tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13776698198317972552024-03-12T21:59:52.233-07:00The Glass is Half FullAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-61659950881905939562015-06-05T11:09:00.000-07:002015-06-05T11:09:29.506-07:00Confessions of a Recovering Worrier<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’ve got a confession to make: I am a worrier. Actually, I
am a recovering worrier who occasionally falls off the wagon. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The funny part is that I know how useless it is to worry. I mean
it is a real waste of time! Instead of being an integral part of problem
solving, all worry does is distract you from the joys that are around you now.
I believe it was Wiz Khalifa who simplified the concept when he said, “Worrying
is stupid. It’s like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFaWYOk7ZDg/VXHliWAn0yI/AAAAAAAAATw/pOj1AMjQTcU/s1600/The%2Blump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFaWYOk7ZDg/VXHliWAn0yI/AAAAAAAAATw/pOj1AMjQTcU/s320/The%2Blump.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The infamous 'lump'</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This month’s Tarot card in a <a href="http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.blogspot.com/"><i>Fool's Paradise</i></a> is the Moon (Major Arcana 18). The
Moon teaches us to step back and accurately assess a situation before taking
action. It requires a person to see things as they truly are, and accept the
truth of the situation. The Moon card reminds us it is the truth which will set
you free – regardless of the ultimate outcome.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>If you will indulge me, I would like to tell you a little
story.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In April of this year I went on a week’s vacation to
Florida. I had been excitedly anticipating this trip since I booked it in early
January. From the moment I received my flight confirmation, I envisioned myself
relaxing by the pool, walking on the beach, reading a book in the sun, and
strolling through nature trails in some of Florida’s most beautiful preserves.
I was so excited!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Flash forward to Easter Sunday. I was in the airport sitting
at the gate waiting to board my plane. I reached down to scratch an itch on my left
leg and that is when I found it – a quarter-size hard lump about three inches
below my knee and just to the right of my shin bone. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Holy Mother of God!!!! The panic was instantaneous. My mind
immediately flew to ‘worst-case-scenario.’ I poked and prodded at the mass for
pretty much the entire flight. I weakly told myself it could be anything – and did
not necessarily signal the life-threatening condition I was sure, deep down, it
was. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I was definitely encountering the dark side of the Moon
tarot card. Things were being blown out of proportion and my worst fears were
spring to life in the fertile soil of my mind.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>When I arrived to my location, the lump had grown to the
size of a half-dollar. Now I was really scared. I immediately signed on to my ipad and
investigated all the possible maladies it could be. At the top of the list –
you guessed it – cancer. “Holy shit,” I said to myself. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For the next 48-hours, that lump had my undivided attention.
Really. Although it didn’t change anymore, and it didn’t hurt, and it didn’t
interfere with my ability to walk, I refused to take my focus off of it. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>While it is easy to understand why people might obsess like
this, looking back on this all I can think of is, “What an ass you were.” Here
I was in near-paradise conditions. There was beauty all around me. I was with people that I loved, and I was
feeling fit and healthy! And, all I could see was that lump. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By Tuesday night I realized something had to give. I started
to catch on to the fact that all my worry was only depleting me of the present
joys. I made a decision then and there to stop worrying – both about that lump
and all the other ‘lumps’ that could come into my life. I realized that worry
actually weakens the mind, body and spirit. At that point I knew I had to
embrace the lighter side of the Moon card. These are the concepts of intellect,
intuition and spiritual awareness. I accepted that the only way to power was
through an honest assessment of the situation.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So…. first thing Wednesday morning I called and made an
appointment with my doctor. They said they wanted to see me right away. (Note –
that was a strong test of my budding new no-worry philosophy. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>) I explained I was in
Florida and would not be able to come in until Monday. They scheduled me for 8
am Monday morning. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The next thing I did was go to the pool, and instead of
watching my lump, I watch the children play, and I engaged in interesting
conversations with the people around me. Basically, I acknowledged and
appreciate all that I had in my life at that time. It was enlightening. I can
honestly say I was overcome with gratitude for the simple fact of existing and
being able to participate so richly in this thing we call life. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That Moon-card experience taught me a lot about gratitude,
awareness and acceptance. As stressful as I had allowed the lump situation to
become, I am grateful for the lesson I learned about releasing worry and
embracing life.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Oh yeah… and about the lump… it was still there Monday
morning when I went to the doctor. He took one look at it, felt around and
said, “You can stop worrying. I am sure you are thinking the worst here.” I
confirmed I had been. He told me the lump was not cancerous. Rather it was
something called DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis – and would require only a
few simple tests to determine the severity of it. Even better, these additional
non-invasive testing showed there was no clotting and no reason for additional
treatment. He told me in time, my body would heal on its own – without any
additional help, or fuss or you guessed it …. Worry. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Huh, go figure. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-29238439840537129672015-05-05T10:57:00.002-07:002015-05-05T10:57:52.725-07:00Here Comes the Sun...<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Little darling, it's
been a long, cold, lonely winter.</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XcpsND3Ysg/VUjssZPGPFI/AAAAAAAAAQk/fDFPRTraWb0/s1600/sunshine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XcpsND3Ysg/VUjssZPGPFI/AAAAAAAAAQk/fDFPRTraWb0/s1600/sunshine1.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little darling, it feels like years since it's
been here.</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Here comes the sun,
here comes the sun,</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I say it's all right.</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little darling, the smiles returning to the
faces.</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little darling, it seems like years since it's
been here.</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Here comes the sun,
here comes the sun,</strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I say it's all right” </strong></span></i></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>And so goes the lyrics to the well-known Beatles song, “Here
Comes the Sun.”</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>With the physical and emotional beat-down of winter behind us,
most of us are welcoming <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>warmer weather,
beautiful spring flowers and a season of hope. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Hope is a beautiful thing. It is what gets us through our
darkest hours, and leads us to a brighter tomorrow. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>In last month’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fool’s
Paradise</i> blog, I wrote about The Tower tarot card (Major Arcana 16). It is
one of the most feared cards in the deck because it heralds complete, and often
catastrophic, change in the way an individual lives their life. When The Tower
shows up in a reading, life as it is known is about to change.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I didn’t write a blog last month for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Glass Half Full</i> because I felt as though I was experiencing my
own personal Tower moment and was struggling to connect with my own light of
hope. I felt as if I was in a deep, dark winter, and frozen in unhappiness
because of my fear of change. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>While I wanted to fight this difficulty, I knew I couldn’t.
There was no denying that change was imminent and necessary in my life. So instead
of battling the challenges of the Tower, I chose to surrender to them. I
decided to see these issues for what they were, and decided to have several
much-needed conversations.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Was it easy? Hell no! I knew I was putting a familiar and
safe existence very much on the line. However, I also knew I was at a turning
point. I had to initiate a change – if nothing else a change of attitude about
how I was going to live my life. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I knew I had to:</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Established clear boundaries.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Clearly and respectfully speak my mind.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Step back from people and situations I felt were unhealthy.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Take time to hear and then silence my inner critics.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Prioritize my health and wellness needs without feeling
guilty.</strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to do it. And, do you know
what happened? I started to feel like myself again. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Like The Star (Major Arcana 17) rising out of the ashes of
ruin of the Tower, I too felt that many unnecessary burdens had been lifted. It
was liberating. It was peaceful. It was emotional sunshine. That’s when I
started to notice that as the long, cold, lonely winter dissipated, contentment
began to fill me, and a smile returned to my face. </strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>And I say, it’s all right …..</strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-58506885074145439552015-03-10T18:33:00.004-07:002015-03-10T18:33:55.493-07:00One Healed Soul at a Time…..<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>At the end of most of my newsletters, I write a little blurb
about myself and my mission in life. The write-up starts off with some
background information and then shifts into what I hope to leave behind in this
world when I make my final departure at the end of my life.<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Here is the tale-end of the write up I put in my newsletter,
“Joan is an Authentic Life Mentor who believes the only way world peace will
happen is when the people of this world find peace in their souls. And, that is
her mission - to make the world a more peaceful place - one healed soul at a
time.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GI7IRgGdfU/VP-bPSRJDLI/AAAAAAAAAOs/yAmqyUg4Dwo/s1600/believein%2Byourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GI7IRgGdfU/VP-bPSRJDLI/AAAAAAAAAOs/yAmqyUg4Dwo/s1600/believein%2Byourself.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>I truly believe it is my mission to connect with individuals
and help them find their way back to the path they are supposed to be on.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Now, I am not necessarily a ‘go-large, or go-home’ kind-of-person.
