I collected masks because of my interest in various cultures, dramatic performance, ritual and ceremony. My collection spanned many years and even included a mask I crafted for a college class titled "Masks as Catalysts to Transformation." The masks were artfully displayed throughout my home, right down to the large whimsical frog mask in the main bath!

A few years ago I was doing some private soul-searching and realized the mask collection symbolized more than the appreciation of culture, performance and ritual. They reminded me that I always wore the appropriate mask when interacting with the wide variety of people in my personal and professional life. I acknowledged the masks had gradually become props in my negotiations with people, some of whom were extremely difficult. I realized it was time to remove the masks from my environment; it was time to transform into my authentic self.

The masks came down. They were carefully wrapped, boxed and recycled in various ways. I applied my Feng Shui training and experience to modify the energy in my home as I affirmed my intentions for growth and transformation-and I welcomed the new freedom of symbolically never wearing a mask again! When I completed the Feng Shui adjustments, I was convinced my personal intentions would be supported by the new, balanced energy in my home.

There was one mask, however, that I really loved-a small Balinese leather mask of a woman's face surrounded by the vitality of natural movement. To me it represented joy, beauty and power. Even though there were gloomy memories tangled up with the time I purchased the mask, I quickly decided it was worthy art, and left it in its original space on the dining room wall.

Working faithfully and sometimes painfully on transforming my life to match my truth, I began to integrate my belief systems into my living. My intentions were taking shape, relationships were changing as people began to see and like me for my authentic self, and I was returning to my spiritual hub. An added bonus was that my Feng Shui consulting business in Northeast Ohio began to grow!

One day I was enjoying my home's silence to meditate, contemplating the final steps of my life makeover, when there was a startling and loud crashing sound. My first thoughts were: I no longer have a cat to knock things over; there wasn't a gust of breeze because there were no open doors or windows; what had caused that crashing sound? The noise was so loud I first looked in the kitchen to see what had fallen. There was nothing out of place on the tile floor or the counters. As I rounded the corner to enter the dining room I glanced at the glass vase of fresh flowers on the table-it was still intact. As I investigated further I saw something puzzling. Resting on the dining room carpet was the soft leather mask-face up-mischievously and knowingly watching me. It had fallen from the wall where it had lived for three years. There was nothing between where the mask had been and the carpet. How could a small leather mask jump off its hook, land on soft carpet just six feet below and make a loud crashing sound?

I started to giggle. The giggles turned into laughter, the laughter turned into knowing, and I recognized what had happened. The Feng Shui adjustments I recently made in my home did not agree with the unproductive after-thought of leaving the last mask displayed. My true spiritual intentions, reinforced by powerful Feng Shui environmental adjustments, would not allow conflicting energy to obstruct my growth. In fact, through this seemingly unexplainable fall of the last mask the solution to my final dilemma manifested itself in a thought wave: "Remove the last mask, see yourself for who you are and begin to live your story." I went to a mirror and looked deep into my eyes. The ripened sorrow had disappeared, the clouds of uncertainty transformed into truth, and my eyes sparkled with spirit and self love.

The tool of Feng Shui is undeniably powerful and, in this case, would not tolerate a counter-productive excuse for even one mask to remain during my transformation period. I was humbled to personally acknowledge not only the true command of spiritual intent, but also the environment's energetic impact on my life and growth. Our human potential is only as far reaching as our environments are harmonious and open to the positive energies in the universe.

This is a story about elective transformation, the power of spiritual intent and the use of Feng Shui as a tool to apply the energy behind the intent. This experience taught me to not take advantage of myself, and it taught me to focus on my true intentions. I personally experienced what I often tell my clients: our intentions are the design elements of our lives, and our lives are nurtured by the conscientious personal designs of the environments we live and work in.

I listen acutely to my own spirit wisdom and apply Feng Shui theory and knowledge in each environment I am connected with. I learned masks could truly function as catalysts to transformation-especially when Feng Shui is in the mix!