Double Your Chance for a Prosperous New Year

Double Your Chances for a Prosperous New Year

Each year there are two chances to celebrate the beginning of the New Year and to set goals, aspirations and resolutions that will help insure your prosperity. The first is the traditional New Year on January 1st, and the second is the Chinese New Year of which the exact date varies from year to year. In 2010, the Chinese New Year is on February 14th, and it’s the year of the Tiger representing courage.

The traditional New Year dates back to the early Babylonians where the most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Over time the tradition became one of celebration by ringing in the New Year with parties that include good food and sparkling champagne. Typical resolutions include the desire to lose weight or quick smoking.

It was bandleader Guy Lombardo that popularized the song Auld Lang Syne and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard the song in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it was a classic tune sung by Scottish immigrants. When he formed his famous dance band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. In 1929, Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, and a tradition was born. Life magazine wrote that the song had became such a New Year's tradition if Lombardo failed to play Auld Lang Syne, the American public wouldn’t believe that the New Year had actually arrived.

The Chinese New Year is a second opportunity to celebrate life and set intentions for the coming year. The typical traditions include a thorough cleaning of every room in the house, and a dinner party with family and friends. The Tiger represents 2010 and is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac that consists of 12 animal signs. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. Red envelopes are commonly given out during the Chinese New Year and are considered to be very auspicious gifts. Red symbolizes fire and it is thought to ward off bad luck. The envelopes themselves often figure various Chinese characters for long life, prosperity, and good health.

A fresh new calendar is a great time to purge bad habits and envision a better life for you. Identifying easy and achievable objectives that include anything from a financial make over to simply having more fun in the New Year is a great start. Becoming more aware of what is critical to your happiness and well-being is a resolution without even writing it down. Instead of planning to be perfect, create a few goals that are balanced between work and play and are within reach by the end of the year.

For example, if your financial future is causing daily stress, create a budget and aggressively pay down your debts. Start with the debt with highest interest and apply all the extra money you can spare until it is completely paid off. Stop using shopping as therapy and find another activity to boost your mood. You can cut spending by 10 per cent just by weeding out extra expenses such as unlimited texting, premium television channels, or eating out at restaurants. Join the “Five Dollar Bill Savings” program. At the end of the day, take out all five-dollar bills out of your wallet and put them in a savings envelope for unforeseen emergencies or to plan a special day.

Make it a point to have more fun throughout the year. The library is a great resource for planning your favorite dream vacation, reading novels or renting books on tape for your next car trip. Explore downtown at a different time than you normally would, such as when shops are just opening and relax with your favoritie cup of coffee. Organize a tournament of board games for family and friends. Research has shown the laughter and creativity fosters good health by boosting the immune system and relieving stress. Laugh more in the New Year!

Cheryl Grace is a professional Feng Shui expert, nationally certified interior refiner, and winner of the 2008-09 Natural Choice Award for Favorite Feng Shui Practitioner. For a consultation for your home or business or to contact Cheryl, e-mail ggRedecorating@yahoo.com or call 941-400-3816. Visit www.ggRedecorating.com to shop for contemporary Feng Shui decor and enhancements, or to find a list of Feng Shui seminars taught by Cheryl. For daily Feng Shui tips, follow Cheryl on Twitter and her Blog at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply ; www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen; www.FengShuiSimply.blogspot.com

Boosting Prosperity

Hello everyone,

Prosperity is on everyone's mind these days. Holiday shopping, taxes and insurance due, and the economy still struggling has everyone strapped for cash. The first thing you have to remember is that it's happening to everyone, and for some, it's devastating. It requires persistence, patience, and hope.

The very first thing you can do is begin donating any amount of money you can spare. There are always people and organizations helping others that are worse off than you. By paying it forward, you can initiate the cycle of prosperity. The second thing is to donate your time or services to others who can also benefit in these difficult times. You'll find that you won't be sulking in your own woes if you are helping lift the spirits of others.

And, of course, we can simply scale down. We're all probably over spending and feeling like we're entitled. Greed is one of the seven deadly sins, so only spending on necessities will help you gain financial stability.

Peace and Love during the holiday season,
Cheryl

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com

New Moon -Twilight series

Hi everyone,

If you haven't read the 4 book series by Stephanie Meiers called the Twilight series (4 total), you may not be among the millions of fans who fell in love with the books. I am one of them. My friend Jack said he read a vampire book and thought I would like it. Well, I'm hooked on the entire book, movie, and music series. Today New Moon comes out, which is the second movie/book in the series. I have tickets for the 9:45am movie which is the first showing in Sarasota, FL.

Why is this good feng shui? Well, probably vampires are not good feng shui, but reading and enjoying movies is good feng shui! I'm often asked why I like this vampire series so much. Edward and Jacob, the male leads are gorgeous. They both don't seem to have any need to work or to earn a living in the future. Their full time job is to protect the lead actress (Bela) and are devoted to all things Bela. Should you become a vampire (a bite on the neck) you remain that age (all time stops in the aging process) and live forever. Immortal.