As a result, I tend to be an individual who connects best on a 1-1 or
small-group level. I feel it is more personal, and I feel less hesitant to be
vulnerable and show who I truly am. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That is one reason why I have begun to incorporate workshops
into my regimen of services. While Tarot and Numerology readings are a great
way to check in and get direction, they are not the complete solution to a
person’s problems. The readings are one path to the answer, but you can’t stop
there.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> In order to get where
you want to go, you must take action. Don’t wait for the Tarot predictions to
come true. If you wait without action – without helping yourself – nothing will
happen. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In this month’s <i>A
Fool’s Paradise</i>, we encounter major arcana card number 15 -The Devil. As
you can see by the write up (<a href="http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.blogspot.com/">http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.blogspot.com/">blogspot.com/</a>), this card is not about the evils
that exist in the world around you. Rather, this card represents the evils that
operate from within – those mental, emotional and physical vices that cripple us
and interfere with our ability to become who we are truly meant to be.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>These vices make us think we are not good enough, smart
enough, strong enough or brave enough to take control of our lives. Left
unchecked, these weaknesses have us behaving in ways that damage the soul
during its journey through this human experience. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And, these are the issues about which I am referring – the
ones from which our souls need to be healed. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Unfortunately, many people don’t free themselves from these
bindings. I am sure you have heard the phrase, “The devil you know is better
than the devil you don’t.” That is just a really poor excuse that people use
when they are afraid to initiate change. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It is time to break free NOW. You CAN control your life. You
CAN move it in the direction you want it to go. Whether you attend one of my
workshops or not, you must start taking action TODAY. Shut out that inner demon
by ‘feeling your fear and doing it anyway.’ Surround yourself with people who
think in a positive way. Connect with groups who are moving in the same
direction you want to go. </b><o:p></o:p><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: orange;">And if you think you might benefit from a workshop designed
to empower you with the tools you need to succeed, check this out</span>: <a href="http://joanscannellspecials.blogspot.com/2015/03/manifest-your-dreams-in-2015.html">http://joanscannellspecials.blogspot.com/2015/03/manifest-your-dreams-in-2015.html</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-57910440918312081492015-02-06T07:13:00.003-08:002015-02-06T07:13:49.504-08:00Don't Be Afraid of Mercury Retrograde<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As I write this blog, we are sitting squarely in the middle
of a Mercury Retrograde cycle that is playing havoc with my emotions regarding
progress in my life’s goal areas. I am feeling this overwhelming urge to get
things done – as of yesterday.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Yes, there are the usual Mercury Retrograde headaches –
issues with electronics, unanticipated disagreements with friends and family,
and scheduling glitches that create frustration. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2goqKWc7Io/VNTZwHhi1LI/AAAAAAAAANc/uJ60XWyei4Q/s1600/merc%2Bretro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2goqKWc7Io/VNTZwHhi1LI/AAAAAAAAANc/uJ60XWyei4Q/s1600/merc%2Bretro.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><b>But the angst about which I am referring is more a feeling
of impatience and desire. It is being fed by the feeling that change needs to
happen sooner – and in the manner in which I want it to occur. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>However, as we know, life happens at its own pace. Our only
control is a commitment to stay the course and follow through on the plans that
we have made. Sometimes the stars are aligned in our favor and we experience
smooth sailing in the direction of our dreams.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Other times, our life seems to be one big Mercury Retrograde
imploding on itself regardless of who hard we attempt to stay in the flow and fight
the good fight. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ironically, that Mercury Retrograde period of our life is
often just a blessing in disguise. In short what appears to be chaos can
actually be an opportunity to slow down, look around, and do a little course-correction.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>If you will allow me, I would like to tell you a brief story
from my past that I feel effectively illustrates my point.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The story takes place in 1992. I was three years out of
college and 25 years old. I was working for a small daily newspaper, but wasn’t
loving my job. I found myself in an industry I felt was hypocritical and
vindictive. The scary part is that I knew if I was going to make it in that
field, I too would have to embrace these qualities. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I had great inner turmoil going on. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Fear of change told me to stay put and stick with what I
knew. “The hours may suck, and the people with whom I have daily interactions can
be assholes, but I can do this job with my eyes closed,” is how I rationalized
my decision.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Keeping my focus in this direction, I stayed in that job for
a while – a lot longer than I should have. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But, I couldn’t help the growing feeling of discontent that
was welling up from inside. I didn’t want to admit that I was too much of a
coward to enact a necessary change in my life. Even more so, I was angry at
myself because I knew I was lying to myself and the world. I was becoming the
very thing I despised about the business in which I worked. I was a hypocrite.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I toyed with the idea of going back to college for my
master’s degree. I even applied to a couple programs. I was accepted to all of
them, and was given the green light to start during the upcoming summer
session. Despite this, I kept rationalizing to myself how things weren’t that
bad and it was better (okay … safer) to stay put. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But the inner noise only got louder!!!!!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As is the case when one has inner challenges, I struggled to
keep a lid on my feelings. My body language screamed volumes and my unconscious
mind often allowed slips-of-the-tongue that angered the wrong people. “I didn’t
care,” I told myself. And to a large extent that was the only truth I was
speaking.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Eventually, my mood affected my effort and attitude. Not
surprisingly, this affected my ability to keep my job (Hmm… Imagine that <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>.) In June of 1992 a
metaphorical Mercury Retrograde descended on my life. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I was called into my editor’s office and given a sheet of
paper listing the multitude of concerns that the ‘powers-that-be’ had with my
work. I was told I had 30 days to either shape up or ship out. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I gave my notice that day. And, oh, it felt so good. You
know the feeling – it is the one that comes when you finally take a
long-overdue action designed to release yourself from an unhealthy or
counter-productive situation. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Three weeks later I was actively pursuing my master’s degree
in education and began my first graduate-level class. It was so refreshing and
so invigorating to be around people who welcomed new ideas and shared in the
belief of a brighter tomorrow. Hands down, it was one of the very best
decisions I have ever made. It was what I would call an example of a positive
course correction. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Just like Temperance, the Tarot card we discussed in this
month’s <i>Fool’s Paradise,</i> it is
important that we realize that harmony in our life comes only after we have
exercised the courage to honestly evaluate our lives and nurture the seeds of
healthy progress. These seeds don’t grow over night and we often don’t even
realize the need to plant them until we have wandered down the wrong path in life.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>(<a href="http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.blogspot.com/2015/02/temperance-where-patience-really-is.html">http://joanscannellafoolsparadise.blogspot.com/2015/02/temperance-where-patience-really-is.html</a>)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So when we encounter our own personal Mercury Retrogrades in
life, it is important to look at them from the attitude of Temperance. Rather
than turn and run or cower in fear, we can use these periods to correctly
identify and pursue the course of action our higher selves want us to follow. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-8322416964230447822015-01-10T20:47:00.000-08:002015-01-11T06:20:36.502-08:00You CAN Do It This Year<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For most people, the New Year is a time of promise and hope.
