Mindful Courage

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, Temperance; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Ochre:

From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions create problems. Considered responses bring peace. With a peaceful heart whatever happens can be met with wisdom. 

— Jack Kornfield

We are constantly being influenced by what is going on in our heads and in our environment. How we relate to these things will determine whether we choose an emotional reaction or a wise response. Rather than being fueled by impulsiveness, a response is thoughtful and deliberate, seeking to improve the situation. Temperance suggests we choose what is constructive rather than destructive. The Dreamtime story of Ochre tells of a murderous, giant lizard and a brave dingo who faced it. When the lizard was killed, its blood soaked the earth and created ochre. In celebration, the tribe used this earthy pigment to paint their bodies. Mindful courage will take us down the middle path, avoiding any excesses that only create more problems.