Daily Focus

Refreshed and Back to Work

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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

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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

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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.

Rise Above

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and fifty seconds, and focused on using eating as an exercise in mindfulness.

In other words, paying attention when you eat rather than just putting it in your mouth and not remembering that you did, or tasting the food, or not enjoying the food.

In the process of becoming more mindful while eating, you then become far more aware of the food that you’re eating and can often feel more satiated in the process, as well as introducing another area of enjoyment into your life.

Today’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, and the Six of Wands. Neither of them is a jumper, but instead they were stuck together when they Emerged from the deck.

The Five of Pentacles is a representation of trials, tests, harshness, and challenges in the area of resources, money, In the physical world. It can also represent a mindset of loss or lack.

The Six of Wands is a representation of Cooperation, harmony, and vitality in the areas of willpower, passion, drive, and the inner spark.

Together, the appearance of these cards speaks of rising above a mindset of lack and feelings that this is a time of need.

These cards are a reminder to count my blessings, rather than always looking at the world through the perspective of my glass being half empty.

This perspective is part of what makes me work so hard… But I need to remember that I am also very blessed in my life. Both of the people that I have in it, and in my situation as a whole.

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.