It is about starting over and getting it right. There is a ‘clean slate’
undercurrent that permeates people’s philosophies. It is one of those rare
times when you see large numbers of people advocating a hopeful attitude and
enthusiastic approach to change.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfs9EXwqXKc/VLIAAeJd9eI/AAAAAAAAAMo/dMC1SwG7UBo/s1600/new%2Byear1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfs9EXwqXKc/VLIAAeJd9eI/AAAAAAAAAMo/dMC1SwG7UBo/s1600/new%2Byear1.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This is a time when many people set resolutions to implement
some sort of positive adjustment in their lives. Some of the more popular ones
include weight loss, better eating and exercise habits, financial goals, and
improved attitudes. Unfortunately, by mid-January, a lot of those same people
have either forgotten or are struggling to honor their targeted intentions.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As a result, these people get frustrated by their lack of
progress and ‘beat themselves up’ or become depressed. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Rather than get down on yourself two-weeks into the year
because you are hopelessly experiencing failure in your resolution attempts,
make a decision to really commit to the process of change. Realize that in
order to have different results, you must have a different approach.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In order to do this, you need to bring a new swag to your
game. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Now, if you are one of those people who have already given
up on your resolution, fear not. This is a new you, and the new you says, “You
can always start over – even if it is not the first of the year.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>With that in mind, here are some tips to help you accomplish
your deepest desire in 2015. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Create a clear goal that is easy to track<o:p></o:p></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>One of the main reasons people fail in their attempts to
make positive change is because they don’t have a real clear goal in place. For
instance, they might say, “I want to lose 50 pounds,” but that is too general.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In order to be successful, you need to have your resolution
listed as a goal with a time-specific plan to accomplish it. Using the same
weight goal, it might be better to word it this way: “I plan to lose one pound
a week for the entire year.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By breaking it down, it seems much more doable. After all, a
pound a week is a manageable goal. Plus, you see the results right away. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Create a plan that is easy to follow<o:p></o:p></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Once you have your goal, it is important to decide what
supports you will put in place to assist you in the process. Identify what help
is currently available and what help you will need to seek out. Develop a
timeline as to when you will put these helpers in place.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For a weight loss resolution, you might want to ask yourself
the following questions:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Should I join a gym?” Or if you already have a
membership, “How often should I go to the gym?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Should I consult a trainer to help me?” Many
gyms have free trainers or very affordable fees associated with trainers.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Should I consult a nutritionist or dietician to
help me facilitate a permanent life-style change?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Should I join a group where I can feel
supported and experience the benefits of accountability?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Remember, it is important to identify what help is available
to you, and target a schedule for implementing these supports.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Celebrate your successes<o:p></o:p></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Design a method for tracking your progress. It can be as elaborate as a chart or graph that you attend to regularly or it can be as simple as a small spiral-bound notebook you keep in your purse, backpack or computer bag. Pick whichever way works best for you. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>When you hit a milestone on your journey, share the good
news with family and friends. Don’t brag or use this as an opportunity to rest
on your laurels. Instead, thank those who have been supporting you and share the
next phase of your plan. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This doesn’t mean you become one of those annoying social
media posters who air all their laundry. Rather, offer a few well-timed and
sincere posts expressing enthusiasm and gratitude for your progress so far.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Remember, it is important to share your journey with others.
By making your intention public, you add a layer of accountability to it. You
also let the Universe know you are serious. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-78577664375839478382014-11-28T15:14:00.000-08:002014-11-28T15:14:07.838-08:00Peace on Earth Begins with 'Me' <div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Oh, the holidays……. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Never has there been such a mixed can of nuts as the events,
activities and emotions that arise during the holidays.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Um03kH-XSQI/VHkBK6TGylI/AAAAAAAAAL8/fXG3emJT9f0/s1600/peace%2Bon%2Bearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Um03kH-XSQI/VHkBK6TGylI/AAAAAAAAAL8/fXG3emJT9f0/s1600/peace%2Bon%2Bearth.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Having a few dozen seasons of experience behind me, I’ve
come to learn a thing or two about this special time of year.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In no uncertain terms, I would describe the holiday
experience as both a blessing and a curse. Now, before you start throwing
rotten vegetables, and calling me ‘Mr. Scrooge,’ let me explain. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For the record, I love the holidays for all the good it brings.
We have beautiful music and breath-taking decorations. There are gatherings, and
contact between people who have not seen each other in a year or more. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Overall, people are more generous at this time of year. They
are more willing to go out of their way to help someone, and they also tend to
be more reflective. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I have to say I love all these things.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What I don’t like with the holidays is the fast-pace,
go-go-go, ‘have-to’ atmosphere that accompanies it. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>You know what I am talking about. It’s the scheduling and
the demands surrounding the responsibilities of the holidays. They sound
something like, “I have to get so-and-so a gift.” It could be, “I have to
attend so-and-so’s party.” Perhaps it is, “I have to do such-and-such because
it is a tradition.” Trust me, there are lots of them. And, I can’t stand it. Yes,
as the length of my to-do list gets longer, my ability to see the wonder of the
season decreases. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Despite a not-so-subtle undercurrent of people who recommend
a boycott-mentality of Christmas, I don’t think that is the answer. Doing so is
like throwing the baby out with the bath-water. Christmas and the holiday
season are beautiful, wonderful events. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I love the generosity of people this time of year – whether it
comes wrapped in beautiful packages or appears as time well-spent during a
visit with dear friends. I don’t think we should ever lose that, and I believe
we need to let people share their ideas of the holidays in the ways they see
fit. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In this month’s <i>A Fool’s
Paradise</i>, we encounter The Hanged Man in all his glory. The Hanged Man
represents an individual on the cusp of evolution. He is like the person who has
grown from the child in awe of the splendor of the holiday season, to the
behind-the-scenes adult who serves as an integral part of the magic-making. He moves forward physically in these tasks, because
he understands logically this is what he is supposed to do. But spiritually, he
is struggling because he realizes perhaps some of these traditions no longer
suit his purpose. The Hanged Man knows something needs to change. He is just
trying to figure out what it is, and how he can make it work for his higher
self. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And that is why we are here on this earth plane. This is a beautiful
place to be, and there is so much to experience and enjoy. It would be a shame
to waste this opportunity. However, our souls know we are here to use these
experiences only temporarily to learn and become more enlightened. If we stay
in a situation that no longer serves us at a soul level, our growth slows to a
crawl and we can even backslide. This explains that nagging feeling we get in
our chests that urges us on when it is time to make a change. Even though it
might be familiar or comfortable to have things stay as they are, we know that
can’t happen if we are to evolve from one season of our life to the next. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It is at these points in our lives, we become The Hanged
Man. Just like a child’s experience as he matures to see the real magic of the
holiday season, we must mature on our paths in life. If we don’t, we cannot
grow and we will never assume our true power. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As you head through the holidays and into 2015, use the reflective
energy of this month to see exactly where you need to grow, and identify ways
to become an active participant in your progress so that you can reach greater
heights, and can live the live you were truly meant to live. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Happy holidays! Blessings to you so that you might
experience a healthy, positive and powerful 2015. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-35329569043331867272014-11-16T05:21:00.000-08:002014-11-16T05:21:20.662-08:00Keeping it Simple during the Holidays and Beyond<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I had planned to write a special column all about gratitude
for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. I had great ideas, too. I would cite the
wisdom of ancient sages and modern mystics. I would add profound quotes and
detailed segues with enriching examples of the value of appreciation. Ah, yes,
