is an amazing age for learning. Kids are like the proverbial sponge. Since you’ve removed the overwhelm of stuff, you now have room to add. Try maps, a fish tank (but only if your child can take care of it!), and always books, books and books.

Reading with your child is one of the greatest gifts you can give. And it’s amazing Feng Shui, raising the energy of all life areas. Help them choose from their favorites which ones are keepers to be read again and which ones will other kids like to have.

Remember, if you show your children nothing other than how to be generous and giving; how to do good deeds and help others; you’ll be teaching them the Feng Shui way to a good life.

*Oh, and about rule #4 – Take every chance you can get to be playful and act silly with your kids. It’ll help get the job done and they’ll always remember how much they laughed.

Coming Next: Part 3: Feng Shui For Your High School Teen

Coming Soon: Part 4: Feng Shui from College to the Empty Nest.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

My journey began at Wonderland!

It’s back-to-school time! Notebooks are ready, pencils sharpened, laptops fully charged (hey, we’re talking up-to-date Feng Shui here). Your kids are ready to learn!

But, when they head off to do their homework, are they walking into a room that will help them learn or into a room that will actually block the flow of knowledge?
In other words, does their bedroom get an “A” or an “F” in learning?

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to a Learning Friendly Kid’s Room (K-4).

Getting In

First things first. If the door is blocked the ch’i or energy can’t get in. Studying without Ch’i in the room is like trying to read with the lights out. No matter how hard you try you won’t get very far in the book.

Clear out everything from behind the door. Hooks on the door? They’re invitations for piles of jackets. Hangers in the closet help keep space clear. (It’s also good to start early—hanging things up where they belong is a great life lesson.)

Placement

The best place for your child’s desk is in the Knowledge area of the room. We use the Bagua or energy map to determine the all the different areas but an easy way for now is to stand in the door looking in. Stand in the door looking in. The immediate left corner of the room is knowledge. If the door itself is in knowledge try centering the desk on the same wall (Career) or in the far left corner (Wealth).

Color

The Feng Shui Color for Knowledge and Wisdom is blue. Soft blue is a calming, supportive color for a child’s room. Soft green also works (think Spring and new growth). Raise the vibrational level for learning by adding blues of different shades and brightness. You can use sheets, furniture, art, but remember: not too bright. “Jangly” ch’i is not study ch’i. (And please, no red walls!)

Use Blue in the Knowledge to boost the ch’i level. Oh, and a blue study chair is a great idea, too.

Light

Light energy is Feng Shui Power. Make sure there’s plenty of clear bright light in the study area. It’ll help keep the study ch’i up and the sleepy ch’i down.

Adding a bright light near the Knowledge area will also be a boost. How about a blue lamp?

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous? That’s a good Feng Shui term for “all that stuff”. To create a proper environment to nurture that young mind the mantra should be “less is more”. Less stuff to move to create More room to spread out the home work projects. Less stuff to distract so there’s More concentration on the task at hand.
Less stuff to trip on as your son or daughter tries to find the desk while carrying More and More homework.

Remember, the more patterns and habits you establish now when the kids are little, the less you’ll have to battle as they grow.

Coming Next:Part 2: Feng Shui For Your Middle Schooler.

Coming Soon: Part 3: Feng Shui For Your High School Teen and Part 4: Feng Shui from College to the Empty Nest.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

Here’s Master Peter Reiss’ Feng Shui Guide to Creating a Good Ch’i Child’s Room.

COLOR

In Feng Shui colors have multiple uses. Each color has its life area meaning and its own energy.

Intensity: Ch’i (energy) intensity varies as the color intensity changes.

A baby’s eyes need contrast, vivid colors and light to develop. Strong primary colors are important to have in baby’s environment. Toys and pictures are a great way to bring them in. What you don’t want is a primary color room.  Way too jangly ch’i!

Try a light off-white early on – good for contrast. Later go to soft blues or soft greens to create a calming environment.

WHAT? NO PRETTY PRINCESS PINK?!?!

Color Choice: In Feng Shui different colors have different energy “meanings.” Some are very appropriate for kids’ rooms, some very much not.

Good choices:

• Blue – Knowledge
• Green – New growth
• Yellow – Health

Not so good choices

• Red – Fire (very high intensity)
• Pink – Love & Marriage (more about this later)

You can always add accents of red, pink or any other colors. Use your artistic and design sensibilities. Just avoid doing the whole room that way.

SPACE, SIZE & PLACEMENT

Space Size:

In Feng Shui we look not only at the physical balance of the space and its contents, but also at the balance of the space to the person living there.

Rule of thumb:

Grown-ups big: big space

Kids small: smaller space

Try to create a protected environment. Cozy is a good goal.

Bed Size:

Remember as your child grows bigger in size, he or she is still a child. Bed sizes should progress from crib to youth to twin. (More about larger beds later)

Bed Placement:

So, where should you put that single bed in that small room? In a corner with head and side against a wall. The primal urge for safety is to retreat to the cave. Create that safe cave or den for your child. (More later about this too.)

