Teenage Brains Part 1: Always on Spring Break!

Last year during Spring Break, we visited my family for part of the week and then returned home to enjoy the last several days catching up on things, the boys hanging out with their friends and relaxing.

The morning after we returned from our trip, I had an interesting conversation with Ryan (12 at the time):

Me: Are you sad that your Spring Break is almost over?

Ryan: Yes

Me: I am too.

Ryan: Why would you be sad? Aren't you always on Spring Break?

Me (laughing): So you think I'm always on vacation?

Ryan (trying to redeem himself): Yes. I mean no. I mean...since you work from home you are always here...always on Spring Break.

Really?

I guess he must have seen me lounging around watching soap operas eating Bon-Bons while they were all at school. Darn! I hate being caught in the act!

My Own Seven of Coins Situation

I am dealing with my own Seven of Coins (Pentacles) situation with my writing. I talked about the situation here in describing how I am stuck in between my own thoughts (Two of Swords). Thanks to you for all of your great suggestions in response to my post.

Remember the Seven of Coins is a card of perseverance and one that symbolizes a time of contemplating action...and waiting (with faith).

Waiting? Aren't I supposed to be doing something in order to make something happen?

If you remember from my earlier post, my husband (graciously) offered and suggested that I take a sabbatical:

Time off.
No To Do list.
No structure.
No purpose.

OK. The last one is not true. Even without doing something I am still of value, right?

Ever heard the phrase, "We are human BEings, not human DOings?"

One of my favorite quotes from the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is: "Not every hour is billable."


This is a good reminder to me because when I had kids, and ended up having them SO close -- 17 months and 14 minutes apart (a single and then twins 17 months later), my life became a time management game. Could I get it all done? Even when a wrench got thrown into the plan (several times a day), could I make every single second count?

A common thought was, I have 7 minutes before I have to leave the house, what tasks can I do to most efficiently fill these precious 7 minutes?

As a Type-A achiever, it's so easy to become obsessed by my own productivity. Perhaps there is a support group for this type of affliction: Over Achiever's Anonymous (OAA).

I could just imagine an OAA group support meeting, "Hi. My name is Sheri and before I came to this 9 a.m. meeting, I did yoga, 30-minutes of cardio, took a shower, got a meal in the crock pot, got the kids to school, folded two baskets of laundry, and ironed three shirts, not to mention dropping off the library books on the way to the meeting and going to the recycling center on my way home)."

If you can relate to this, I look forward to meeting you at the next OAA meeting.

So what is SO uncomfortable about emptiness, the void, down time, etc.?

I have started to study the Course In Miracles. (I squeeze it in between yoga and getting the kids to school).  :) If you've ever studied this philosophy, it's an undoing of sorts and a rebuilding of beliefs. The basic foundation is this:

Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.

The other day, I read a quote that hit home for me:

Recognition of meaninglessness arouses intense anxiety in all the separated ones. It represents a situation in which God and the ego "challenge" each other as to whose meaning is to be written in the empty space that meaninglessness provides. The ego rushes in frantically to establish its own ideas there, fearful that the void may otherwise be used to demonstrate its own impotence and unreality. And on this alone it is correct. (Workbook page 21)

And so I ask myself...what is so fearful about the void? Time being empty or not used to its capacity? These are concepts I would surely explore if I had the time.

Maybe I can ponder this in the 4 minutes I'll be on the potty later today.

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- Four of Swords

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

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

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Seven of Coins, which is about DOing and ALLOWing, when to apply effort and when to wait.

I pulled an additional card today for Mad Hatter, in response to her comment:

Oooooh - I really like the idea of divine water wings! I'm going to wear mine tomorrow to my appointment with Dr. Lovely - I am so ready to let go of this process a little and let the magic take over! Thanks, Sheri!

I selected the Four of Swords from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.  I love the image of the man resting on four swords. Even though it looks uncomfortable, he looks SO peaceful!  The key word for this card is REST. This might be physical , mental or spiritual rest (or all three).