I had it all mapped out in my mind.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BYnQLyRlLg/VFp96cWFE5I/AAAAAAAAALM/D4ERHwfW5_U/s1600/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BYnQLyRlLg/VFp96cWFE5I/AAAAAAAAALM/D4ERHwfW5_U/s1600/gratitude.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Don't take anything for granted</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But then I gave it more thought, and decided in keeping with
the wisdom of this month’s Tarotscope and its warning about not getting lost in
the grandiosity of our ideas, ADD LINK HERE a less-is-more approach would be
much more effective - especially at this busy time of year.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So instead of adding a bunch of superfluous and unnecessary
fluff, I will very simply provide an explanation of the importance of
expressing gratitude as well as some easy ways to do it this season and
throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>With that in mind, here goes:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u style="background-color: blue;">Why should we show gratitude all year - throughout the good times and bad?</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Regardless of how bad things are, there is
always something for which to be grateful. Don’t believe it? Look around. You
may think you have it bad, but chances are you would not change places with 95%
of the people whose life you observe on a daily basis. Why is that? Most likely
it is because at some level you realize the extent of the blessings in your
life.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 2. Studies show that people who express gratitude
regularly are better able to handle stress, have healthier immune systems and
feel mentally more alert. So, if you can’t be appreciative for simple reasons,
then do is with selfish motives. I have faith that eventually, you will start
to feel its power.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 3. Gratitude activates positive thoughts within us
and raises our energy vibration. When we elevate our energy, this allows us to
attract better situations into our lives. It’s a positive revolving cycle.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 4. Gratitude pulls us away from a “me-centered”
approach to life and into an outwardly-focused life. When we are grateful, we
realize life isn’t all about us, our wants and needs. We then connect with a
reciprocal energy that shows us how others experience gratitude, and reminds us
of our power to bring happiness to others.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 5. It’s just the right thing to do because it connects us with the productive energy of the Universe.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: blue;"><u>How can we connect with gratitude in everyday life</u>?</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 1. Remember the little things are really not that
little in the big scheme of life. We tend to prioritize our careers, our
possessions and the things we <i>think</i>
we need to make our lives better. We forget that the real reason we want these
items is to enhance the true gifts of life – our family/friends, our inner
spirit, and our health.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;">2. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>Create gratitude moments throughout the day
where you stop what you are doing and thank the Creator for the things in life
you often take for granted. These can be big things like our well-being and our
loved ones. It can also be less-obvious things like a safe trip to work, a
warm-bed to sleep in or a walk on the beach on a pleasant
afternoon.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<o:p><b>3. </b></o:p><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">During stressful situations, attempt to shift your
focus to any possible underlying gift this issue may bring. For example the
loss of a job could be an opportunity to begin a new career path that fuels your
true passion. Or, helping someone combat an illness may allow you the chance to
slow down and really get to connect with that person on a deeper and richer
level. This is not meant to be a ‘Pollyanna’ and unrealistic approach to
dealing with a problem. Instead, connecting with gratitude this way allows you to
experience some control over a situation that may cause you to otherwise feel very
powerless.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 4. Remember the Law of Attraction tells us that we
attract that which is like ourselves. In order to attract ‘good’ things, we
need to stay positive and show appreciation for something – <i>anything</i> - regardless of how horrendous the
circumstances may appear. Our ‘attitude of gratitude’ is exponential, and is a
powerful tool for bringing promise into our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 5. Contact someone who needs a pick-me-up or who
would benefit from kind words, and tell them how much you appreciate them. It
could be as simple as a text, a phone call or email. If you want to be
extravagant, go to the store and grab a card. When you talk, give a specific
example of something they did that meant a lot to you. Your sentiments will be
a nice surprise and are sure to produce a ripple effect in the world.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 6. Create a gratitude jar. Everyday list one thing for
which you are grateful and put the paper in the container. At the end of the
week, review the comments and feel a renewed appreciation for all you have been
given. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> 7. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>Be open to the wonders of life, and observe
things from a new perspective on a daily basis. Allow a childlike enthusiasm to
swell in you as you look for, and discover situations you have never experienced
before.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b> 8. Make every stranger a friend. This does not mean
letting your guard down and walking blindly into trouble. Rather it means to
greet people in the eye. Smile at them. Say hello. Realize that the vast
majority of people are just like you – trying to make their way through the
struggles of the world; grateful for any kindness and assistance that is
offered to them. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-41108459674383974782014-10-26T18:15:00.000-07:002014-10-26T18:15:04.723-07:00Stress, Schmess... It's No Big Deal<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It was 7:28 am when I reached for the bottle of Advil. A
Monday in late October, I rode to work feeling as bleak as the leafless trees worn
bare from the turbulence of the recent rough weather. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Actually, their stark appearance against the grey sky seemed
an accurate reflection of my inner landscape. It is safe to say I wasn’t feeling
so hot.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Now, before I explain the source of my angst, please know
this is not going to be a “whine-fest.” Rather, I draw attention to these experiences
as a way to connect with you, the reader. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VI3ZfNtMfrQ/VEbEsP-l9-I/AAAAAAAAAK8/hG99ko7KSeI/s1600/balance2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VI3ZfNtMfrQ/VEbEsP-l9-I/AAAAAAAAAK8/hG99ko7KSeI/s1600/balance2.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My guess is many of you will relate to what I am about to
say. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if some of you wave your finger at
the screen and say, “Honey, that’s nothing!”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Regardless of where you stand in your personal perspective,
my goal in telling you this story is to show how our problems have the ability
to strengthen us – both internally, via our resolve, and externally, through
our connections to each other. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, with that in mind, let me explain what had my panties in
a bunch that day. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Some of the issues were simple. That morning I overslept,
started my day rushing around, and was late to work. In addition, I hadn’t
slept well and was feeling the aches and pains associated with the combined
effects of a poor slumber and the onset of mild aging. On that same note, I was
frustrated with my appearance. In the last year or so, I had added some extra,
stubborn weight which I hadn’t been able to shake. My clothes weren’t fitting
like they used to and I was frustrated by a persistent lack of energy that
prevented me from getting any regular exercise. In a nutshell, I just felt
yucky.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Some of these issues were a bit more complex. These included
financial worries associated with personal obligations and college tuition for
my children, stressors within the dynamics of family relationships that threatened
to compound themselves with the approaching holidays, and mounting
responsibilities resulting from the juggling of a variety of different tasks
associated with my house, my career and my future. Overall, these situations
made me feel anxious.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Still, one issue – the major one – had me completely out of
sorts because it was something over which I had no control. That morning, I
knew my long day at work would be followed by an even longer evening at the
local funeral home attending a service for a friend who passed away quite
unexpectedly. This was the third unexpected death I had experienced in as many
months, and I was struggling to wrap my head around the ‘why’ of it all. If
truth be told, this was not just about my friend’s death. For me, this was
about accepting the fact that there are just some things in life over which we
have no control. The more I tried to ignore this topic of mortality, the more
tension I felt all over my body.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> You would think at my
age (that’s 47, but let’s keep that a secret, okay?) death would be something
over which I would have a better handle. But it is just not the case. Actually, these three deaths had really
rattled my cage and left me feeling emotionally and physically unsettled. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Yes, as I grabbed that bottle, I was hoping against hope those
little green caplets would be the elixir by which my exhausted body and soul
could find peace. But that was not to be the case. I knew deep down, that all
the Advil in the world could not do battle with those yucky, anxious and
unsettled feelings. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That is because I knew the reasons for my maladies sat at a
level no pill could ever reach. The prescription I needed to ease my discomfort
had to come from a much more powerful place – a place of reasoning that could