STUFF

I know you were waiting for this one.

Many of today’s kids live in a permanent state of overwhelm. Help them maintain a personal space (their room) that is supporting balanced focus instead of adding to the chaos. (Be realistic, though. It’s a matter of degree. Some chaos is a normal state for most pre-teens and teens. Think back.)

Start the conversation early. Help your kids learn the difference about what they want and what they really need and will really use.

Try the Feng Shui In-Out Yin-Yang Clutter Preventer.

Of course, accumulating “stuff” is inevitable.  This creates the perfect opportunity to teach your little one how to make deposits in their Good Karma Bank Account.

Charity is one of the two most powerful ways to bring good things into your life (The other is education.)

When your son or daughter gets a new toy, help them pick out an older one that isn’t used anymore and bring it to a thrift shop. Show them how good giving can make you feel. (Hint – this works for adults, too. A good example is always the best teacher.)

Okay – here’s the “more later” I promised you.

A pink bedroom with a double or queen bed set-up to allow access from either side – this is an adult bedroom. It’s the wrong ch’i environment for your little girl. (Size and placement also applies to boys.)  Our job as parents is to encourage our kids to be kids.

Finally –

No matter how you set-up your baby’s room, the most powerful Feng Shui tool you have is…you. Give them your time and your attention, your support and encouragement, and, most importantly, your unconditional love. Now that’s good ch’i!

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site?

You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

Here’s the Feng Shui Master’s 5 Factor Guide to choosing just the right ring for your one and only true love.

#1 SHAPE

Looking with a Feng Shui Eye, diamond shapes come in three categories:

Not So Great

• Marquise – sharp points can mean prickly ch’i!
• Pear – a tear shape for happy love?
• Oval – is love a race?

Pretty good

• Princess – a shape of even balance, but watch those sharp corners!
• Round – love does make the world go round

Great Feng Shui

• Emerald – traditional, elegant with 8 sides*
• Asscher – a squared Emerald shape
• Radiant – a modern Emerald shape
• Old Miners – a rounded square – perfect balance

*The Bagua, the Feng Shui energy map that represents all facets of life is an octagon. Shouldn’t your ring reflect all of life, too?

#2 COLOR

In Feng Shui we use color energy to lift and enhance different aspects of life.

Feng Shui Love Power Colors:

• White – your future, children
• Pink – love, romance, partnership
• Red – fire, passion

The standard diamond is white and perfectly suited to bringing “future” energy to your ring. After all, isn’t that what an engagement ring is for? If you do want to add other color energies, use other gemstones, like red rubies for passion ch’i, to achieve the balance and intention in your heart. (There are natural red or pink diamonds but quality ones are very rare and very expensive.)

#3 STORY

The energy of the past carries into the present and on into the future.

A new diamond is like the proverbial blank slate; ready to absorb and hold your love ch’i. It’s when you’re looking at heirloom or estate pieces that “predecessor ch’i” becomes a factor. Just like the new ring will be imprinted with your energy, older pieces may carry the energy of past owners and past events. (There really are “cursed” diamonds.)

Family Heirlooms

Ask for the true stories and check into your true feelings. Did Grandma and Grandpa really have a wonderful marriage? If the answer is yes and you had a wonderful relationship with Grandma then go ahead. You can add another layer of love ch’i to an already blessed stone.

If the true story is not about love or you didn’t get along with her, ask yourself why you’d want to wear a ring weighted with dark feelings.

Estate Jewelry

All pre-owned pieces carry negative energy. Some are neutral or even positive. But unless you’re a good energy reader it would be wise to ask for help from a friend who is. You’ll have enough to deal with in married life without adding someone else’s “karma.”

(Disclosure: I bought Debra antique diamonds for both our 10th and 20th anniversaries. Of course, I took a deep look into the stones’ ch’i before deciding.)

#4 BALANCE

To choose wisely, keep logic and desire in balance.

Size, cut and clarity all impact price. Too high a price can put stress ch’i into the ring and into the relationship. Budget well, buy smart and that simple half carat will outshine all others.

Of course, what will really make it shine is Feng Shui Factor #5 –

#5 LOVE

Love really does make the world go round.

Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in love? No matter how big or how small, a diamond ring chosen in love and given in love can be a link between lovers; a love link will only grow as life happens.

Remember, in life and love it’s not really the shape or color or age or cost of your ring that has power. It’s your desire for one another and your hearts’ commitment to sharing the rest of your lives together.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessings as long as you include the following complete statement with it (including links). Please also write ©2009 Feng Shui by Peter Reiss.

Liked this article?—Then check out acclaimed Feng Shui Master Peter Reiss’ blog at http://FengShuiConsults.com. Want more tips? Sign up for Master Reiss’ Feng Shui Newsletter at http://FengShuiConsults.com and start out with Nine Tips in Nine Days: Simple Power Tips to Change Your Life.

