Would there be a demand in my area? Did I want to commit to learning Feng Shui? After much research, reading, and putting it into practice, the answer is yes. The design principles make sense. There is a therapeutic feeling when carrying out the purging of all the junk we had acquired. The results, if only from an aesthetic standpoint are outstanding.
This is our story. Actually my son's story.
My 10 year old son came into this world a month early and full of energy. I noticed immediately at the hospital that unlike most newborns, my son never slept. It had been five years since I last had a baby and may have been out of practice but I was quite sure that he should have been sleeping!! But no, for next three years, yes three years, he would never sleep more than twenty minutes at a time.
We found out when he was two years old that he was suffering from chronic ear infections that had gone undiagnosed all this time and my little trooper never alerted us to any pain. There was no fever, red ears, ear tugging or cries of pain. Never. Explains why he never slept. A year of homeopathy sessions failed as did the dreaded antibiotics. Our salvation came (or so we thought) when he was old enough to have tubes put in his ears. The infections were a thing of the past, the sleeping issues remained. We tried everything and I mean everything.
What does this have to do with Feng Shui? I don't know, you be the judge.
Through the years, sleeping got better but never more than four hours straight. It was a fitful sleep and I could find him at times, drawing pictures in his bed at 3:00am. This was no way to live.
I started my Feng Shui studies last summer and in December, with 2011 right around the corner I decided to Feng Shui every room in our house. I wanted this to be a family project and got everyone involved. We decluttered every room, rearranged all the furniture and even painted. On December 31st, we were running out of time. Less than 16 hours until the New Year and one room remained. My youngest, the non-sleeper was not keen on the idea. His room, on the best day, looked like a tornado ran through it. He is what the French call "traineux" which means he leaves everything lying around.
I put my foot down. He had one hour to declutter and clean. Whatever was left on the floor would be put in the garbage, regardless of its monetary or sentimental value. I wanted to be able to walk in there without tripping or stubbing my toes on something. He wasn't buying it.
Armed with empty laundry baskets, garbage bags, a broom and a recycling bin, my husband and I went on the attack. Seeing we weren't kidding, my son decided to help. After the decluttering and a good sweep I repositioned his bed according to the Feng Shui principles and the rest of his furniture. The room was gorgeous (and spotless!!). Even my son was happy!!!
Again...what's the point? Well...after I explained to him the principles of feng shui again, and how this now uncluttered room would mean an uncluttered mind and fun place to be, he agreed he felt better about the room and would maintain the upkeep.
At 9:00pm on New Year's Eve he decided he did not want to stay up to ring in the New Year as he had on Eve's past and happily retreated to his room. He was fast asleep in less than ten minutes. This was not uncommon but what changed was that he slept a FULL twelve hours that night. Coincidence? Perhaps...
Today is January 26th, 2011 and the room is still spotless. Any items inadvertently left on the floor are put away before bed but most importantly, since the purge and redesign of this room he averages 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY DAY.
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| The Now Sleeper |
