Intuitive Tuesday -- Two of Coins (Pentacles)

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

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."

I selected the Two of Coins (Pentacles) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti. I have previously written about this card. For more information, click here.

As I read through the previous post, the key phrase for today is:

The Two of Pentacles has a juggling feeling to it, as though it's tough to get a handle on any one area of your work because they all seem to be right in front of your face.

We are officially "between the holidays." No matter which holidays you celebrate (or not), there is an energy in the air that continues to build pretty much through the end of the year.

The Two of Coins (Pentacles) is a great card for today, particularly if you are feeling stretched on a material plane. Maybe it's feeling stressed for time, money or energy (or all three).

If at times you feel as though there just isn't enough to go around, know that the Two of Coins (Pentacles) is supporting you, especially now. You are resourceful enough and can juggle your resources effectively. No need to worry.

The Two of Pentacles showed up today to soothe you, relieve you of your worries, and let you know that there is abundance in the universe. As you focus on today's Two of Coins (Pentacles) card, relax your shoulders, take a series of deep breaths, and realize that the entire universe is on your side. Ahhhh....

Perfect Moment Monday -- Encircled By Grandkids

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz, "Perfect Moment Monday" is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Thanksgiving weekend was a series of Perfect Moments. It started with a yoga class I attended with my sister, Lori, and my Mom.  The only thing missing was my younger sister, Tami, who had to work.

The yoga instructor dedicated the class to the feeling of "gratitude," which was fitting for Thanksgiving week. In our meditation at the end of class, she asked us to think of all of the things for which we are grateful.

When the instructor asked, "Do you have five things on your list? Ten? Three hundred or more?" I imagined my list unrolling, as though it was written on a scroll. It just kept unrolling (or maybe I should say "un-scrolling"), as I thought of all of the things for which I am grateful.

When we came home my Mom and Dad hosted a delicious breakfast. After cleaning the kitchen, we gathered in the living room. I sat with my sister, Tami, on the couch and watched my Mom, sitting on the floor encircled with grand kids.

Grandma was playing a "mean" game of War, and each time the kids snickered, I knew the grand kids were either cheating or Grandma was letting them win. Either way, watching my Mom glow and smile in the middle of her grand kids...was a Perfect Moment!


If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- Four of Cups (reversed)

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

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."

I selected the Four of Cups (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

You know what is interesting about selecting the Four of Cups (reversed) for this particular week? When I checked to see if I've written about this card before, I have. It was during Thanksgiving week last year! Click here to check it out.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

I think it's especially cool when things like this happen. What are the chances of selecting this card during Thanksgiving week two years in a row?

In my previous post on the Four of Cups in its upright position, I said:

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

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

In its reversed position (upside-down), instead of feeling discontent, this card symbolizes the end of feeling discontent, re-connecting with others, renewing relationships and having a new readiness for upcoming challenges and opportunities. With this card, you may feel both stable (symbolized by the four) and emotionally (Cups) energized and can see (and are thankful for) all of the blessings and opportunities around you.

Perhaps this year you are consistently more aware of feeling fulfilled, not only because it's Thanksgiving and we are constantly reminded to be thankful, but more because you have opened your heart, possibly changed your perspective and see the world half-full most of the time.

By simply focusing on what is right and on what we are thankful for, we can more easily see all of the good that surrounds us every day.

In one of the workshops I give called the ABC's of Success, I talk about releasing things that happened in the past, especially things that help to keep you stuck.  During the workshop, I have participants do an exercise where they list a couple situations from the past that they'd like to release. For each situation I have them answer these two questions:

1. What is one positive thing you learned or gained from this experience? If someone has a hard time thinking of a positive aspect from a terrible experience, the group can brainstorm together. For example, if someone hates her boss, maybe the thing to be thankful for is that her boss is giving her a great reason to look for another job or go back to school.
2. Are you ready to release this situation and the energy it holds over you? Sometimes consciously asking AND answering this question helps your mind release the past so you can be free to live your life in the present.

This Thanksgiving week, let's not only be thankful for our many blessings, but consciously release anything from the past that is holding us back. By letting go of old energy, there will be more of you HERE in the present to enjoy and be thankful for what is here for you now -- Four of Cups (reversed).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Perfect moment Monday -- I Love Compliments

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz "Perfect Moment Monday is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Last week I saw a woman who I met through my work at the Chamber of Commerce and hadn't seen in almost a year. Linda was one of the small business owners (and Chamber volunteers) I simply adored while I worked there.

EVERY time I see Linda, she has a smile on her face. She seems to have a great outlook on life, is very positive, and she and her husband (her business partner) go over and above others in customer service.

Last week I saw Linda at the gym. She was working in a group with a personal trainer and I was on the elliptical trainer. We waved at each other and said hello as I walked by her on my way to the locker room.