You’re not alone. It’s the common plight of the modern couple. I see it all the time with my clients. It’s a scary place to be. That “loving feeling” feels gone, gone, gone and you’re afraid you’ll never get it back.

Don’t give up. You don’t have to settle for a dismal desert of love if you’re willing to make time for PLAY TIME the Feng Shui Way.

First, are you ready to PLAY?

Ask yourself the following questions:

Past: Was there a time when you couldn’t keep your hands off each other?
Lust: Do you both really, really want that old passion feeling back?
Action: Are you both ready to make changes to get it back?
Yes: Are your answers Yes, Yes, and Hell, Yes? Then, YES, you can have it back!

So you do want to PLAY! Now get ready to do the TIME.

Take stock:
• Stand in your bedroom door and look in. The far right corner is your love area. What’s there?
• What pictures do you have on the walls and dressers?

Initiate change
• Make sure the love area is uncluttered. Get rid of any “stuff.”
• If the bathroom is in that corner keep the door closed.
• Add items of love: pairs of love birds, pink roses, mauve sheets.
• Remove pictures that aren’t happy ones of you and yours. Pics of the kids, pets or “grands” out. The bedroom is for loving couples only!

Make the time
Commit to weekly “love time.” Just the two of you. Always include three elements: food, activity and contact. (And no cheating: the activity and the contact are two separate things.) Try a picnic with a walk holding hands or a movie with dinner and a good night kiss. Of course, if the mood is right, you don’t have to stop there.

Enjoy the process:
The most important step. Smiles and laughter, giggles and groans are the real aphrodisiacs.

Loving isn’t about being the world’s greatest lovers; loving is about being truly connected; lovemaking is the glue that helps keep always lovers together. And the loving never has to stop if you make time for Feng Shui PLAY TIME.

Do you know that little place matched the Feng Shui energy patterns of the house she and I bought together almost two years later?! (Of course, both had very strong love areas or guas).

So, the more things change, the more they remain the same, right?

The answer is…yes. Yes things do remain the same. Knowing nothing about Feng Shui, I instinctively created one space after another that showed what was most important in my life – Love. I changed  locations, size, and more, but the Feng Shui emphasis on Love Power remained. Love was the constant.

And the answer is …no. Things don’t have to remain the same. I’ll let you in on a secret – along with the strengths I also created and then re-created blockages,  breakdown spots. Everyone does this.  But you don’t have to leave things that way.

You can use the power of the

S.D.B. Method

1. See the block

2. Do something (like Feng Shui cures) to remove it

3. Believe in the power of positive change

First: See

Where are your blocks? How do you know if that dead tree is in Love or Wealth? Use the Bagua, the Feng Shui energy map. The basics are simple. Use this drawing as a guide. Just remember that you always stand looking in (see the doors).

Since I love LOVE, let’s use your bedroom as a model. Stand in the doorway and look in. The left corner of the far wall is the Wealth area or gua, the right corner is the Love area and the center part of the wall is where we look for Fame issues.

Now that you’ve identified your guas look closely. What’s going on in them is what’s going on in your life. Is there a pile of laundry in your love area? Dying plants in Wealth?

Now use the map and look at what’s going on in your house and on your property. You may see the same conditions repeated on every level. (If you’d like more detailed help using the Bagua take a look at my DVD on the store page.)

Remember, TO SEE is the first step to Feng Shui Power. Open your eyes, be honest, and you’ll be amazed at what you uncover.

Next time, Step 2:
DO – Getting Into Action!

Life is all about Change. Bob Dylan wrote, the times they are a-changin’ and they certainly are. We live in a world where, according to a 17th century French writer, the only thing constant in life is change.

Anyone who disagrees please raise your hand. Anyone? Nope, I didn’t think so. We all know, and most of us accept, that change can’t be stopped. What gives us a problem is the fear that we are powerless, helpless to control our destiny.

Well, fear not! I’m here to tell you that you can change your destiny! You can CHOOSE to. Try out the simple

3 Step S.D.B. Method!

S.D.B.= See – Do – Believe

1. SEE what’s going on.

   Find the physical reflection of the problem. (Trouble with love? Maybe there’s a pile of dirty laundry in your love corner?) You might have to look around the corner because human beings are very creative in hiding their “stuff”, but don’t worry, it’s there. Ask a trusted adviser or guide for help. It’s always easier to see someone else’s stuff.

2. DO something.

   Get into ACTION. Starting is the key. Want to increase the flow of love in your life? Start today to remove the blocks and add the enhancers.

3. Now – BELIEVE!

   Believe that the changes you’re making will create changes in your life. Hold that belief as you build momentum. See yourself creating a new reality for yourself.

Remember – belief without action is wishing, wanting, and wondering. Action with belief is winning, wonderful, and WOW producing.