daily affirmation

Bear True

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on the interconnectedness of all things.

This is a concept that is part of the basis of my faith. The concept that beneath our external bodies, personalities, and individualized souls, there is an inner energy that connects us to everyone and everything.

The meditation suggested using one’s awareness of this interconnectedness to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.

These are not emotions that I connect strongly with. I do use my awareness of the energy that connects us all as a way to foster empathy and understanding within myself.

It is a part of the inner spark of my curiosity, which spurs me to learn the hoes and why’s of people’s thoughts, opinions, and behavior. It is also this awareness that connects me so strongly to nature.

Today’s draw is the 13th card of the Major Arcana, the Death card… and the Nine of Pentacles. Neither are jumpers.

The Death card is a representation of organic change that usually develops over time (as opposed to being sudden). It is a Major Arcana card, which means it deals with one’s journey within life as a whole, rather than any one aspect of the human experience.

The Nine of Pentacles card is a representation of fruition, culmination, endings, and consequences in the area of the physical world, finance, and resources.

Upright, the Nine of Pentacles is a very positive card usually indicating the solitary accomplishments and the fruits of one’s labors. With the Death card at its back, it is indicating that although sometimes change can be a difficult thing and even painful, in the end if you stay true to yourself and your values, you will come out the other side of it on a positive note.

This is a good reminder for me because, like most people, I have difficulty with change. Having a light at the end of the tunnel though, who is the reward preparing through the difficult times but change can bring this is a good reminder for me because, like most people, I have difficulty with change. That light at the end of the tunnel, though, is the reward for bearing through the difficult times change can bring.

Look How Far You’ve Come

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and forty four seconds, and was focused on a breathing exercise that they have named the Three Acts of Breathing.

In this exercise, you breathe normally for a full minute while counting your breaths, then you switch to breathing deeply for a full minute while filling your lungs to the fullest and exhaling completely. You then return to breathing naturally again and counting your breaths for a full minute.

The exercise is a demonstration on how taking a moment to take in a few deep breaths when you need to calm or relax can help your body amp down as a whole. These deep conscious breaths are something that I do quite regularly, and teach to others often in order to help them with their stress and anxiety levels.

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is a representation of vitality, pride, self-confidence, courage, and external support in the area of one’s passions, drive, willpower, and ambitions.

The Six of Wands has made an appearance today to remind me to appreciate my accomplishments, as well as my support structure.

Even though the road to my goals is a long one, sometimes it’s important to take a moment to appreciate just how far you’ve already come, as well as those who have cheered you on along the way.

I am always so focused on the goal ahead that sometimes I forget to look at the progress I’ve made, let alone appreciate how far I’ve come and the work that I’ve done to get to this moment.

Those that cheer me on are always there to remind me to appreciate the moment instead of pushing quite so hard. I hear them, and I try very hard to follow their advice whenever I can.

You, my love, are my loudest cheerleader. I hope that you never think that your words of encouragement and supportive counsel aren’t appreciated. They (and you) are a driving force in my life. I love you.

Back to Basics

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and ten seconds, and focused on the uselessness of blame and its origins in anger. It outlined a variety of options and ideas for how to work past that anger that resides at the seat of blame, and redirect ownership of situations to a place of problem resolution rather than stewing and pointing fingers.

Today’s draw is the 5th card in the Major Arcana, the Hierophant. As with all of the Major Arcana, this card deals with personal development and spiritual evolution, rather than any one aspect of the human experience.

The Hierophant is a representation of tradition, institutions, spiritual paths, and teacher/student relationships. The appearance of this card in today’s draw is an indication that it is a good time to consider the traditions, rituals, and practices of my spiritual path, and perhaps do a little research and reach out to a mentor.

I have been very closed off throughout the spring, and I spent a good portion of June focused inward, getting myself back “on track” after my depression came to an end. The Hierophant speaks of turning one’s focus outward in order to either teach or learn, therefore, the card is also a reminder to keep myself open to learning from and/or mentoring others.

Refreshed and Back to Work

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on how to deal with pain during one’s meditation practice. As someone with chronic pain issues, I was really happy to have a bit of guidance on this issue. I often use breathing exercises to work through my bouts of intense pain and the long stretches of nagging intensity.

Today’s draw is the Eight of Wands, which is all about action, motivation, determination, and manifestation in the area of willpower, drive, passions, and the inner spark.

The Eight of Wands has come to visit today as a message of inspiration, as today is the day I head home. This card is about swift movement and renewed motivation, which is an excellent message for my trip home, as well as my return to work, managing my business, and working on the orders that have come in while I was away.

The Tools You Need

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on how enlightenment is not a goal or something to obtain or a goal to strive for, but instead is about the journey and the lessons that you learn along the way.

Today’s draw is the Devil card for the second day in a row, with the Magician card as a jumper. Both of these cards are Major Arcana cards (the 15th and the 1st respectively) representing the paths we take along our life’s journey rather than any one aspect within a life.

The appearance of the Devil card in today’s draw is a carryover from yesterday, with the Magician as an additional commentary.

Where the Devil card speaks of the unhealthy temptations and indulgences of my visit here at my mother’s house, the Magician tells me that I have all the tools and knowledge needed to pull myself back on track once I have returned home.

This is a good reminder, as I near the end of my visit, that even if getting back on track is a struggle, I’m prepared and more than capable of making the transition.

Stay the Path

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and forty eight seconds, and focused on the benefits of doing nothing.

This is, as you might imagine, a difficult topic for me. And a difficult task. To relax and take it all in rather than be active and productive is a struggle. I do understand the value in rest and recuperation, though, as well as the value in stillness and the mindfulness that it makes room for.

Today’s draw is the 15th card in the Major Arcana, the Devil card. This card is a representation of temptation, distraction, and a hedonistic mindset. As with all cards in the Major Arcana, this card’s focus is not on one specific aspect of the human experience, but rather on the big picture and one’s spiritual journey as a whole.

When this card appears, it is often a warning that you are being distracted off of your chosen path.

It’s appearance in today’s draw is a reminder to take care of myself. Here, while visiting at my mother’s, there are a lot of rich foods offered (and served) on a daily basis. There is also the ever-present temptation to let my inner deamons run amok.

The appearance of the Devil card is a reminder to stay on the path(s) I have chosen for myself, rather than allowing myself to be distracted and pulled off into the weeds.