Today I received an email from Linda that absolutely made my day...not only by what she said, but the fact that she took the time to write an email to me to say hello and give me this feedback.

Here's the email:

Hi Sheri,

Honestly every time I see you I think you just get younger and younger looking!! So sorry that it took me a minute to realize that was you on one of the torture apparatuses at the gym.

Hope you are well and enjoying all the fun of growing sons.  They are fortunate to have such a fit mama...... fitter than most teenagers these days:-)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Hugs,

Linda

I still have a smile on my face. I am very touched.

I wrote back thanking her for her sweet words and for taking the time to write to me. I am convinced that my warm power yoga practice has a lot to do with how I look and more importantly how I feel. My entire body (mostly my back) feels so much better now that I am regularly practicing this style of yoga. I feel fortunate to be able to teach yoga to others, knowing that they may also be experiencing these kinds of benefits.

I pause today to recognize yet another Perfect Moment. I am VERY grateful...for so many things.

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- The High Priestess and the Three of Cups (Reversed)

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

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."

I selected The High Priestess  from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti. Since I've previously selected this card (click here for more details), I asked for more clarity and selected the Three of Cups (reversed).

What do these two cards -- The High Priestess and the Three of Cups (Reversed) -- mean together?

The Three of Cups (reversed) may indicate either not getting along with a friend or friends, feeling lonely or left out and/or finding no reason to celebrate.

Remember that cups are emotions and having three of them upside-down may feel sad. What once may have brought you joy, now brings you pain. There may be a strain in an important relationship in your life and you may feel the need to be alone for a while possibly to help heal the friendship.

I have previously written about the Three of Cups in its upright position here. Among other things, the reversed position can mean the opposite of the card's meaning or it can mean the energy is blocked or you are not quite ready to move onto the next phase of this cycle.

The High Priestess is one of the Major Arcana cards and represents spiritual knowledge and intuition. Tuning into your High Priestess energy is like tapping into your Higher Self.

Even if something makes perfect, logical sense on our human plane, your High Priestess knows much more about the situation and will guide you forward based on that wisdom (if you let her). When people talk about having intuition, it means they recognize and trust their High Priestess energy.

A personal story...

The two cards together shed light on a situation in my life regarding one of my friendships. We met almost twenty years ago and shared many things including ideas, spirituality, family, divorces...and working together.

Did your red flag go up on that last one, "working together?"

Over the years our lives have woven in and out, sometimes we are like two peas in a pod, and other times our paths become parallel. The "peas" periods have coincided with times we have worked together...because we were physically together a lot during those times.

A couple of years ago, we were working together, but it was time for me to leave...and so I did. Our paths became parallel once again. And just like before, I thought things were OK, just separate.

Two weeks ago, I got a nasty email from her, chastising me for leaving -- not only the job, but our friendship as well. What changed? How did our parallel paths lead to this?

My "pattern" reaction would be to respond immediately, apologize and make up (I am a middle child = mediator/peacemaker). But I wasn't sure what I did wrong?

Feeling frustrated, I consulted my inner voice, my High Priestess, and pulled some tarot cards to help me find clarity.

Our relationship followed a pattern that was unhealthy for me. When I stepped out of the pattern, the relationship didn't work any longer. An A-HA moment!

Recognizing the pattern reminded me of why I got divorced from my first husband. His moodiness could no longer control me...which made him furious. I refused to stay in the pattern...and our relationship ended.

In the situation with my friend, my High Priestess helped me to see that falling all over myself apologizing would be stepping back into my old patterns...which weren't and aren't true for me any longer. So I didn't.

The Three of Cups (Reversed) calls for being separated for a while to allow natural healing to happen.  And so, I wait, with love...listening to my higher voice. We'll work things out if and when it's meant to be.

If you are experiencing a Three of Cups (reversed) situation in your life, or if one pops up in the next couple of weeks (holidays are a great time to stir up old relationship patterns), tune into your higher voice to help you stay true to YOU.

Your High Priestess has some words of wisdom for you...if you will simply tune in and listen.

Perfect Moment Monday -- Military Ball 2010

Perfect Moment Monday was started by www.weebleswobblog.com and is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. According to Weebles' creator, Lavender Luz, Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Last week we celebrated Veteran's Day. If you didn't have a chance to see the video I posted on the holiday, check it out now. It is worth the four minutes of time (but have a tissue box nearby).

When our neighbors saw the Veteran's Day post, they called to invite Tom and I to the annual Military Ball last Friday evening.

In the center of the dance floor was an empty table with the chairs tilted in as though they were reserved. At each place setting was a hat from each of the major military branches -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. In addition our first responders -- police, fire, and emergency medical -- were also honored.

The keynote speaker was the National President of the Blue Star Mothers, an organization made up of mothers who have or have had children serving our country.