Maddy, for you, I believe it means rest from worrying, planning, and having to figure it out. Perhaps you can hand your worries over to a Higher Power, that may be partially coming through in the form of Dr. Lovely right now. This doesn't mean that you relinquish any of the personal responsibility that you have, but let the universe take over for a while...so you can rest and rejuvenate (Four of Swords).

I have written about the Four of Swords in a previous post. You can check it out here.

Maddy, I pulled another card for you from the Message of Life deck by Mario Duguay.  You can click here to check it out or go to your local (metaphysical) bookstore.

The card is called, My Creative Power, and I think it goes well with the Four of Swords.

My Creative Power: I recognize the power of my thoughts. Do I use these thoughts to build or to destroy? I choose to create my universe filled with and surrounded by joy and harmony. I will maintain a positive attitude and let no-one or nothing discourage me. I create love and peace.

Combined with the Four of Swords energy (above) and the Seven of Coins energy from Intuitive Tuesday, the greater message today is to choose your thoughts and consciously take a break from excessive thoughts and worrying and allow the Divine to come into your life.

We are not alone and don't have to do it all ourselves. What makes us think that we should or even could?

Intuitive Tuesday -- Seven of Coins

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

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

Today's card is the Seven of Coins (Pentacles), a card of perseverance and one that symbolizes a time of contemplating action...and waiting. This card comes from my brand new deck, the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.

The Seven of Coins is a card of slow and steady growth, re-evaluating a project you have been working on and taking inventory of the various pieces of your life.

This card also symbolizes a time to "wait and see." You have done what you can and exerted your influence and power to create something and it may be time to wait and see how things develop.

This may leave you feeling powerless as though you should be "doing" something, but the Seven of Coins reassures you that it is all in order and it's time to let it be. If you continue to put effort towards it, you may influence it, but you may not. But one thing is for sure, you'll make yourself tired by trying so hard.

As you can see on the card above, the woman has her basket ready and the coins are almost ripe and falling from the tree. The key for her (to make her job easier) is to wait until the exact right time so she is not having to pluck the coins from the tree, but gently grab each one and easily set it in her basket. And also, not waiting too long so the coins fall to the ground, bruise and rot.

Think about a project(s) that you have been working on. The one indicated with the Seven of Coins would be one that is ready for you to let go (a bit) and allow the work you've already invested to work with timing and Divine order to take the project to its next step.

It's hard to release the thought of having to DO SOMETHING to ALLOWING things to happen. There is a fine balance between being persistent and diligent (DOING) and having faith (ALLOWING and WAITING).

The Seven of Coins is a reminder to you to let go (even if only slightly at first), take a deep breath and see what happens. The image that comes to mind is a young child just learning how to swim. He or she has been in the water before (with a parent) and knows that if s/he lets go, s/he might just sink to the bottom.

This time, however, as the child gets into the pool, s/he has watched as his/her mother blows up the "water wings" and s/he has worked to get them in place. S/he has stepped down the stairs, into the water and is holding onto the side of the pool in hopes of not sinking.

In this metaphor, the Seven of Coins is that moment when the child remembers, "Oh yeah! I took the time to put on my water wings and should be able to let go of the side...but I will stay close, just in case."

In time, the child realizes that if the water wings are in place, s/he can drift a bit further from the edge and still stay safe...possibly even explore other parts of the shallow end.

The Seven of Pentacles reminds you to do the work (put on the water wings) and then have the faith to let go.

As a reminder today, get your own pair of water wings; blow them up; and wear them around to remind you to let go.

OK. I am just kidding. But the image is very powerful and is a great reminder to work hard, stay persistent and then let go.

Perfect Moment Monday -- Friendships

I have a very dear friend, Laura, who used to live in my town, but now lives in another state. We have been sharing our soul journey for four+ years, having just given each other readings for 2010. I gave her a tarot reading, while she gave me a spiritual reading. Both were very powerful.

