I love my perennial garden. Watching plants bloom and grow is a perpetual blessing in my life. It is also a perpetual challenge.

 At the heat of Feng Shui is the discipline of YIN/YANG. YIN/YANG are the two opposite components that are forever balancing each other. Yes, you can think of it as black and white, hot and cold, but it is much more delicate and complicated than that.

 The black YIN has a small circle of white YANG in it and visa versa. Not grey, but a small component of the opposite trait in each of it's 'body' What this literally means is that to accomplish a true balance in your home environment, garden or life, you need to embrace all parts of your life (good and challenging) in order to obtain and create balance and harmony.

 Think of a seesaw. It does take a good amount of effort and concentration to keep the seesaw balanced. That's is what YIN/YANG does in the universe and in your home. It is a perpetual balancing act that forever is slightly moving and changing. You too must move and change to keep your life and all of your items and possessions in balance.

 What does all this have to do with gardening? Well, what better place to try to learn to balance your life than in your garden. While your plants and flowers are growing, weeds, insects, drought, too much rain, etc....all the elements of life, slightly alter and change the delicate plan you had set out to create in your garden.

 What do you do? As a conscientious gardener, you water your flowers if it is too dry, add soil when your plants need a boost of nutrition and put your hands into the soil and pull out the weeds. The same holds true for your home and items.

 In order to create and keep harmony and balance in your home and life you need to de-clutter on a consistent basis. Get rid of items that you no longer use or are broken or damaged. Keep your home clean. Respect the items you do love and organize them. Even practical things like linens and towels should be neatly folded and stored. This is Feng Shui balance. This is the correct implementation of YIN/YANG in your life.