Sunday, November 29, 2009

Perfect Moment Monday -- Race to the Last Piece


We enjoyed a four day family weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving. One of the traditions of family get-togethers is doing a puzzle. This can take us late into the night and can sometimes turn into all-day-puzzle-marathons. It is a great way to spend time together and all focus on one project.

The most fun is at the end of a very difficult 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle when you quit thinking, "There must be a piece missing," or "This is impossible," or "My back hurts from sitting here for four hours," and you can tell that the number of pieces on the table must fit exactly into the space that is left.

Then everyone (whether they have been involved in the puzzle process or not) gathers around the table to put in the treasured "last piece."

Hands are flying to grab pieces, flipping them this way and that, trying to put the remaining pieces into place.

One of my kids "hid" the last piece and got the privilege of putting it into the puzzle. We all jumped up and down, excited that we had completed the puzzle.

The question then became, what do we do with the rest of the weekend?

Excavator -- we missed your analytical persistence this weekend.

Another series of (marathon) perfect moments!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday on Friday -- Knight of Cups

On Intuitive Tuesdays I select a card and give you my interpretation of it. On Thursday I select one reader's comment and pull an additional card.

I encourage you to read about the additional card I pulled this week and see how it applies to your life. Anything that is brought to one of us is a message for all of us.

This week's
Intuitive Tuesday card was the Four of Cups, which signifies feeling a bit dissatisfied or bored because you may not be seeing or recognizing the good all around you.

I pulled an additional card today for Ailey, in response to her comment:
An absolutely wonderful reminder that, despite our family's current situation, regarding my husband's and my less than full employment, we do have MUCH and that much is reason for MUCH gratitude. Who knows...maybe that fourth cup means that a job(s)is on the way. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today's follow-up card is the Knight of Cups, a card signifying new emotions, relationships and experiences. I have previously selected the Knight of Cups, click here to see this previous post.

As for Ailey, the Knight of Cups describes your outlook on this time in your life. You mention both you and your husband under and/or unemployed. This can be a very tough time. And even though you may be noticing a "tightening of the belt," there also seems to be new, subtle ways in which you are BEING in your life.

The Knight of Cups can also indicate a time to take empowered action. This might be situations where you can be generous, sensitive and giving (a perfect energy for the holidays). It can also be a time when you get more involved in family events (Cups) and showing the people in your life how much you love them.

And, you mentioned the thought of a new job on the way, the Knight of Cups means movement (a change of residence, a trip, a new house or a new job...to name a few).

For each of us, this card signifies a new relationship with ourselves and with the world around us. With the momentum of the holidays, we are again reminded of what we DO have.

Last night I saw the movie The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, which was a GREAT movie.

On the way home, my hubby and I talked to the boys about how very lucky we are and how we plan to give time and energy during the holiday season to help others who may be feeling down or dissatisfied with life. I don't know about you, but when I give, I feel very uplifted and light. It starts out as giving a gift to someone else, and ends up being a gift to myself.

With the Knight of Cups and the Four of Cups energies, I challenge you to maintain your new relationship with your life (Knight of Cups) -- seeing and acknowledging what you DO have instead of focusing on what you don't (Four of Cups) and know that you always have enough...for yourself and to share with others.

Happy Holidays!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanks and Giving

Each week I write a column in The Daily Sentinel. Since today is Thanksgiving, I wanted to share this week's article, which describes a fictional account of one of my coaching sessions. Enjoy...

“I stopped by the grocery store and was behind a young mother,” Lana said as we began our coaching session. “I was picking up cupcakes for Tommy’s Thanksgiving party, where I am headed after our coaching session.”

“What about the mother piqued your interest?” I asked.

“I felt uncomfortable watching her dig through her purse trying to muster up money for her groceries,” Lana said. “I overheard her telling her children that she couldn’t afford any pumpkin cookies. There was no irritation in her voice, simply matter-of-fact.”

“As she walked away, I built her story in my mind,” Lana continued. “It included her husband losing his job and taking a lower paying position that only covered the essentials.”

“It’s interesting how our mind fills in the blanks,” I said.