As I opened my mail the other day, there was a small padded envelop with MY name on it. Personal mail (with a hand written address) is so wonderful...and this one contained a small gift. As I unwrapped the delicate purple tissue paper, inside was a small silky wallet-type pouch and in the zip pocket were some magazine cut-outs with instructions on the back.

For example, there is a picture of a sun with the words, "Trust yourself," on the back. On another one is a picture of a shelf with lots of books with the phrase, "Read." Yet another one has a picture of a polar bear squatting down and the back says, "Hunker down."

And my husband's favorite is the picture of the bed and on the back it says, "Love Your Husband."

What a creative, thoughtful and absolutely wonderful gift. Thank you, Laura!

Aren't friends wonderful?

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays, click here.

My Own Two of Swords Situation

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Two of Swords, a card of being stuck between your thoughts. I have been stuck between my thoughts on a decision about if and how to continue writing a weekly column I have in our local paper, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

Having a public relations background, my idea to write the column was originally to get exposure and create a better understanding of the power of life coaching. So many people thought it was like counseling or consulting...but coaching and different and very powerful to help people create their lives instead of simply responding to what happens in their lives.

The article most often revolves around a fictitious client story line where I would dialogue with the client to peel apart and explore what was keeping them stuck and together come up with ways to move forward.

The column has kept my name and face in the community without having to do a lot of networking events or advertising. My ego LOVES it when someone walks up and says, "I read your column. I loved the one about such and such. I think you were talking about me!" OR "I cut out your column on such and such and have it hanging on my fridge."

I have clients that I've gained through the newspaper and what I hear most often is, "I've been reading your column for months and finally felt it was time to contact you." Great! My public relations is working!

What I've found along the way is that I used to write the column to coach (find clients) and then I coached to gain experience and ideas for my column. Now, I'm not sure which is driving which.

Over the holidays, after 2 1/2 years of writing the column, I got an intuitive hit that something needed to shift. So many questions came up:

• Is the time I invest in writing the column worth it? Am I truly gaining clients? Is that still important to me?
  
• Have I established my credibility (at least in this market) both as a life coach and also for the profession?
• Am I able to truly express my authentic voice in my column? This newspaper has a fairly mainstream audience so mentioning some of the things I get intuitively are watered down with phrases like, "I get a sense..." or "I feel that such and such...how does that land for you?" Perhaps the format I've created, that has been working, now feels a bit stifling.
• And perhaps a bit more personal (and important), I want to be as available for my husband and kids. The window for me to be influential in the boys' lives is slowly closing as they finish middle school and head off to high school and possibly college. I don't want to miss this time with them.
  

And the thing that got my attention BIG TIME was when my husband said, "You don't need to push yourself so hard. Why don't you take a sabbatical? Take more time to be with the boys, be more involved with their schooling, college preparation, study yoga, write your blog, etc. Then he said, "The toughest thing for you (being as Type A as I am) would be to take some time off." Wow! Is that true!

How many times in your life are you offered such an opportunity?

My friend, Laura, did an intuitive reading for me and said this is a 7 year for me, which represents a time of inner reflection, much like taking a sabbatical. Again...I can barely imagine taking time off. What is life without a To Do list?

And so, my thoughts have been pondering around all of these questions (and more). The Two of Swords energy for sure.

I've pulled cards, asked my Intuition Through Tarot group for a reading, had several intuitive friends give me their impressions and yet I haven't quite landed on quitting it altogether.

For now, I've decided to continue to write the column (because I haven't decided NOT to). Remember NOT to decided is to decide.

I continue to write, to take advantage of the 30,000+ weekly newspaper readers (plus online readers) with the goal of writing with my authentic voice. Perhaps shifting it ever so slightly to include more metaphysical ideas, Law of Attraction concepts, intuitive hits, and weave more of the true ME into the (supposedly) mainstream work that I do.

I have two sides practical/mainstream and intuitive/metaphysical. But these are just two facets of a larger whole. I am a healer and messenger, no matter how or where I express myself.

