Stepping Out---Once Again.... by Feng Shui Long Island New York

I sometimes believe that we all "trip" through life....with some fascinating successes and some really difficult falls---sometimes flat on our face.  When I fall (both literally and figuratively) I sometimes stay there for a moment, take a deep breath and pick myself back up again.  What choices do we really have?  And how long can we stay down there?

For some people it takes longer to bounce back up.  They need time and space to recover, think things through, learn a lesson and begin to heal from the experience.  But eventually they too will get themselves up again and get back into the game.  I guess it's what taking chances are all about; if you're willing to step out of your box, try something new then you risk the failure that may come with it.

Some people are not willing to take risks.  They stay where they are emotionally comfortable.  And just when I believe I've overcome one thing, sure enough something ELSE pops up with the same question:  Do I want to step out of my safety zone AGAIN?  Oddly enough, I usually do.  I keep taking those risks and have, over the years, taken some pretty difficult falls.  And then I remember an old favorite and head to You Tube to listen:

 XXX

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant for New York and Long Island since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York City, Long Island and at a distance for Homes, Businesses, Offices, Corporations and New Construction.

Please visit:   http://www.FengShuiLI.com

A BILLION Dollar Home--And it's based on New York Feng Shui! by Feng Shui Long Island New York

Feng Shui in New York.....Apparently The Mandarin Hotel hit a home run with Nita Ambani as well.

I thought this was interesting enough to pass along.  Especially since the economy is not at it's best at the moment.  Custom homes are one thing, but THIS is the world's first BILLION dollar home---and it's built on the principles of Vastu.

The lobby of The Mardarin Hotel in New York City (Manhattan).

Vastu and Feng Shui have been intermingled for years as many of the properties and the ideas behind it (such as The Elements and The Energy) remain the same.  Vastu is at least as old as Feng Shui (which is estimated to be between 3 to 5,000 years old) and is practiced in India primarily. 

There are  not many (if any) Vastu Practitioners to my knowledge in the United States so it's likely that people from India that believe in Vastu (and many do) also believe in Feng Shui and will call a Feng Shui Consultant.  I have done several homes in the tradition of Feng Shui for my Indian clients and some businesses as well.

The Mandarin hotel has caught my eye as well on one occasion when I was in New York City and passing by.  I had decided to stop in and see it and of course took  a few shots of it.  Nita was impressed as well and decided to make her home using the principles of Vastu/Feng Shui from this New York City hotel.

Beautiful Views from one of several restaurants in The Mandarin Hotel.

This home, if you read the article by Forbes, was built with the Principles of Vastu.  Custom built of course.  I was interested to see the pictures (which you can view from the link) of both the Interior and Exterior.  Some of the way it was built, from a Feng Shui Perspective, would not be considered the best aspects.  But with the money invested in it, I hope it came out to be a dream home for its owners!  

Inside The World's First Billion-Dollar Home

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York and Long Island and distance consultations are available by phone.  Feng Shui Consultations for Businesses, Homes, Apartments, Offices, Corporations, Condos and Studios and for Renovations and New Construction. 

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

There's No Feng Shui in The Hamptons? Can't be.....by Feng Shui LI New York

There's NO Feng Shui in The Hamptons? 

I was thrilled to hear the Hamptons Home and Garden Show on Long Island, New York is coming up and went to check the details of the show.  If you've never been out to The Hamptons, it's a very special place in New York.  While I'm not there as often as I am in the City (in the summer be prepared for major traffic jams), the Spring is the perfect time to go and every year a huge event is held there.

It covers the entire weekend and vendors from all over come to show the latest and greatest.  The lectures are free and this year cover everything from Specialty Food and Liquor tasting, a live auction and a free fitness evaluation with nutritional advice to a huge array of speakers on almost every subject imaginable.  The second day of this event is for "Green" only and while reviewing who's giving lectures and what they are pertaining to, I wondered "Where's the Feng Shui."  I happen to know first hand that Feng Shui is VERY popular in the Hamptons and in all parts of it so I'm surprised there is no speaker for it.

Granted, a Feng Shui Consultation in the Hamptons would cost a bit more then a "regular" consultation; going through a Mansion and making suggestions as well as the blessings would take considerably more time then a more "normal" sized home.  The architecture of the Hamptons comes in all shapes and sizes of homes, new and old and they all fascinate me.  I believe my favorite is situated on Dune Road (or, unfortunately, what is left of Dune Road) with a perfectly ROUND house that has always amazed me.