“The clerk rang up the cupcakes and I easily paid for them,” Lana said. “It seemed unfair that I could indulge in something as decadent as cupcakes for a classroom party, where there will be tons of snacks and some food even tossed out in the end ….and this woman could barely buy the basics.”

“Tell me more about those feelings,” I prompted.

“We’re not rich by any means,” Lana began, “but I’m not in the predicament that I assumed this woman was in. During the holidays it seems more prevalent how some families struggle and others don’t. We talk about eating until our buttons pop, sitting on the couch watching football while we drink eggnog, while other families may not have enough money to buy a turkey!”

“I would guess there are many families in each of these categories – some with enough and some without,” I said. “How are you going to spend Thanksgiving this year?”

“The kids are coming home, and up until now, our plan has been of the ‘button-popping’ variety,” Lana explained.

“You sound disappointed,” I said.

“I’m excited to see the kids, but again, it feels selfish and greedy to sit around and eat. There is a gap between how our family celebrates and how the woman at the grocery may spend her holidays.”

“What could you do to close the gap?” I asked.

“I’ve heard of people volunteering to serve at the soup kitchen, but I want it to be more personal,” Lana explained. “I’d like to help one family have a nice holiday season. If I could contact that young mother from the grocery store, I would…but that’s impossible.”

“How else could you help a family during the holidays?” I asked.

“I could ask the principal if he knows of a family who may need and would accept help, anonymously, of course. I’d be happy to buy ingredients so they could celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, I would ask my family to help plan and shop for the food so we could all participate.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” I said. “How can you make this happen?”

“I’ll talk to the principal today,” she said with excitement in her voice. “It’s a win-win-win. I feel I’m helping to close the gap; another family gets to celebrate the holidays, and my kids learn the benefits of helping others. This year I will both give thanks for all of my blessings and enjoy giving to others. Isn’t that what this holiday season is all about?”

Coaching Challenge:
No matter what your financial situation is, how can you include both “thanks” and “giving” into your holiday celebration?

PLEASE NOTE: Normally on Thursdays I select an additional card for one of the Wild Women of the Universe readers who commented on Intuitive Tuesday. Please check back tomorrow to see which reader/comment I chose and which tarot card I selected. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday -- Four of Cups

Every Tuesday I select one card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life. What messages are here for you?

Each Thursday I choose one reader's comment from Intuitive Tuesday and pull an additional card for more clarity...so check back on Thursday to see what cards come up.


Today's card is the Four of Cups. Fours symbolize stability and foundation (think of a sturdy table with four legs), and Cups represent feelings and emotions.

So the Four of Cups represents emotional security. Sometimes this can lead to periods of stasis and perhaps boredom, which can lead to feeling discontent or dissatisfied.

As you can see on the card, there are four cups -- three on the ground and one being offered from above. With this card, there is a feeling of longing or wanting more, possibly not seeing or acknowledging what's in front of you.

This is a perfect card for Thanksgiving week. It reminds us to see the emotions, feelings and life that are represented by the cups that are right in front of us...every day. Especially if life has seemed steady and somewhat boring lately, now is the time to realize what gifts you truly have.

The message of the Four of Cups is to take time to meditate and contemplate before forging ahead. Don't just do something (anything) simply to step out of being bored. Be thoughtful about where you are and take time to be grateful for what you have.

Pay attention to the good things in your life and if you need to create action to keep from being bored, do so in a positive way. Be creative. For example, if you are bored in a relationship, take the time and effort to infuse it with life. If you lack interest in your work, find one aspect of a project and jump in with both feet. Decide to shine in this area of your life.

The Four of Cups is a time to pause, contemplate and realize that life truly is pretty good. This Thanksgiving week, one of the things you may be grateful for is having a stable life that may feel boring at times, but only long enough to prompt you to move forward once again.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Perfect Moment Monday -- The Anatomy of a Cell

Last night I helped my twin 7th graders with a project called, The Anatomy of a Cell. In this homework assignment, each student is supposed to create a detailed drawing or a model of a plant or an animal cell.

Luckily, both of my kids decided to do the drawing, which relieved me of having to drive to a hobby store to get a bunch of materials that may or may not be used...to create a model that would have to be specially transported to school and then kept in a memory box later.

Drawings are still fun to create AND they travel and store so easily.

