When we’re on vacation in a gorgeous setting, chances are we make a point to watch the sunset every night. So why don’t we do the same in our own backyards? Do we really need that piña colada and a beach chair to enjoy the natural world around us? And since we are part of nature, the five elements are within us as well. We use the language of feng shui to get to know who we are and what we are projecting out into the world. From there, we can pull in more nature and help soothe ourselves. In conducting research for my book, Creating Luminous Spaces, I discovered how the five elements could help us connect to nature within our homes in a more meaningful way. For instance, my home office used to be in an unused bedroom on our second floor, but I never truly felt comfortable there. It’s only now, after years of working there and thinking that something was a little off, that I realize that I had very little nature in that room. A lack of natural light and fresh air plus piles of electrical equipment and files made the energy of the room feel dull. Once I moved the office to a brighter space with views of nature and brought in a teakwood desk and a stone water fountain, the space instantly felt more inspiring. Sometimes all it takes is moving things around or positioning yourself so that you can benefit from sunlight, but you may need to bring in one of these elements to balance and harmonize the room. Check out a comprehensive guide to all things feng shui here.