One of our other neighbors then spoke about the Vietnam War Memorial that he helped to create at the Colorado Welcome Center. He also led the cake cutting ceremony where people from all of the military and first responders helped to cut eight cakes to serve for dessert.

It was a beautiful dedication to the people who fight for our freedoms. I was honored to be invited, and especially excited to have such a handsome date. :)

It was Perfect!

Happy Veteran's Day -- All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Me and Tom standing at the National WWI Museum

This year my hubby and I visited the World War I Museum in Kansas City. It was a very powerful and wonderfully done museum. From the poppies underneath the walkway as we walked in..to the "trenches" we were able to see close up. There were fabulous movies, descriptions, time-lines, weapons, uniforms, maps, planes, etc.

The question with this war (and probably all others)...is why? Why did this or does this have to happen?

The answer: I don't know, but it does happen.

My hubby has been deployed stateside several times and also did a tour in Iraq in 2004 - 2005. Even though his unit did great things while they were there (built roads, bridges, schools, met local people, etc.), and they didn't lose anyone, Tom is still quite humble about his experience and acts humble and almost shy when people shake hands with him and thank him for his service.

Each time I have the honor to be with him when he is at his monthly drill, I get to see him in his uniform (quite handsome), and it's neat to see people address him with such respect. I see the look on our sons' faces when soldiers (not much older than our boys) salute Tom and call him "Sir."

Yes, that's the Tom that those boys wrestle with, talk back to, and most importantly love. He is the man behind the uniform...my husband and their step-father / adoptive father.

So today, I celebrate Veteran's Day, thanking all of the people who have fought for our freedom, whether in a uniform or not.

My Dad is one of those people, whose passion for freedom is exhilarating! He recently visited us and showed this touching 4-minute video to his grandsons...and it seems appropriate to share it with you today.



More pics of our trip to WWI Museum:

He's SO handsome. Kinda makes you want to salute!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Intuitive Tuesday -- Knight of Rods (Wands)

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

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week." I selected the Knight of Rods or Wands (Reversed) from the Aquarian Tarot Deck by David Palladini.

Remember last week, the card was the Ten of Rods/Wands (reversed). Selecting the Knight of Rods/Wands this week indicates movement and action in your life. You have moved through the ten energy possibly by being the Knight of Rods/Wands.

I have previously pulled this card from another deck. You can click here for more information. 

Thinking about fairy tale knights, they are typically the characters who go off on a quest to search for something and possibly return with more wisdom, stories, and the satisfaction of learning something new. By stepping outside their comfort zone, they find the courage to go past what is known, and grow.

In my yoga practice, we play with our "edge." In each pose, I ask the students to find the postures and play with their edge. How can they push their "edge" just a little...to find growth? 

Today I'd like to surround one of my kids with Knight of Rods/Wands energy. As high school basketball tryouts approach, he has decided NOT to try out...and yet I know he is very talented in this area.

My suspicion is that he may be intimidated by the other kids on the team, the competition, and the fear of being cut.

I remember feeling completely disappointed by trying out to be a sophomore cheerleader (yes, me...), and being disappointed when I didn't make the 8-women squad (out of 600+ sophomores, half of them women). I was crushed.

So I can relate to not wanting to put myself out on the line, with the possibility of growing, but also the possibility of feeling foolish and rejected.

In my journal this morning I wrote about this situation and got an intuitive hit to surround my son with positive, courageous energy. And then I pulled this card for Intuitive Tuesday and know that this is confirmation of my earlier intuitive hit.

By pulling the Knight of Rods/Wands today, I am surrounding me and my son with this energy. I am in this energy circle to support him as he makes this decision...and allow him the space to make it, and support him either way.

And for him...I wrap him in the Knight of Rods/Wands energy to give him the courage to express his gifts in this world based on confidence, love and faith.  

Who in your life today may need a little Knight of Rods/Wands energy? 
 

Perfect Moment Monday -- Turn on The Heat

Perfect Moment Monday was started by www.weebleswobblog.com and is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. According to Weebles' creator, Lavender Luz, Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

I know the picture this week is hard to see, but if you've ever been involved in a tournament, you know that this is a tournament bracket.

Over the weekend, Bryce and Ryan (my twins who are 13 1/2) played in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Their team's name was The Heat.

I was their coach, which mostly consisted of organizing and implementing substitutions (which can be difficult because no one ever wants to go out, and teen boys will let you know about it -- especially when they are related to you). I also kept the (unofficial) score, and did a lot of cheering and sideline coaching -- "block out your man; great shot; pass to your teammate, etc."

This tournament is dedicated to a high school boy who died in a freak automobile related accident...which is a great reason to donate and to play. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games.

We arrived at 7:30 a.m. to register and played our first game at 8 a.m. Because we lost (by one point), we went to the Consolation bracket. Our next game wasn't until noon.

