items to inspire

I have spent a year avoiding Pinterest like the plague.  I wasn’t against it by any means, I just felt that since most of my day is spent in front of a computer, accepting an invite to Pinterest would mean more hours in front of it.  After a great friend repeatedly urged me to sign up, I have now done so.  Darn!  She was right.  It really is amazing.  I was right too … I’m spending way more hours in front of the computer.  Hello my name is Sandra and I am a Pinterest addict ….

Soon after I joined, I was asked why I have no feng shui boards on my account.  Simple:  Feng Shui is not about adding a few Chinese symbols and buddhas to your home and ignoring everything else.  It is about ensuring that your space has the feel you want, the energy you strive for and that all of the items you surround yourself with mean something to you.  For example, you will notice on my Pinterest site (http://pinterest.com/sandrapriestley/) that there are a number of posters and sayings pinned onto the boards that I am using for redesigning options for my children's rooms.  They are there, because they represent my children, what they wish to accomplish or what they love to do and I will never put a picture or saying in their rooms unless it resonates with them personally.  Every piece of art that surrounds them should create a positive feeling for them and this is why they will have an integral part in choosing what goes into their bedrooms.  Remember that our environments are continually sending messages to our subconscious mind, so it is imperative that we surround ourselves with items that inspire us.

Now, in my own room I have placed a Tibetan Buddha, not because it is a feng shui symbol, but because of what it represents to me ... peacefulness and groundedness, confidence and protection.  When I look at it, I am reminded of these characteristics and it focuses me in on what it is that I wish to achieve.  If you look at each piece of art in your space, pay particular attention to what it represents to you.  How does it make you feel?  Decide what it is that you wish to bring into your life and then ask yourself this question:  Does your art assist you along that path you wish to travel or is it creating a detour?

the dragonfly

About a year ago, my mother attended a work barbecue.  While at the event, a dragonfly flew into her hair and would not leave despite her trying to swish it away.  A man instantly stated, “That’s good luck!!!”  Within days, she was offered her dream job.  Honestly … at least once a week she says that she still cannot believe how amazing it is.  Was it the dragonfly???

Yesterday, I noticed a tiny bright blue dragonfly flying near me.  I stayed for a while to watch it;  it was hovering right near me and was so close that I could see the iridescence of its wings and its gorgeous bright color.  Then, it landed on my finger.  The dragonfly stayed there for a number of minutes and I immediately felt blessed.  Who couldn’t use some additional luck!?!?  After it flew away, I started to wonder where the “lucky” legend originated from.  After doing some reading, it appears that there are a number of cultures that believe that dragonflies are lucky and that they signify change.  Several websites indicate that the dragonfly symbolizes prosperity and harmony in China and that some Chinese see this insect as a good luck charm.  According to Japanese culture, dragonflies are to be admired and respected as a sign of change and a few websites even stated that the samurai see the dragonfly as a symbol of power, agility and victory.  Some Native American cultures see the dragonfly as a sign of purity, speed and happiness.  My personal favorite view comes from the book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews.  In it, he states that if a dragonfly has shown up in your life, look for change to occur.  “Dragonfly brings the brightness of transformation and the wonder of colorful new vision.” 

A great quote that I have posted in my office is by Frank Lloyd Wright (US architect who designed The Guggenheim in New York City) and it states:  "The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen".  I love this quote and I love the symbolism of the dragonfly.  What’s more … I truly believe in it.  THAT is what makes it powerful. 

What do you consider lucky?