Economic crisis, plummeting markets, increasing un- employment, recession, depression, gloom and doom – it’s hard not to fixate on the news during times like these, right?

Nope, I’m not going there anymore.

Sure, for a week or so I was glued to CNN trying to make heads or tails of what was happening, wondering how this was going to affect my business, my husband’s job security, and my mom and dad as they prepare for retirement later this year.

But after about a week I noticed that I’d crossed some sort of tipping point.  A tipping point that positioned the news, at its best, as a source of useful information and, at its worst, as a feeding ground for that part of myself, which I call the “negative ego”, that thrives on negativity, chaos and fear.

But as they say, “where attention goes, energy flows.” Is this really where I want to place my attention… on gloom and doom?

Hell to the no!  So I decided to unplug and redirect my focus.

Quickly I began to reconnect with my virtual community of coaching colleagues and mentors.  They helped me remember what I’d temporarily forgotten - that this “chaos” is just evidence that we are on the precipice of a huge shift.

We are being forced to confront what we collectively created over the last few years, decades, and centuries, and with that, we have an opportunity to grow and transform.  We have an opportunity to awaken and evolve.

But to do that, we need to observe and learn while simultaneously redirecting our attention to what is possible and what we want to create moving forward.  It won’t happen if we hyper-focus on messages of fear and powerlessness.

Remember, where attention goes, energy flows.

So I ask you, where will you put your attention today - on the current circumstances or what is possible for the future?

Let today’s attention plant the seeds for positive change in your life and the world around you!

I’ve always been one to eat out. When I was a kid, it was McDonald’s; (okay, I admit it).

My mom would throw five bucks my way and I (the latch key kid) would skip my way over to the golden arches about ten blocks away with the biggest smile on my face. That was decadence back in the late 70’s, early 80’s.

As an adult, I became a vegetarian and, still, I liked to eat out. Portland is great that way with it’s abundance of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free restaurants and cafes.

Lately, however, I’ve been experimenting more with eating in and I’m feeling very abundant. My boyfriend and I decided to share crock pot meals each week. On Monday I make my crock pot dish and his turn is on Wednesday. We split both dishes which last for several meals.

I thought at first, I might feel scarce not treating myself to eating out. After all, the reason we started thinking this way was to save money and become more mindful where we were spending our dollars. The opposite has happened. We treat ourselves to organic ingredients and with all those yummy left-overs, I feel decadent and rich. The refrigerator seems more full than usual and I like it.

I noticed the difference this week in particular.  I’ve only spent $35 (so far) at the market and tomorrow, I’ll be treated to vegetarian Chili that I can’t wait to try.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t ever dine out. I still do and I love it.  But now, I’m more particular about where I go, who I’m supporting, and where I’m spending my dollars.

It’s a important lesson in savings, sharing and getting creative. As we practice this ritual each week, I look forward to my next recipe and get excited about my new creations. In the process, I feel rich and very, very grateful.

Sounds simple right? Not so, say most humans. It’s just that time of the century when the speedometer of life is so accelerated, who has the time, right?

Wrong. It’s more important now than ever to take a day off, at least once a week or more (if you can) to restore your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

How does one take a day off exactly? Here are some dos and don’ts.

Stay away from your computer and cel phone

Probably the most challenging thing to do right? What I am suggesting is to make a habit of NOT going near your computer or cel phone on your day off. Actually, turn it off so you won’t even be tempted. Five minutes of computer time (just to check your e-mail) interrupts the relaxation process and balance that you are trying to achieve. Everything will be there just as you left it, when you return the following day.

Don’t get in your car

On your day off, choose to walk or stay home for the day. It’s a nice break when our mind can stay off the road, away from traffic and any stress associated with it.  Walking and biking are great forms of exercise, release stress and are a great excuse to breathe in some fresh air.

Hang out at home alone

This is one of my favorite things to do on my day off. It’s free and you can wear your pj’s (all day if you like). If you have kids, try and pre-arrange an activity for them to do away from the home. This day is all about you. Here are some ideas:

1) Light a fire and stare into it.

2) Read an engrossing novel.

3) Cuddle with your cat or dog.

4) Listen to soft music.

5) Read angel or tarot cards.

6) Take a bath.

