Connection and Protection

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Lovers; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, 'Protection:'

Every negative emotion, every drama, comes down to one or more of the three most basic fears: the fear of losing safety and control, the fear of aloneness and disconnection, and the fear of unworthiness. —Ezra Bayda 

          We seek connection (Lovers) because we want protection (iron nails and salt). What or who do you turn to when life seems frightening, overwhelming and too much to bear? A young me wanted to prove John Donne wrong, that I could be an island. A middle-aged me wanted to surround myself with people who would never leave me. An older me realizes the insanity of both views; nothing is perfect or permanent. Stuff will happen that will make me sad, fearful and angry. But I can find people or things such as Buddhist teachings and the natural world to ground me. I can use them as my touchstones. I may not be able to avoid the uncertainties and challenges of life, but I can find ways to endure it when it gets hard.