This wonderful event is in Southampton, a short ride (unless you get caught up in traffic) from The Hampton Bays, my own particular favorite part of the Hamptons since I was young.  Ah, the good old days....When weekends rolled around my sister and I would throw a few things in the car and head out to "Hot Dog Beach" in the Hampton Bays. The band (and the dancing) started at 12:00 pm every day...one long day and evening and lots of fun.

Ok, enough reminiscing.  If you're out in the New York area and would like to see the show of the season, it's right at the Southampton Elks Lodge and Fairgroundsin Southhampton, Long Island, New York with 17 acres of displays and a drawing for a free $2,500 shopping spree at Waldbaum's supermarket.  One of the suggested places to stay (which I can personally recommend) is The Baywatch Motel and Marina at 72 Foster Avenue, Hampton Bays, New York.

For more information regarding the show times and exhibits please visit: 

Hamptons Home & Garden Show - Spring 2008

And if you need a little Feng Shui while you're in New York:  http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner since 1997 and provides on site Feng Shui Consultations for The Hamptons, New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, New Construction and Renovations.  Carole also works with Realtors to get homes sold fast using the art of Feng Shui.

New York & Feng Shui: Blending the Two Together by Feng Shui Long Island, New York

New York & Feng Shui:  Blending the Two Together

I always wonder if you took a random group of New Yorkers' and asked how many believed in Feng Shui what the percentage would be.  I would love to do one of those polls where you just choose random people and get their thoughts and ideas of New York Feng Shui.

As a Feng Shui Consultant for New York City you know you'll find me there often with my daughter who had been training for five years and I am now convinced knows as much as I do.  She is terrific at a consultation and no longer needs a senior Feng Shui Consultant with her; I'm very proud of her.  Besides my own on site training with her she's had some of the best teachers around and has attended many intensives.

And one of the best ways to teach is what we had the opportunity of years ago as well....on site Feng Shui consultations where you can SEE the homes, offices, businesses and corporations; you develop Feng Shui Eyes and Feng Shui Intuition and feel the Energy surrounding you.

New York Feng Shui is different from Long Island Feng Shui because the surrounding energy of any place you are doing is so different.  It may just be the energy of New York City that always has me wanting to go back.  Today I received a call from a client I had done who lives in Staten Island and is looking for work in New York City who feels the same way  about it's energy.

Which has nothing to do with this post, actually.  This post is just sharing a small piece of New York City on an absolutely beautiful day in one of it's many smaller parks I hadn't seen before.  It's called Madison Square Park but interestingly is nowhere near Madison Square Garden....it was, however, on the way to our destination....you'll have to come back another day to see where we were heading this time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures:

There is always new construction going on.

Although the sun was not in my favor, most everyone recognizes the picture on the right by it's shape.

New York Feng Shui Consultant....and Madison Square Park, New York City.

The roped off, quiet sections of the park and...

It's next to impossible to keep New Yorkers' INSIDE on a day like this!  No, this wasn't lunch hour :)

The lovely statues are a very popular gathering place with the lovely brownstones in the background.

The Pet run in the Park.  It was kind of hot to be running around, these dogs were taking it easy.  New York City IS pet friendly!

If you have never been to New York, this may be the perfect time to visit.  The weather is just getting to be Spring, things are in bloom and the city is coming alive with Energy after a long winter.

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 providing on site Feng Shui Consultations in New York (Manhattan) and Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Condos and Co-ops, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Renovations, Realtors, Pre Purchase and New Construction.  She is also a keynote speaker providing workshops for large and small groups and a published author.

Feng Shui Tip: What's Supporting YOU these days?.....by Feng Shui Long Island, New York

I had a wonderful Feng Shui Consultation in New York recently with an interesting story.  The client who had called had been fortunate enough, years ago to have had a Feng Shui Consultation with a Feng Shui Master who came from China.  He practiced what is known as the "Form" School of Feng Shui, an art that I don't believe is taught here any longer.

It is one of the oldest schools of Feng Shui that we are aware of and he advised my client in his office setting to be "backed up in life."   The Form school teaches you to have the Mountain at your back for support and water in front of you for Energy.  You are also supported on both sides when this method is done correctly.  He advised my client of some changes to make and his business began to turn around and prosper.

We do, in Feng Shui, still check what is "backing" us up in life.  Whether it is a headboard for sleep (wood is recommended, strong and sturdy) or the mountains behind us, many of us feel it is an important aspect.  We all need support in life, from our friends, family and even our home and business.