So I hung out with the boys, walked to a nearby restaurant and watched them eat a ton of food, and returned in time to watch a couple of games and warm up for our second game.

We won! So our next game (the Consolation Championship) was at 2 p.m.

We won again! Which is why I am sharing with you a copy of the bracket, showing that The Heat won the Consolation Championship.

The boys (and their parents) were ecstatic.

I was so proud of all of the boys on the team, but especially proud of my two. They played well together, worked hard and had a lot of fun.

Bryce is a guard and is not afraid to take an outside shot or take it to the hole. And boy did he. He just kept taking it in, shooting, passing, etc.

And Ryan...WOW... Ryan played great today too. He blocked out, got the rebound, took (and made) a bunch of shots. It was awesome!

On the way home, Bryce said, "Mom, if they held a tournament like this every weekend, I'd want to play." And in his next breath he said, "Mom, we'd go broke." And I smiled, knowing that both statements were true.

The entire day was another series of Perfect Moments -- not only because we won, but because I love basketball and I really love being with my boys.

Perfect!

Intuitive Tuesday -- Ten of Rods (reversed)

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

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week." I selected the Ten of Rods or Wands (Reversed) from the Aquarian Tarot Deck by David Palladini.

In its upright position, the Ten of Rods/Wands symbolizes the weight of the burdens you carry. From Palladini's book that accompanies this deck, he says, "a person under tremendous pressure; oppressive situations; feelings of dissatisfaction, guilt and remorse."

I selected the Ten of Rods/Wands (reversed) earlier this year from a separate deck, but the meanings are similar. Click here to read the complete post. Here is an excerpt from that post to help describe the Ten of Wands (reversed):

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.

Since I have already selected the Ten of Rods/Wands (Reversed), I pulled another card today (intuitive BONUS) from the Messages of Life deck by Mario Duguay.

Today's card holds some clues as to how you have or will find this freeing energy. The card I selected is called, "Self Love."

Duguay's cards are so beautiful and have deep, meaningful messages accompanying the artwork.You can click here to check it out or go to your local (metaphysical) bookstore.

Today's card, "Self Love," says:

 I love myself and accept who I am, as I am.

It is not my ego that I love;
rather, it is what is divine in me, the purity of my Being. 

I take the time to care for myself and to enjoy life.

In doing so, I stop searching for the external things
that create only an illusion of filling my emptiness.

These two cards together (Ten of Wands/Rods reversed and Self Love) say something important to me today.

Sometimes the reason I feel burdened is because I have added too many activities into my life, so much so that things feel busy and crowded.  At first it appears as though I have no control over my level of busyness...as though it's someone else's fault that I'm this busy.

But when I look at it, I control what goes into my schedule and the priority I place on each activity.

Have I added things into my schedule forgetting this? Have I tried to fill an emptiness in me with activities and stuff -- possibly in an effort to distract me and/or help me to feel better or more complete?

The Ten of Rods/Wands (reversed) describes for me the feeling I get when I realize that I have created this level of busyness and stress...and know that I have the ability to release what no longer serves me.

Just as the Duguay card says, "I stop searching for the external things that create only an illusion of filling my emptiness."

The Ten of Rods/Wands (reversed) is a reminder to me (and possibly for you) to imagine the feeling of releasing the unnecessary burdens I'm carrying, re-prioritize my activities and let go of what no longer serves me.

Sometimes I know immediately what needs to go, and other times it's not as clear. When it feels murky, I go to a gut level and "feel" what rings true and what doesn't, using my heart more than my head -- feeling over logic.

If I know what needs to go, but am not clear how to do it, I ask the universe for help. Then I wait and allow the magic of the universe to help release what no longer serves me.

This is when I've witnessed miracles in my life. My priorities become more distinct, appointments clear from my calendar (either by my doing or someone else's), and I release activities that are keeping me busy, but not fulfilled.

I'm always amazed at what is possible and what opens up for me when I simply ask for help.

Perfect Moment Monday -- Gateway Getaway

Perfect Moment Monday was started by www.weebleswobblog.com and is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. According to Weebles' creator, Lavender Luz, Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.
 
Last year my we won a gift certificate from Gateway Canyons through our local United Way campaign. What a treat!

Not only did we have a beautiful drive to the resort, complete with the changing fall colors, but my sweet hubby and I also got time away from the usual demands of our lives.

With all of the kids taken care of, we were free to relax and enjoy our time together. After checking in we went on a date to the Paradox Grille for a couple of drinks, snacks and then dinner. Our conversations were uninterrupted; we laughed and enjoyed each others company.

Courtyard between our room, the fitness center, the general store and the Paradox Grille.

The next day we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast and borrowed vintage bikes to tour around the property. 

View from our room looking left.

View from our room looking to the right.

I am VERY grateful for this special time with Tom.
The room was fabulous!
The views spectacular!
The weather gorgeous!
It was...Perfect!