One of my favorite aspects of feng shui is that it doesn’t require you to make huge changes in your space to bring change into your life. Whether your goals are to increase your energy, enhance your well-being, attract more prosperity or fame (to name a few), small changes can begin the process. Small changes made with intention–getting rid of old or outdated items you no longer use to make room for new; clearing off your desk at the end of the day to prepare for the next; making your bed in the morning to create calm at the end of your day; removing everything from a kitchen counter except what you use regularly to encourage healthy eating—help your environment support your best you. All are feng shui practices that are easy, effective, and quick.

Small changes = big difference

I was recently reminded of how the small changes we make to our spaces and our lives can also help change the world. While reading one of my favorite feng shui tomes, A Guide to the I Ching, a translation from the Chinese by Carol K. Anthony, I came across this important passage:

Every step of progress leads not only to our own success, but to a better world. Our smallest self-improvement is of the greatest importance to ending suffering in the world, and to bettering the human condition, for how things are in the world is a reflection of the accumulated effort of human beings to follow the good within themselves.  

Wow! We can feel good about cleaning out a drawer or a closet, but we can feel even better knowing the success we create for ourselves is also bettering the world!

Got an hour?

Here are other small feng shui steps you can take toward self-improvement–and positive world change–that can be accomplished in less than an hour:

• Cull stale herbs and spices and questionable pantry items from your kitchen. Checking expiration dates makes this an easy task.
• Review all your first-aid kits–in the car, drawers, and backpacks—for expired products. If you ever need to deal with a bee sting, you’ll be glad your Benadryl is potent.
• Look through your bathroom drawers and medicine cabinet to make sure all your makeup, medicines, and ointments are current. Toss out what’s old and replace what’s necessary.
• Take a trip under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to get rid of aging, potentially toxic and caustic cleansers.
• Clean out your closet. If you don’t have time for a full-on purge, pick one area to focus on. Clean out a sock drawer, your scarf display, shoe collection, or tie rack (small steps, remember?)
• Take a close look at all the notes, magnets, and artwork hanging on your refrigerator–discard or recycle what no longer speaks to you. Same goes for your kitchen bulletin board!

(Check out www.coloradomedtakeback.info and denvergov.org under trash and recycling of hazardous waste for places to dispose and recycle your waste.)

Will anyone notice the small changes you make?

You will, and not only will you benefit from making them, you know the world will benefit, too!