I never really plan anything in advance – holidays, what I am doing next week, even what I am cooking for tonight’s meal. OK work has to be the exception, clients want to know when I am going to be arriving!

Buddha said: The Secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. This is probably easier said than done for the majority of people.

I know a lady who years ago told me that she was starting a savings plan as she wanted to take her husband on a cruise for their 25^th wedding anniversary – this was when they had been married 12 years, so they still had another 13 to go! Now although the idea was nice, in reality I thought she was mad and told her so – I could not see how anyone could plan 13 years ahead. I remarked that she could walk down the road, look into someone’s eyes and fall madly in love. I was not far off the mark; she met someone at work, left her husband and married the new love of her life…… I have not asked if she is planning another cruise!

So what is it that makes us want to plan so far ahead? And is it a good thing to do?  There is the Yiddish proverb Mentsch tracht, Gott lach - Man plans, God laughs. Everyone has plans, dreams, hopes, and aspirations, call them what you will – but do we ever truly “get there”, and if we do is it what we actually envisaged, how long did it last, or did life take you off in a totally different direction? Have you ever been truly happy & contented only to see your world fall apart? Yep been there, done that, got the T shirt.

And, a whole new subject is “what is happiness”? Is it having money, success, big house, the latest phone or is it simply inner contentment?

So is Buddha right? It is no good looking back, you will never move on unless you can leave the past behind. They say as one door closes another opens – sometimes it’s just hell being stuck in the hallway. It is no good worrying about the future – who knows what life has in store for us, it is certainly no good fretting about it.

Today put your trust in the moment – it is hard to do believe me, but have faith and who knows what wonderful joys will come your way.

The tongue is like a sharp knife …… It kills without drawing blood – Buddha

Kung Hei Fat Choi

May your year be filled with happiness, good fortune, love and laughter.

I have just finished a 4 week course held by Sally, the Village Witch, Milton Regis near Sittingbourne, Kent.

Sally is a traditional witch and holds various courses and workshops at her fabulous shop in Milton Regis. She engages with lots of people for the benefit of the local community, which is really nice. Other practitioners are able to use her shop to hold their own sessions or sell their products, so their is a wide variety on offer.

The shop is a ‘treasure trove’, filled with candles, books, jewellery and a vast array of herbs and resins. If you are local it is well worth a visit, there is always a cuppa waiting – if not she has a brilliant web site - www.thevillagewitch.co.uk

Be happy for this moment – This moment is your life. – Omar Khayyam

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” 

I visited my favourite Chinese store in Portsmouth yesterday, they certainly were busy with everyone stocking up for the New Year. I have been going to this shop for years so they know me well and I always get a warm welcome.

I purchased bags of Fortune Cookies, they are such fun, I love giving them to friends and then we all read the message that is secreted inside. I always have one or two (ok probably more) as they taste nice and my message today was….. ‘luck is on your side today’!!!!  Well,what a great way to start the day.

I also bought some ‘Hong Bao’ – little red envelopes or packets. The envelopes are filled with money and are given on special occasions, especially the Chinese Lunar New Year.

As a guide, the general rules for giving Hong Bao are as follow:

• You should only use even numbers for the figures of money inside.
• You should avoid the number 4 as it translates into the pronunciation for ‘death’.
• Both 6 and 8 rhyme with  prosper’ so are general auspicious numbers to use.

The envelopes are always red which is a very auspicious colour and embellished with gold to represent good fortune.

Across Asia many people will be celebrating the Solar New Year, the first day of Spring. (Please do not confuse this with the Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on the 10th February). Today is the first day of the first month, the Year of the Water Snake. The Chinese do not give their months names, only numbers. The 9 Flying Stars have all moved back to their original house signifying new beginnings for us all.

All of last years ‘cures’ should now be cleansed and replaced as necessary. I did all of mine yesterday, relocating my 6 prong metal wind chime to the centre of my house to counteract any harmful effects from the 5 Yellow Star. 

First impressions are very important, so with the Chinese New Year fast approaching I thought I would write about Ming Tang.

Ming Tang literally means ‘bright hall’ – however, this does not mean that you have to cram your hallway with chandeliers to get the desired effect.

The Ming Tang of a home or business is a well defined area where Chi will gather before entering a building.  When buying a property it is always advisable to give the outside as much consideration as the inside.

Your home:

This would ideally be your front garden – a nice clear area between the road and your front door. Keep the garden tidy, clear of rubbish and weeds, and in all cases always make sure the front door is kept spotless.  If your front door opens directly onto the pavement or if you live in a block of flats ‘create’ your own Ming Tang by placing plants in containers either side of the door or if this is not practical consider hanging baskets.

If you have a separate porch or entry hall just inside the front door then you could utilise this.

Business:

A welcoming reception area in any business is good Ming Tang; your visitors will be able to soak up the ambiance of the company before proceeding inside.

In all cases the entrance should be well lit and uncluttered allowing Chi to flow positively through the building. You should always feel comfortable and at ease when entering any home or business.

As I said bright lights will not create Ming Tang but lighting can have a massive impact when used in the right way.  A client of mine had a straight boring entrance to his business so we worked on installing ground lighting. This was very successful as the lights were positioned to represent a winding path to the entrance. The lights are kept on all the time and visitors now meander to the entrance looking at the lighting and plants on the way. They arrive with a feeling of calmness before entering a well laid out, light and fresh reception area.

Good fortune is lighter than a feather, yet no one knows how to carry it.

Misfortune is heavier than the earth, yet no one knows how to avoid it.  

                                                                                                                                             Tao Te Ching