Molly has taken on a huge responsibility as Associate Director of her local YMCA. The job is wrought with challenges – from extremely difficult scheduling and personnel problems to the death of a resident. Every day she is called upon to find her center amidst the turmoil of security problems, outdated systems, “Bamboo” and “Yes-but Chi,” and a building that stresses everyone. We sat down together to look at the floor plans.

The building is four stories and occupies almost half a block on the main street in town. We found quite a few problems in need of a remedy. Security measures have compromised the once gracious entry. One of the main doors was closed many years ago—locked down without ceremony—and large square pillars block the remaining door. Once you pass through the door and the metal detector, you enter a maze of hallways that spin the brain. To enter the locker rooms in the basement is to know the true meaning of bad Feng Shui and poor maintenance.

The building is a nightmare—colorless, fragmented, and ignored—and slowly, day by day, destroying the ability of the staff to serve the community of those in need of recreation, shelter, and opportunity. And, there is no money to make necessary changes.

On the third floor, Molly pointed out the location of the safe. There it was – inside the now-defunct fireplace! I had a very strong feeling that this was a problem. Plans in hand, I went to Professor and asked, “What happens when a safe is located inside a fireplace?”

Here is Professor’s answer:

Since the safe, with the money, is inside the fireplace, the money is being drawn up and out of the building.

If you place a body on the building, standing upright, the safe sits at the level of the eyebrows. There is a Chinese saying, “The fire is reaching the eyebrows.” It means that disaster is near. In this case, there will be emergency after emergency, and there will be no money or support to set things straight.

Perform one of the following adjustments:

1. Prepare a vase and flute by placing cinnabar rice and fresh orange peel inside the vase. Chant 10 sacred mantras into the vase, or chant the Six True Words 108 times (Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum). Place the vase, with the flute inside, on top of the safe that sits inside the fireplace. Visualize auspicious chi being drawn through the chimney and cooling the area with auspicious chi.

Or

2. Place 9 small bonsai plants on the safe. Place some cinnabar rice into each of the 9 pots. The strong vitality of the bonsai plants will vitalize the air in the column and disperse the bad chi. Wealth will begin together.

Just before I met with Professor I learned that Molly had found some money in the budget for painting. My mind went immediately to the disorienting maze of hallways in the basement and the locker rooms that could have been condemned by the city because of the disrepair. I asked Professor how we could use color to lift the chi of the building.

Here is Professor’s answer:

The bottom floor is weak. The building needs a stronger foundation.

1. Use the Tree Cure!

• Use the colors of the trunk of a tree on the lower floor.

• Continue upward through the floors if the budget allows. Use green, and some red, on floors two and three.

• On the top floor, use the colors of flowers and/or fruit.

These colors will bring success.

Or

2. If the Tree Cure cannot be implemented, use the color of green bamboo on all floors. This green symbolizes the uprising force of bamboo—the force you also see in the increasing length of its segments as it grows.

Unfortunately, the budget for paint was cut, and the remedy was not implemented. Yet we learned something about the placement of a safe and how to reinforce the weak foundation of a building crying out for help. Here is my question for members of the Storyboard who love color.

What colors could we have chosen for the dismal locker rooms in the basement? How could we have represented the trunk of a tree—and still have provided the look and feel of a lively and welcoming room for those who use the YMCA to play basketball, swim, and gather with friends?

We have started a Pinterest board for your color suggestions. Remember, tree trunks are beautifully multi—colored. I’m excited to see what you find. We have already pinned two pictures to begin to expand your thoughts about the color of a tree trunk.

Download a PDF copy of The Tree Cure.