No pictures today, except for our daily draw. I stayed inside and then I went to the pool. My only radio-like offerings in this post are going to be the introspective kind. So welcome, once again, to my smooth brain.
This swimmy-exercisey class coming back is the same, but different. We are a known quantity, a regular group of folks who constantly show up. And yet, we have been away for months now, and things have changed. It gives the feeling, for me, of an odd dichotomy of sameness with a tweak of time to it.
One of my fellow splash-abouts made a point this evening of thanking me for coming back and saying that I was doing a wonderful job of leading, making it my own but keeping the basics in tact. I was very touched by this. Even though I was CALLED and was specifically ASKED to return and be the instructor, it still wasn’t quite as real as this one woman reaching out and telling me in just those words.
These small gestures, that, as we’ve discussed here before, don’t seem like much to the giver, are often entirely massive to the receiver. The action of it sends waves (pun accidental) of good out and past just those two beings. I could feel it happen tonight. (It has happened a few times recently when I’ve heard from friends who have simply said, in one form or another, ”hey, I’m here and I care.”)
All of this brings us to our triple treat. As I looked at this selection there was one single word that jumped out at me. Read the parts of the guidebook I’ve included with this photo first though.
“Creativity ~ III ~ Major Arcana
Creativity is the quality you bring to the activity that you are doing. It is an attitude, an inner approach… the experience of creativity is an entry into the mysterious… the key is to abandon oneself to the energy that fuels the birth of all things. This energy has no form or structure, yet all the form and structures come out of it. It makes no difference what particular form your creativity takes… the important thing is to be open to what wants to be expressed through you. Remember that we don’t possess our creations; they do not belong to us. True creativity arises from a union with the divine, with the mystical and the unknowable. Then it is both a joy for the creator and a blessing to others.
The Burden ~ Six of Clouds ~ The Mind
When we carry a load of shoulds and shouldn’ts imposed on us by others we become like this ragged, struggling figure trying to make his way uphill… If life these days feels like just a struggle from the cradle to the grave, it could be time to shrug your shoulders and see what it feels like to walk without these characters on your back. You have mountains to conquer, your own dreams to fulfill, but you will never have the energy to pursue them until you release yourself from all the expectations you have gathered from others but now think are your own. Chances are they exist only in your own mind, but that doesn’t mean they can’t weigh you down. It is time to lighten up, and send them on their way.
Beyond Illusion ~ XX ~ Major Arcana
The butterfly in this card represents the outer, that which is constantly moving and that which is not real but an illusion. Behind the butterfly is the face of consciousness, looking inward to that which is eternal. The space between the two eyes has opened, revealing the lotus of spiritual unfoldment and the rising sun of awareness.
This card reminds us not to look outside for what is real, but to look within. When we focus on externals, we too often get caught up in judgements… These judgements keep us trapped in our illusions, our sleepiness, our old habits and patterns. Drop your opinionated mind, and move inside. There, you can relax into your own deepest truth, where the difference between dreams and reality is already known.”
Okay? You ready for this? Authenticity! This entire message is about being the most genuine and authentic self we can be. Shrugging off the burdens that are not ours to carry, allowing our creativity to flow and build and flourish, and finally, seeing all there is to see without the blinders of the physical (the materialistic) bullshit to mess with our loving and positive true selves.
It’s an inspired and rich message. One that we can all work with, no matter what our faith or beliefs or followings. It’s also one that we can take along with us, out into every part of our lives and share everywhere we go, just as we are able to share that generosity of the heart, much like the gift I received earlier. One small smile, one kind word, one genuine and authentic loving moment will, and CAN, make all the difference. The trick is to do it honestly.
Today’s Deck:
Osho Zen Tarot
Also, in case anyone was wondering, the added down number for this draw is a 2. The perfect balance.
LATENIGHT Outrage Alert: it is literally minutes to post time and yet I had to add this last thing. Our Hurricane wrote an article about domestic violence and is getting trolled all over the damn place – go here - and speak your mind, and truth.
