MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 10/14/2009 Life is NOT beige! When Feng Shui meets Interior Decoration...

Life is NOT beige! When Feng Shui meets Interior Decoration...

Bonjour!

Today's post has been inspired by a question from my tweemie Tambra Harck about the influence of colors in Feng Shui and homes.

Just a few words to introduce the subject...

When I moved to San Francisco, 9 years ago, and began to work in the furniture industry, I was shocked to see that most people were "matching" sofas and chairs, "blending" neutrals. The only real colors in retail were mostly dark reds on leather library chairs.

I was then working at the brand new Crate and Barrel Furniture store downtown San Francisco, in the fine furniture department.
To this day, I still remember how happy one of my customers was when he came back to me and announced: "I made it Catherine! I listened to you and I went for color! You can be proud of me!" . He was holding a dark chocolate velvet pillow. Dark chocolate. To go on his all beige furniture...  I had envisioned a more powerful combination like a hot pink or spring green to make the room happen... However it was a start and I congratulated him!

All my clients know that even if I may play with specific chic beiges, you can't pronounce the B word ("blending") in front of me! All my life I have been working towards harmony and personal development, and I certainly do not promote the disappearance of the personality! 

Now look around you! There is nothing quicker and cheaper than adding a layer of fresh paint to change the energy and the look of a room, whether in a home, an office, a business, a restaurant... Experiment by yourself or book me for a color consultation. Now is the perfect timing to make your nest more welcoming just before the holidays and the family reunions. And if you know somebody you love and who needs a lift, you can even gift my services. It may change a life!

Be good and don't behave,
In Joy & Respect.


CatherineLife is NOT beige! Forget muddy tones for interior decoration...

The Elemental Productive Cycle in Feng Shui, colors included!

Your Comments:

·         10/14/2009 1:10 PM Amy wrote:

I am mostly blue #inagoodway : Blue/green, a cross betw aqua and teal, but translucent #thecolorofmylife !

• 10/14/2009 1:43 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:

In the flow, towards the growth!

·         10/14/2009 1:13 PM Ray Beckerman wrote:
Catherine, while I defer to your wisdom and expertise, I find it amusing that people can have such contrary views of things.

I'm the kind of person who totally loves beige, and if asked to pick a color as to what "life is", beige might well be the one I'd pick.

I certainly like it for most choices in the physical world, such as interiors and exteriors of homes and businesses, and for furnishings.

But your refreshing, delightful, and insightful outlook certainly gives me food for thought.

Hmmm... it might even get me to notice what's going on around me for a change.

• 10/14/2009 1:37 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Dear Ray,
  as we know since we met in Twitterville, we are often in contrast, but most of the time on the same wave length... Stilettos versus bare feet, bright colors versus beige...
  Don't get me wrong, I can totally use beige for my clients, but it has to be a sharp one, not a muddy one that will burden them instead of uplifting their spirit.
  Look at colors like a touch of humor... maybe? hum?
  Merci for your comment, it means a lot to me.

·         10/15/2009 4:28 AM Donna Dawson wrote:
I used to be a beige person when we lived in Canada but since moving to Panama my colours have changed.
We live in a condo now and that beige colour would be too bright with our hot sun. My walls in DR and MBR are sea green silk type fine grass cloth & a bit darker green in LR - this was used because walls are concrete and noise is softened. The walls are all painted a colour called caffe latte - very similar to the tiny brown flowers you have on this page Our office has a herringbone silk grass cloth again to soften noise.
It was great fun doing up our home and for once everything matches in our 34 years of marriage Lots of green plants add to my serenity as I am a master gardener.
I will change the caffe latte to another colour in a year or so, but need help in deciding where to go next! Any ideas are most welcome!

• 10/15/2009 8:21 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Donna, why don't you email me a picture of the room you want to change. I can have a look...
  
  BTW plants are always a very good life carrier in a room. Just avoid pointy spiky aggressive leaves indoor. If they fit perfectly symbolic outdoor protection, they are not suited for inside.
• 10/19/2009 4:26 PM kris wrote:
  ... maybe you go from latte to orange juice!
  love kris
  ... i totally love bright colours, but also beige once in a while...
  but America definitely needs a colour revolution ---- MOST OF THE HOUSES are
  BRRRRRRRRRRREIGE! THAT MAKES ME SAD!

·         10/15/2009 3:13 PM jes wrote:
For the record, and I say this with no disrespect intended to any of your readers, I think my son's goldfish has a better understanding of the use of color and style than most - we agree!

