self-discipline
Strength In Frailty
The wise accept that it is sometimes best to give in when under pressure. Sun Tzu was a great teacher in the art of flexibility in leading his people, through teaching, education, art, poetry and the art of grace. To his people, this was magic. It meant listening to his opponent, pointing out his strengths, not cornering them, and letting them have a way out to continue their way of life.
He was a great artist and poet, and was known not as a warrior, but as a visionary and leader. Now little is left of this art of grace, the art of diplomacy, of delegation. This art requires a delicate balance of self-control and sacrifice, which need not always be exhibited by one person alone. There is strength in frailty, and showing humility and spirit in the face of great pressure. It will always demonstrate the greater need to preserve one’s people over the greed of self-preservation and ego, seen over the many reigns of the great emperors of past.
One could fight to the very end, but yet to what end? At what cost? So many people seem to feel one should take a small point of contention and fight it down to its last little molecule of dust. For what?
A Sense of Calm – A Message From My Guides
Sometimes the emotional charge of something as simple as a misunderstood comment, or a statement taken out of context, can throw even the most level-headed person into a tailspin. Developing a general demeanor of good humor can assist you in dealing with some of these most difficult, embarrassing or awkward situations encountered in life.
Everyone handles things differently, doing the best they can with the information they have at the time. Although, generally, the goal is to come to a better understanding and reach common ground, sometimes this takes much more time, effort and compromise than expected.
Although it is important to resolve an issue and clear the air, if possible, it is equally important to put each issue into context. Years from the date of the affront, will the issue be remembered at all and, if so, will it have anywhere near the importance that it did at the time? Certain issues will never be forgotten, however, they can often be forgiven for the sake of all parties involved.
How To Avoid The Sunday Blues
I am sure you can easily picture the following scene. Your weekend has been somewhat action-packed. You have had your night out with friends, been for a meal with the family, and perhaps had a couple of hours at the gym on Saturday morning. The weekend was awesome, until Sunday evening arrives. Then your mind turns to what the week ahead could have in store for you…and your mood suddenly change for the worse.
If you suffer from what is known as the ‘Sunday blues,’ then it is essential you look at what you can do, from a practical point of view, to make the first day of the week far better than you may currently be experiencing it.
It is imperative you begin by looking at the actual reasons you dread your Sunday evening, and having done so, focus on what you can do about it. Get ready to take some action! Continue reading
When The Empath Becomes An Energy Sponge
I just completed a psychic reading for a long-standing client who is a successful teacher, as well as an empath and psychic in her own right. Despite being highly intuitive and, under normal circumstances, able to make good decisions based on her gut feeling, she was feeling totally at a loss, and in limbo concerning her current circumstances.
She asked me for guidance as to what could be happening to her, because even though her situation is not dire, she described herself as feeling like “a sponge that cannot not absorb any more.” She was feeling no sense of creativity or inspiration, nor any initiative to get the ball rolling for a future move for herself and her family. The Tarot’s Hangman card defines how she felt, as if she was just dangling and not getting anywhere fast.
Both she and her husband had made a big geographical move a few years ago, with the well-being of their children in mind. She was beating herself up, because she also felt responsible for every circumstance her family was experiencing, including her 17 year old daughter, who hasn’t quite yet identified her future career niche. Of course, the additional negative energy of guilt was holding her even more in limbo. To top it all, the schooling of her children and work of her husband requires that she lives and teaches remotely, with a several hours commute away from them, so they can only come together as a family once a fortnight. More guilt! Continue reading
Into Me See, Or Great Avoidance Game?
Lying About, well, everything. The Culture of Shame and Manipulation. So much thought, time, concentration and energy goes into creating and maintaining our ‘presentation’ as either a victim or being ‘positive.’ If there were PhD’s in these areas the majority of us would qualify.
Is it just this era, or has it always been this way? That is hard to tell, and on some level, irrelevant. It is here now. People come for help. Then they ‘present.’
I have enormous money problems. You get them a job, but they have no time to work because they are “busy” with hobbies and “other things,” which they have decided are “more important” so they only show up one day of the week. Then they never come in for help again, because they have been ‘outed.’ Continue reading
Does Your Life Own You?
Addressing our desires, needs, goals and actions is imperative as we go through life. Ideally this happens on a regular and consistent basis. Yet, life sometimes has the uncanny ability to delay our well-defined plans, or simply start it without us. It can also unexpectedly speed up our plans.
If you reflect on your current life status, are there aspects of it that make you cringe a little? Is your career, financial health, relationship, or family life in a space where you are just ‘getting by.’ Are you living month to month on your paycheck? Stuck in a stagnant relationship? Do you hate your job? Feeling overwhelmed?
If such feelings are prevalent, then it indicates that your life owns you, instead of you owning your life. Your life owns you when your everyday routine consists mostly of elements of necessity, not of desirous choice.
There is no doubt that modern society has burdened us with the pressures to succeed, to pay the bills, to live where we live. Navigating the meandering river of our material needs occupies much space in our mind. My brain hurts! Continue reading
Crystals Can Revive Your Spiritual Brilliance!
Life these days can be very demanding and it is often a challenge to successfully balance all aspects of mind, body and soul. Busy work days, financial responsibilities, and the demands of our social and family life, can make it so easy to allow our spiritual practice to slip. Fortunately, the metaphysical power of crystals can help us keep our spiritual motivation going. Here’s how.
Ask For Support
Should you feel the need for support from a particular crystal, then all you need to do is simply ask for it. For example, do you think you need to increase your self-discipline, or that your resolve should be strengthened? If so, gently hold some malachite in one hand and request that it helps and supports you to this end. In fact, you could carry it with you at all times whenever you sense the need of its help. Continue reading