only be found within. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In this month’s <i>A
Fool’s Paradise</i>, we get a good look at the Justice card (Major Arcana 11). Among
her many attributes, we see that Justice is a conduit of balance – both
internal and external. She reminds us that external balance is the direct
result of our internal peace. It is not the other way around. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Logically, I already know this fact. But, when caught up in
the issues of every-day life, this lesson can be difficult to apply. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>As I reflected on the instability around me that morning,
something buried underneath the distraction of this chaos began to surface. It
was the realization that I would never be able to find peace by attempting to
control my outer world. Doing so is tantamount to playing a real-life game of
Whack-A-Mole – constantly waiting to pounce on the next problem.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Instead, I was reminded that true peace comes from the
self-trust and inner knowledge that we already possess the skills needed to maintain
balance and peace in our lives regardless of what the external world sends our
way. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By the time we hit mid-life, one starts to realize life does
not always work out as planned. While I could hope, because I worked hard and
am ‘good’, that everything would be all sunshine and lollipops for me, that
thinking is not very realistic. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The truth is we are here to experience all facets of life on
this physical plane – that means the good, the bad, and the ugly. If everything
went smoothly all the time, our souls would never evolve. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>These, the lessons of this life – like the idea of the
Justice card – remind us that the only thing we can control is our response to
the circumstances and not the circumstances themselves. Instead of panicking in
the midst of instability, we are better off asking what we can learn from these
situations and how we can grow. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, the next time I feel yucky, anxious and unsettled, I am
sure I will still reach for the Advil. Hey, I am only human after all. However,
I won’t expect too much from those little green pills. At best, I will hope
they provide enough relief so my pain fades and my head clears long enough to allow
me to regain an internal balance and an understanding of the lesson life is
offering me at that particular time. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-32008202913047718082014-09-27T05:38:00.000-07:002014-09-27T05:39:00.785-07:00It's Called Intestinal Fortitude. Get Some.<div class="MsoNormal">
When I originally wrote my <i>Fool’s Paradise </i>column for The Wheel of Fortune, I was – ironically
– in a bit of a ‘Fool’s Paradise’ about the precarious nature of life and the
uncertainties of fate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote the column less than a month ago, and – from a very
emotionally safe place - explained the nature of the card. In summary, I stated
how it dealt with fate, the ups and downs of life and the impact of the
‘seasons’ we experience in life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yHqGMXNlfk/VCau54u8N9I/AAAAAAAAAJc/4jX4y34glAQ/s1600/al1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yHqGMXNlfk/VCau54u8N9I/AAAAAAAAAJc/4jX4y34glAQ/s1600/al1.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Al at the Marine Corp Marathon</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was approximately one week before a dear friend of mine
was killed in a sudden, freak accident at the tender age of 48 – that is less
than a year older than my current age. But I don’t think it was his age at the
time of his death that upset me so much. Rather, I believe it was the
suddenness of it that alarmed me. Well, that and the huge impact his passing
had on just about everyone who knew him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add to that the guilt from having lost touch with my friend
due to family and work responsibilities in the last few years, and you have a dangerous
witches’ brew of intense emotional turmoil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, there were many comments like, “I should have made more
of an effort,“ and “If only I had known,” and “I would give anything for one
more chance…” But I knew this thinking
was just my conscience seeking a way to sooth itself. I also knew this ‘logic’
was a complete waste of time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact of the matter is there were no more chances, there
was no more time and there wasn’t any way we could have known what that day
would’ve brought when we woke up that morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I heard about Al’s death, I sank in my seat and
wondered why he was chosen. He made this world such a bright place. He was fun.
He was adventurous. He had a great sense of humor. He never let things get to
him. He was the type of person everyone loved to be around – as evidenced by
his memorial service. The fact is I will
never know the reason. I can let it torment me or I can accept what happen
despite the sadness I feel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been thinking about this a lot lately and I realized
a huge reason I am so sad at Al’s passing (other than the obvious reasons) is
because I feel like a part of me died with him. I am not talking about the type
of bond one shares in an intimate relationship. That is not how we rolled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather, the loss I feel with Al’s passing is more like the
death of a piece of my life – a part of my personality. I hope that doesn’t
sound selfish or insensitive, because it is not meant that way. I thought the
world of Al and I (will) miss him for all his many wonderful qualities.
However, my friendship with Al was forged at a time when we were both young and
innocent. Even though we met in our late teens, it is safe to say we grew up –
into adulthood – together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our friendship connected us both with a time when we were adventurous
and carefree. Somewhere along the road – probably around the same time we lost
touch - I stopped being adventurous. I started playing it safe, being a mom, and
embracing the predictable and comfortable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al, on the other hand, was able to maintain that zest for
life he always had. He was able to do all the things I did plus keep his
passion for living. He didn’t waste time, he didn’t pass up good opportunities
and he didn’t mince words. I can actually imagine him reading this column and almost
hear him now saying, “Okay, Scannell. That’s enough. Get to the point.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point is that Al taught me – both in his life and his
death – about the precious (not precarious) nature of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al’s life was a living testament to the energy associated
with the Wheel of Fortune card. Al had his ups and downs but he never let
either define him. For instance, he arrived into this world welcomed by his
family under happy circumstances, but as an adolescent things changed, and he
had to learn to depend on himself. These early hardships only served to
strengthen his resolve about leading the life he had always dreamed. His wife
Tami recently told me one of Al’s favorite quotes was, “Life is hard. Wear a
helmet.” I love that because it really epitomizes the veracity of his spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al was never afraid of the turning of the wheel. He
understood at any point, his ‘luck’ could change. That knowledge never deterred
him. If anything, it inspired him to ‘seize the day.’ Al was too busy living to
worry about dying. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was probably Al’s final gift of friendship to me.
His passing reminded me that I should dust off that adventurous, fun-loving
spirit I packed away years ago. Just like the message of the Wheel of Fortune,
Al’s life reminded me that our experiences on earth should not be feared.
Rather they should be accepted despite the fact that they can fluctuate wildly between
every day joys and unanticipated painful acts of fate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Al knew that rather than cowering in fear of what might happen,
it would be best to embrace each moment for what it brought. This philosophy is
the essence of the Wheel of Fortune. Living this philosophy is about being
alive and brave in an existence marked by complete uncertainty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have thought a lot about my friend in the last few weeks,
and I have wondered how he would’ve responded if the tables had been turned –
if it had been me who died suddenly in a tragic accident. I wondered what he
would think; what he would say as he looked at my pictures during my memorial
service. Obviously I can’t know for sure, but I do suspect he would’ve been feeling
pretty sad about my death and maybe feeling a little guilty, too. He wouldn’t
have liked the situation, but he would’ve been accepting of it. That is the
kind of guy Al was – he rolled with the punches. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know if I had the opportunity to speak with him now, he
would tell in no uncertain terms to suck it up and continue on with my life. I
think his exact words would be something like, “It’s called intestinal
fortitude, Scannell. Get some.” And that is what the Wheel of Fortune reminds
us to do: Enjoy the good times, Accept the bad times and Be brave in the face
of the uncertainty we call every-day life. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-41589143254054046782014-08-29T05:24:00.001-07:002014-08-29T05:34:26.469-07:00Theresa Caputo a Hermit? Shut up!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On August 18,
I was lucky enough to see Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, at one of her
two shows in Albany, NY. I really enjoyed “The Experience” as she has aptly
named her tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I went to
the show with my teenage daughter, Bailey, who is also a fan. While neither one
of us were specifically looking for a message, there was an inkling of hope
that maybe – just maybe - my grandmother or one of her paternal grandparents
might come through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8NodM1zWw4/U_t4W3DyDwI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Z31S9tspNxU/s1600/theresa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8NodM1zWw4/U_t4W3DyDwI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Z31S9tspNxU/s1600/theresa1.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Theresa Caputo during "The Experience" tour.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They didn’t.