7) Read your favorite magazine.

Indulge in chocolate.

9) Drink tea.

10) Wrap yourself in a blanket.

11) Meditate.

12) Stretch or do some yoga poses.

13) Write in your journal.

14) Be grateful.

15) Take a nap.

At first, your mind will challenge you and want you to do all the things on your to-do-list. Acknowledge the voice, accept that it is pressuring you, and just keep relaxing anyway. After a few times of taking ‘your day off’, your mind will start to calm down and the next thing you know you will be looking forward to your special day.

One last suggestion: No guilt allowed

Do not let any feelings of guilt or obligation get in the way of your day off. You work hard and deserve it. Wouldn’t you agree?

Testimonials on the Brewed Chocolate website boasted feeling a ’sense of well being’ after drinking the warm beverage made out of water brewed whole cocoa beans and organic evaporated cane juice.

I was intrigued. I’m a big fan of warm, chocolately drinks and always open to trying something new.

Mara Krausz at BC offered to send me a sample so I could decide for myself and I offered to write a review (if I liked it).

A few days later, I received a small box in the mail (with the sample inside) and invited my boyfriend to participate in trying our new chocolate drink.

At first, I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, but I followed the directions and stirred in a teaspoon to my half a cup of hot water. My boyfriend followed.

We both sat back in our chairs and sipped on our brewed chocolate, which reminded me that big things do sometimes come in small, decadent packages.

It was delicious, grounding and calming, not in a sweet thick chocolately kind of way, but rather in a mature, centered Chai tea kind of a way.

As always, I was curious about the story behind the humans who created the product. Here’s more from Mara:

Brewed Chocolate is the inspiration of Rob Polevoi, who very much wanted to create a chocolate product that would contribute to the well being of his clients.  We all know that chocolate can make people feel good and recent studies highlight its health benefits.  We wanted to take the best things out of chocolate from an emotional and physical health standpoint and present it in a natural way.

We had discovered that the ancient Mexicans seemed to value chocolate even more for how it made them feel than for how it tasted, which was very striking.  They didn’t conceive of it as a dessert or as a sweet confectionary.  That got us thinking about chocolate in a new way.  We experimented for almost three years and the result was Brewed Chocolate.

Through taste testing, we found that brewing cocoa beans revealed the various physical/emotional effects of chocolate, e.g. mood elevation, stress relief, a gentle energy lift, clear calm.  We also chose to brew the purest form of chocolate possible; raw, unhulled and unground cocoa beans.

What I enjoy most is hearing from people about how they enjoy Brewed Chocolate and how it has helped them.  That is my inspiration.

I think I just found my new favorite hot drink, and just in time for the winter. Philip?

For more info on how to order Cabaret Brewed Chocolate, visit the website: www.brewedchocolate.com.

I was curious. One day as Ken Lauher — Feng Shui Consultant to the stars — was visiting Planet Pink n’ Green (thanks Ken), he stumbled across one of my posts (design q&a) on the subject of feng shui and left an interesting and helpful comment on a question that a reader had sent in. There was something genuine in his voice that made me want to learn more about his work.

As a former Feng Shui Consultant and Interior Designer myself, I was curious about his practice, how he got there (he looks young doesn’t he?) and what (Feng Shui) advice he might give on how to manage stress in our current economy. One thing led to another and an interview with Ken popped out of my brain and onto these pages. Here it is:

CJ: You are a Feng Shui Consultant in NYC, correct? How did you get involved in that field, who have you studied with and was it always your dream to work with the energy of spaces/land?

KL: Yes, I’m a Feng Shui consultant living in NYC but have clients across the nation and international.

Regarding how I got involved with Feng Shui; I have always had an interest in how a space can work for you or against you.

At the age of 6 I started moving my large bedroom furniture around to make it work better for me. And I’ve always had an interest in the Asian arts but thought I may be involved with landscaping Japanese gardens or something along those lines.

In college I started getting interested in Feng Shui and started meditating. I then moved to NYC for a job on Wall Street that gave me a new understanding of working long hours and stress. One day I started paying attention to the number of hours I was working and the toll it was taking on my health. So I decided to say goodbye to Wall Street and gain balance back in my life.