This reminded me of another client I had done recently who was having some issues with finding a job.  Although her resume and credentials were outstanding, it just hadn't come in yet and in seeing her office space, I could see why.  She wasn't supported in this area, in fact, it was just the opposite.  Behind her was exercise equipment (her office was an excellent space for an exercise room as well) but behind her computer-AND her back was a mirror.  There is not only no support in a mirror but in fact it was just "pushing" things back at her making find a position difficult. 

The mirror, however, was needed for exercise so we decided to have her match the blinds that were in there for window coverings and they can be raised and lowered when she needed to make changes in her space between work and exercise.  An easy and simple "fix" for a Feng Shui issue.  Check what is supporting YOU in your area where you work and sleep.  It's nice to be "backed up" in life.

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing on site Feng Shui Consultations in New York City (Manhattan) and Long Island for Homes, Businesses, Offices, Apartments, Renovations, Corportations, Condos, Studios and Small Spaces.  She is also a keynote speaker for large and small corportations and a published author. 

Your HEALTH in Feng Shui from a Feng Shui Consultants' Point of View

As much as I love to put a positive spin on things we can do to change the Energy in Feng Shui to flow in a positive direction, there are several things most clients seem to be stuck on.  They won't change them no matter what.  Are they hard or difficult?  No.  Do they cost any money?  Again, no.  But even begging hasn't worked.  They stay...period.

All I can do is leave them with WHY I would like to make the changes and allow them to make their own decisions.  And this is where experience kicks in as well.  I have seen issues occur over periods of time because I keep in touch with so many clients.

So what am I rambling about NOW?  Two things, actually, that I would love to change in client's homes, businesses, corporations or anywhere they happen to be.  Ceiling Fans are one.  And the "newest" trend of constant use of the Garage Door to come in and out of the house.  Those garage doors are convenient and most homeowners want them, they DO make life easier.  And certainly when you have groceries or the weather is bad they are wonderful.

Never addressing the front door in Feng Shui, however, is a mistake.  It is called "The Mouth of Chi" and VERY important to use on a regular basis to allow the good energy for every area of your life to enter.  It's not difficult, it doesn't cost a cent and it actually, to me, makes GOOD sense.  Just TRY it, I'll tell them....some will and many won't.  They love the ease and convenience of their garage doors.

My other concern is Ceiling Fans.  I have never had one as I have very high plaster ceilings and years (and years) ago when I had wanted one installed, I was advised against it by a friend.  One who had the same type of walls and ceilings.  It made a mess, she said and cracked the rest of the plaster; that was enough for me to hear.  But they are very popular in both Long Island AND New York City.

In certain places and when a client won't be under them for long periods of time, I don't mind them very much.  But I'm sure many of you will relate that they are often in BEDROOMS directly over the bed.  This is a cause for concern because from a Feng Shui perspective, they are sharp blades with the ability to cut Energy.  It is called "Cutting Chi" or "Cutting Sha" and I'm sure you've heard the terms before.  Particularly when your body is at rest, it is most Open (or most vulnerable) to this type of Energy and it can, over a period of time, take a toll on your health.  Leaving the fan but not turning it on is one alternative; even having a regular standing fan which has "barriers" in front of the blades is a better solution for those who absolutely are addicted to the fans.

They now have room air conditioners as well that can help for these areas.  But clients love their fans.  They look at me in horror at the thought of removing them or even just leaving them off while they are lying under them.  I am afraid the must become addicting judging by some people's reaction to the suggestions.

This is not a post to scare anyone but to make them aware of what WE consider harmful---and WHY.  And give you some simple alternatives to replace them that perhaps you won't mind.  They do not cause illness overnight but CAN possibly cause it over TIME.  And it's something to be mindful of....especially if you are thinking of installing one.

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing New York and Long Island Feng Shui Consultations on site and others at a distance by phone for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations, New Construction and working with Realtors.

New York Photos & Feng Shui: A Bird's Eye View.....by Feng Shui Long Island, New York

Not long ago on one of these beautiful days a client was gracious enough to walk back to Penn Station with me after a New York Feng Shui Consultation.  She asked why I would travel to New York City to do my Feng Shui Consultations when I live on Long Island.  I explained how much I love the City and that I felt the Energy was very different in NYC than on Long Island.  It can also be more challenging to do all the New York Apartments, Condos, Co-ops, Studios and Businesses because they came in so many sizes and shapes.  There are Feng Shui solutions to everything that are easy and inexpensive and I loved the opportunity of seeing so many different types of housing.