The King of Coins message for me (the card I pulled on Thursday) is to step back and look at this from a business standpoint and see that I have a platform and as long as I feel free to deliver the messages I am given, I should keep moving forward. Being a Divine Messenger is a major part of my purpose in this lifetime...no matter how or when that shows up. No matter what role I am playing at the time.

Manage. Lead. Manage. Lead.

And so it is (at least for now)...

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- The King of Coins

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

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

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Two of Swords, which is about facing a decision and feeling stuck.

I pulled an additional card today for Bonnie, in response to her comment:

I can really relate to this. My hubby and I have felt stuck for a long time. We operate a small catering business and we are both pretty burned out. Also business has been really slow this past year. We feel like we need to to something different but we are just not sure what direction to go. We are stuck on the fence. I guess by not making a decision to do something different we are choosing to do the same thing.

The card I selected is from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti. It is the King of Coins (Pentacles). Remember that Court Cards (Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings) can represent people in your life, traits that you have and/or situations you may be facing.

If today's card represents a person, it will most likely be a strong business person (Coins), an owner, manager, leader, etc. This is someone who is dependable, a good manager, a hard worker, successful, clever, purposeful, practical, responsible and loyal. It is the type of person you would want as your leader.

Bonnie, in this case it could represent you and/or your husband as the leaders of the catering business and of your family. As such, it is up to you to make key business decisions to move you forward. In the decision about your business, the King of Coins would draw forth these business qualities as s/he reviews the business and makes any decisions about how to change or manage it.

The King of Coins also reinforces the need to view the business and make decisions from a practical standpoint -- without being influenced by emotions or sentimentality. The decisions need to be seen from a financial, business standpoint and not from a heart perspective.

If this is speaking about a situation in your life, it has to do with business matters. Pulling this card confirms that you are on the right track when you say, "We feel like we need to do something different but are not sure what direction to go." The King of Pentacles sends a message about actively getting involved in your business matters and organizing the financial aspects of your life.

Pulling the King of Coins card suggests that it is time to get off of the fence and begin to not only manage this business (ordering, scheduling, etc.) but become the leader (this would be larger decisions like mission, goals, creative strategies, etc.). It's the difference between a hired manager to facilitate the day-to-day aspects of running the business to sitting in the board room (away from the details, but still having the facts) to create the business and lead it into the future.

The King of Coins is also able to determine when enough is enough (although I don't feel you are at the point of completely walking away). My sense is that by taking a King of Coins view, you and your hubby can lead this business into the future. The key is to step away from the details long enough to take the time to do this.

For all of us, the message of the King of Coins is to shift from the "manager's" role in our lives to the "leader's" role. This means stepping away from the details long enough to look across the horizon of possibilities and see what's there. Then, once you've re-established your direction and goals, continue to manage your way forward.

Manage. Lead. Manage. Lead. Alternate between the two so you know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Both are important and your task is to be the King of Coins and find the right balance for you!

Intuitive Tuesday -- Two of Swords

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

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

Today's card is the Two of Swords, a card of decisions and feeling stuck. The card pictured here comes from the Gilded Tarot deck.

Twos can indicate the need to make a choice/decisions, partnerships, duality and balance. Swords indicate conflict and/or they have to do with your intellect, thoughts and the mental realm.

The Two of Swords can indicate a decision that needs to be made, but not having the ability or need to think about it or look at it just yet.

It can also be a card of feeling stuck between your thoughts. Both options look equally pleasing or displeasing and it's easiest NOT to decide. I call this the "sanctuary of confusion" and can find myself in this state when I just don't want to or have to decide...yet.

Pulling this card today probably indicates that you are on the fence about something. The decision can be something big or small. The Two of Swords indicates that it's been on your mind and that possibly you haven't decided what to do and so you have not taken any action.

It reminds me of a quote my wise aunt told me when I was growing up, "NOT to decide is to decide." If you have a pretty good idea what situation/decision I am talking about in your life, a good question might be this: As long as I'm not deciding (or taking action), what am I deciding?

