Judicious Buying and Giving

From the Stone Tarot, the Queen of Pentacles; from the Buddhist Quote Card, Dhammapada 12:166:

I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.

― Florence Nightingale

I am known as the 'practical' shopper in the house. I buy things because they have a purpose, either by being useful (and needed) or because they gladden the heart and are inspirational. The look on this Queen of Pentacles face suggests she's gotten a dull dust-around as a present. While she's grateful for the thought behind it, she probably would have preferred a gift card from Tractor Supply to buy some seeds to plant or feed the birds with. The Dhammapada quote deals with the flip side of the coin: generosity.

Don't give up your own welfare for the sake of others' welfare, however great. Clearly know your own welfare and be intent on the highest good.

In other words, we shouldn't be so generous with our time, money and energy that it leaves us unable to fulfill our obligations, in debt, or causes damage to our health. That would only create another person that needed to be aided. 

Head on a Swivel

From the Stone Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 12:166:

There are lands you enter

after midnight, pages you

can't read with open eyes.

~Alison Stone

          These days, we keep our head on a swivel, constantly vigilant about everything. We are hair triggers, reacting to whatever we perceive as a threat, crisis or confrontation. Yet the High Priestess encourages us to push the safety catch on our tendency to fire into the fray. She encourages us to be still, quiet, and receptive to what is happening without judgment. We are missing vital information that we need if we are to respond wisely instead of habitually. The Dhammapada quote reads: "Don’t give up your own welfare for the sake of others’ welfare, however great. Clearly know your own welfare and be intent on the highest good." The Buddha reminds us that there is a middle way between being completely self-centered or emotionally entangled. What is the best choice for everyone's well-being, including my own?