Order. Peace. Sanity. All these are within your reach, and pretty much in that order. Nicole Normandeau, co-owner with her husband of Orange Poppy Gifts on River Avenue, has spent the last few years enlightening her fellow Winnipeggers on how to move from one to the next using the Eastern principle of feng shui (cue gong and bamboo flutes).

WW: For the uninitiated, what is feng shui?
NN: Simply put, it’s the study of energy. It’s the belief that you can change or control the energy of your surroundings using colours, patterns, shapes and line. The practice of feng shui pertains mainly to the practices of interior design, decoration and arrangement, although it can be more broadly applied to overall architecture as well.

WW: Tell us about the feng shui sessions you’ve been teaching for the last three years or so.
NN: I offer both introductory and more in-depth sessions. For instance, there’s Feng Shui Basics, but there’s also Improve Your Health, Wealth and Happiness Using Feng Shui, which is a bit more systematic. I’ve also given sessions on feng shui in gardening and bamboo arrangement, and am thinking about offering one on feng shui in relationships. The sessions are usually about two hours in length, and I do between two and four a month, at a maximum of eight people per session. And they often fill up!

WW: What are some basic ways you teach people to incorporate feng shui into their lives?
NN: I teach people about some of the fundamental principles of feng shui, their root in ancient Chinese cosmology and how they can apply these. For instance, I teach about how to balance the five energies, which consist of wood, fire, metal, earth and water. Balanced together, these create a complete cycle that establishes harmony in an interior space. I also teach about the principle of yin-yang. These principles are accessible to anyone, although they can be complex. Most people only know a little bit about feng shui, and are often surprised about how in-depth it is.

I also teach other practical principles concerning feng shui. One of the most basic is an emphasis on decluttering; this can have a profound effect on a space. People are also surprised sometimes at how feng shui can be applied. Our store, for example, is not overtly “Asian” in terms of decor; indeed, we try to teach people that feng shui works with any decor. Another important overarching principle is that your space is always evolving. It simply can’t stay the same, as energy is always cycling and fluctuating. To put it another way, everyone needs a change from time to time.

WW: Does feng shui play a defining role in your retail operation?
NN: Absolutely, it’s very much a tool we can use in our store. For one thing, we certainly used feng shui when we designed our space. Also, the sessions on feng shui help us build good relationships with our customers and clients, who often become very loyal – they almost become friends.

WW: Does feng shui play a significant role in how you organize your own life?
NN: When I found out about feng shui about nine years ago, I tried a few things and got amazing results, and thought, ‘OK, this is something I have to learn about.’ The result? My home is now as feng shui as I can make it!

Your Life, Unlimited!
10 TIPS TO REORGANIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Christmas is by now a distant memory, but Valentine’s Day looms ahead! If you are trying to think of an original gift to get for your sweetie this year, why not consider a pledge to kick your relationship up a notch?

One Winnipeg couple I know— Art and Marion Michaud—recently celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary. I can hardly imagine being around for 76 years, never mind being married for that long. This vibrant, energetic pair are the epitome of “happily ever after” and the engraved napkins at their party spoke for themselves, reading: We’d do it all again!

If you are looking to create a relationship like that, be prepared to pay the price—it does not come without some work, some give and take, not to mention overlooking a thing or two!

If all that sounds like too much effort, let’s talk about what’s in it for you. A happy honey means a happier you, less arguing and more lovin’. A stronger relationship means more support for you, and usually the more you put in, the more you will get out. And let’s not forget that a loving relationship is the best gift you can give to your children.

Whether your relationship is due for an overhaul or just a little adjustment, if you think your guy is worth investing in, try one or all of these tips:

• List 10 things you love about your partner, keep the list where you can see it and focus on these attributes this week. Read them at least three times a day.
• Greet and say goodbye every time with the “three-second kiss” — more than a peck but not too long, if you know what I mean!
• Compliment him every day this week.
• Express genuine interest, ask questions and learn something about an interest of his.
• Plan a deliberate act of kindness for him.
• Let him overhear you bragging about him to someone else.
• Don’t interrupt him when he is speaking to you (you can even ask, “Tell me more!”).
• Buy him a treat at the grocery store for no reason.
• Ask, “How can I help you?”
• Let him be right!

Sporting event tickets, shaving stuff and nice wine will always be welcomed by your honey for Valentine’s Day, but consider doing the little things that cannot be quantified but serve the relationship very, very well on a daily basis. After all, don’t we all want to be able to say, “We’d do it all again?”
 
Stephanie Staples is a personal development coach and speaker and a proud Winnipeg woman!  You can find her (and an article for singles) at www.yourlifeunlimited.ca.

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