This was not a day for Feng Shui, however.  This particular day was, according to the weatherman, going to be a beauty.  As many of you know, I love to tell a story with pictures and these I hope will take you right with me-to the top of New York City.  Passing the Empire State building that morning, it occurred to my daughter that it had been many years since we had been up to the top; on a whim, we did just that.

It occurred to me later WHY I don't do this spectacular scene often-the WAIT.  On a weekday and during the morning hours, we still waited approximately two hours to get up---and another to get down.  Think of all the TIME I'm saving you : )

We literally took MANY pictures but here are some of my favorites and a View from the Top of the Empire State Building---a Bird's Eye View:

I don't know if you can see them but there are people on the rooftop of this building, enjoying the day their way!      

I am STILL curious:  Was it Fog?  Or Smog?

              This bird REALLY wanted a Bird's Eye View :) 

I know I'm partial to this city but it IS breathtaking, isn't it?

Look Carfefully...Some of these pictures show the  Chrystler Bldg., The Met Life Bldg and others.

What WAS that old movie with James Cagney where he was saying he was "At the Top of the World, Ma"?

I hope you enjoyed the the New York City sights.

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing Feng Shui Consultations for New York (Manhattan) and Long Island.  Please visit for further information about her Feng Shui Consultations:

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

It's Time to put Your Feng Shui INTENTIONS Into Everything You Do!...by Feng Shui Long Island & New York

We ALL know we have been Spring Cleaning....it was such a long winter for so many of us; fact is we couldn't WAIT to start shedding the old.  In Feng Shui we always let go of the old to allow the NEW and positive Energy IN.....and that's exactly what we all need right now, a Good dose of FENG SHUI.

One of the things I believe that is misunderstood most in Feng Shui is that it's not necessarily the big changes you are making that will make a difference to your lives and the quality of them.  It is often the small, simple things we do, something they are just the things we do on a regular basis.

If you believe at all in THE SECRET or The Law of Attraction, Intention is just another word for it that we've been using for YEARS to create the lives we've been looking to create.  But often we forget the most important thing when making ANY changes in our surroundings:  Putting our INTENTIONS into EVERYTHING we do.  It's certainly simple enough and it absolutely can't hurt-give it a try.

Whether it's a bigger Springtime job you are undertaking (like the Garden), use visualization to picture and actually SEE more abundance in your life.  Or if you're doing something simple like dusting, see it as a way of cleaning out stagnant energy and infusing new and positive energy while you are doing it.  Your surroundings really do have a deep and profound impact on our lives; Professor Lin Yun says that INTENTION into the changes accounts for about 80% of the changes we are likely to see, while the actual change itself accounts for only 20%  --  Pretty high statistics and something definitely worth investing in.  It won't cost you a penny and maybe just a few minutes of your time.

Think about adding your Intentions to ANYTHING that you are doing-and there are SO many things we do each day we are likely to just breeze through them without thinking.  Try getting some Feng Shui EYES for this, clean everything with the Intentions of cleaning out the old and unuseful to bring in more of what you need and want.  Truly cleaning out and lightening up by selling things or donating them create even MORE room---think about it.  It can't hurt and you WILL feel better!

I have the deepest respect for Forest Gump who was SO right when he said "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know WHAT you're going to get."  But your favorites are in that box as well....put your order in for them and they'll come along, probably when you're least expecting it.  I love surprises and bet you do, too.

*Clear it out if it needs it, you'll feel SO much better!

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, providing effective and quality Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York, Manhattan and Long Island for Homes, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Condos & Studios, Realtors, Renovations, Pre-Purchase and New Construction for New York and Long Island and at a distance by phone. 

The "Business" of Feng Shui.............by Feng Shui Long Island, New York

Years ago (and yes, still today on occasion) I will do a Feng Shui Consultation for someone for free.  There are people that contact me that have very sad situations in their lives and simply can't afford to pay for one.  Not being the "business-person" I should have become years ago and believing so strongly that Feng Shui CAN and WILL help them, I will do a full consult and not charge them.

