By Stephanie Dempsey
Provided by Tarot.com
One of the best things about feng shui is that it's portable. That's good news for people who travel on business. Just because you're leaving familiar surroundings doesn't mean you can't be comfortable on the road. If you'd like to reap the benefits of feng shui while traveling on business, try the following tips:
Snag a Spacious Row -- Good feng shui requires space for energy to circulate freely. Since space is at a premium on an airplane, it's a good idea to reserve a seat in an exit row. This will give you a little more room to stretch your legs. It's also smart to get an actual seat assignment when booking an airline ticket, because you'll be less likely to be bumped from an overbooked flight. There's no better way to cultivate positive feng shui than taking steps to ensure a comfortable, smooth trip.
Forget Mary Ann -- Ginger is the way to go when you're traveling. Air sickness medication can make you drowsy and cloudy headed. Bring ginger candy with you to combat nausea. It will settle your stomach and radiate stimulating fire energy throughout your body. That way, you can step off the plane feeling alert and optimistic, instead of dazed and confused. Choose candy made with real ginger for the best results.
Say It With Flowers -- Flowers are an inexpensive indulgence that can really add life to your hotel room. If you're going on an important business meeting, send some flowers to yourself and have them set up so they are the first thing you see when entering your hotel room. Each time you see these blooms, your self-esteem will soar, enabling you to project confidence and charm at business meetings.
All the Comforts of Home -- If you're going to have a successful business trip, you need to feel rested and refreshed. Therefore, it's a good idea to bring some reassuring items that remind you of home. Nothing promotes good sleep like your own pillow. Putting it in a brown or yellow pillowcase will help you drift off quickly and easily. A photo of your family or pet can also put you at ease. Place this picture in the place of honor, like the far right corner of your hotel room, which governs relationships.
Ring My Bell -- Many hotel rooms are designed so that you can't see the door from the bed. This can make you uneasy and anxious, particularly since you're in an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, feng shui offers a quick fix for this problem. Tie a pleasant-sounding bell to the end of a nine-inch ribbon, and then suspend the ribbon from the door of your room. That way, you'll be alerted if someone opens the door. Hearing a cheerful chime every time you leave and enter the room will also put you in a good frame of mind.
Scent-Sational Hotel Stays -- Hotel rooms often have an impersonal feel. That's partially because they are virtually odorless. You can correct this problem by taking a small bottle of lavender essential oil on your trips. When you arrive at your hotel, dab two drops of oil on the lightbulb closest to your bed. (Make sure the lightbulb is cool when you apply the oil.) Then switch on the light. Within minutes, your room will be filled with the soothing scent of lavender. If you don't like the smell of lavender, try regenerative rosemary oil.
Attention, Please -- An essential component of business travel is getting the attention you need to succeed. To get courteous service from the hotel staff and a welcome reception from your business associates, draw on the energy of the fire element. Placing a small red candle in the center portion of the wall across from your hotel room's door will prove helpful. Be sure to light this candle for at least ten minutes each day. For an added boost, wear a red necklace or put a red silk handkerchief in your breast pocket for your meetings.
Start Your Laptops -- If you travel with your laptop for business, you should set it where it will empower you. Keeping your laptop in the far left corner of your hotel room will energize your prosperity corner. A screensaver depicting a green, leafy forest or a flourishing garden can boost your money-making prospects. You can also select an image that is directly related to your business.
Keep in Touch -- Most hotels don't offer a lot of tactile sensations. In fact, they are designed so that you don't notice the carpet, counters and cabinets. These seamless sensations are actually quite alienating. Very few environments have no material diversity. Therefore, it's a good idea to pack items that offer a variety of textures. A chenille bathrobe, silk scarf, corduroy jacket, linen dress, flannel pajamas, woolen socks … all these things can make you more alert to your surroundings, and that's definitely a good thing when doing business, whether you're creating a Power Point presentation in your hotel room, or giving a speech to the Board of Directors.
Pack a Bathing Suit -- Business travel can be stressful and exhausting. Nothing relieves anxiety better than water energy. Relaxing in the hot tub will help you release worries and restore your equilibrium. If your hotel doesn't have a jacuzzi, you can always soak in the bathtub. Even listening to the sound of running water can be soothing. Turn the taps on full blast, dim the lights and stretch out on the bed. Imagine the water washing away all of your troubles and fears.
About the Author
Stephanie Dempsey is an accomplished author, feng shui practitioner and astrologer. She has contributed to several New Age titles, including 'Your Birthday Sign Through Time: A Chronicle of the Forces That Shape Your Destiny' and the upcoming 'Love Signs and You: The Ultimate Astrological Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships.' She holds a degree in feng shui from the Mountain Institute of Tribeca in New York City.
