daily positivity

Balance and Releasing Negativity

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on the release you can create in your mind and body during your exhale. This is a practice I am very familiar with through both my pain management techniques, and my yoga practice. It was not a big leap to use this to mindfully release negative emotions and bad habits.

Today’s draw is the Two of Pentacles, which is a representation of duality, balance, division, and “opening” in the areas of money, resources, and the physical world.

The image on this card really speaks to me today. The juggler in an eternal juggle of different aspects, always seeking balance, and looking just slightly overwhelmed.

The message of the Two of Cups today is that balance is important, as without it comes recklessness, danger, and irresponsibility. The appearance of this card is a reminder to go slow, take my time, and focus on fostering balance in all aspects of my life.

Onward, Intrepid Traveler

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on seeking a connection with your authentic self. That is, that self beneath the mask you show the world and the lies you tell yourself. It was about allowing that inner self to stand tall, even during the onslaught of outside influences that try to sway you away from your true self.

I did it twice, because I really liked it.

Today’s draw is the Seven of Wands, which is a representation of movement, progress, leaping ahead, and the unknown in the area of thoughts, logic, communication, and the mind.

This is a card that speaks to the doubts you have experienced, the worries that hold you back, and that moment in time when you return to yourself and surge forward back upon the path those doubts and worries had distracted you from.

It is the perfect card for today’s Full Moon in Sagittarius, which is chalk full of progressive “get it done” energy for one’s thoughts, aspirations, and endeavors.

It is also the perfect card (and moon, for that matter) for my Monday, because today is order preparations day and I have a crapload of earrings to make, which is one of the most time consuming of the types of jewelry I create.

So, the Seven of Wand’s message for today is one of progress. No lollygagging aloud.

Shedding Skin

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on creating balance in your life, not just between work and home but in all aspects. The guided meditation spoke on the necessity of balance in order to live a happy and healthy life.

This is a tenant that I am very familiar with and agree with. As you know, balance is something that I am always striving for. In some areas of my life I find it quite easily, and another areas it is always a struggle to achieve.

Today’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is a representation of transition and change in the area of thought, reason, instinct, and communication.

This card relates directly to the new changes that are going on in my life right now, not just in the reassertion of my spirituality, but also in my renewed efforts to find a balance between responsibility and the things that bring me joy.

When I drew the card, my focus was immediately upon where the points of the swords are embedded into the bottom of the boat.

Reading the card intuitively from that aspect, the appearance of the Six of Swords today is telling me that on my journey forward I need to be sure and check in with myself.

This means that I need to make sure that I am being true to my beliefs and values, while leaving behind any thoughts, assumptions, or habits that are not serving me, and may holding me back or slowing me down.

Appreciation of Progress

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and twelve seconds, and focused on when we experience intense negative emotions and how to deal with them in a calm, meditative manner.  The practice explored in this guided meditation is Michael Stone’s SAIN.   This is an acronym of guidance to work through the emotion in a mindful way.

Stop and acknowledge that the intense emotion is present.
Allow space for the emotion instead of pushing the emotion away.
Investigate where it shows up physically within our bodies
Non-Identification is the practice of observing the emotion without engaging with it or letting yourself -become- that emotion.

It was an interesting meditation, primarily because I already do this practice, but I’d never heard of Michael Stone or SAIN.  Or, well… sometimes?  I’ve skipped the “Allow” part, I think, though.

Today’s draw is the Five of Cups, which is a representation of tests, trials, challenges, and “harshness” in the area of the emotions, creativity, and relationships.

The appearance of the Five of Cups today is a reminder of where I’ve been.

This is a very fitting message for today, because later today I have my bi-monthly appointment with my shrink. The last time I visited her office I was in the middle of my depression and struggling. She was the inspiration behind these daily draw posts I do here on this blog, which are used to help me in finding perspective and something positive to add to each day.

In fact, during my morning devotional, this is exactly what I asked for during the shuffle before my daily draw… A positive message to carry with me throughout my day and provide perspective.

Today’s positive message is to look at how far I’ve come and how well I am doing, and that it’s important I don’t forget the dark place that I came from or disregard the progress I’ve made.