Living the Feng Shui way

by Gillian Bradshaw

I am sure that after today's presentation, we all went back to our homes and determined whether our floor plans fit into the Feng Shui "Bagua", or octagonal shape that represents the energy of the earth and how this is used to create balance in our lives.

Jessie Kim, a Feng Shui professional from Korea, gave us an excellent overview of Feng Shui and how this ancient Chinese science and art can be used to assure good health, wealth, careers, relationships, etc.

We learned how, in China and other Asian nations, houses are built to allow the earth's natural energy to flow through it, and how, for example, people avoid living on cul-de-sacs where the air cannot "flow". Also, that the front door can never be opposite the back door (like in my house!), and how no part of a room should be "behind a door" (so the computer I am working on right now isn't technically in the room!).

However, Jessie explained that houses (and work spaces, etc) can be adapted to the Feng Shui style by appropriate placement of items that represent the elements (metal, water, earth, wood, and fire), as well as sounds, shapes, and colors.

We Rotarians clearly fit well within the Feng Shui Bagua, with our balance of Helpful people, Health, Water, Knowledge, etc - all centered around the Earth - no wonder the cogs of the Rotary wheel keep on turning so well.