Otherwise I charge what I believe to be below the regular "going rate" so that people from all situations can afford them.  For that reason I may find myself in a Mansion on the North Shore of Long Island or a Corporation in New York to do a Feng Shui Consultation or I may find myself in an area locally where we are freezing because the owner can't afford to turn on the heat.  They, too believe in Feng Shui and the power of changing your thinking and beliefs and changing some things or eliminating them from your environment to make you feel better and allow fresh, new Energy to come in-and it does!

While doing a paying customer recently by distance I didn't ask for the first part of my payment until after we had begun...half way through to be exact.  So I would receive half the payment after the first half of the Consultation and the second half when we finished.  Once I didn't get paid the second half.  And it happened again recently (for which I've just changed my policy).  I had not called the woman for payment but had emailed her....and got no response. I decided to let it go.  While telling a friend about the situation she asked me why I gave up my power to other people.

It's funny that people who are close to you can see things in you that you don't.  I do often give up my power because it is "easier" or I don't want to have an argument with someone.  So I'll give into a situation.  For the many of us that do that, it's time to stop giving up our power.  Thinking about it later, I did in fact call the woman who had not paid me.  While she made several excuses for it, I did end up getting the final payment. 

How often, I wonder, do I do that without even realizing it?  For me, I'm reclaiming something I never should have given away---my power in a situation.  If someone is wrong, I will tell them.  If they are unfair, if they've hurt my feelings I let them know.  They may not necessarily WANT to know but then I believe, It's up to them whether or not to rectify the situation.  I believe it's the best policy and if someone is REALLY your friend, they are going to listen, carefully, to what YOU have to say. 

I'm sorry I learned this so late in life but better late then never.  Believe me, I'm not looking for trouble but I am, finally, reclaiming my power.

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

 **Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing Feng Shui Consultations for New York (Manhattan) and Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Condos and Studios, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Renovations, Pre-Purchase and New Construction.  Carole also does Feng Shui Distance consultations by phone and is a keynote speaker and published author.

You Meet the People You are Supposed to Meet (Sometimes more than Once).......by Feng Shui Long Island, New York

I hate to blame the bearer of bad news; it’s really NOT fair. I’ve noticed lately that I’m beginning to dislike the arrival of my mailman. Since I have gotten out of the hospital, the bills have been coming faster then I can keep up. You would think they might let you get a bit WELL before they’d start sending these things.

 Funny with what I’m paying for an individual policy (over $800.00 per month); it amazes me what is NOT covered. Things that you wouldn’t know about, of course, unless you required a hospital stay. I will have to wonder if it should ever come up again if I can afford to go!

And you also forget the occasional GOOD things you can receive. A hand-written card, for example. From someone you don’t know so you have to hunt for your glasses so you can see exactly what it is. Some of you might remember a while ago I wrote a post about being contacted for a brief “Thank You” note for an article in Woman’s Day. Janene Mascarella from The Long Island Exchange had previously done an article/interview with me on Feng Shui and when she got the assignment for Women’s Day, she thought enough to contact me for a submittal. She did advise me, at the time, that it also had to be approved by the editors at Woman’s Day. I didn’t think of it at all until I received an email from Janene that they had decided to publish it.

 And of course what you thought would happen never does. It was relatively early today when my son got home from work---bringing in the MAIL. Some of you might remember this post: 100,000 Points and One HECK of a Journey: DETERMINATION....A Feng Shui Story and the fact that I had found my long lost cousin because of it.  You don't necessarily get the person or thing you EXPECT in life....or DO you?

Somehow, 1996 and TODAY are feeling very familiar.  I resonated with Feng Shui and when I heard of the school right here on Long Island there was no way I was NOT going to go.  It's amazing what can happen when you are so determined. 

There were, of course, more bills—and that note which said: “I am a friend of Deborah Rose and came across your note in Woman’s Day. I’d meant to contact you sooner but had forgotten about it and ran across it today. I thought you might like her address.” It was signed by someone I don’t know but will always treasure and gave me an address for Deborah that is in New York! It’s actually her card which shows she has become a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and provides Reflexology.

What’s going on Here? If life has gone full circle, what happens next? I’m still not sure if yesterday was a step back or forward in going back to my former school and today I find the person that gave me the direction of Feng Shui (no pun intended). So what happens AFTER full circle? Are we back where we started? I am thrilled, of course and wrote Janene to let her know. And my AR friends who are there---even when the mailman doesn’t come : )

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing Feng Shui Consultations in New York and Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Condos and Co-Ops, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Pre-Purchase, Renovations and New Construction.  Carole is also a keynote speaker for large and small corporations and a published author.