| We hate to think of ourselves as the kind of people who think in stereotypes, don't we? But even those of us with the best intentions are subconsciously influenced by our perceptions
of certain archetypal symbols that represent either positive or negative emotions.
For example, most of us would react with disgust and repugnance if we walked into a potential employer's office and found a huge Nazi swastika on the wall. But did you know that Hitler borrowed that windmill shaped cross symbol from ancient Chinese and Tibetan
cultures where it has an auspicious and benign meaning of good fortune? I'm not saying that we should suddenly embrace the swastika as a good luck symbol. My point is to illustrate how we imbue symbols with powerful energy for good or for evil with our collective perceptions.
This is an extreme example. From smiley faces and Valentine's Day hearts to Nike swooshes and Starbucks mermaids... in daily life, we are surrounded by iconic symbols that stir emotions within us.
Feng Shui teaches us that the intentions behind the symbols are what makes them powerful. With that in mind, wouldn’t you rather have your working environment filled with positive, upbeat, supportive symbols?
Look around your work space. Do you find any of these:
Feng Shui No-No’s
* Dead or scraggly plants.
* Unless you’re in the movie industry and equate movie posters in terms of the film’s financial grosses, having posters that depict the Titanic sinking, for example, would not be a positive symbol for a company’s success.
* Broken clocks symbolizing stopped momentum.
* Sports memorabilia from perpetually losing teams.
* Photographs of people or situations that make you feel sad.
* Dilapidated furniture.
Feng Shui Go-Go’s
* Healthy thriving plants (or faux silk ones that look real) and cut flowers.
* Any uplifting art that relates to your business or makes people happy to look at it.
* Images of successful people you personally relate to.
* Your beautifully framed degrees of higher education.
* Well maintained furniture and equipment.
* Awards and outward symbols of achievement (dollar bill from first sale, etc.).
* Motivational and inspirational calendars and posters.
Way to go!
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