As I helped them label the "Golgi bodies, nucleus and the mitochondrion," I remembered studying this when I was in 7th grade (not so many years ago). :)

It was fun to watch each of them draw, color, label and explain the function of this basic building block of life.

I've included a quick reference chart above in case you'd like to refresh your knowledge of life science.

I love being in this space with my kids. It provided yet another Perfect Moment.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Together in the Light


The thought for today comes from my Message of Life deck by Mario Duguay. You can click here to check it out or go to your local (metaphysical) bookstore.

This card says:
Together in the Light: I see others as exactly who and where they are supposed to be. They are in the perfect place to contribute to my own personal growth.

Each emotional reaction another may cause in me is a gift from their soul, given to me out of love, to help free me of my conflicts. I work and look at myself without seeking to blame others. Thus I become one with the Divine in all of us.
The hardest thing to realize when I'm upset with someone is that what they did and my emotional reaction to it is an opportunity for growth. Usually when I let my emotions calm down and allow time to go by, I can see the lesson and embrace the situation with forgiveness and love.

For me, this card is a perfect reminder of how we are all divinely connected....together in the light.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- The Magician

On Intuitive Tuesdays I select a card and give you my interpretation of it. On Thursday I select one reader's comment and pull an additional card.

I encourage you to read about the additional card I pulled this week and see how it applies to your life. Anything that is brought to one of us is a message for all of us.

This week's
Intuitive Tuesday card was the Knave of Swords.

Quiet Dreams, you mentioned it in your comment and I think it's worth stating again -- "Interesting how everyone related this card to a person." Court cards usually relate to a person and it's amazing to me how quickly your intuition identifies who it relates to for you.

Since we all related this card to a person, I encourage you to do whatever your were prompted to do when you read Tuesday's Intuitive Tuesday post for your Knave of Swords -- spend extra time with that certain (young) someone, tell that person how much s/he means to you, truly be with him or her and simply love them. You already know what to do; the Knave of Swords was just your reminder to do so. :)

And for Kristen (and for everyone else), I have pulled an additional card in response to Kristin's comment:
For me, the card would represent my son Gabe. We are currently having a major power struggle because this incredibly bright, wonderful kid has decided he WON'T potty train...ugh.
Ah, yes...potty training. Is that the ultimate set-up for a power struggle or what? My oldest son didn't complete potty training until he was almost 4. Luckily his twin brothers (who are 17 months younger) saw how their older brother used the toilet and trained at 2 1/2 (just three months later). Our grocery bill was SO much lower without all of those diapers! But, I digress...

Today's card is about mastering your world using the skills you have -- The Magician -- to do whatever you want. If it is to potty train your two-year-old son, then know that you have what it takes to get the job done.

Since I've selected The Magician card before, you can find more information about this card by clicking here. One of the key lines from that day's post was:
As you can see from the card, as The Magician, you have the energy and magic of all four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles) and can use your wisdom to blend these ingredients to move forward on your path and manifest anything you desire.
What The Magician also indicates is that you may need to do some experimentation with all of the tools in your toolbox to get the job done. How does that translate into potty training...or anything else in life?

Here's what I call The Magician's Exercise to help you as you face challenging situations:

Think about your own toolbox and possibly a situation you are currently facing. As The Magician, you have in your toolbox the energy of the four tarot suits:
  • Wands -- movement, energy and action
  • Cups -- emotions, feelings and intuitions
  • Swords -- intellect, logic and reasoning
  • Pentacles -- business experience, practical sense, knowledge of material interests
As you look at the challenge/situation you have in front of you, ask questions about each of these areas to gain insight on how to move forward. For example:
  • The Wands: Tell me what Wands energy (movement, energy and action) I need to apply to this situation?
  • The Cups: Tell me what Cups energy (emotions, feelings and intuitions) I need to apply to this situation?
  • The Swords: Tell me what Swords energy (intellect, logic and reasoning) I need to apply to this situation?
  • Pentacles: Tell me what Pentacles energy (business experience, practical sense, knowledge of material interests) I need to apply to this situation?
This will give you the opportunity to ponder the situation/challenge from four different perspectives. And remember, it's not only an intellectual exercise (where you work mostly in your brain); The Magician's Exercise asks you to look at your situation from several different angles and from there, create your own special magic.

