Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/513891
May 18 - June 8, 2015 30 Working World l WorkingWorld.com FENG SHUI AT WORK by Katy Allgeyer Katy Allgeyer believes every workplace can be enlightened and energized by the principles of feng shui. In addition to her feng shui practice, she is a writer, artist and has worked in retail management. Past Tense Clear away psychic residue E ver walk into a vacant conference room and want to leave immediately? You may have even wrinkled your nose uncon- sciously, as if the air had a peculiar stench to it. Chances are you were picking up on some residue from the past usage of the room. It might have simply been a long, drawn out meeting with a lot of tension between the attendees. Or, worse still, the room may have been used to deliver bad news such as a mass layoff or firing of staff after a takeover by another firm. When harsh words are spoken, voices are raised in anger, or emotions are running high for whatever reason, the chi (energy) does tend to linger in the atmosphere. Those of us who are sensitive to it will pick up on the "bad vibes" even if we don't quite know what the source is. Many of us will suffer the symptoms of the drained chi even if we don't connect the dots. For example, if you're working in the vicinity of such a heavy atmosphere, you may have a lethargic feeling, a headache, or an inability to concentrate on your work even if you're blissfully unaware of any disturbances in the corporate jungle nearby your cubicle. To remove past psychic residue that impacts present workers, space must be periodically cleared. This can be done after every meeting—negative or positive—to keep the chi on an even keel. One can clear the air with sage, incense, or scented oils. Chi an also be refreshed with sound cures such as Tibetan bells, gongs, or chimes. Light also helps, as in lighting a candle to reset a balanced, peaceful mood. Opening windows and literally letting fresh air in is also suitable for a quick feng shui fix. If your employer is not open to the practice of feng shui, most of the above chi-lifting cures can be introduced by staff under the guise of "cheering up the place" or simply done after hours when the big boss is absent from the premises. Clearing the air is a subtle but powerful feng shui practice.