• 10/16/2009 7:39 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Goldfish => very good luck in Feng Shui!
  
  I actually think style in decor is like taste in food, it needs to be educated since you are a child. It does not matter the money, the country, the options: if you show a child beauty, and make him/her feel it through his/her eyes, and understand it, chances are higher to have an adult who appreciates and cares for what is around. And dares to make strinking choices!
• 10/19/2009 4:27 PM kris wrote:
  that is sharp - and sadly probably true! cheers kris

·         10/16/2009 12:52 AM michele wrote:
wonderful...
I love the blend of what you do

• 10/16/2009 7:34 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Michele, you are killing me!
  

·         10/16/2009 8:58 AM Silvia wrote:
I love the blending of colors, fabrics, accessories and make the warm feel of home for each room Merci beaucoup Catherine ...

• 10/16/2009 4:39 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Je vous en prie! When you say "blending of colors" do you use the same shades or different one that you pair and harmonize?
  BTW are you on Twitter?
  

·         10/17/2009 4:08 PM Jodi Raven Hawk wrote:
Nice article. I agree. I am beige, however, I do not own to paint to my taste. I think I would try color. I have a variety of color on my wall via paintings etc, but it is quite a different affect with paint...

So when that delicious day comes when I own my own place, I will give it a whirl.

Good for people to think about.
COLOR.

·         10/18/2009 4:53 PM calvarezHIS wrote:
If your life is drab then blame the surroundings!
 I agree with Catherine, warm up your nest, get out of the beige funk even like if it's one pillow at a time
--like her "customer" above
PS:  My walls are tuscan inspired = PAS de BEIGE. I even own a red sofa in my bedroom!

• 10/18/2009 5:44 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Ahhhhh Carol,  a red sofa, or a red chaise... So Sexy. So chic.

·         10/19/2009 10:48 AM journeymagic wrote:
From personal experience: whatever Catherine says about colors, take her very seriously! She knows what she's talking about.
She IS multi-talented: a great Interior Decorator, and as you may not know, along with a Feng Shui consultant, she is also a fabulous Coach!
Merci Cherie for all your assistance in the past: you have my permission to give me as a reference anytime!

• 10/19/2009 11:24 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  What a beautiful referral! Merci Veronica! 
  You first hired me for an Interior Decoration project, then several Feng Shui consultations and now some Inspirational Coaching sessions. And we became friends! You defintely know all my facettes!
  

·         10/19/2009 4:40 PM kris wrote:
I LOVE ORANGE ... and the US needs a COLOR REVOLUTION! Maybe that would help THE ECONOMY?!

Some people say we become what we eat.
I say, we become what we see!
Most of the houses here - at least apartment- and housing communities- are painted BEIGE OR BETTER IN ANY SAD MUDDY COLOR.
I feel S A D, when I see them,... even better, next to the freeway!
LET'S CHANGE TO THE BETTER! LETS BE BOLD & BRAVE! CHANGE BEIGE INTO MORE INSPIRING COLORS IN YOUR LIFE!

carpe diem
+ LOVE KRIS
come over and have a look!
http://mruxndesign.blogspot.com/
http://www.mr-uxn.com/paintings.htm
Reply to this

·         1/4/2010 11:43 PM Keane wrote:
Very inspiring! I'll aim for more vibrancy

• 1/5/2010 12:02 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
  Get the Life in, Keane, and shine it out!
  Bonne annee!

·         4/26/2010 3:07 AM bamboo rugs wrote:
Thanks for posting this info.
 I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can’t wait to read lots of your posts.

·         5/24/2010 3:54 AM Home Appliances wrote:
Color is so important. I remember in second grade hating my school - because the walls were beige and aqua-marine. Some orange and red - even a nice vibrant blue - would have made so much difference!

·         5/28/2010 9:58 PM Outdoor Chairs wrote:
I knew I loved your site when I saw the line "LIfe is not beige!"
What is it with all the beige with modern designers? It is so boring! I love it when they through in a beige pillow on a cream couch and proclaim they have added color! LOL

·         6/1/2010 10:24 PM moris wrote:
Honestly speaking I found some change in my fate after implementation of Feng shui in my home. I am herby sharing four simple Fengshui tips for you:

i) If you have your front door or front window open directly to a window or door at the back of your house, place a big screen or furniture to block the alignment to prevent good Chi from entering and leaving your house straight away.

ii) Find a way to brighten long and dark corridors. They trap bad chi inside your home and prevents the good chi from entering and circulating inside.

iii) It is good luck to place an aquarium or a fountain inside your home. Good Chi is attracted to water. A good place to place your aquarium is facing your front door inside the house to invite good Chi to come in. Other good places to put an aquarium or fountain: On the south-east element of your home for wealth, south-west for marriage, east for health, west for friends, north for career and north-east for education.

iv) Don't place your kitchen directly below a bathroom, nor place your kitchen in front or the centre of your house. Ideally, the kitchen should be located at the back of your home. And if you cook by open flame, it is best to cook outside the house.

