That Direction

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Eight of Swords; from the Nature Mandala Cards, Begin Again:

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. 

—Edward de Bono

Our fixed ideas mold the tracks our thoughts take; we are not nearly as innovative as we may think. This woman is like a pearl sewn onto fabric, stitched down and tied off. Beliefs may be treated like beautiful gems, but they don't always fit every purpose or situation. When we try to generalize those entrenched ideas and outlooks, we could find ourselves stuck with no wiggle room. Begin Again suggests we don't give up but rather start with "Don't Know Mind" and observe what is without attachment or aversion. A spacious, curious mind can see endless possibilities, not just the ones we've been running on a loop. As Pema Chodron encouraged, "What you could experience is so much vaster than what you currently experience. Let’s go in that direction."