Feng -shui

There is a big, open air, antiques market, on the first Sunday of the month, in a town near where I live.
Walking round it, looking at all the tables, chairs and sideboards, jewellery, I often imagine the lives of the people, that once owned and used them .
What would they have worn? What were their families like? Did they have to go to war? Were they lucky in love? What great historical events occurred in their life times?
Some antique dealers, actually feel that their wares have life in them. The objects could tell stories themselves. Well, I don't really go that far, but it is easy to believe, sometimes, that good forces are present in the objects , that belonged to loved ones. Wearing my Mum's scarf makes me feel protected, sleeping in my Dad's pyjamas gives comfort to my son.

I've always liked Feng-Shui. All my information comes from articles in magazines, so I'm certainly no expert. Apart from some things, like, "floral patterns in the bedroom could encourage infidelity", or "plants with spiky, pointed leaves make you argue more", it seems just common sense.
Feng-shui. literally means "Wind-Water", and is concerned with  improving the quality of human life by bringing harmony to the environment.

The idea is to maximise energy circulation and improve the way we live.
Marriages could be saved by positioning the bed in a certain way. Work could benefit if the waste-paper basket is placed in a different corner.

It's all tied up with getting rid of toxins and circulation, a bit like the Yin and Yang. Even the way we dress could be improved, by feng-shui, the harmony of the colours, the materials we wear.,
Sometimes, my daughter will comment if something is Feng-shui, or not. For her, it's about thinking kind thoughts, being discreet, not moaning, tidying up, creating a pleasant atmosphere in the home, giving a warm welcome to the family and friends that enter.
Originally, feng-shui was mainly applied to buildings. Certainly buildings can be an eye-sore or a pleasure.
Alain de Botton, in his book "The architecture of happiness", says that our buildings and the objects we fill them with, affect us more profoundly than we might think.
The elements, earth, wind, fire and rain do influence our moods. A friend of mine told me that she never has discussions in the home. They go for a walk, so any negativity is dispersed down through the earth, instead of getting trapped in the house.
It's easy to dismiss all this and say "Whatever makes you feel better", "Each to his own", but I firmly believe we all have to work together in creating a harmonious environment.The quality of the air we breathe, the food we eat, people's behaviour, really affect us all.