For example, if you haven't decided whether or not to apply for a new job and haven't submitted your application, by NOT deciding (and not taking any action), you have decided to NOT apply for the job. Until you decide and take action, your path will lead you towards NOT applying. Does that make sense?

Realizing the truth of this concept (not to decide is to decide) helps you to see that you really do have your blindfold on and will stay stuck until you actively decide something.

Know that it's OK to research and review the options, which isn't really what the Two of Swords is about. This card is about gyrating around potential solutions so much that you feel stuck and may be driving yourself and others crazy because you just won't decide. Pondering is fine, just know that when you bump up against the energy of the Two of Swords, it's time to take action.

Use the energy of the Two of Swords today to remove the blindfold and either actively make a choice to move forward (even if it's just a baby baby step) OR realize that by not deciding you are deciding...at least for now. Simply acknowledging this may help you to feel less stuck and more in the space of being able to decide.

Perfect Moment Monday -- Grant Us Peace

For those of you who follow my sister's blog (Weebles Wobblog), you have probably already seen this video clip. Perhaps you've even downloaded it to your ipod so you can hear it any time you want. LOL

But I also wanted to include it on my blog because it was a Perfect Moment for me too.

I have two sisters and am the middle child. My two sisters -- Lori and Tami -- are my very best friends in the whole world. I'm convinced that we have been together in other lifetimes because I feel so soulfully connected to them.

Over the holidays, my sister, Lori, wanted to sing a simple song that we used to hear in church called, "Dona Nobis Pachem," which means "grant us peace." There are conveniently three parts, so we can each sing one part and hopefully find the beauty and harmony in both the song and the words. Her idea was to create this short video and include it on her blog.

We spent over an hour singing, recording, re-recording, trying out various microphones (which didn't work), and having a GREAT time laughing and being silly while recording this version of Dona Nobis Pachem.

Without further ado, here is our debut song, Dona Nobis Pachem, which means Grant Us Peace. Left to right: Tami, Lori and me:



It seems Perfect to post this on Martin Luther King day since he was about peace.

I am wishing you a peace-filled Monday, 2010...and beyond!

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays, click here.

"Just Right" Reading

About two years ago, a friend recommended the book, Oneness, which was received and transcribed by rasha.  She said it was an amazing book...and it is.

In my kids' classrooms, the teachers have what they called, books that are "just right," which means that the book is at the exact reading level as the reader.

I found Oneness to be "just right" for me. That is, when I was reading the book, I'd get to a part that made perfect sense and was EXACTLY what I needed to read for where I was emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. But if I tried to read too far (past what was "just right" for me that day), the words became gobble-de-gook and made no sense.

And then, amazingly, I'd pick up the books, sometimes only days later, and it would make perfect sense...as though I could only read and absorb a certain amount, apply the new ideas to my life and come back for more.

I've started reading it again and underlined these quotes:

When one's approach to living is one of trusting that the highest possible outcome will be forthcoming, that is one's experience of life. (page 95)

Simply by being who you are, where you are, in this moment in time, and by sharing your truth and your own process honestly, you help the others with whom you share your journey. (Page 96)

As I read the book for the second time, I've underlined several parts of the text...things that ring true for me and make sense. I wonder if I keep re-reading the book, if at some point, the entire text will be underlined.

It's certainly something to ponder...

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- Knight of Cups

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

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

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Three of Cups, which is about coming together with friends to celebrate and the emotions that close friendships can bring.

I pulled an additional card today for Excavator, in response to her comment:

Yeah, this card really exudes "party!"vibes.

I'm thinking that the vibe of this card can encompass the more sorrowful end of the spectrum too. I come to this conclusion in thinking about the circumstances of my own life--deaths, marriages of friends breaking up, my own marriage, and on the surface that doesn't say, 'party.' However, these have been opportunities to connect more deeply with my friends and feel reassured at the nature of the bonds between us.

