Daily Focus

No Offense Taken

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, And focused on how to deal with criticism in a way that is excepting and calm, rather than taking immediate offense.

An interesting thing about today’s meditation is that I do my card draw before I meditate, and yet both the card and the meditation tie into each other very clearly today.

The guided meditation spoke on how it is important to listen, even when what you’re hearing is criticizing and negative. Even these messages from people sometimes have something you can learn from them, and take away on a positive note.

Today’s draw is the Five of Wands, which is a representation of trials, conflict, struggles, strife, and harshness in the area of one’s drive, passion, willpower, and inner spark.

The Five of Wands has made an appearance today to remind me that it’s OK to have differences of opinion, and to listen rather than trying to speak over other people or disregard their perspectives.

This is a good message for me today, as I don’t always get on well with my mother and her opinions and values.

The Five of Wands in today’s draw is a reminder that that’s okay. They are her values and perspectives, not mine. And in the end, it’s possible I might learn something new from just sitting back and listening to what she has to say with an open mind, rather than ignoring or taking offense.

No Faltering Allowed

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on a theme that boils down to “stopping to smell the roses”.

It was about taking time to notice the little things and look at your world around you with fresh eyes, rather than taking for granted what’s there as nothing new or boring.

For me, the sense of wonder often comes and goes. And with it, my inspiration towards photography. Today’s meditation was a good reminder that even when I don’t have a camera in my hands, noticing the little magical things in nature, and in the world, doesn’t have to stop.

Today’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is a representation of the beginnings of progress, the expanse of opportunities before you, and growth in the area of passions, drive, willpower, and the inner spark.

The Three of Wands has appeared today to remind me to stick to my guns concerning my plans for the next week.

I’m packing at the moment in preparation for leaving this afternoon. Yesterday’s doubts were about leaving my orders until I get back. Today’s doubts are about whether or not I should take work with me, and if I do take something with me, what work I should take.

Usually, when I go away on “vacation” I take a lot of work with me, overloading myself with projects to get done while I’m there. I never get them all done, but it gives me enough to make sure that I have work throughout the entire visit.

This time I’m trying to combat burnout before it becomes a real problem. The Three of Wands is telling me that if I stick to my intentions about resting over the next week instead of working, there is potential for moving past the burn out instead of sinking into it.

Reflection and Rest

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on gentleness. Specifically, on the need to be kind and gentle with ourselves, to love ourselves and be aware of how we treat ourselves.

This messages is one I need reminding of on a regular basis, because I am my own worst critic and my harshest taskmaster.

Today’s draw is the twenty-first card in the Major Arcana, The World. This card, like all Major Mrcana cards, reflects not just upon one aspect of daily’s life, but upon the bigger picture of our journey through life as a whole.

Yesterday’s card was the Four of Cups, representing I need to take a break emotionally and creatively. Today’s appearance of The World card is a continuation on that theme.

The World card represents completion, restoration, and reflection. It is about coming to the end of a cycle, the end of a journey, or taking pause to reflect and redirect moving forward.

All morning this morning I have been debating on whether I need to complete the orders that have come in within the last 24 hours, or stick to my vacation schedule and hold off on them until I come back as I had initially planned.

This push for constantly doing more work is because I always feel like it’s never enough. The World card’s appearance is telling me that it is enough, and I need to take a break and reflect on my accomplishments.

I’m going to take this advice and leave the orders as I had initially planned. Self-care Saturdays are supposed to be about me and taking care of myself. Just because I’m going on “vacation” doesn’t mean that should change.

Take a Break

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and fifty eight seconds, and focused on change and how to better except change as a part of life instead of fighting against it.

During the meditation the guide spoke on the mentality of “instead of fighting the tide, learn to surf”. I really like that analogy a lot.

Today’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is a representation of stability, ease, respite, and reflection in the areas of emotions, relationships, and creativity.

The last few days I really feel like I’m flirting with the edges of burn out when it comes to my creative business. What usually feels like a joy is currently feeling a lot like a chore.

I’ll be visiting my mother in the next couple of days, and the appearance of the Four of Cups as a reminder to take this time as a time of respite and restoration. You just said the same thing to me last night, and my response was “yeah, maybe”… yet clearly this is exactly what I need, as even the cards are making it clear that I should focus on this message.

I may not leave all of my work at home, but I will definitely be cutting back on what I take with me and how much I work on it while I’m there.

To Thine Own Self Be True

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and forty eight seconds, and focused on grounding, which is the practice of centering yourself in order to create a space and sense of stability, whether this is during a time of anxiety, ritual, meditation, or just in every day life. The method that the guided meditation teaches to do this involves the practice of feeling your feet on the ground, and tuning into the solid earth under your feet.

Although this is a good way to begin a grounding, it’s pretty impossible for me to do during my meditation as I am on my back with my feet propped up in a piriformis stretch. Therefore, my feet are not anywhere near the ground.

So, instead I chose to hold one of my larger labradorite palm stones and focus my grounding upon the stone instead of upon my feet.

Today’s draw is the ninth card in the Major Arcana, the Hermit. As with all Major Arcana cards, this card is more about the “bigger picture” and one’s spiritual journey than any one physical or mental or emotional aspect along the way. The Hermit conveys a message that has to do with self discovery, taking time to yourself, and the journeys in your life that you take on your own.

The message in the appearance of the Hermit in today’s draw is that it is all about individuality and thinking for yourself. It’s important to focus on knowing thyself, and sustaining a separation between the opinions and beliefs of others, and one’s own personal beliefs and moral compass.

There is a difference between learning new things, and becoming a sheep. Individuality is important and the Hermit coming for a visit is a reminder to keep in mind just how unique and individual I am… and that we all are.

In my return to my spirituality, I’ve been doing a lot of research on different interests and curiosities, such as a deeper dive into the chakras, delving into astrology (which is something that I have never studied before), and other different ideas and beliefs. These studies are not always (or even often) in order to incorporate these beliefs into my own practice or belief system, but simply because I stumble across something along the way that seems interesting and it becomes a journey of exploration and curiosity.

The Hermit is here to tell me that although these flights of curiosity and discovery are interesting, it’s still important to remember to only absorb into my own practice the things that fit for me and are right for me, and to discard the rest.

First, Take Everything In… Then Act

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and thirty eight seconds, and focused on creative play and how important that not just creativity is in life, but also creative play.  

In my case, these are two distinctly different things, maybe because my business is based off creativity, so I have work creativity… and then I have just for fun creativity.

For me, creativity is a part of life that is indispensable.  I need it.  I live it.  I breathe it.  It is in damned near everything that I do, and if I’m not actively participating in it, you can almost guarantee that it’s on my mind in one form or another.

Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of thoughts, logic, action, and communication.

This card is all about personal truths, owning your authority, and gathering perspectives before taking decisive action.   I’ve had a lot of “act now think after” moments lately (er… especially in the grocery store) and this card is a reminder.  It’s a reminder that this is not my true nature, and it is continuing the message from yesterday.

In other words, the message that is being conveyed is that I need to slow down.   I need to gather information, weigh everything and ensure I have enough perspective.  THEN make a decision or act.