Needed Improvement?

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Way of the Horse, Dharma's Reflection:

When we don’t know how we’re doing we can’t improve. 

―Jim Clemmer

There is the joke of the woman pulled over for speeding. When asked by the officer where she was going in such a hurry, she replies, "I don't know, but I'm making good time!" No matter how fast we're implementing ideas and steps, if we don't pause to assess what our results are so far, we won't know if we're making progress or impeding it. Reviews allow us to continue on, adjust or change course to be effective. Dharma's Reflection represents using relationships as a mirror that reflects behavioral patterns and emotional responses back to us. Our connections can trigger fears, point out rigid beliefs, or ignite unhealthy habits. When we are aware, we have the option to improve, no matter what it is we're building or developing.

Natural Talent

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Eight of Coins; from the Way of the Horse, Dharma's Reflection:

          Griffin suggests the meaning of this card is an encouragement to "explore your natural talents." Now when I think of a person with natural talents, I imagine someone who learns more quickly and makes progress at a rapid pace. Yet research published in the British Journal of Psychology found some surprising results in a study of music students. The more accomplished musicians did not learn quicker than anyone else. In fact only one thing predicted how proficient the students were - how much they practiced. Maybe we should redefine natural talent as how much we enjoy doing something. Doing what we love does makes us more readily embrace the study and training needed to learn the skills.
          In this image of one horse reflected in another's eye, Kohanov writes, "looking honestly at how we respond in relationship provides a deeper glimpse of who we are than any mirror... if we simply become curious about how we react in certain situations, and why, we quite naturally begin to change those patterns." Applying this to learning a new skill set, I can see how comparing myself to others leads me to alternate between blame and shame. I may excuse my lack of discipline by saying I don't have time, or I may sing an "I'm not worthy" chant. Neither is conducive to helping me learn more or increase my proficiency. What I do need to do is practice.