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

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Can I Have a Do-Over?

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Seven of Disks; from the Ascension to Paradise, the Bobolink:
           As today begins the first of two days of services honoring my mother-in-law, I was tempted to shove the "Failure" card back into the deck. That bullish fellow in the middle of the card perfectly reflected my reaction. But then I had to ask myself, what is my habitual pattern of behavior when something goes wrong or doesn't turn out as expected? I've got four options:
   1) Freak out - I can run around and pitifully wail about how life isn't fair.
   2) Flame up - I can angrily keep trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
   3) Forget it - I can bury my head in the sand or give up entirely.
   4) Face it - I can attempt to see what happened and try to correct mistakes, starting over if necessary.
This card doesn't mean success isn't possible, but that I need to take a realistic view of things first. No one likes to stop in midstream and refigure one's strategy, but when things go wrong that seems like the only mature option.
          The Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives some impressive figures for the bird chosen today: "The Bobolink is one of the world’s most impressive songbird migrants, traveling some 12,500 miles (20,000 kilometers) to and from southern South America every year. Throughout its lifetime, it may travel the equivalent of 4 or 5 times around the circumference of the earth." It is also well-known for the joyful, bubbling melodies it sings during breeding season. The Bobolink reminds me that life is good, even amidst the struggles and challenges. All I have to do is widen my perspective (beyond my self-absorbed orbit) to see it. And with that kind of attitude, even the adversities seem like something I can face with equanimity.



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6 comments:

  1. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJune 1, 2016 at 9:33 AM

    This is the point in time to disassociate yourself from any outcomes. Death in the family changes people, usually in unattractive ways.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJune 1, 2016 at 11:33 AM

      I can caught in the expectations of other people - what I should have done or what I shouldn't have done. I guess it's treading the emotional waters of grief that make me more susceptible than usual.

      Delete
  2. Carolyn TindorJune 1, 2016 at 9:53 AM

    Saying goodbye can be heartbreaking. It scares us and others because we have to acknowledge there is a date and time ahead for us.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJune 1, 2016 at 11:29 AM

      After the last year and a half of watching my MIL's body and mind fail, I can honestly say it is the process of dying that scares me more than death itself.

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  3. EllenJune 1, 2016 at 2:25 PM

    Please don't get me wrong but after such a long process of dying, the actual death can sometimes give an unexpected feeling of relief for both parties.This was the case when my father died. I suspect you're going through the motions now since so many things has to be organized. Please don't forget to take care of yourself my dear (((Bev)))
    Hugs
    Hugs

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    1. thesycamoretreeJune 1, 2016 at 2:38 PM

      There is relief that she is out of pain, but yes there does seem to be an enormous weight of responsibility that has been lifted too.

      Delete

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