BEYOND THE BIG DAY, one must also ready their future home. When readying rooms, apartments and houses, why not observe the atmosphere? Is it in sync or unbalanced in any way? If one is sensitive, a feeling of claustrophobia may even suddenly overwhelm. When a home’s life force is lively, the moods of those who live there tend to be positive and happy. What is this about? These are  indications that the chi of a place one lives in may be in harmony with one’s own chi. What is chi? It is the life force or energy of the universe. This is a part of Feng Shui. Feng Shui is a science that has been practiced by millions all over the world for over 3,000 years. Feng Shui teaches the individual to live in the most harmonious way possible with the energies of our world while enhancing good  fortune, health and happiness.

It is important to avoid disharmony in the home, which is caused by any trouble from the surrounding space. One common example is the misery that may be produced from stale and tired energy. It  may be caused by nothing more ordinary then neglecting  the care of homes. When paint is left to peel, dead insects are hidden in dark corners, vases are chipped, old newspapers and magazines are left lying on the side, and dirt and dust are forgotten behind curtains, under rugs and other common places one never thinks twice about, the energy deteriorates and there is disharmony in the  environment.
Homes need constant reorganization and effective storage systems to avoid the accumulation of clutter. One must always clear away clutter: old souvenirs stored for sentimental reasons; useless objects  ying around, gathering dust. One may not realize it but too many sentimental possessions may cause feelings of oppression that prevent people from moving forward in life. Clearing these away will be very beneficial for the inhabitants of a home. The chi of the house should always move smoothly so the ambience of the home will be cleaner, fresher and more welcoming.  Physical clutter is not the only factor that adds to the deterioration of a home’s energy. Avoid loud, violent quarrels, stress and exhaustion because too much of these sticks to the walls and fl oors and result in negative chi. And  who wants that anyway? The best antidote is love and happiness, an easy feat for newlyweds. It is important to remember to always keep that love. Good feng shui is about creating an all-pervasive feeling that makes home-dwellers happy, confident and fulfilled.

Bright colors, music, children, lights and water stimulate the chi and fi ll the home with love and life. Modern interior design styles now tend to clean lines, open spaces and let in lots of bright light. Keeping tables and shelves clean and free from a year’s worth of accumulated clutter should be number one on the list. It is natural to be a bit untidy or for rooms to have the “lived in” look but this  should not be allowed to morph into dirt, broken objects and useless things left to simply lie  around. This condition begins with harmless untidiness but before one knows it, there are chipped plates in the cupboard that no one bothers to replace, desks are heaped high with  papers and other odds and ends, piles of unused bags and clothes are left on the dresser, drawers get clogged, and closets      become disorganized  and messy. In a healthy home, there is warmth, love and constant moving energy. This is the home that encourages abundance. The fl ow of energy in a home must never be  blocked. When one “declutters” and gives away old clothes, old books and other things that are no longer needed, one is in essence making room for new things to come into their life. Don’t forget to get  rid of anything that causes stress, brings unhappy memories, dulls the brain or is simply annoying. These should all be cleared out immediately.

As soon as there is spare space, new  things will come promptly. Throwing out such things that no longer add to one’s sense of self and worth is  a wonderful start to welcome new developments in one’s  life. And there is no better time to do that than at the beginning of your new life with your new spouse.