·         8/4/2010 5:56 AM automated forex system wrote:
Nice article. I agree. I am beige, however, I do not own to paint to my taste. I think I would try color. I have a variety of color on my wall via paintings etc, but it is quite a different affect with paint...

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 10/01/2009 Selling or buying a place? It is not only about location!

Selling or buying a place? It is not only about location!

Bonjour!

In the San Francisco/Bay Area where I live, real estate has always been Ze indicator of the economy.  Houses made in wood and sheet rock sell for Millions of dollars, what is always very surprising to the Parisian Moi, so used to hardcore stone and concrete! Of course there are more earthquakes here than in France, and the structures reflect this need for flexibility!

Anyway, whether it is a buyer or a seller's market, everywhere in the world, you can always see incredible places, perfectly located and manicured, who do not sell. You can also see newly moved in buyers feeling like strangers in their own castle.

Why? How is it possible? What to do? Feng Shui and psychology help to understand and address these crucial issues. For years I have been collaborating on a regular basis with top realtors and stagers who have understood that adjusting the energies of a place is as important as decorating it and publishing the flyers!

Who wants to buy and live in a place that still belongs emotionally to somebody else? Who wants to get a ghost as a bonus? Every ancient culture used to perform space clearings. Sage burning, incense, holly water, bells… you name the tools! This is not because we live differently now and ignore our so-called “irrational” thoughts that the Universal structure changed around us!  Rejection is not the solution.

How many old practices have been re-discovered in the last 50 years? How many pharmaceutical companies are now looking for the last medicine men to get information on plants and healing techniques after despising them as “superstitious nonsense”?  Interesting, isn’t it?

Now think quick! Remember once you walked in a place and felt immediately awkward, cold, and uncomfortable?  Was it the décor, the people? No. It was the energy, something you could not see but you can still feel and describe months or years after it happened. Now the conversation is open and I would love to read your own stories in the comments!

It is it time to reconcile our knowledge and our skills and use them to live better, in harmony! Clear your space, breathe and grow…

In Joy & Respect,

Be good and don’t behave, however please suscribe!

Catherine

Special Merci to @AliceTChan and @EvangelistaLA on Twitter for asking me these questions! 

Buying a new home? Clear the space to make it yours!

Spirits in a house? Not a myth.

Aggressive ghostbuster technique? Not the best idea to create harmony!

Selling a house: Let go! Now!

My recent radio interview with Alice T Chan on Feng Shui and Staging: 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Staged-Home-Lifestyle/2009/09/17/Staged-Home-Lifestyle-Radio-Show-Debuts


Your Comments:

·      10/5/2009 3:01 PM Deborah Aldridge wrote:
I am working on clearing my space.
I'm getting rid of probably 90% of what I own, keeping only what I can't part with and what I must have to function. I'm reducing a 1400sf house to what will fit into a 10 foot truck, and planning to move to a tiny apartment or single large room somewhere.
For the end years of my life, I want around me only what makes me whole, no more.

