This week’s musing is going to be a short one since I’m currently on vacation. You know, that NY-style vacation where you are still kinda checking your emails? But I’m not. I have had a pretty intense first half of the year and needed to completely unplug to regenerate for the second half of the Fire Horse year. But first, I want to share a Feng Shui anecdote with you.
Recently, I had a Feng Shui consultation with a lovely couple who were moving into a new home together for the first time. My client told me that her partner of many years had quite recently spent a year in bed after he retired from his high-powered executive job. I exclaimed, “Oh no, was he unwell?”
She replied (and I paraphrase a bit), “no, he just needed a break from working. Until his retirement, he had not taken a break in over 54 years. He loved his job so much, was very much relied upon in his position and was so in the flow with work that he didn’t take the time to go on vacation.”
As a result of his 54 years of working without a vacation, when he finally stopped working, his body was like, “oh huh? Ok, I’m completely exhausted and burned out. I need a minute please.” So I knew that it was super important to come up with a Feng Shui plan that balanced out that Yang energy with more Yin energy. They both needed to be present for balance, so when we set up the goals for their new home, you can bet that on the list was a nurturing oasis where they could each enjoy their time together and alone. Time to recharge and reflect.
Yes, I hear these kinds of stories all the time, especially as an American, especially a type-A New Yorker but 54 years? Wow. He has a very commendable work ethic coupled with some naturally strong energy. But as you can see, even yang energy needed some yin to balance itself out. Sometimes living my slower life in Paris makes me forget how go-go-go was in NYC. I loved it when I was in it, but I realize now that it cost me mentally and physically.
So I’m here to ask you – when was the last time you took a break, and I mean a “real” break? If you are American and are reading this, you know that we are notorious for “forgetting” to take vacation because we have a million things to tend to, fix, finish, start.
I’m here to tell you, as your favorite Feng Shui bestie, just stop. Energy needs to flow, but it also needs different rhythms. It can flow slower in the winter, faster in the summer, but it’s always a balance. And a heatwave-filled Fire Horse summer deserves some rest and water.
Remember to pause, ask yourself how you are feeling and adjust accordingly. I did that recently and just had one heck of a beautiful oyster-filled few days. Now, I’m off to continue my vacation. Until next week!
