Blog: Surfing the Paper Wave
Feng Shui and Paper
I just read "Feng Shui in the Workplace" in Maria Gracia's book, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. (It's available through this site.) In the book, she makes an intriguing observation: "Treat your files with respect. Your file folders represent your past, present and future business. Be sure your files reflect your business goals. This means they shouldn't be ratty or torn. It also means they should be organized." (P. 174.) It's an easy leap to rephrase this idea to apply to paper in general: Treat all your papers with respect. They represent your past, present and future. Be sure your files reflect your goals.
Let's jam on this theme a little bit.
· What do my papers and files to say about my relationship with money? Is it stable and orderly or chaotic and unpredictable? What would I like my financial papers to say? What changes could I make today to start this happening?
· Same question for family health documents. Does the way I keep my family's health records, including my own, reflect a responsible, proactive attitude toward our health? What changes could I make today to start this happening?
· On to paper memorabilia—photos, letters, event programs, etc. Do I honor my past with my treatment of these objects, or do they reflect ambivalence or negativity about the events of my life? Again, what changes could I make that would reflect a change in outlook?
· How about contact information, for people with both close and distant relationships with me? Does the order and accessibility of this information show respect or disrespect for people?
· What about the files I keep on my hobbies and personal interests? If I am "stuck" or unable to enjoy my interests, could I find clues as to why in the way I keep my recipe files, photographic materials, scrapbooking supplies?
Some people aren't comfortable with all of the concepts of Feng Shui, seeing them as opposed to personal religious beliefs or just too alien to Western thought processes. For me, Feng Shui illustrates the ancient principle, "As within, so without; as without, so within." How I keep my papers can give me useful clues about my inner life, and my inner life can provide me insights on how best to keep my papers, and everything else I own.
posted on: 2/3/2008 10:30:00 AM by Suzanne Kuhn
category: Paper
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Surfing the Paper Wave
by Suzanne Kuhn
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About Suzanne:
Suzanne Kuhn is the owner of ACE ORGANIZING, offering affordable, customized, energizing organizing solutions to homes, schools and small businesses in the five-county Philadelphia area and central New Jersey. Although an organizing generalist, (she'll organize anything!) Suzanne has a growing specialty in paper and electronic filing systems and financial organizing. To receive her FREE booklet, 50 TOP TIME MANAGAGEMENT TIPS, email her at [email protected]
Suzanne's Website:
http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=41&name=Suzanne_Kuhn
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