·      10/5/2009 3:42 PM Jodi Raven Hawk wrote:
Energy is a powerful thing. Most do not believe that all carries energy. You mentioned medicine men, that part is quite close to my heart as my adopted father is one. Do I use that medicine before others, you bet. When there is a healing, it is the clearing out of the "bad" energies of the body. The body holds on to the memory of many things that causes blockages. Releasing them is good. Some take it back. What is known is comfortable, yet it is the old energy. That would also conform to what you are saying about feeling the energy in a house. One must be open to be able to feel the energy. More are starting to wake up to that, feeling the unknown.
To me, all contains energy. The stones, the trees, the creatures, the wood of the house. That is why when I pick up a stone, I can feel the energy it radiates. Some stones are healers, however, if many have touched that stone, then their energy is attached. That is why it is important to clear that energy out.
Same goes for a house. When I was with someone, a new home was purchased. First thing I did BEFORE we moved in was to sage the place, sing my "prayers" and change the vibration of the house for many were there building it.
The place I live in now, one tells me, OH THE ENERGY feels so good in here. Even the outside.
Energy is everywhere. We can emit positive or negative energy to others. People subconsciously pick this up. Most can relate to that. Take it to the abstract and most get lost.
I am trying to reconcile something that happened to me prior to surgery. It is crazy as for ONCE I really stood up for myself and BANG, I was disowned. I know I hurt some people. It was NOT intentional. Intent has a lot to do with energy. Yet, this energy will not leave me. I have to figure a way out of it. I feel like I am dead to these people now which helps make my life too isolated. You say get out, see people. Well, my job was taken away from me because of this. Not for performance. That sucked. I can feel the CHANGE in energy that people have toward me.
An example, silly really, I have an advance directive. I told the doctor only let that person know ALL the details of my surgery as they are a PA and would be able to explain to me what happened. The "clan" freaked as they felt this person was far away and THEY should know what happened. S0 NOW I am a leaper and I can feel the energy change. It affects me. I have to get to a point where I can let it go. It is a lonely task and it sometimes puts me down the rabbit hole. All due to a shift in ENERGY. I question, DID I CHANGE who I WAS INSIDE or was my action not appreciated. I am still who I AM. That was all forgotten! So now I hold on to sad energy. Not on purpose, just trying to find a way to change it. To say I AM STILL ME. I AM STILL THE GIVING, LOVING, PERSON I WAS. Maybe to 1 person I can understand why their energy changed so radically, yet the "sheep" followed.
Energy IS POWERFUL. I WANT to be back in harmony. Nature provides that for me

·      10/19/2009 4:11 PM kris wrote:
Dear Catherine,

We live in San Jose, in a very gorgeous, little house. The layout of the house is great for the two of us (my husband and myself) – high ceilings and lots of light, which was the reason for us to rent this house +cozy garden!
What you see in the pictures is the front of the house! (this is our neighbor’s entrance!)

The walkway to the entrance of the house, seemed to cut into the lawn like a knife – especially with the accurately cut edges.
the community makes sure that the leaves, you see on this photograph, get blown away ,weekly,by the leaf blowers, which I personally think is the worst invention ever – useless and as if had not enough noise and polluted air already in the cities.

… I did not feel any beauty, love or life in this kind of “landscape design”. Besides that I was always interested in FENG SHUI, and knew about the negative effects of this kind of entrance way.

So, one day I planted these tiny white flowers, which smell like honey, trying to give the edge a little curvy, more organic shape by planting them in irregular distance to each other. Jan, my husband, a biologist , loved the more natural looking than the “MILITARY LOOK”, how we use to call it. lol

Our happiness and joy over the changed LOOK, in the front, didn’t last very long.
Some months later the housing community sent us a letter, in which they asked us to remove all the plants, which I had planted (also the yellow flowers, which I had planted inside the rotting rests of an old stump of a tree [ which looked like a hole in a giant mouth, where one molar is missing!] which used to stand there, before one of the lawn mowers had drove over – do not ask me how this is possible, but this is the story! , which you see in one of the photographs.
[ I will have this article on my blog as well ... including the photographs!]

The reason: to restore the original landscape design which they think is more beautiful!
I am not joking here!

Many times, when people were passing “our house”, they were obviously enjoying the beautiful flowers, and I also got many compliments about it, when I was just watering the flowers! That shows us that many people have the ability to FEEL or SEE THE DIFFERENCE!

I tried to ignore this side of the house since those days, and we very rarely use this “main” entrance, but still it is not easy, when you are an artist, a person who is very sensitive and wants to improve spaces - make them more a space of inspiration for all of us - through beauty which surrounds us daily.

Our environment influences us more than most people believe!

Kris

·      10/19/2009 4:15 PM kris wrote:
Here is another short story concerning energy of houses.

I am also able to feel if something strange went on in a house. Once, a friend from university invited me on a trip in the countryside, staying in his grandparent’s house overnight. It was my birthday – in May, when it is really pretty in Germany.
When we arrived there and he showed me around in the renovated old half-timbered house, it looked pretty, nice colors and furniture, etc., but later, when we went to bed and it became more silent, it seemed to change its “face” …. it’s difficult to describe, but it felt tight and sad, and I hardly found sleep that night. The next morning I told my friend that I wanted to leave the house as soon as possible.
First it was not easy for him to understand, and he had totally forgotten what had happened in the house - that the grandfather had hanged himself in the attic.
Not a nice story - but life!
You are totally right, that one can feel if previous house owner have let the house "go".
And, I think, language is more important than many people think.
Please,, people, talk more in a positive way, and you will attract the positive in the world, and be careful with what you say and how you say it!
Carpe Diem
Kris
from
mr uxn design = www.mr-uxn.com
Or come and visit my blog http://www.mruxndesign.blogspot.com/

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 09/06/2009 Imagine your face without a mouth, a smile... Support Operation Smile and Twestival SF!