I'm not sure I had read this post yesterday when a friend called to ask if she could call me that night to talk. I had an appointment and would be driving by her house afterward and so stopped over instead.

Guess that's 3 of cups energy!

I pulled today's card from the Gilded Tarot deck and it is the Knight of Cups. Knights can indicate new people and/or experiences entering your life. Cups are emotions, feelings and relationships. So the Knight of Cups indicates the start of new emotions, a new person entering your life and/or the possibility of a new romantic relationship.

If you'd like to read some earlier posts on the Knight of Cups, click here and here.

Excavator, I was drawn to your comments because you talked about events that are happening in your life that aren't immediate cause for celebration. You also mentioned that although not joyous situations (deaths, marriages of friends breaking up, your own marriage...), they are still reasons for people to draw together.

At first glance, the Knight of Cups may not seem like it makes sense...but I believe it does.

The types of situations in which you listed DO draw people together and allow them to open more fully to their emotions...not only in private but with each other. When someone dies, we all feel more comfortable in expressing true sadness. When friends are going through tough times or we ourselves are experiencing the crisis of divorce, health issues, etc. our emotions come to the surface whether we want them to or not.

In Rachel Pollack's book, Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teaching and Deeper Meanings, she talks about the romantic nature of the Knight of Cups, but also brings in another aspect that I believe is more pertinent to your comments. She said, "Cups represents a dreaminess and a desire to look inwards, a fascination with the self." This interpretation presents a much more inward quality and tone to the Knight of Cups.

As you are experiencing these situations in your life, perhaps part of your emotional growth depends on fully experiencing your emotions and then taking a step beyond that to observe yourself experiencing those emotions. Isn't that part of how we understand our world and get to know ourselves better -- through our emotions?

Use the Knight of Cups as a reminder to stay fully present of your emotions. That means to be fully conscious of what is happening within our bodies, hearts and souls as we experience the things that happen in our lives...not denying our feelings or pretending they are not there or are not important because it may feel uncomfortable or be inconvenient.

For all of us...Today's Knight of Cups message is to be open and aware of your feelings. Then become an "emotional archeologist" and dig below the surface to discover what is there for you. Ponder what beliefs are behind what you feel.

Remember, what you think (beliefs) affects what you feel, which in turn impacts what you do. So your emotions are your key to unlocking what those beliefs are. Once you understand what beliefs are impacting your emotions, test those beliefs to see if they are still true for you. If not, it's time to update them and move forward.

For example, if you adopted the belief that people should stayed married forever ('til death do us part) when you were ten years old, and find yourself feeling frustrated, angry, inadequate, etc. in your marriage (20+ years later), it may be time to update your belief about people staying married forever. A lot of life learning, wisdom and experience has happened since you originally adopted that belief, which means an updated version of that belief may feel more accurate to you now.

The key lesson today from the Knight of Cups is a continual process.  Feel your emotions. Discover your beliefs. Test and update your beliefs as necessary. Repeat as necessary and grow forward!

Intuitive Tuesday -- Three of Cups

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

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

Today's card is the Three of Cups, a card of celebration and joy. This card comes from my brand new deck, the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti. I LOVE this deck!

The suit of Cups is about emotions and feelings, while Threes deal with creation, growth and expansion.

The energy of the Three of Cups is about bringing people together for fun and celebration. This could be a small intimate gathering with a few close friends all the way up to a large party (wedding, births, baptisms...large, fun gatherings).

As Rachel Pollack said in her book, "Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teachings and Deeper Meanings," (a very nice gift from my very thoughtful father -- a fellow tarot enthusiast):

"My own theme for three is group activities, and with Cups that becomes emotional bonds...The healing power of this card would be around friendships."

Think about your most precious and healthy friendships and feel the loving energy that surrounds you when you think about them and are with them. That is the best way to describe and feel the energy of the Three of Cups.

