Before we do anything else, let’s all wish Carol a blissfully Happy Birthday. (Even though by the time most of you read this, it’ll be over with.) WooHoo to our beloved Tall Canadian!
Okay, so now, back to me. (Whew, that was VERY festive, I hope she got cake.) Here’s the thing, I’m sort of working my way, slowly, through the essential list of Firsts in the land of bicycling. We’ve put that first crash behind us, and it was thankfully so nice and minor. (Shocking, but not physically too bad.)
Today, I had my first break-down on the side of the road. In which I needed to be rescued. Dan came to get me. I tried to fix it my own incompetent self elf, but all I did was get really angry and greasy. With no repair in sight. He had BARELY enough time to drive the truck downtown, scoop us up, then rush home to shower and start his work week. Yeah, I’m pissed. And no, he wasn’t late.
Waiting.
I didn’t actually care if my shadow was in this shot. I was very unhappy, and was sitting on a decorative rock in the landscaping, so you get what you get. No idea if it’s fixable, but I’m taking it to Anna tomorrow if the Deputy ends up not having time to look at it when he gets home tonight.
Before the mishap I did spot a plate I’d never seen before. It was sort of like our Cultural Trust one, but darker and, obviously, with a different state’s name across the top. Also one from Vermont (which was not Delia, boo), Alaska, and Pennsylvania (which was also not Tracy).
On our new-and-improved-super-roomy card altar we’ve come to the last two from this controversial deck.
“The Rebel ~ IV ~ Major Arcana (r)
The powerful and authoritative figure in this cared is clearly the master of his own destiny. On his shoulder is an emblem of the sun, and the torch he holds in his right hand symbolizes the light of his own hard-won truth. Whether he is wealthy or poor, the Rebel is really an emperor because he has broken the chains of society’s repressive conditioning and opinions
He had formed himself by embracing all the colors of the rainbow, emerging from the dark and formless roots of his unconscious past and growing wings to fly into the sky. His very way of being is rebellious - not because he is fighting against anybody or anything, but because he has discovered his own true nature and is determined to live in accordance with it. The eagle is his spirit animal, a messenger between earth and sky.
The Rebel challenges you to be courageous enough to take responsibility for who we are and to live in our truth.
7 ~ Fire: Action ~ Stress
How many people do you know who, just when they were completely overloaded, with too many projects, too many ‘balls in the air,’ have suddenly come down with the flu, or taken a fall and ended up on crutches? That is just the sort of ‘bad timing’ the little monkey with the pin in his hands is about to impose on the ‘one-man-band’ pictured here.
The quality of stress represented by this card visits all of us at times, but perfectionists are particularly vulnerable to it. We create it ourselves, with the idea that without us nothing will happen - especially in the way we want it to. Well, what makes you think you are so special?
Do you think the sun won’t rise in the morning unless you personally set the alarm? Go for a walk, buy some flowers, and fix yourself a spaghetti dinner – anything ‘unimportant’ will do. Just put yourself out of that monkey’s reach!“
Here’s what I find interesting, the fact that we seemed to have gained so much ground with our forward momentum and our great Rewards, but then we faltered. Some doubt crept in. Our Truth got waylaid.
We may need to re-asses our definition of “fail/success” and our living genuinely as we look at this Contrary guy on that Rebel card. In a more traditional deck this would be The Emperor, as the definition says. And whether rich or poor, he is not under anyone’s influence but his own.
Coming up reversed is at once encouraging and disheartening, all at the same time. We ARE on our way to finally getting ahead, reaching a nice positive pace with our lessons and self-improvements. On the other hand, we’ve sort of been tossed under the bus with that Stress guy, his creepy monkey, and our Challenging Rebel.
The message seems to be telling us that it’s time to drop the doubts, that there is no room in our strong healthy lives for poverty consciousness. Let go of what is keeping us down, we MUST simply release it. As long as we keep focusing on the problems, we won’t ever be able to get rid of the sneaky bastards.
Today’s Deck:
Osho Zen Tarot
Dog Health Update:
the itchiness on our Maximum Grand Dog is slowly diminishing. But he’s just about worn out his plaid sleeping jacket. The pants didn’t work too well, or not yet any way. I’m off to my sewing room now, with another alteration idea in mind. I’ll keep you posted, and he’ll be THRILLED to model whatever I end up inventing.
Happy Birthday, Carol!!!
Well BAH on bike break-downs (and all break-downs, for that matter)!!! At lease it happened before Dan went to work, and didn’t make him late, so that was fortunate. And, of course, no one died.
Why, yes, I would love to let go of my current job (more specifically the abusive ex/boss component of it), but I am between a rock and a wall and a hard place, and there is no clear path before me that doesn’t come with a whole ‘nother set of stressors. It is difficult to stop focusing on the problems when the solutions I can see are just as unappealing! This does serve as a reminder to keep exploring/searching for new solutions, though. Will do.
~
Toss out some of those Louise Hay-like affirmations:
I work with only loving, supportive, and positive people.
My job involves only helpful and healthy situations.
J
10:44 p.m.
9-27-12
While I totally appreciate the suggestion, the thing is, manifestation doesn’t work on other people, if they’re choosing of their own free will to be swirling vortices* of negativity on a constant basis. I do need the reminder to tend to my psychic protection, keep myself grounded & centered, take a break from interaction if he starts up with some bullshit, and just let it go afterward.
*OMFG, spellcheck is saying that vortices is incorrect, and wants to use vortexes instead, I DON’T FUCKING THINK SO! Who programmed this thing???
~
What Louise was talking about in this case is definitely our own deal, we DO take responsibility for our happiness, and we aren’t trying to set the manifestation mantle onto to the shoulders of others. The concept is that we put the energy of positivity, healing, and love into the air and space around us. What others do with it is their business.