Play with these questions to help change and broaden your perspective; tune into all aspects of your being, and tap into the wisdom of The Magician to move forward from here. It's like having your own magic wand!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday -- Knave of Swords

Every Tuesday I select one card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life. What messages are here for you?

Each Thursday I choose one reader's comment from Intuitive Tuesday and pull an additional card for more clarity...so check back on Thursday to see what cards come up.


Today's card is the Knave (Page) of Swords. I used my Mystic Faerie Tarot deck...isn't the artwork playful?

The Knave of Swords is one of the court cards -- which can indicate:
  • actual people in your life
  • traits that you possess
  • or possibly a situation in your life
How do you know which one? That's where your intuition comes in. Read the following clues to see how this card applies to you and your life. When something hits home for you, that's your intuition talking...listen up!

If this card symbolizes a person in your life, it may be someone who is younger than you (in either age or maturity level); they may be learning something new (swords indicate intellectual and mental qualities). It may be a precocious or clever child, someone who is energetic, curious, bright, inventive and enjoys exploring things intellectually.

If a person immediately comes to mind (you get an intuitive hit), chances are that you may need to dedicate some time and attention to this person. It's not a random occurrence that this card came up for you. Spend time enjoying this person, getting to know him or her and make a special effort today to reach out to him or her...even if only to let him/her know you care.

If today's Knave of Swords refers to you and your personality, it may indicate that you have the opportunity to learn something new or are eager to explore a new interest. If you've recently noticed a feeling of passion and energy, take this as a sign to step forward and see what's available for you. Your passion and inspiration is a sign of being "in spirit" or purposefully driven forward. What is it that you want to explore? This card encourages you to take one (baby) step towards your passion to move you forward. Do it today!

If today's card refers to is a situation, the Knave of Swords might indicate some type of communication (a letter, email, phone call or notice) about something that's been on your mind. This card can also give you a heads-up that information may come that you may not initially like -- but know that the card also predicts that if the news at first seems upsetting, take ten deep breaths and be glad to know that the message of the Knave of Swords may appear upsetting, but it will quickly disappear from your life. So don't waste time getting upset. Let it run its course and see what happens.

Court cards can seem complex, but my guess is that reading through this information, you already know what messages were here for you today.

If not, be alert throughout the day and see what comes your way. If so, take this information and move forward...one step at a time. And...let me know how it goes!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Perfect Moment Monday -- German Sing Along

Last weekend, DH (dear hubby -- whom I am dancing with in the photo below), the kids and I met several members of our family members for the Army vs. Air Force football game.

DH is in the Army National Guard and his brother graduated from West Point. Watching this game each year is a tradition for this military family.

DH’s brother (and family), DH’s parents from Illinois and my entire family all traveled to Colorado Springs to cheer on the West Point Black Knights (who eventually ended up losing).

Here are the highlights of the weekend (all Perfect Moments)
  • Spending time with my family (high on my values list)
  • Tailgating (lots of food, drinks, football, music, family)
  • The weather was absolutely perfect!
  • The jets flying over the stadium were fantastic (and loud and close)
  • Working out with my younger sister and blogging with my older sister
  • Yoga with my sisters and sister-in-law (especially since our guest pass was waived because our husbands are military – SWEET!)
  • Visiting the Chapel at the Air Force Academy (beautiful architecture)
  • The pool and slide at the hotel were also a BIG hit!
And the one Perfect Moment that stands out was our dinner on Saturday evening at the Edelweiss German restaurant (pictured above). Our family of 19 was in a room all by ourselves. There was a woman accordion player who came in just before our dinner was served. She spent about twenty minutes with us, playing songs and singing with us.

During the evening we were all up doing the Chicken Dance, clapping our hands, swaying side-to-side with our arms linked and having a really great time!

I’m sure people throughout the restaurant could hear us singing the chorus to the “Happy Wanderer Song," especially the part that goes:
Val-deri, Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri, Val-dera.
My knapsack on my back.”
If you want the song stuck in your head all day, click here. If you do click over, check out the verses underneath the line including this one:
I love to go a-gorging
Amid great gobs of food,
And as I do my abdomen
Continues to protrude.

