Tag: self improvement

What’s up with February?

This month’s three-card draw.

Imagine that you wrote a mystery novel. Now, imagine that it was about a professional tarot reader who works with the police to solve crimes. And now envision how much licensing a deck would cost so you could use it to talk about stuff. So, what’s an enterprising person to do? Make a plan and then make their own!

And that’s what I’ve done. So, this month, let’s talk about your plans and your actions. Every month this year I’ll be drawing and reading three cards. And when I’ve created them, I’ll be adding my cards to the interpretation.

For this month? The Ace of Swords, The Ace of Rods (reversed), The Page of Cups (reversed).

The Ace of Swords tells us to start the plan. If there’s something you’ve been wanting to try, do, or achieve, now’s the time to be practical. If you know me, you know that I usually encourage you to go all-in. Start. Hit the ground running. But this month, don’t jump in with both feet. The time isn’t quite yet right. Make the plan. Figure things out. Do exactly what you want to do. But if you aren’t sure exactly what that is, then don’t start off heading in the wrong direction. This isn’t a time for course correction. It’s a time to test the wind and start out right. The only caveat is if you’re thinking of hunting for a new job. That’s a perfect thing to begin today, right now. Go look at Indeed. Ask your friends if they know anyone who’s hiring. Spruce up your resume. But if you can wait until the time is right to say “Yes!” to the offer, so much the better. And here’s why.

Generally speaking, when I draw an Ace of Rods, I’m thrilled. That’s because it means, “Get going. Don’t wait. Get started. Follow your dreams. Follow your passions. What the hell are you waiting for?”

But, when the card comes up reversed, it sings a different tune. Now’s not the time to jump in. Instead, it’s a time to make sure that your dreams are really yours and not someone else’s. Do some soul searching this month. Figure out whether or not what you’re reaching for is really what you want. Or is it, perhaps, what other people want for you? If you have the resources to figure it out, do that. I sometimes push myself so hard that I exhaust myself. And then I have no room left over for planning, thinking, or doing. And that sucks. So, don’t be like me. Don’t run yourself into the ground before stopping and seeing if what you’re fighting so hard for is really the prize you’re after.

So, don’t take the leap quite yet. Wait a couple of weeks. Things are about to change. And with that change in the wind, your needs, wishes, and desires might change too.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re a few weeks away from spring. That’s amazing. But we’re all still sitting and stewing in our juices because the pandemic. And that means we have an incredible opportunity to get super honest with ourselves. Take a piece of paper and write down what you really want. No, in fact, I’ll encourage you to do an exercise I do with my coaching clients.

Make four columns on a sheet of paper. In column 1, write down everything you need in the next three months. These are things you can’t do without. In column 2, write down what you want. What would you love to have in your life but isn’t something that you can’t live without. In column 3, write down things you’ll accept. They’re not the end-all-be-all, but they’re livable. And in number 4, write down your dealbreakers. This is the state you can’t abide. Then, put the piece of paper away for three days and come back to it. See what you might want to change and change it. And then look at your list.

It’s a good set of priorities for the next months. And here’s why I asked you to do this. The last card in the draw was the Page of Cups reversed (haven’t made that card yet, and truth be told, I miss it being part of this post). When the card is right side up, it’s all about the blush or love, romance, and having a light, creative heart. When it’s reversed, it talks to us about ending things that aren’t good for us (or sometimes those things being ended for us if we aren’t the initiating party). So, if you’re feeling down and/or depressed (and it isn’t clinical), doing the above planning and deciding will help you end what needs ending so you’re to begin what needs beginning when the opportunity presents itself.

Take care of your heart. Do small things that make your inner self smile. Breathe deeply. It’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride, but it will get better.

I’ll see you next month for What’s up with March? In the meantime, if you have any questions or want to learn more with a deeper reading, get in touch.

Getting to the edge

For those who have been reading this blog for my flash fiction challenge stories, I’ll have one later today. Right now, though, I’m pondering procrastination. Actually, no, wait. It’s not procrastination.

I’m not procrastinating on working on the thing I need to do. I am getting things done. But, oh, wow, it’s like watching trees breathe. Things are happening inside me. I am making micro strides toward my goal, but instead of taking the leap and starting, I am arranging everything so it is just so.

That can’t be right. Inching my way forward has never been my style. I’ve always jumped in. Always. But for this, this really important part of my life (the Earth Science education work I do with children to help them understand our planet and make informed decisions as they grow), I am hesitating.

izzyjumping
Me, mid-dive over Key West, Florida

The best way I can describe is skydiving. The one time I tried skydiving, I did it. I am not afraid of heights. I love them. I am pretty adventurous and willing to take on most challenges. But I remember being in that little rusty plane flying over Key West. As we ascended to 10,000 feet (the good jump elevation), I got increasingly nervous. What the heck was I doing? I was a nutter. But no, I persevered and didn’t tell them descend and let me out of that little bucket of bolts.

Then, the instructor gave us directions. What we would need to do and how we would need to do it. I understood and knew I would be going first. My husband would follow. As the instructor attached himself to my back for our tandem dive, everything began to move in super slo-mo. I was inching my way towards the door, but every movement became deliberate and slow. It was almost like I started testing myself to see how little I could do while still making some sort of progress towards this thing I had always wanted but had never done. Eventually, I did, and it was incredible. So freeing. But as I edged towards the open door,

Right now, I am facing the same dilemma with my Earth Lady work. I know I need to get out there and get more schools interested in the work and projects I can provide. Once they hear about it and once they work with me, they’re on board! But those initial contacts? Yikes! They scare me. I know what I need to do, but I am moving through quicksand. Every single motion slows me down. I inch forward. Yesterday, I promised myself I would identify ten schools I could call. I outdid myself and listed eleven. Small victory, though. I haven’t called a one. Today, I will. Even if I fail miserably.

The other day, my husband and I listened to Benji Bruce’s webinar on getting work. He said something that resonated: “You can make excuse or you can make money. You can’t do both at the same time.”

Yes!

If I modify it to fit my predicament, it would be, “You can make progress or you can make excuses. You can’t do both at the same time.”

And what’s more, I think that can be said for any endeavor. If we want it, we can make it happen, but it will take work – dedicated, constant work.

And, I’m off to do just that!