But that is okay. We had no pressing “need” for either of us to receive a
message. When we discussed it in the car, we actually said we hope the people
who need the readings most are able to get them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interestingly,
as I walked out of the theater “empty-handed” for lack of a better term, I
realized that indeed I did receive a message from ‘Spirit’ that night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before I
explain what I mean, let me first talk about Theresa herself. Love her or not,
she is a very special person. Despite claims of “plants in the audience” or
charlatanism by mainstream reviews, I saw none of that. Really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What I saw
was a woman who believes in herself and in her mission. Like the Hermit in the
Tarot, which I write about in this month’s <i>Fool’s
Paradise, </i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Theresa is
a person who has spent time getting to know herself, her gift and her purpose
in life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Believe it
or not, the Hermit and Theresa Caputo are a lot alike. Okay, stop laughing. It
is true. Take away the big hair, the polished nails and the bling, and what you
have are two individuals who specialize in the delivery of messages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hermit’s
messages come when we find a stillness within ourselves. When we quiet the mind
and remove ourselves from distractions, we are able to hear the whisper of our
inner voice guiding us in the direction we need to move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Theresa, on
the other hand, is anything but quiet. Her classic exclamation, “LARRY!!!!!” is
an example of what I mean. However, that doesn’t mean she can’t be a beacon of
light for people immersed in the darkness of emotional pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I watched
her work, I actually saw a person delivering messages to individuals who either
did not know how to quiet the mind and hear them independently or who were too
disconnected to realize they had the ability to directly receive these messages
themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And therein
exists the main difference between the Hermit and Theresa. While Theresa relays
the messages for us, the Hermit teaches us how to hear these messages
ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prior to her
actual readings, Theresa spent about 15-20 minutes discussing her background. She
pointed out three things she wanted us to know about “the Experience.” I am
sure there were more, but these are the ones that really resonated with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, she
talked about how she came to know and develop her gift after years of denial.
She talked about her fears – both the overt ones we see on her TV show and the
more subtle ones which have to do with accepting unfair criticism. She talked
about the discomfort that comes from the latter and how she used that as a
spring board to develop more confidence about her skills. Her first message to
the audience was to never apologize for your gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I tell you,
I really connected with this one. As a Tarot card reader and Numerologist, I
have run into people who dismiss my abilities because of the intangibility of
this skill. I can’t tell you how many times, particularly when I was younger,
that I felt as though I had to ‘prove’ myself or defend my gift. It took me a
while, but I finally realized that was a drain on my energy. Most of these
‘Doubting Thomas’s’ didn’t want to be convinced. They just wanted to criticize
something they couldn’t understand. When you entertain this kind of energy, it
is nothing more than a struggle for power. Someone will come out feeling
drained, and as though their energy has been taken. I have learned it is best
to respectfully disagree and walk away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next,
Theresa made it very clear that when she reads for people, it is for the sole
purpose of healing. Her goal is to ease the pain people feel and clear up the confusion
associated with the concept of death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a result,
Theresa delivered messages with sincerity, humor and, at times, a
hard-to-swallow truth. Despite a sold-out crowd of more than 3,000 people, she
was able to focus in on specific individuals and deliver important messages.
She made direct connections with many people who had lost spouses, parents,
children, etc. She brought a sense of peace to them they didn’t have when they
entered the theater. Did she always connect? No. Was that always her “fault”?
Definitely not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
difference I noticed about the people with which Theresa was able to deliver
messages and the ones with which she struggled to make a connection was what I
would describe as “openness.” This is not gullibility I am talking about. What
I am describing is awareness. Awareness is a state of mind in which you are
fully present and open in thought and action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The people
who successfully received a message from Theresa were individuals who were
willing to listen and hear what she had to say. This does not mean they liked
the message. It only means they were willing to receive it. Conversely, the
people who stood with arms folded across their chests, with their bodies turned
in a different direction, with a doubtful look on their face or a rigid
structure struggled to find any meaning in her message. When I saw that, all I
could think of was, “What a shame. Why are you here if you didn’t want the
message?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And that
leads me to Theresa’s third point of the night. This final message – in my
opinion - was the most important. It served as a reminder of the power we each
hold within ourselves. I will paraphrase her words here as I don’t remember
them verbatim. It went something very similar to this, “You know, you can
connect with your departed loved ones any time you want. They aren’t waiting
for you in the cemetery, and they aren’t following me around. I have my own
dead people following me. They are with you all the time. They send symbols and
signs to you. Look for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I really
liked that final message because it served as a solid reminder to stay present
in life and be aware of the power that exists within and around all of us. Despite my lack of direct communication with
Theresa that night, I walked away from her show with what I believed was a personalized
message from the Universe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That message
was to stop looking outside of myself for the answers. When I left the theater
that night, I was reminded of my ability to access a power much greater than my
own; a power that already exists within me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interestingly,
that is also the message described by the Hermit card. It is about the ability
to silence the mind and tap into the divine flow of the soul. By doing so, we receive
messages from our higher selves that help us find our best paths in life and
create “The Experience” we are meant to have right here on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-35925359558932068192014-08-01T11:01:00.001-07:002014-08-01T11:01:38.289-07:00Let your Inner Light Dispel your Darkest Fears<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know about you, but I have an inner “demon” who
knows just the right buttons to push to make me think I am losing my mind. She taunts
me with uncertainty when I have a dream in the works. She whispers in my ear
that I am not as physically fit as I used to be, and am in need of some dieting
help. She turns my mirror into a magnifying glass and feeding from the trough
of vanity reminds me that I am not as young as I used to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMa4K9c0Yr8/U9vVBushb1I/AAAAAAAAAH8/WGPPejFf09I/s1600/augghf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMa4K9c0Yr8/U9vVBushb1I/AAAAAAAAAH8/WGPPejFf09I/s1600/augghf.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know who she is, don’t you? You have probably met her yourself from time to time. What false beliefs
does she use to torment you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps it is an uncomfortable sense of inadequacy when a
neighbor comes home with a brand new car – again. Maybe it is a sense of
frustration about a job for which you have little passion or maybe it is this
intangible sense of animosity that sits within you, and you are not even sure
why it is there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For what it is worth, everyone struggles with this “demon”
to some extent. In case you don’t believe me, this “demon” is your ego.
Everybody has one, and it is not the tradition definition of “ego” with which
we are familiar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ego exists within us <i>almost</i>
as a separate entity. Its purpose is to keep our focus on the easy road in
life. It draws our attention to “pleasure-seeking events.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is wrong with that?!?! I know that is probably what
you are thinking. However, that is not your idea. That is your ego talking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem with that approach to life is that it inhibits
our ability to connect with our higher selves. We need to remember we are
spiritual beings having a human existing. We came to this earth school to grow
spiritually at an accelerated rate. While it is important that we experience
many joys and pleasures of this plane, we must also connect with our spiritual
side, and grow at a deeper level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like the Lion in the Strength card, discussed in this
month’s Fool’s Journey, the ego exists only in relation to your outside
circumstances. The ego attempts to control your exterior world and convince you
that your happiness is dependent on the alignment of outer situations. It is
the ego that says, “If only I could lose 30 pounds…”, “If only I had more
money…”, “If only I was younger…” The list goes on and on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ego is actually quite fragile. It cannot exist on its
own. It creates these false outer ideas to convince you the only way to
happiness is to avoid challenging, frustrating or upsetting situations in your
everyday existence. That alone makes it exist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you think about it, a lot of energy is put into avoiding
that which we don’t want in life rather than what we want in life. Our focus is
on controlling our outer world in an attempt to make our inner world better. The
problem here is we need to experience challenges in life to grow. In addition,
all this outer chatter blocks communication with our inner, higher self. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ego is like the student who does not want to do the work
to pass the class. He is in school to learn but is under the erroneous assumption
that he can learn without doing the designated assignments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result, he avoids, makes up excuses, and puts himself
through stress in an order to do less school work. The truth is that it is
twice as hard to put these avoidance techniques into play. If he would just put
his head down and plod through, the lessons would be learned and with help
available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we give in to the ego and believe the hype, we become
that student avoiding our lessons here in earth school. Our spiritual side does
not grow. Like the young student, we are wasting time and energy. We are also
adding stress because we are convincing ourselves we have to avoid the very
lessons we came here to learn. It really would be so much easier if we put our
nose to the grindstone and focused on the lessons. It does not have to be as
severe a challenge as the ego would have us to believe. The ego just makes a
lot of noise that drowns out our Higher Self and Inner guide. The ego is like
the lion in the Strength card that won’t listen to the patient young woman (our
Higher Self)waiting to show him a better way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unlike the ego, our Higher Self won’t fight for attention because
it is against its nature. To do so would make the Higher Self like the ego.