Additionally, when we ARE surrounded with this field of All Good Shit, it causes negativity (and negative people) to go away. So, we ARE doing our own affirmations for living a good and helpful life, but we are also protecting ourselves from crap we don’t need to deal with.
Does that make sense?
J
2:37 a.m.
9-28-12
Or, at least, that’s my take on manifestation…
Makes perfect sense! Thank you for further explaining.
I just sat under the beautiful, glowing moon and re-inforced my glowing opalescent blue/violet/white sphere of Love & Positivity. I am confident that I can keep things running smoothly when I work with him tomorrow.
What an interesting choice; “Rebel” for (my translation) of mastering your destiny. Great message, even contrary, and even more interesting when combined with the three ring circus and the disturbing monkey.
Boo for bike breakdowns, but good thing that your Knight was there to help. You know who else has a truck, don’t you?
~
Maybe if you remind me enough times that you own a truck and a plunger,
it’ll finally stick in my head.
J
10:47 p.m.
9-27-12
Bummer about the breakdown, but as xenatuba says, “good thing that your Knight was there to help you.”
Weird cards. That little monkey is kinda evil, wouldn’t you say? I don’t think he’s doing the guy any favors. There are better ways of being informed that you are doing too much and stressing out.
All my stress is internal, and you’re right, it’s still about work and money. But I did spend some money at Ikea to get a few things to make my life more comfortable and to make the place better resemble what I want it to look like. So that’s good. And I didn’t stress about spending the money or the time on it (Ikea is far away from me and it was a very hot day out, too, so I ended up hot and sweaty from putting stuff in the car and the later taking it all out again).
Happy belated birthday to Carol! Hope it was great and had cake!
Julie, I can’t wait to see the next thing you make for the Granddog!
~
His new outfit is in tonight’s post. And it’s a winner. I just wish you guys could see him walking in it, the cuffed up pants are to die for.
J
10:51 p.m.
9-27-12
I was at Ikea last week!! I figured I got a great workout just from the miles and miles I walked around it. Love their stuff – all clean and simple lines.
~
There is one in Portland!
I must see this thing you speak of….
J
10:53 p.m.
9-27-12
Well, of course it wasn’t me. I live in New Hampshire. But I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Kate, either, so…
Boo on the breakdown. Here’s hoping it’s a minor problem and easily fixed.
~
……fuck……
(Have I mentioned that my brain is like Swiss Cheese and there are various learning disabilities to deal with too?)
J
10:56 p.m.
9-27-12
Yes.
You’re fine. I don’t remember where everyone lives, either.
Happy birthday, Carol!
Sorry about the breakdown and hope it’s an easy fix. The cards are interesting, especially that cheeky monkey. I’ve felt like that for a couple of weeks now. I’ll be looking over my shoulder for sharp objects that threaten my balloon, or maybe I’ll just say what the heck and go make a spaghetti dinner. : 0
~
I loved that idea too. Just make a dinner and let the stress sort of take care of itself! Very clever.
J
10:59 p.m.
9-27-12
time to drop the doubts, that there is no room in our strong healthy lives for poverty consciousness — well said, thanks for that. I know I’m about the only one that likes this deck, but I do. The weirdness of it is part of what I like– it spurs unusual / weird thoughts, which help me see things I wouldn’t see otherwise. I like the idea of doing unimportant things to combat perfectionism, even if that is one freaky looking monkey.
~
Beautiful and concise summation. I think I must like these cards for the same reason. They force me to think and look and learn. Which can be quite uncomfortable, but good for us.
J
11:02 p.m.
9-27-12
Happy Birthday, Carol!
What broke on your bike? My internet is uncooperative today and I couldn’t blow up the picture.
That is one creepy-assed monkey. And since I’m juggling life and sleep issues right now, I’m going to get my ‘sword’ out to defend my balloon from said monkey.
~
Seeing the picture better probably wouldn’t have helped, it was a chain issue. All fixed now!
J
11:05 p.m.
9-27-12
Happy BDay Carol.
Boo Hiss on the bike breakdown.
That monkey is really creepy but once he pops that bubble all the juggling balls are gonna fall on his creepy little head. Karma.
~
To me, ALL monkeys are creepy.
And you’re right, ha ha, karma on your hideous primate ass!
J
11:08 p.m.
9-27-12
I gotta ask – why do we not want to take pictures of our shadows? Inquiring minds want to know.
I hate when you’re just going along getting your day done and BAM! a break-down happens and screws it all up. Yay for having a Knight to come to the rescue.
“That monkey is really creepy but once he pops that bubble all the juggling balls are gonna fall on his creepy little head. Karma.” Heh-heh-heh
~
Explained, with visual aid, in tonight’s post.
Good question!
(I love it when you guys ask me things.
Even if the answer probably isn’t what you thought it was going to be.)
J
11:10 p.m.
9-27-12
Nope it wasn’t me OR my car. Last I looked it was still out in the drive!
Sorry you broke down. I’ve been having tire issues. My good friend Buffy rescues me on a regular basis!
~
It is simply a secure and supremely loved feeling to know that we have a rescuer when we need one.
J
11:13 p.m.
9-27-12
1 – Happy birthday Carol!
2 – Sorry about the bike. But bike’s are very fixable, methinks.
3 – Poor granddog! I really hope his itchies go away soon. So miserable.
~
Number Two, you were entirely prophetic, because it totally was.
J
11:17 p.m.
9-27-12
Almost skipped this one because I thought I had read it already. Glad I didn’t skip it. Writing you an email about this – “The Rebel challenges you to be courageous enough to take responsibility for who we are and to live in our truth.” – which has been on my mind a great deal lately.