I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Monday, September 8, 2014

Accept then Do

From Waking the Wild Spirit, the Ace of Fire (Wands); from the MentorSpirit Cards, "Grace:"
A primitive family works together to start a fire, gathering tinder and fallen limbs while the father strikes stones to make a spark. All the elements to create a flame are there, only the effort is needed. The Ace of Fire/Wands is the potential to manifest something. What I need I have, it just awaits my push to make it real. While that work isn't always easy, the passion for what I'm doing keeps me going. I recently finished a book called The Humans by Matt Haig in which an alien comes from a utopian planet and pretends to be a human. He gradually comes to realize that even with all the foibles and tribulations of earth people, they have something he doesn't - passion. He realizes that this joy is something he wants, and he willingly gives up his special gifts and his planet to become human. The book made me realize that although exertion is required, there is also exhilaration and happiness that comes from working to accomplish something. And in turn, this effort produces gratitude.
Most religious folks would probably say grace is an undeserved gift, much like a fairy godmother who uses her wand to make what is wished for appear out of thin air. But looking at the hard work of the family above, I'm not so sure about that. I like Paul Tillech's explanation:
But grace is more than gifts. In grace something is overcome; grace occurs in spite of something; grace occurs in spite of separation and estrangement. Grace is the reunion of life with life, the reconciliation of the self with itself. Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. Grace transforms fate into a meaningful destiny; it changes guilt into confidence and courage.
Acceptance I think is the key; I must work with what I have and keep my heart and mind open instead of fuming about how easy other people have it. My meaningful destiny will be created by me, not someone doing the work for me.

9 comments:

  1. Acceptance is the key to many doors. I love the theme of the book you've read. Yes if everything would be easy the joy and fulfillment would never be so wonderful. The struggles we all face is what makes us stronger and more determined to try again and again and again.... and then we have fire!!!
    I love the explanation of Grace and copied it in my journal. Thanks

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    1. The book "The Humans" was great! :) Tillech had some interesting takes on sin and grace (very progressive for his time). While I don't claim any religion, his views are worth reading if you have the time:
      http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=378&C=84

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    2. I am so glad I had the time. I've read it out loud to myself and I it moved me so deeply
      Thank you :D

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  2. Hi thesycamoretree! It's very important the clue you give us in your post, I totally agree with you, let's begin with acceptance and passion, and I like your recipe of "aceptance", I think you are in the right path :) Muchas Estrellas!!!!

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    1. Well that is actually more Tillech's words than mine, but thank you Las Magas. :)

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  3. Nicely written! I am at the park right now, cleaning out the papers in my car, and worrying about my big to do list, and I calmed myself down by thinking: accept that you don't need to solve and do everything, then act. I shortened it to: "accept, then do". Then I googled it and I found your post! From today! And I am parked right by a sycamore tree! Nice to meet you!

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    1. Talk about synchronicity! :D It is very nice to meet you too, Elaine. I appreciate you stopping by, and hope that the rest of your day (even with a big to-do list) was a little calmer. Accepting that I can't fix or change everything or anyone has been a life-long lesson for me!

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  4. Bev, wow is this a very timely post for me to read! An affirmation and a confirmation! Can't get much better than this! Very insightful. Grace is a beautiful thing. It certainly isn't luck and has nothing to do with us. Yes a gift given to us. But If we are unaware of it I think we miss it and don't get to experience it's gentle and transforming power. For me all about acceptance, and then doing. Someone can give me a pie but if I don't eat it well where the joy in that? And if we can share it with others it tastes a whole lot better! I love Paul Tillich. I haven't read him for a long long time. One of those writers whose books are very worthwhile reading over again! Thank you Bev for the poignant post! Very uplifting for me today!

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    1. Yes, I think grace does at the very least require us to accept it. :) I'm glad to find another Tillich fan! He opened my rather closed mind in a lot of ways...

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