I started a networking organization and did some traveling. During that time, I had a near death experience where I saw the movie of my life. It was like watching an 8 hour movie of yourself where you see grade school teachers, all kinds of different scenes that I had forgotten about. Then I just kept repeating in my mind, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, then I snapped out of it. In real-time it all happened in a nano-second but watching the movie felt like a full day. I then began to realize that there was no such thing as time in that space and the possibility of other realms and influences.

Then I was mugged at gun point. That really put me into a tail spin. I became a hermit and didn’t even want to go outside. I made a decision at that point that again, I needed to introduce balance and harmony into my space and life. I started reading books and articles on Feng Shui. Each time I did, I would adjust my space. I soon became so frustrated with the contradictions and misunderstanding that I was ready to seek expert advice. Next thing I know, I enrolled in a 3 year Feng Shui Master’s training program to with Barry Gordon, Edgar Sung, Steven Post, and His Holiness Lin Yun Rinpoche.

It all seemed so natural to me and loved the idea of working with energy to help others. I then realized that this is my calling and now has become a life long journey for me.

CJ: You mentioned on your website and in your marketing materials that you are a feng shui consultant to the stars. Can you be a little more specific? Are your clients actors, screen writers, directors, producers, etc.? Can you drop a name? (I’m from Los Angles and have worked with a few in the entertainment industry also.)

KL:Many of my clients are very well known actors, actresses, TV Hosts, singers, songwriters, and CEO’s. Of course I also have construction workers, small business owners, stay-at-home mom’s and even a Rabbi that I’m privileged to have as clients. I would love to share names, photos and experiences of those that I work with but I provide a confidentiality agreement with my clients. This does not allow me to share who I work with or the reason for the consultation without their advanced permission. I think that is one reason why so many do work with me compared with others.

CJ: What is your biggest victory? Example, Did you work with a client and see a major shift? Or was it something in your personal life?

KL: Feng Shui consulting is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Nothing provides me greater joy than to hear back from a client who has experienced a shift, a change or had their goals come true. Some of the biggest victories are working with those in deep depression. Right away the notice a shift of energy in their body, mind and space. And to be witness to that and to see them enjoy life is just amazing.

The top 5 reasons that people come to me for Feng Shui are:
1. Increase wealth/ income
2. Find love
3. Improve career
4. Experience peace and harmony
5. Help with an existing relationship

CJ: There are so many Feng Shui Consultants out there to choose from. How do people go about selecting one that is right for them?

First off, you have to find someone that you are drawn to; a feeling like this person has entered my life for a reason. I recommend talking with them on the phone and asking them what they do and how they do it. Right away you’ll get a sense of the type of individual they are and notice how you feel or what you experience when talking with them.

I do like to tell people to beware of the milkmen consultants. Meaning, consultants that may deliver milk but have not actually been to the farm, touched a cow or even milked a cow. There are so many consultants that have taken a 4 day class or read a book or two and are now providing consultations.

A big aspect of my Feng Shui practice is intuitive. Intuition may share things with you about a space that you might not know otherwise. As a result, I do daily practices of meditation, tai chi, chi kung and other methods to enhance my intuition and energy abilities.

CJ: What suggestions would you give to others who are feeling a fear-based collective energy emanating from the current economic climate? In others words, what can people do (from a feng shui perspective) that can bring some ease to their heightened stress levels?

For me, Feng Shui is one of many methods to help a person return to their true self. When you are in touch with your true self, stress is reduced, you worry less and life seems to become easier.

So first of all, I would Feng Shui your living space and introduce life energy into the space such as plants, flowers, and flowing water. Pets are a great way to raise the chi (life energy) of a space as well.

I also recommend reconnecting with nature. During stressful times, many people have lost their connection with nature, so I recommend that you start scheduling some time to talk a walk around the neighborhood or in a park.

Exercise is important, proper nutrition and a daily practice of quiet (me) time or meditation. I provide many of my clients with daily breathing exercises and they notice a difference right away.

A quick tip for those that feel stuck, make sure the area under your desk is clean and clear. So women, stop storing all of your shoes under your desk and men, remove the paper shredder or box of files from under your desk.

For your free Feng Shui kit with quick, easy and powerful tips, visit www.KenLauher.com.