Rather, she waits patiently for us to tire of the games and useless antics.
When we realize there has got to be a better way to live, it is only then that
we can hear her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By silencing the useless cacophony and increasing the pause
between the noises of the ego, we can become aware of a peacefulness unlike
anything else we find on this earth. And, that is because what we find in those
spaces is not of this plane. It is in these moments we hear the voice of our
inner teacher guiding us through our lessons on true confidence, strength and
divine purpose so that we can make the most of our time here on earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-84282538211323880092014-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:002014-07-01T05:58:05.882-07:00Always Keep Your Eye On The Prize <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>In my opinion, there is no better sentiment that so
effectively sums up the idea of the Chariot (Major Arcana card 7).</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auHbzt6Ynt8/U6m_xbFyAkI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-_ojLJBLFZk/s1600/july+ghf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auHbzt6Ynt8/U6m_xbFyAkI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-_ojLJBLFZk/s1600/july+ghf.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>This line is believed to have originated in a poem written
by Alexander Pope. The piece, entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An
Essay on Criticism</i>, attacks the literary critics of the day who were so
quick to pass judgment on the work of others – while at the same time never
quite creating any quality work of their own.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Although other notable figures of our past (such as Edmund
Burke and Abraham Lincoln) have used this line to relay messages of caution, I
prefer the initial interpretation as delivered in the original work by Pope.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Without getting into a full analysis of the poem, it is safe
to say that Pope had little respect for individuals who criticized the efforts
of others when they really had no basis for claiming expertise in a given area.
His anger was directed at self-absorbed, arrogant pseudo-aficionados who
claimed to have a real feel for the literary pulse of the era. One of Pope’s
biggest gripes was with the damage these self-appointed demagogues were doing
to the young writer’s reputation both within their own being and within
society.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Understandably, Pope found the critics’ irresponsible rush
to judgment both self-serving and counter-productive. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>We all know people like this don’t we? These are the
Negative-Nellies of the world. They look for any reason to criticize your
progress and effort. Often times, they are cloaked as friends, co-workers or
relatives, and offer a feigned-concern for your well-being. They watch as you
undertake an activity they are too afraid to complete themselves. Sometimes,
they secretly wish for your failure – not because of a personal dislike for
you, but because they interpret your success as a sign of their own inadequacy. They see
that you have accomplished something great, and now they have no excuse to give
about why they are sitting on the sidelines.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The fact is these people will always be around. Just like the
ideas expressed through the Chariot card (from this week’s Fool’s Paradise),
critics will always be there and will attempt to drive you in a direction that
is really your polar opposite. Rather than perseverate on their negative
energy, your focus should be on the goal. There will definitely be trials and
tribulations. You can expect to fall and fail as you move toward your plans.
However, you will not be defined by your failures. Instead, they will serve as
stepping stones, turning points and inspirations. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I believe failures really are blessings in disguise. The
purpose of failure is to stop us when we are moving in the wrong direction.
Failure tells us what is not working, so we can switch directions and see what
does work. Think about it. So many great people in history experienced repeated
failure before they eventually succeeded. This struggle made their successes so
much sweeter for them, and motivating for us. Don’t believe me? Look up these
names: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, The Wright Brothers, Bill
Gates, Steve Jobs. Those are just a few.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>My guess is these people had lots of naysayers around them,
but they did not listen. They embraced the energy of the Chariot and rushed in
with the enthusiasm and courage of the Fool. That is how we must live our life.
We only go around this way once and we don’t want to have regrets. When we
become like the Chariot, our higher-self triumphs. Even if we never reach our
targeted goal, our spirit grows because we kept our eyes on the prize. That
alone is one of the greatest victories we can achieve in this lifetime.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-78033041507988708512014-06-11T13:04:00.000-07:002014-06-23T12:48:17.330-07:00The Greatest Love of All - June 2014<h2>
</h2>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You complete me.”</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember that line? It was from the movie Jerry McGuire, a story about a sports agent who was fired after expressing his opinions about the hypocrisy rampant in his chosen career field. The irony is that Jerry was the biggest culprit of this behavior. He was the one that all the other agents tried to emulate. That was because on the outside, he had it all – a great job that had him traveling all over the world and rubbing elbows with the “who’s-who” of the sports world. He had a beautiful fiancé, great wealth, an excellent reputation in his career and the admiration of his peers. From the outside looking in, he was living the dream.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then it happened.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvpyE9mCJdI/U5ovCtynzEI/AAAAAAAAAFo/iWN7P5KxD7c/s1600/jerry_maguire-1.15151334_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvpyE9mCJdI/U5ovCtynzEI/AAAAAAAAAFo/iWN7P5KxD7c/s1600/jerry_maguire-1.15151334_std.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jerry had a crisis of conscious. One night, as he sat alone in a hotel room, he had a breakdown – or perhaps a breakthrough depending on how you look at it. Jerry realized that while his chosen career had brought a lot to his 30-something lifestyle, there was something missing in his life. He knew there had to be more to his life than what he was doing. He wanted to believe he could use his profession to make a positive impact on the world. Feeling this great disparity between where he was at and where he should be, Jerry created a manifesto of sorts, mass produced copies and shared it with everyone attending the conference.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let’s just say, it wasn’t as well-received as Jerry had expected it to be.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Within a very short period of time, Jerry lost his clients, was fired by his agency, and dumped by his materialistic and shallow fiancé. All Jerry thought he knew about himself, his lifestyle, his friends, and his career disappeared. It was Jerry – alone against the world.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You think his crisis of conscious was a challenge before this? Guess what it was like after- when he was caste out from his safe and familiar niche and into a cold and lonely world, naked and afraid. Jerry now had to come to terms with who he really was, and learn how he fit into a world that did not share his ideals. He struggled unsuccessfully for quite a while to identify his path. He floundered because he refused to become the person he knew he should be. He thought it was easier to go back to what he knew. Instead of going forward, he straddled the fence between the life that was familiar and the life he knew deep in his soul he was supposed to lead.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eventually, Jerry did begin to walk-his-walk, and talk-his-talk. His “Come-to-Jesus” moment happened when he decided to become the sports agent about whom he wrote his mission statement. It was a painful evolution and there were a lot of bumps and bruises along the way. However, the movie does end happily ever after when Jerry was able to establish a sports management agency true to his beliefs, and eventually win the love of a supportive woman who shared his dreams.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This leads us to the famous line near the end of the story, “You complete me.” It happened when Jerry realized the very thing he really wanted in life had been there all along –waiting to be recognized and appreciated. Although Jerry says this to his wife, Dorothy Boyd, in an attempt to convince her to take him back, you can’t help but see that Jerry himself had finally come into his own. The epiphany that started that night in the hotel room with the manifesto had finally manifested itself on earth. It was no longer an idea. It became the reality of his life, and Jerry became the person he was supposed to be. When he filled in the missing pieces of his own puzzle, Jerry was able to develop self-love which led him to the love of Dorothy. Her love was merely a reflection of his self love.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And therein lies the big secret of the Lover’s Tarot card. When this card arrives in a spread it will often signal a significant romantic relationship. This is a relationship that shows deep love, commitment and connection between the partners. This is the kind of love for which everyone yearns.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, what people don’t realize is that if you want that deep “once-in-a-lifetime” kind-of love, you need to first give it to yourself. You need to complete yourself before anyone can complete you. Think about it. If you go into a relationship with “holes” in your being, then you will look to the other person to fill them. This is not only unfair to everyone involved, it is damaging to the other person. If you don’t love yourself enough, from where will the other person get the energy to fill your holes? By expecting them to complete you, you are taking away from their essence. You will suck the love from them without returning a healthy love in return.