Imagine your face without a mouth, a smile... Support Operation Smile and Twestival SF!

Bonjour!

I am not going for a long blog today, just a few links I ask you to follow. Trust me. I know you do. Because if you subscribed to this blog/vlog, it is because you care too. (And if you are just visiting, it is fine too, you can still subscribe! )

After blogging about how community AND charity should begin at our doorstep, I am going global!
First because we are one so immense and one so small world, that our windows open on more than our city neighborhood.
Second and especially because when unfairness touches children, we need to be even more aware and efficient.

Today I recorded my video in the Potrero Hill Community Garden in San Francisco (http://www.potrerogarden.org/) as a symbol for growth and unity.A seed we plant here pollinates the world...

Now I just want you to go to the http://www.operationsmile.org/ and watch the video where they explain the life before/after surgery of this cute dancing child called Rikta. Maybe you can give up a latte and contribute to a mouth... By the way, if you don't believe in reincarnation, children are our legacy and our future. And if you do believe in reincarnation, children are us, you and me... Oui!  Therefore, in both case, we just cannot let them down!

Then I want to meet you at http://www.twestivalsf.com/ on Friday 09/11/09 night! We will have a great time, I cannot wait to see some of my favorite Tweemis (Tweeter + amis/friends in French) like @LauralovesArt or @Fogfish there... There is also a silent auction and .... I donated a 2 hour Color + Feng Shui consultation, so you better bet on that one! It will give a surgery to a child with a cleft palate, and if you win, your environment and your life will improve tremendously!  Not even talking about your karma!

Imagine your face without a mouth, a smile...
Give a smile to a kid, give him/her a chance to live. Being able to be him/herself, finally.
Not hidding. Not hidden. Not rejected.
Now. 
This is definitely good Feng Shui!

Joy & Respect,
Au revoir...

Catherine

Who to follow on Twitter for this cause in San Francisco :
@TwestivalSF
@BraveGirl
@krystyl
And if you are not in San Francisco, why don't you organize a Twestival in your city?
@Twestival


Here are all the videos that @IrinaSlutsky recorded for Justin TV at the event:
http://www.justin.tv/clip/4a76692c5ab4f05b

Your Comments:

·      9/7/2009 10:14 PM Stana Warren wrote:
Another amazingly inspiring vlog Catherine!
You are such a gentle and loving soul. I'm so glad we are Tweemis.
Stana

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 08/06/2009 Unleash the Power Within - The Tony Robbins Seminar

Unleash the Power Within - The Tony Robbins Seminar

Bonjour!

As you may know, I just spent 4 days with my friend Veronica (@JourneyMagic) in San Jose attending the Unleash the Power Within seminar lead by Tony Robbins and facilitated by the facetious Joseph McClendon.

How to describe that moment? AND why does my blog suddenly writes itself in blue? No kidding... ???

Anyway...

"Live strong and live in passion!"  is one of the mantras that Tony Robbins uses for 30 years to get people thrive in their life, while eliminating all the "programing BS" that poisons them since they are kids and kill them slowly. Do  any of these conditionings ring a bell?

• "I am too young to"
• "I am too old to"
• "I am too poor to"
• "I am not enough to"
• "I don't have time to"
•  "I'm not able to"
• "I am fat because I have big bones"

I discovered Tony Robbins in the 90's while  I was also reading Eric Berne's What Do You Say After You Say Hello and Richard Bandler's books on NLP.  I was at that time transitioning between my job as the Director of a Graphic Design school towards a coaching practice. I had seen for years students (and teachers!) fighting against the weight of engraved patterns.  How many times had I said "You are not like that, you are not what they say, you do not have to fit the image you've been stamped with!"...

 Transactional Analysis , NLP, hypnotherapy... All these techniques have encountered a lot of critics, as they were shaking hard the psychiatric intelligentsia.  Now people can testify they work. Most successful politics, athletes, businessmen/women use them to get exceptional results.

