I was sitting in the pit in the darkness. The air was still. I was suspended in time. Then! The creak of a door and we were off.
What I am describing is not a scary Feng Shui consultation but rather an opportunity that came to me only because I was intentional. Let me explain.
I’m not sure if I have shared this, but for at least the last 6 months, well quite truthfully, probably since I planted roots in Paris, I have been exploring some different energies that are available to me. NYC was always go-go-go. That’s not my life in Paris. I wasn’t expecting it, but Paris brings me peace in many different ways, and I’m loving it.
It’s early Spring energy in Paris and Parisians are feeling it. Invitations are coming out of the woodwork – dinners, events, gatherings. I love the thought of being a social butterfly, but I had to sadly decline 3 invitations next weekend and one this weekend. I know my energy well, and I know what I need to feel my best, and that’s NOT stacking commitments back-to-back. The best version of Susan is when there is space in my life.
I’d also like to take a little credit for a friend following my lead this week. Her MO is FoMo and declining an invitation is, for her, a big no-no. But we both said no to an event with bated breath, guilt lingering for a moment but freedom quickly taking its place. And you know what happened? Once she did it, her energy thanked her and the guilt vanished.
And that’s how you become a powerful woman.
Powerful women know what to say yes to. We say no to the things that pull our focus away from what is important and drain our energy. We say yes to what leads us back to ourselves, our clarity and our power.
With the Fire Horse energy keeping us alert and abuzz with excitement for all the opportunities available this year, it’s important to remember that power also lies in the Yin – the slowness, the feminine, the receiving. The NO.
And as I’m always paying attention to energy, I was fascinated to see such a clear cause and effect. Because I had said no several times that week, I had left space in my schedule. Space that allowed something unexpected to appear.
A dear friend called me on Monday (yes they actually pick up the phone in Paris!), and told me that he had an extra ticket to the Opéra Comique and asked if I would like to join him. Because I had intentionally kept my calendar uncluttered, thank you Fire Horse, my evening was free. And that is how I found myself sitting in the pit, right next to the orchestra and conductor.
As I’m a Generator in Human Design, this succession of no’s allowed me to give my dear friend an enthusiastic hell yes. And I always tell my clients, if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no aka, power without the guilt.
So as you can see, Feng Shui in my world is much more than just where your couch goes. Feng Shui is about your whole, beautiful and holistic environment that includes not just your space but also people, art, pacing, yin and yang, and even sound.
Recently I have discovered that although a very clean apartment makes me feel more focused and open, music is what deeply regulates me. It may sound strange, but I dare you to talk to me before putting opera on and after. You will literally see the difference.
So my message to you today, if you are indeed a powerful woman or taking the steps to become one, is this: what is one foolproof way you regulate yourself? And knowing this, are you willing to commit to putting this regulation tool unwaveringly in the spotlight in your life?
I am and damn, Mahler never sounded so good.
