First Things First

From the Urban Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Principles to Live By, Service:

          At some point, we were fired up about making changes, creating a new way of doing things, or moving toward a goal. But now that enthusiasm has waned with the heavy load of responsibility; our day-to-day actions feel like a slow trudge through knee-deep mud. Because we have set things into motion through the choices we've made, it may feel as if we are handcuffed and imprisoned by the situation. The Service tile (the symbol for the Alzheimer's Association), may seem like a strange companion for this card. Yet before we can successfully ease someone else's suffering, we must learn to tend to our own. It requires us to consider, "What do I need right now?" When we develop genuine compassion for ourselves and learn to practice self-care, we naturally open our heart to the challenges of others. The paradox of selfless service with no expectations is that such service can take us out of our self-orbit and create within us a sense of joy.

By giving ourselves unconditional kindness and comfort while embracing the human experience, difficult as it is, we avoid destructive patterns of fear, negativity, and isolation.

― Kristin Neff