We can change your fate by releasing the fear, changing our limiting beliefs, our physiology, our approach, and by taking "massive action" towards the goals, not the obstacles!
Thanks to these authors, I  changed dramatically my vision on my own life mechanisms and also my way of helping people grow in emergency situations, without years of therapy. I became more efficient for others, and one step free-er!

Here are a few highlights of the Unleash the Power Within.  I could not obviously film during the personal development/ sharing parts of the seminar. I was crying and laughing like everybody else! I added a few videos for you to explain how I went to the Seminar and get my perspective on it.
 
Just imagine  3000 +1 people from all over the demographic maps gathering to change their life, and living for 4 days an incredible experience I was not even expecting at all. A magical sense of community.

Be good and certainly not behave!
Smiles, blessings and action!
 
Catherine


Accepting miracles, and being thankful. How I got to go to the UPW Tony Robbbins' seminar!
Accepter les miracles et remercier. Comment j'ai pu aller au seminaire de Tony Robbins UPW.

My impressions of the UPW Tony Robbins' seminar in San Jose, CA, July 2009. (1)

Mes impression sur le seminaire UPW de Tony Robbins a San Jose, Californie, Juillet 2009. (1)

My impressions on the UPW Tony Robbins'seminar, July 2009, San Jose, CA. (2)

Mes impressions sur le seminaire de Tony Robbins UPW, San Jose, Californie, Juillet 2009. (2)

Are you ready for this? Pumping up the group energy before the introspection. 

Est-ce que vous etes prets? L'energie de groupe monte avant d'attaquer l'introspection.

"It is not about firewalking, it is about dissociating from the fear" 

"Le probleme n'est pas de marcher sur les charbons ardents, mais de se dissocier de la peur" - Tony Robbins

After 4 hours of intense core process and restructuration without break, celebrating! 

Apres 4 heures de travail "au coeur", et sans pause, la celebration!

An incredible energy, the end of the 3 day process, 3000 people jumping and laughing and dancing, free. And a drenched Tony Robbins who thanks everybody. 

Une energie incroyable, conclusion d'un parcours de 3 jours, 3000 personnes qui sautent et dansent et rient, libres. Et Tony Robbins, trempe, qui remercie.

GRATITUDE!

Namaste.

Your Comments:

• 8/9/2009 10:02 AM journeymagic wrote:
  Catherine Cherie, congratulations on a great VLOG about our UPW San Jose experience....
  You've been very productive and I'm proud of you!
  Miss you and hope to see you soon!
  Bisou xo
• 8/9/2009 11:24 AM BawldGuy wrote:
  I've followed both Tony Robbins and NLP since the late 80's.
  Robbins uses both NLP and Biblical principles for nearly everything he teaches, which is why he's lasted so long. Solid substance always wins out over time.
  
  Like Dad said, 'Nothing succeeds like success.'
• 8/9/2009 11:34 AM Laura Iriarte wrote:
  Catherine, looks like you had an amazing incredible time!
  Very fun and inspiring! 
  

• 8/20/2009 7:44 PM Amy Jewell wrote:
  Catherine!
  
  What a treat this way, watching your videos! Now I can see you AND hear you! It was great meeting you. Looking forward to the first of many projects that we may end up doing together in the future!

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 08/31/2009 People like you and me. Why charity should begin at our doorstep. Now.

People like you and me. Why charity should begin at our doorstep. Now.

"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~ Mother Theresa

Bonjour mes amis!

This new post is probably not the most fun one I could ever blog but it is essential to me.

A few months ago, I was talking with a friend of mine and expressing how tired I was of seeing otherwise very generous people giving lots of money to multiple charities all over the world, while closing their eyes on the striking raising poverty in their own neighborhood or even personal circles.
Don't get me wrong: I do NOT say not to donate to worldwide non profits. They do a fabulous job and we all need to support them.  Two of my favorites: Medecins sans Frontieres http://www.msf.org/
and Amnesty International  http://www.amnesty.org/.

What I say is, and I am sure that it could sound provocative, is:
We can't fool ourselves by only sending tax deductible checks and feeling good about it while we are surrounded by a growing wave of desperation in our closest environment.

I know, it is as easy to loose touch with our surroundings as it is to get distracted on Twitter! We live separated by gizmos, screened by passwords; even resumes are first selected by computers before anybody get to read them! People like you and me and who have still have jobs are overworked and scared of losing their position/clients, while laid-off people also like you and me are busy trying to make things happen before... before what? ... before the unemployment checks stop paying their rent, before their savings stop paying their mortgage, before ... they are suddenly homeless.
People like you and me.

