We are in the middle of the Year of the Ox; that slow, steady, hard working energy has characterized most of the year so far. Periodically I take time to really examine my living space to see where I can strengthen the feng shui and, as a result, enhance my lifestyle.

I've had plans to extend the patio area in my backyard for sometime. The goal was to create more balance and make the outdoor living space more functional. This section of the yard falls in the East Family/Health and the Northeast Knowledge area. The design concept has been worked out for some time but, while waiting for an opportune time to move ahead with project, I was bothered by a small section of the yard I called the "dead zone".

This "void" or "dead zone" in the yard is where I've made a mistake. I should have focused on improving this area along time ago because aesthetically it looks lifeless and blank. Certainly from a feng shui perspective it tends toward imbalance and weakness. The area lacks a beautiful focal point that will give it life and vitality. Just glancing at it triggers a feeling of dissatisfaction and emptiness.

After considering how the "dead zone" impacted the feng shui of the backyard as well as the house, I knew I had to find a temporary solution. Up until then, I kept telling myself that the area would be remedied when the patio is extended; all the while I was annoyed every time I looked at it. The solution came in the form of 3 trees and 2 lanterns. I potted 3 trees in grow pots and placed solar lanterns between them to create a finished, balanced arrangement.

Most of us have areas in our home we want to update or improve when the time is right. Avoid making the mistake I did by at least making some enhancement, even if it's temporary. This is especially true if you have an area that is bothersome to you. My solution was to carry the design elements from the rest of the backyard to remedy the area where the "void" was. The arrangement is reusable and dollar wise because I've already started growing the trees that will be planted at a later time.

Another feng shui concept I've developed focuses on the room or area where you spend most of your time. Aside from the bedroom (and perhaps the office) this is usually the family room. Wherever this area is for you, it is "a room of great influence" and it is vital to pay careful attention to the room's balance and harmony. First and foremost, the room should elicit a sense of satisfaction and peace both visually and viscerally. The living space you spend a lot of time in has an impact on your quality of life. A recent enhancement I made to my "room of influence" was to put crown molding in and it created these changes in the room:

* Improved the floor to ceiling or spacial balance * Ambiance of the room was elevated because the "eye" tends upward toward the new design feature * Added a sense of strength and solidity to the entire room

I hope you've gained a greater understanding about the feng shui of your living space and it's connection to your quality of life.

When considering a bathroom remodeling project and applying Feng Shui we are applying a philosophical approach to the design of the room. The term, which many people are familiar with, is Chinese and translates to mean water and wind. When we apply this to bathroom design we are literally looking at the flow of energy, or chi, through the room in its most effective manner.

The principles behind Feng Shui are based on the principles that water is vital in our lives and is also a source of energy. It shows us how to use and harness this energy in an effective manner. It does not just have to be applied to the bathroom though. The same principle are relevant whether at home, in the office or market place. It has the potential to benefit our well being in all these places.

When we apply these ideas to our bathroom what we are doing is designing the room in a way that maximizes not only our health and well being but also prosperity.

To do the job correctly, there are key tools that are often used such as Bagua color charts. The philosophy behind Feng Shui is deeply rooted in religion and may be a hard concept to grasp but its use, even with minor changes will produce a neat and attractive room that will provide a lot of pleasure to spend time in.

If you study the principles and philosophy behind Feng Shui then you will come top realize that the location of the bathroom within the house is vital in terms of dictating the flow of wealth and prosperity. Indeed, if the room is on the second floor of the house above a structure like the main door then it is believed you will be preventing the flow of money.

Another place that may destabilize the flow of energy within the whole of the house is if it is positioned in the centre. Unless your are undertaking a new build or complete renovation it is likely that the bathroom will already be in place and fixed in terms of its location.

The processing and elimination of waste is one of the important functions of the bathroom. Therefore, any blockage to the outflow, according to Feng Shui, could cause a blockage to your financial flow which could impede your financial position.

The concepts, for many people are often very hard to understand, but scientific research that has been performed has shown that it could have some elements of credibility. The best thing to do is to try locating your bathroom according to the Feng Shui way and see if it works on your wealth and well-being.