I have a handful of people who I consider my very closest of  friends...and several of them are related to me! These are people I trust -- there are no hidden agendas, we support and listen to each other equally, we enjoy similar activities and have found each other on this path at this time (however long that is) for a reason.

I cherish these people and our friendships.

As I described the qualities of my closest friendships, what would you add to the list? Who comes to mind for you?

The Three of Cups is a reminder to be with the people you love and enjoy. If you don't think you have a cause to celebrate...make one up!

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about having fun. Today, decide who you'd like to spend time with to celebrate and have fun. Set up a time to get together in the next couple of weeks and revel in the energy of the Three of Cups.

Perfect Moment Monday -- They Finally Figured It Out!

My DH LOVES to tease the boys. It is part of his nature, probably because his father is a teaser too.

When the boys first met their step-father, they started to identify a tone of voice he uses when he is teasing. A common question would be, "Mom, is he using THE VOICE?" when they just weren't sure if he was kidding or not.

DH also wrestles with them, which helps all of them use their testosterone energies in a positive way. Up until now, DH has weighed at least twice as much as any one of them, which made it easy for him to hold them down, tickle them, etc.

As all three boys move into their teenage years, they are now bigger (both taller and in weight), but still, they haven't been able to physically overpower DH...until now.

They have finally figured it out! What if instead of going one-on-one, they were to team up?

Two of them figured it out accidentally the other night when DH was wrestling (and beating) one of them. Older brother enters stage left and begins to help, finding one of DH's weak spots by tickling him.

DH laughed and laughed and laughed as the boys "tortured" him. Finally the boys had found a way to even the odds.

There's nothing like seeing brothers teaming up and hearing DH laugh out loud.

Another perfect moment for me!

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays, click here.

Yoga Poses and Small Adjustments

While practicing yoga this morning, the instructor said:

"Sink into your pose and as you breath, make tiny adjustments until you find your edge.

There is no competition in yoga, no need to compare yourself to others. Each of us has taken our own unique path to bring us to this point today and share this particular moment.

When we leave our practice, we'll embark on our own unique paths once again."

When I got home, I opened my email and saw this quote that reminded me of what the yoga instructor had said, but was more applicable to life:

"Let the refining and improvement of your own life keep you so busy that you don't have time to criticize (or measure the success) of others." H. Jackson Brown.

When I am fully present in my yoga practice -- and not distracted by too many thoughts or looking around at what others are doing -- I am so focused on what's happening in my own body and on my own mat, that I forget that other people are in the room.

In other words, as I focus on making my own tiny adjustments in my pose, I don't have attention to focus or criticize anyone else in the room.

Reading Jackson Brown's quote, I realized, it is the same in life, isn't it?

As I get deeper into my understanding of yoga, I'm amazed at how many of the lessons apply both on the mat and off.

If you practice yoga or another discipline, what similarities have you noticed between the two?

P.S. The picture above is NOT me...but thanks to you if you thought maybe it was. I don't even bend that way...yet! :)

I borrowed this photo from www.yoga.about.com. Check it out!

Intuitive Tuesday on Thursday -- Queen of Cups

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

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

This week's Intuitive Tuesday card was the Ten of Wands (reversed), which is about releasing burdens and preparing for upcoming changes in your life.

I pulled an additional card today for Suzi, in response to her comment:

I got this same message a wee bit earlier this evening before I read your blog... It came to me in a different way of course but the message was the same none-the-less.

"The reversed Ten of Wands may also indicate that you have been preparing for some changes in your life, possibly subconsciously, and are getting ready to more fully commit to your new direction."

That statement is bang on! Thanks Sheri...

The follow-up card I pulled today is from my new tarot deck (I got it! I got it!), the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.  This is the same artist who created the Gilded Tarot deck and these cards are beautiful!

The card I pulled in response to Suzi's comment is the Queen of Cups. If I were to hand-select a card from the deck to describe you, Suzi, this would be the card (the High Priestess would be a close second).