Yesterday I met Elyssa Durant on Twitter (@ElyssaD) and I encourage you to subscribe to her blog:  http://www.thepowersthatbeat.blogspot.com/
Elyssa blogs on a her everyday fight to get a home, escape from the shelter violence, get back to the decent life that escaped from her one day, by accident. Trust me, it is not sugar-coated and you will witness a 35 year old girl trying to keep her sanity and her backberry while facing violence, incompetence, denial, abandon.
A girl like you and me.

One last thought... You may find ironic that I look so dressed up on a Vlog talking about homeless. It is purposefully planed. Appearances are deceiving. Take me as an example. If tomorrow I do not have enough clients/projects to pay for my bills and rent, what do you think will happen? I have no back up. Will I lose my stylish clothes and famous shoes? NO: I will loose my home. At first it will not show on my social image. I will probably still look fabulous for a while. However it will maybe kill me.
A girl like you: me?

We are one.
Let's open our hearts, our eyes, and give a hand or a food basket!
Asking our neighbors and our friends: "How are you doing? Are you OK?" and really listening to their answer.

Namaste,
In Joy and Respect, for All.

Catherine

PS: Once more I want to promote the mission of my friend Richard Bassett (@RichBassett) in Boston who does an incredible job to raise awareness for human causes and connect people: http://www.youtube.com/richardbassett1956

PPS: I am working hard on the Saint Vincent Pro-Bono project now with the support of the San Francisco Design Center and Philanthropy By Design. If you want to give at-risk abused teenagers a chance to stand for themselves by living in a healthier uplifting home, contact me. I am remodeling a house with Feng Shui principles and fun colors! Merci.


Know your neighbors. Build a true community. We can all be homeless tomorrow.
"The act of NOT helping is an action in and if itself. Do not look the other way, bystander apathy public safety issue for all. Random Act Of Kindness". ~ Elyssa Durant 

Your Comments:

8/31/2009 5:57 PM Debby wrote:
Catherine,

I didn't realize how involved you are in so many worthwhile organizations and your words ring so true. "No man is an island", as they say. How important it is to be attentive and empathetic to others around us, to count our blessings and/or lucky stars, to lend our ears and hearts to others, and express gratitude daily as soon as our feet hit the ground in the morning.

Merci de nous rappeler l'essentiel de la vie!

8/31/2009 6:28 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
Merci beaucoup!
Your beautiful comment touches me a lot.

I dedicated all my career to "the human", "l'humain". With different ways, different points of entries, from education and art when I was managing a Graphic Design School in Paris to training and coaching and interior decoration and Feng Shui and... The list never ends, as whoever I am in this incarnation, I will find a way to grow and help somebody else growing too. Sometimes it is a small touch, sometimes it gets more visible.

In my career and my personal life, I saw so many incredible beings crunched by accidents, when sometimes just a piece of free legal advice or an anonymous donation would have given them the push they needed to make it through. But "nobody knew"... Same way that "nobody knows" when children are abused or an entire population is dis/misplaced!

Of course I have also my soft points, I am not detached at all from the consumerism! Trust me... too many shoes, not enough feet! Far away from perfection, this is why I am so human! However the more I grow, the less I judge, but the less tolerance I have for hypocrisy or denial!

Smiles and Blessings to you,
Au revoir...

Catherine

8/31/2009 9:24 PM Heather wrote:
Catherine, once again you have hit on the essence of the issue.
Who are our neighbors? Why don't we know each other? What accountability do we have to each other? Who do we turn to when we need help? How many people can you really ask for help if you need it?
Sadly for many they feel there is no one, and when the work, money and support disappears really nice people like you and me end up in dire situations.
But there is always someone who has it worse, and if you are in a position to help you should start close to home. And start by answering the tough questions.
Thank you for your inspiration and for the courage!

8/31/2009 10:55 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
Merci Heather...

I was thinking of our conversation, and then I met Elyssa. When I went on her blog, the post got my in tears in 1/2 of a second. Big tears, the wave. I decided to do this post.

If one of my readers/watchers ask a friend or a neighbor a real question tonight, it will already be useful.

Smiles, Blessings and Bacon cookies (private joke)!

