If you were like me as a kid your bedroom wall would have been covered with posters and pictures. For me it was the Bay City Rollers, Jackson Five and, of course Donny Osmond. I guess you can work out my age now! For others a football team, pictures of friends or family.
As kids we put stuff on our walls that we wanted to look at. That allowed us to dream and imagine our future lives. Our pictures inspired us. We knew the value of an image and how it affects us on a subliminal level. But I often wonder if we lose that as we grow up.
Perhaps we adorn our walls now for different reasons: because we're trying to emulate somebody else, because we saw it in a magazine, because it was a present and we feel we should hang it up, because it matches the colour scheme or because the wall's bare without ‘something'.
Wherever we go we are inundated with images, so much that we have to block a lot of it out or our brains would frazzle. However, there are two places where images can have a deep effect on us, slowly seeping their message into our subconscious and you may not even know that it's happening. Those places are our home and our workplace.
So let's take a step back and think about images whether they are paintings, posters or any other artwork on display. They all visually represent something. It may be something that we recognise or it may be abstract where colour and shape dominate. Whatever is represented we will have a visual/mind reaction when we look at it. We'll like it, not like or couldn't really care less.
However, images have a much deeper effect on us and our choices of imagery in our homes and workplaces can be very telling. Once we understand this effect, we can use it to our advantage to make changes in our environments and, therefore, in our lives. This is a vital part of a Feng Shui consultation where images can exacerbate an issue and can often be used as cures.
This depicts a scene from the charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War. It's a pretty rousing picture and would not look out of place in a traditional house, perhaps in a study. But it's a battle, it's war, people die and there's lots of blood. It is far from relaxing or inspirational.
If you're looking at this scene when you work you may find yourself battling with suppliers or fighting to get your customers to pay you. And if you've got it hanging in the bedroom well, I think you can work that one out.
Here's a classic example of the type of picture you find on many board room or senior managers' walls. Now, I don't know about you, but if I'm dealing with any organisation I'd be concerned if I thought they were going through rough times like the boat is in this picture.
This is typical of an arty, atmospheric image. You would be amazed by people who are looking for a relationship, or can't seem to make relationships last that have this type of imagery in their lives. On the one hand they say they want to find somebody and settle down but their walls say ‘I want to be alone.'
Even abstracts have similar effects. The fluid shape and blue tones here represent water. Water is very Yin and is about stillness, quiet and the feminine. So it will work well in areas where relaxation takes place.
However, this one is the complete opposite. The red makes it very Yang which is fiery, active and stimulating. Also the rectangular shapes represent a rising energy so put this in a place of relaxation and it will have the opposite effect.
Are you starting to look at your walls differently now? Any imagery you use should reflect what you want, what you aspire to. A typical Feng Shui type picture would be a mountain because it represents stability, security and support. However, there's a big difference between the foothills and the top of the mountain. So, if your mountain picture is in front of you, make sure it's showing the view from the top, unless you really want to stay stuck kicking your heels at the bottom.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else' where you'll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
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