Calorie, calorah,
Calorie, calorah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Calorie, calorah,
My body is obese.
Great times! Great memories! A (series of) Perfect Moment(s)!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Today's Angel Card: Enthusiasm


I have a bowl of Angel cards in my office and also in my living room. If you've not seen Angel Cards, they are simple cards with one word and a drawing of an angel.

I used to keep Angel cards in my office when I worked with a bunch of engineers. It was tough for these left-brained, analytical people to believe in anything that they could not prove...but, several of them would stop by my office each day to select their card for the day. One of the lead engineers, in fact, will email me every-so-often, asking me to pull a card for him.

Today I have pulled a card for all of us: Enthusiasm.
The Original Angel Cards Book explains its meaning: Be present with zestful alertness! Loosen your constraints and let your passion for life uplift others and generate new opportunities.
I'm enthusiastic most of the time and am reminded to consciously focus on this energy vibration -- not only to benefit me, but all of the other people in my life.

What can you do to raise your enthusiasm, loosen your constraints and let your passion for life uplift others and generate opportunities?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- The Hermit

On Intuitive Tuesdays I select a card and give you my interpretation of it. On Thursday I select one reader's comment and pull an additional card.

I encourage you to read about the additional card I pulled this week and see how it applies to your life. Anything that is brought to one of us is a message for all of us.

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Five of Wands (reversed). I have pulled an additional card today for Tami - BFL Champion who said:
I certainly know where this conflict lies. And on a logical level I understand the motivations that are causing a stalemate in what was once a strong friendship.

But I can't help being mad, still, at the way I have been treated by someone with whom I was very close.

I know I should be able to rise above and just forgive and love, but is it wrong to just feel wronged for a little bit?

I believe I am usually compassionate for others and their situations, and empathetic toward what they are going through. But I'm just not feelin' it here!

Sounds like I have some work to do. Grrrr.
I think we've all felt this way. It's hard to accept when someone you have been close to doesn't seem to be valuing the friendship.

The card I pulled for you today is The Hermit, which is a card of searching within yourself for answers. This doesn't necessarily suggest an intellectual search as much as an intuitive search.

For example, you may be asking questions like, "What happened?" or "What did I do?" or "When was the last time things seemed OK between us?"

This approach of logically trying to sort through the events to determine where things went off-track can be exhausting...and non-productive. Because the other person is not included in this analysis, you can get caught up in your own thoughts and paradigms with what is wrong. It can feel like searching for answers in a dark maze.

From an intuitive space, you can more easily tap into the energy beneath the situation. The Hermit encourages you to be thoughtful, patient, contemplative and insightful.

Maybe the separation between you has nothing to do with YOU. The Hermit can indicate that s/he is also tuning in and learning his/her own spiritual lesson AND could also prompt you to look at what's here for you to learn as well.

When conflict appears in your life, it's easy to take things personally. In this situation, The Hermit encourages you to use your feelings to learn more about yourself.
  • Why does this hurt your feelings?
  • What expectations did you have for the situation that possibly weren't fulfilled?
  • What is here for you to learn not only about how to deal with today, but with the larger theme of conflict in your life?

Personal Story:
I have two friends right now where I feel a separation. I've been close to each of these women over the past couple of years, but due to a series of events, there is now a gap.


I'm not mad at either of them; it feels as though we each need time on our paths to travel alone for a while. Perhaps at some point, we'll be prompted to see each other and may also want to "talk about it," but we may find that there is no "it" to talk about, except for the fact that we noticed the separation.

I'm open to engaging with each of them, but am not intuitively prompted to make that happen...yet. We'll see what happens from here.

In the meantime, I plan to sit with the energy of The Hermit to learn what lessons are here for me.
Take time today -- be a hermit -- to ponder (from an intuitive perspective) any conflicts that are in your life right now. As The Hermit suggests...be patient, be contemplative, be open...and wait. The answers will appear; it's just a matter of time.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday -- Five of Wands (reversed)

Every Tuesday I select one card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life. What messages are here for you?

Each Thursday I choose one reader's comment from Intuitive Tuesday and pull an additional card for more clarity...so check back on Thursday to see what cards come up.