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This may be an unpopular statement that annoys people, but it is true.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only way you can hope to ever have a “complete” relationship with another is to have a complete relationship with yourself. Read that line again!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be part of a healthy union, you must be comfortable with who you are. You must enjoy your own company. You must have your own interests, and believe your own truths. That is the only way you will attract people who share the healthy patterns you desire in your life.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your other option is to live an existence like Jerry had at the beginning of the movie –nice on the outside and hollow on the inside. While that may seem okay for a while, it gets old quick. You realize the questionable people around you are merely a reflection of the relationship you are choosing to have with yourself, and it becomes impossible to look at yourself in the mirror when you know the biggest betrayal in your life is the one you are choosing to inflict on your true self.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-34661156998553524432014-06-11T13:03:00.003-07:002014-06-23T12:48:39.056-07:00Let Your Light Shine - May 2014<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Human beings are such creatures of habit. Most of us have a daily routine we follow religiously – we wake at a certain time, have a specific morning ritual, go to work by a specific route, come home by a specific route and usually try to follow a comfortable evening schedule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even within our days we have mini-routines. For instance, at work we may have a very clear approach to how we handle a specific task, organize a project or run a meeting. As a species we tend to gravitate toward the familiar and shy away from change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not necessarily a bad thing. I am willing to bet this habit was learned via thousands – possibly millions – of years of evolution. You stick with what you know and with what works. As a result, you survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our attachment to the familiar has also created an enriched environment where celebrations and milestones distract us from some of the more turbulent episodes that mark our life journeys. We have baby showers, baptisms, birthday parties, proms, graduations, weddings, anniversaries and vacations. We even celebrate the completion of a life well-live through the ceremony of a funeral.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have gone so far as to structure our society in a way that encourages the honoring of these rituals. We have governments created to maintain order and protect the people from potential dangers. This keeps the physical body safe. We have schools set up to educate the youth about important concepts that will help them be successful in this well-ordered society. This cultivates the mental faculties of the individual. Finally, we have churches. These institutions are here to guide the soul in its earth-bound journey until it is able to reunite with its original source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, ritual has been a natural part of life for much of human existence and we often cling to them. While these structures were set up for noble reasons, there can be a very dark side to their existence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We must be careful not to use these rituals, and the organizations that support them, as a place in which to hide from our true life purpose. We must remember that we did not come to this earth simply to physically exist, regurgitate memorized facts, and proselytize beliefs that don’t truly resonate with the core of our being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sad fact is that too many of us are doing this. We are afraid to stand up for what we know at our soul levels to be true. We are afraid of criticism and ostracism, and the consequences these types of punishment bring. We forget why we came to this earth and abandon our true gifts. As a result, we hide our inner light from the world and lose connection with our higher selves. We must realize that this type of follow-the-herd existence is far more empty than any life where one chooses to blaze his or her own path.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this month’s A Fool’s Paradise, we discuss The Hierophant. His is a role of teaching and guidance. He reminds us that there is a time in everyone’s life where it is important to be the student; to learn from those who came before you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, The Hierophant also reminds us that there is a time for every one of us to lead; to bring forth our gifts and make this world a better place because we were alive in it. Yes, we do have rules that must be followed, and we do have organizations within our world that help us maintain order and structure. However, we must remember these structures are here to make our experience on this earth easier so that we can do what we really came here to do – share our inner light and make this earth-plane a bit more like heaven simply because of our existence.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377669819831797255.post-63578977590361446172014-06-11T13:02:00.001-07:002014-06-23T12:49:01.717-07:00It’s Not Easy Being Me - April 2014<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like who I am. It took me more than half my life to come to that conclusion, but I finally arrived at this point well past the end of my childhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I say “I like who I am,” it is not an arrogant statement. Rather it is a courageous one. That comment is born out of years of soul-searching and self-examination. It follows a period in my life – many years ago – when I didn’t like myself so much. I didn’t like the way I felt, and as a result, I said (and did) some pretty stupid things. Many of my actions were the result of lack of direction, immaturity and foolish pride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes it is hard for me to look back at my past. There is a lot to survey. Much of it is good. I have accomplished a lot, both on my own and with the help of others. I am very grateful for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, I – like many people – have messed up on my path through life. I won’t air the gory details here, but trust me, I have some stories that are real whoppers! It is funny how we tend to glance past the moments of greatness and focus on our moments of weakness. I am not sure why people do that. Maybe it’s because often many of the mistakes we make are ones that can’t be unmade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whatever the reason for this need to obsess about our errors, the goal is to move beyond this skewed thinking, forgive ourselves, and let it go. Maya Angelou put it most clearly when she said, “Do the best you can until you know better. When you know better, do better.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let’s face it, we didn’t get a rule book to follow when we came into this world. Aside from the basic laws of society, we did not have anything to guide us as we moved along life’s path except of course our inner voice. And what good is that voice if we had never been taught to listen to it. The truth is a lot of our lessons were learned via trial and error.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just like the Emperor Tarot card (discussed in this month’s A Fool’s Paradise), we need to learn how to make responsible decisions that enhance our personal power. The Emperor is a person of action. He puts emotion aside to make the right decisions. He wasn’t born an emperor. He became one through trial and error. The Emperor is not always right. However, his actions are ones he can always defend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That is how I got to where I am today. I am not sure at what point I made the decision to shift my focus to a higher, less-selfish thought process. I am guessing it was sometime around the birth of my first child. Prior to that, I was often operating from a more me-centered thinking. This is a very difficult point of view because it is insatiable and it is hard to justify.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regardless of when it happened, I do know how it happened. My metamorphosis occurred when I finally stopped obsessing about how I felt the world viewed me. When I accepted that I cannot control other people’s opinions and beliefs, I found an immediate sense of peace. My decisions were made like the Emperor. I weighed the facts, compared the benefits with the drawbacks, listened to my inner voice, and made choices I felt were best – ones I could defend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, this isn’t to say I didn’t cultivate the softer, Empress, side of me. I most certainly did embrace her finer, gentler qualities. Actually, I tried to morph both the Emperor and Empress to create a person who could make decisions that touch upon the more subtle nuances of everyday life. The Empress qualities helped me feel the impact of my actions on others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite this attempt to blend the two, there have been times when I had to assume the role of the Emperor. I don’t always like having to do that, but I am okay with it. That is the beauty of my past mistakes. By having to accept and live with them, I have constant reminders of what not to do; of how not to make bad choices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is why I like myself now. I trust myself to make the difficult decisions for the right reasons. This doesn’t guarantee success every time, but it does promise me that any future mistakes will be honest errors resulting from an unpredictable outcome despite thoughtful and considerate decision making.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it a perfect scenario? No. However, I am comfortable enough with myself to say I am pretty sure I can live with that.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07591317920105506433noreply@blogger.com