OK, so what's not to like? You have a hunky, handsome guy that hasmoney but doesn't spend a moment away from you working; he's devoted and loyal, and helps you stay young and beautiful for the rest of your life? No botox or plastic surgery??

Now, that's good feng shui!

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for more serious feng shui articles! Cheryl

Interpreting Green Labels

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry I've been away from my blog for a bit, but I'm the event coordinator for Sarasota Naturally, a natural living festival to be held in Sarasota Saturday, Nov. 14th, from 8am-4pm. All things green, natural, and healthy. Free to the public.

I wanted to give you an overview of green labels so you can be sure that what you're buying a product that is made with minimal energy, packaged in recycled materials, and break down into nontoxic components when washed down the drain. Look for these logos/labels:

USDA Organic: these products contain at least 95 % organic ingredients that are grown without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers. or genetically modified organisms.

Natural Products Association Certified: These products contain at least 95% natural or naturally derived ingredients that come from renewable resources such as plants. Products are not tested on animals and are packaged using recycled materials.

Ecocert: This internationally recognized certification indicates that 100% of ingredients are of natural origin. Products meet environmental standards from formulation through processing.

Labels to look out for: Paraben-Free, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate free, and petroleum free.

If everyone does their part to reduce dependence on energy, buying locally grown , and avoiding toxic products, well help save the earth and our health at the same time.

Visit www.ggRedecorating.com for all things good Feng Shui.

Follow my green tips at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

Follow my feng shui tips at www.Twitter.com/Feng Shui Simply

Ciao and good health,

Cheryl

Mercury Retrograde

Hello,

The planet Mercury goes Retrograde from September 7 through the 29th, which creates mischief in all areas of your life. The planet does not literally go backwards, but it appears so. The strong planetary pull does create some havoc in people's lives.

This is a time you don't sign contracts or enter into business decisions. If you're already in a deal before the 7th, read every detail and watch out for hidden agendas. If you're traveling, allow extra time and take a good book with you to endure any travel delays.

This is a time to ride the ups and downs associated with Mercury Retrograde by taking a position of neutral. Don't get into arguments or scuffles with others. Just stay in a balanced position and wait til after the 29th to make your point.

Mercury Retrograde happens more than once a year so google search the times and mark them on your calendar so you can plan accordingly.

Blessings,

Cheryl

visit www.ggRedecorating.com for Feng Shui information.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at @FengShuiSimply

Follow Cheryl's Green Tips @FengShuiGreen

On writing a book....

Hi everyone,

This week I put the final edit touches on my new feng shui book and it's off to the literary agent in NYC. Now I'm officially "out of thoughts." I've written feng shui columns and articles for years, but it's 1000-1500 words a pop. Writing a book is so much more comprehensive and you have to dig deep to put yourself in the book.

Now when anyone asks me what I think about anything these days, I have to say, "So sorry, I'm out of thoughts.....!"

In a few weeks I'll be giving a seminar at Elysian Fields in Sarasota, Florida and by then, I'll have plenty of thoughts on the connection between Feng Shui and Green Living. I'm on a mission to ban toxic cleaning chemicals in everyone's home.

If you're interested and near any of my seminars, visit www.ggRedecorating.com and click on seminars to get dates and registration information.

Blessings,

Cheryl

State of the Economy-Clean your Closet

Hello,

With the current state of the economy, it has everyone anxious. It is requiring all of us to become more credit worthy by lowering our credit card debt, and curb our impulse shopping habits. It's time to go into your closet and see what creative outfits you can come up with, and get rid of clothes that don't fit.

Take all of your clothes out of the closet and group them by type: pants, tops, etc. Inspect and try on each article before making a decision: does it need to be cleaned or repaired, put in bin to give to charity, to a friend/family member or take to consignment, or can it go back into the closet to be ready wear. Purchase wood hangers and make the transfer of clothes onto these durable and easy on the eye hangers.

Group all of your clothes by color, and arrange them from sleeveless to long sleeves, by color. Now you can see your selections and will be able to creatively put outfits together to create some new fashion combinations. If everything is in good repair, ironed, and clean, you have many options on your fingertips to put on and go!

Now you can "shop" at home with your easy and ready-to-wear selections. And when you pay your unused clothes forward, you creating space and making room for something new to come in, something better! It doesn't necessarily mean new clothes (although it can). It may mean a new opportunity for a better job, relationship, or experience.

Cleaning your closet is good Feng Shui.

For more good Feng Shui, go to www.ggRedecorating.com.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiSimply

Follow Cheryl's Green tips at www.Twitter.com/FengShuiGreen

Have a great day,

Cheryl