Today's card is the Five of Wands (reversed). Fives are midway through the ace through ten cycle and typically symbolize upsetting the balance, disrupting harmony, change, competition, challenge and conflict.

Pulling this card in the reversed position isn't necessarily a bad thing because upside down can mean less of or the opposite of the upright meaning of the card.

The suit of Wands indicates energy and action. Combining the number with the suit, the Five of Wands can be an exciting challenge, changing conditions, new ideas and experiences, conflict, struggle, competition and the need to prove oneself.

If you have been caught up in these types of situation you know how exhausting it can be to maintain your energy levels. With the reversed card, you can relax a bit, knowing that some of the struggle may be over. What a relief!

Five of Wands (reversed) can also indicate mixed motivations of the people around you that may lead to conflict, but this card can give you a heads-up to not take things at face value and possibly dig deeper on an intuitive level to determine what other factors may be motivating people. With a deeper understanding, you will then be able to use this information as you move ahead.

When I mention a conflict in your life, what is the first thing that pops up into your head? Focus on that situation and see if you have moved beyond the original battle or competition that originally presented itself. If so, how can you continue to move forward?

If not, perhaps the Five of Wands (reversed) has to do with hidden motivations. If that is the case, go beyond what you see happening in this area of your life and intuitively dig deeper to "feel" what's really going on. Your intuition will tell you if you simply ask and be open to what comes to you (see, hear, feel, listen, taste, sense, etc.)

The Five of Wands (reversed) feels like a relief at this point in life. You can now look forward to the energy of the Six of Wands which is the "victory" card. After a tough battle (Five of Wands), the taste of victory (6 of Wands) and holding your ground (7 of Wands) are just around the corner. Remember that this too is a cycle, and with the five, you are about halfway there.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Perfect Moment Monday -- Playing Basketball, Now and Then

All three of my sons play on the school basketball team. They've played three games and have five to six more before the final, end of the season tournament.

I played basketball in junior high and high school. We didn't have championship teams, but I LOVED to play...I still do! And I can take on my teenage sons and their friends...and give them a good run for their money. :)

Now, that doesn't mean that I am not sore in really weird places the next day...but I am a tough competitor on the court!

My Perfect Moment Monday post today captures the times when I am sitting in the stands, watching the boys play. I'm as intense as they are -- calling fouls, yelling for them when there is an open pass, reminding them to box out and rebound, and warning them of an oncoming screen.

Going to their games and watching them practice are high points in my week. I LOVE it!

This gives me an entire season of Perfect Moments! Go team!!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Out of Adversity Comes Opportunity

I've mentioned before that I am reading the book, "The Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons" by Napoleon Hill as part of my Master Mind Group.

I found this quote in the chapter on Imagination and I wanted to share it with you:
"If the winds of Fortune are temporarily blowing against you, remember that you can harness them and make them carry you toward your definite purpose, through the use of your imagination. A kite rises against the wind - not with it!" (page 178)
It reminds me of yet another quote I found in another book I am reading called, "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga":
"We say it is too difficult to make the hard choice today. And yet the obstacles in our path are the path. Every time we stretch beyond our resistance and our fear, we make a choice for life. And every time we choose life, we find that fear loses its grip on us. We all know more than we think we do, and we are stronger than we believe ourselves to be." (page 28)
Both of these quotes speak to the perspective that problems and obstacles are put in your path to help you move forward. If you view them as opportunities for growth, they are not as overwhelming and don't seem as powerful.

What mountains can you make into mole-hills simply by changing your perspective?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- Four of Wands

On Intuitive Tuesdays I select a card and give you my interpretation of it. On Thursday I select one reader's comment and pull an additional card.

I encourage you to read about the additional card I pulled this week and see how it applies to your life. Anything that is brought to one of us is a message for all of us.

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Ace of Wands. I have pulled an additional card today for Laura who said:
I always love getting this card. My problem is - I get excited about many things! Right now there are three big ones: 1) writing the online face reading course 2) learning about behavior management plans for MR/DD adults who also have personality disorders; and 3) changing my website to a Blog! Yikes! How to do it all? Let's see what Thursday's card says. (-:
The additional card I selected for you is the Four of Wands from the Mystic Faerie Tarot deck. The Four of Wands is a cause for celebration, a commemorative event, feeling content, finding harmony and receiving an unexpected gift. It can also indicate possibly working from home, and a chance to take a well-deserved rest.