The Queen of Cups is a highly intuitive, sensitive, nurturing woman who is comfortable with emotions -- both her own and others. She is the type of woman who could mother just about anyone...and does. The Queen of Cups has a huge heart, is loving, caring empathic and intuitive.

Suzi, for you, this symbolizes not what will happen in your life, but how you approach it. You pulled a quote from the Intuitive Tuesday post about upcoming changes in your life and fully committing to your new direction.

The approach you take this year is not new to you, but more intense and more consistent. This year your intuitive gifts will be very present in your every day life. In the past you may have tapped into your intuition after trying several other approaches to make a decision or face a situation. This year your intuition will be front and center. You intuition will be your first choice for how to approach...anything.

For all of us...use the message of today's card, the Queen of Cups, as a reminder to you to tap into your intuition every day...all of the time. If it seems awkward at first, remain persistent. Keep tapping in, get a gut feel...and then go from there. Remember the Ring of Truth exercise I talked about in a previous post? This is a great time to use this skill, at least until you begin to trust your intuition immediately.

If it's easier, pretend that you have a brand new pair of glasses that have an "intuition" filter or tint. When you put these glasses on, you see the world from an intuitive perspective. Situations in your life are filtered through your intuitive gifts before they enter your brain. So your brain is processing your intuitive hits about the situation instead of the details of what's happening in front of you.

As you get used to your new "intuitive" glasses, imagine that they turn into contact lenses and then are incorporated into your system through Lasik surgery.  This is when your intuitive filter becomes part of who you are and how you see the world. Every day. All the time. Get it?

So...once you put on your intuitive glasses, let me know how things look from this perspective!

Intuitive Tuesday -- Ten of Wands (Reversed)

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

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

Today's card is the Ten of Wands (reversed) from the Mystic Faerie Tarot deck. Tens have to do with finishing a cycle, endings and beginnings, completions and sometimes family matters. Wands indicate energy, action, projects, ideas, opportunities and responsibilities.

The Ten of Wands, in its upright position, shows an image of being weighted down by all ten wands. There is a sense of feeling overwhelmed or burdened with projects and activities. Have you taken on too much?

Today the Ten of Wands is reversed, which means that if you have been feeling stressed or pressured with your responsibilities or deadlines, you will find some relief...as though your load is getting lighter for some reason. Either you have delegated or deleted some of the things that were on your plate, OR your perspective has changed, possibly by changing your thoughts and beliefs about the situation and the role you play.

The reversed Ten of Wands may also indicate that you have been preparing for some changes in your life, possibly subconsciously, and are getting ready to more fully commit to your new direction.

This card indicates that you are getting rid of the things that have been weighing you down and are starting to feel some relief...as though you've been holding your breath and have just opened your mouth to allow the cool air to rush into your oxygen-starved lungs.

Feel the relief of these decisions in your life and/or grateful for situations changing to help relieve some of the pressure. Be grateful for this reprieve because the Ten also symbolizes the end of a cycle, which means it's time to start again with the Ace of Wands (start of a new venture).

The Ten of Wands (reversed) is the ideal energy in which to start off this New Year. Release the burdens of last year and begin with a clean slate. You are the artist. You select the medium and the colors, textures, sizes and shapes.

This is your new masterpiece.  Happy New Year!

Perfect Moment Monday -- Holiday Outings!

Just before Christmas, some of our dear friends invited us to go to a concert, Big Head Todd and the Monsters! The tickets were their Christmas present to us. The opening band wasn't my favorite, but I really liked Big Head Todd. Here's one of the songs they played called, "Bittersweet":



So we, in turn, invited them to dinner at an Italian restaurant downtown. It was absolutely delicious!

My DH and I thoroughly enjoyed our time out on the town. As I sat (with my ear-plugs in, of course) listening to the music, I was caught up in a Perfect Moment. We were out, on a date, with friends, listening to some really great music.

And just for the moment, it felt like I didn't have a care in the world. No responsibility. Just me and my DH enjoying ourselves.

Perfect...