Catherine

9/1/2009 9:23 AM anne wrote:
Je constate quand même que les services sociaux sont nettement plus deficients outre-Atlantique qu'en Suisse, mais hélas ça en prend aussi le chemin chez nous avec toutes les coupes annoncées dans les dépenses publiques... En attendant, je m'occupe quand je peux de ma vieille voisine, qui elle n'est pas à la rue, mais bon, c'est ma BA perso...

9/1/2009 10:55 AM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
Bonjour Anne!
Nor a lot of ! in my last post as you noticed...
I am sorry to read that even in Switzerland, budgets for helping people in need get cut. 

9/3/2009 4:33 PM Anita Nelson wrote:
Brilliant post, Catherine!
Yesterday on our local news, they showed the disbanding of a "tent city" no one really knew existed near Ann Arbor, MI. Here were people living beneath trees and a tarp - lots of them! - and they were VERY upset to be losing THAT set up. They had lived in an apartment building that had apparently gone bankrupt and they didn't know where they would go! I thought, they are already nowhere, surely a government agency will step in! But they had already "used up" their time at the shelters.
I have not seen a follow up story on this! There's ALWAYS a follow up story the next day about how an apartment let the people live there or the shelter let them in. Not today. I don't know what to do. This is a couple of hundred miles from me, yet it's right next door. You're so very right about how close any of us actually is. There but for the Grace of God go I.
Thank you for this post, Catherine.
x0x
Anita Nelson @ModelSupplies

9/3/2009 4:59 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
Merci Anita,
for this heartfelt comment.

Every coach will tell you that every success story begins with a bankruptcy but I am not so sure it works that well when people have entire families to support and not even a bathroom. It is easier to get one friend on your sofa than one family.
What to do? Accept the survival of the fittest and nobody else? I don't think so!
Raise awareness in your own community, have a fundraising, find a building owner who could maybe help...
Ma cherie, I don't know either... But stand for what you feel is true, and build a bit more community, step by step.

Joy & Respect,
Catherine
@CatherineGrison

10/6/2009 8:42 PM Jodi Raven Hawk wrote:
In my world, you donate yourself to your community. Elders are taken care of and people who need help get it most the time. That is what I was taught on my path and it was also innate in my spirit growing up.

My father died when I was 8. There were crazy times that followed, however, my mother instilled in me how to give. Before she started back to school, my mom would bring home people from the Free Clinic in SF as they had no where else to go. She fed them and they would stay a bit. Although my mom didn't have much money, it didn't stop her from giving.

Giving begins at home. For me, I have no children, however, I am care taker of my four legged kids. I am also care taker of this earth. I go out and give of myself. I miss that right now as money is so tight I cannot afford the gas I would need to do some HIV counseling in another town.

Everyday, I see something new. I look around me. Today I saw two small doe's. It saddened my heart as I knew that their parent must have been killed and they were fending for themselves.
You can be anywhere and notice things. Does not have to be in the country. When I am doing errands, I might notice a bird that landed near by and say hello. I might just smile or open a door for someone. Giving comes in many forms.
I do miss that I cannot give to organizations. I NEVER used them as tax deductions. I gave to them as I believed in the work they were doing.

There are times that it is GOOD to be distracted by your surroundings as they can be quite negative. Being a person that remains calm and peaceful inside as there is craziness all around them. Your energy can affect water. It can affect so many things. The way you give, does it come from your heart? Are you trying to prove something to others? Many reasons why someone gives.
I have been on a fixed income for a long time now, however, it never prevented me from volunteering somewhere. With the homeless, HIV/AIDS counseling, Alcohol/Drug counseling, working to rehabilitate seals back to the wild. The list goes on and on. That is what my spirit misses in my life.
I was ALWAYS grateful for any part time job I could get to help with the finances. People who do have jobs tend to forget those who do not.

That is why I chose to persue my dream of writing. Getting our animated screenplay on the screen. What am I going to do when that happens. First take care of me (as I tend to over give) then work my way through my small community, then to the world at large.
Giving, I feel, needs to come from an unconditonal love in your heart. It all starts with the heart and the energy you emit from it. There are so many ways to give. So many things to see.
Just this morning I was sitting on my steps watching the full moon and thinking just how beautiful it was. The cold wasn't even affecting me - it was 30 degrees outside.

I really like your blogs. They bring up issues that need to be discussed and hopefully more will wake up and "smell" the roses.

10/19/2009 1:53 AM Interior French wrote:
I love this article. It really shows how people should be concerned about everybody that she/he knows.

11/24/2009 11:32 AM Britt wrote:
Blessed...