With all of these opportunities, it's hard to think about taking the time to rest because it feels like so much needs to be done -- and done RIGHT NOW!

If there were a way to duplicate YOU so all three of your selves could pursue these paths, or if you could implant computer chips in your head with the necessary information, that would be great!

But alas...that is not how it works, at least not yet. There is a more limited feel to how you need to approach these projects. Now is the time to harness your energy and try not to master-mind HOW it will all work.

One of the most difficult challenges for you is to walk the tight-rope between applying effort to achieve and allowing the pieces to fall into place (which might look like you are not doing anything). But when you look back to different accomplishments in your life, isn't it a beautiful blend of both applying effort and allowing the Divine to create perfect order in your life?

I also sense a great excitement simply about feeling passionate about something again. And the saying, "When it rains, it pours," may apply here. You might look back over the past year and feel as though (even though you've been busy), you feel as though you've been coasting. With this recent influx of opportunities (pouring), it can be easy to feel both excited and overwhelmed.

So, your question: "How will I do it all?" and an important message for all of us:

Now is the time to quiet your excited mind and allow the Universe to direct your energy and focus. This might be receiving important and timely messages, listening to your intuitive direction and finding flow. Throw the concept of applying energy to MAKE something happen out the window and simply ALLOW What Is to be the conductor of this path.

And...one last and important thing for you, Laura: The Four of Wands might also symbolize a possible romance. Now wouldn't that be the best kind of "pouring," to have the Universe throw a Mr. Wonderful into the mix?

Yes. There is a cause for celebration on all fronts. Relax, celebrate and ALLOW whatever is next on your path!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Intuitive Tuesday -- Ace of Wands

Every Tuesday I select one card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life. What messages are here for you?

Each Thursday I choose one reader's comment from Intuitive Tuesday and pull an additional card for more clarity...so check back on Thursday to see what cards come up.


Today I pulled a card from one of my favorite tarot decks, The Gilded Tarot. The card is the Ace of Wands. Isn't this a beautiful card?

Aces symbolize the start of a new cycle and Wands symbolize energy and action. So the Ace of Wands indicates new life, the start of a new venture or enterprise, new activities and things starting to happen.

It can also be an indicator of your energy level. You feel excitement and passion about something -- sometimes you may not even know exactly why, but you feel a surge in energy, almost intuitively, nonetheless.

If you've ever been to an amusement park and waited in line for one of the really fun or thrilling rides, you may be familiar with this feeling. The anticipation of standing in line, watching the people on the ride enjoy the excitement, the tightness in your stomach about getting onto the ride yourself and waiting for and experiencing the thrill. That is the energy of the Ace of Wands -- both anticipating it AND being in the energy.

Take advantage of the Ace of Wands energy and create momentum as you move forward. Don't be surprised if you are filled with enthusiasm and passion, especially as you step into the space of what you are here (on earth) to do. Relish the feeling of inspiration and think of it as being "in spirit." Remember that passionate work is a gift. What is your passion?

The Ace of Wands asks you these questions:
  • What are you being called to do?
  • What do you want to bring about in your life?
  • If you could do ANYTHING, what would you do?
When you feel yourself brimming with excitement, this Ace of Wands feeling is your first clue that you are stepping into flow (the feeling of flowing with the energy of life, when time disappears and your essence is uniquely YOU)! This is when you are living your purpose. Doesn't it feel great and so very powerful from this perspective?

Today, step fully into the space of the Ace of Wands and embrace its energy. Carry it with you ALL day. In fact, carry it with you ALL week. If it helps, pull out the Ace of Wands from your own tarot deck or print out a copy of the card above and post it on your bathroom mirror. Intentionally fill your life with the Ace of Wands energy...and see what happens!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Perfect Moment Monday -- Cloud Burst

This is the view outside our back door. Aren't the clouds beautiful? I had never seen anything like this before...one puffy cloud which was all lit up, surrounded by swirling clouds, hovering over the Mesa.

I was struck by the beautiful site and thought, "we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place." It was PERFECT!