Not Splinter

From the Tarot of Durer, the Five of Cups; from the Philosopher's Stone, Existence:

Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

―M. Scott Peck

To exist in physical form is to have periods of psychological pain, including regret, grief and despair. Such suffering can shrink our world until the only part we see is what hurts. We often add additional pain by thinking this shouldn't have happened to us, that we don't have the resources to deal with this, that we just don't know what to do now; our pain becomes doubled. What is required at this point is for us to widen our perspective beyond our hurt. As Mark Nepo explained, "When feeling a splinter, we must, while trying to remove it, remember there is a body that is not splinter, and a spirit that is not splinter, and a world that is not splinter."

Listen to the Clash

From the Tarot of Durer, the Two of Wands:

 Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble,

But if I stay it will be double.

~ The Clash

I can almost hear this conversation now (in of course growling lion-speak): "Larry, what are you doing?  It's past time for our nap - let's go."  "But I've never seen anything like this before!  I want to play with it a bit and see what it does."  And then in a very timid, hedgehog voice from atop the pole, "Yes Larry, listen to your pal.  Your complexion isn't looking good, and I think you need some rest."  These three figures  represent all the inner parts of me - the one wanting to stick to the routine and maintain the status quo; the part looking for excitement and willing to take a risk; and the one that thinks I'm probably doomed no matter what I do.  I think I'll listen to the Clash - I might have trouble if I make a change, but it won't be nearly as bad as if I stay in my rut.

From the Philosopher's Stone deck comes "Existence:"

This painting makes me think of man emerging from the primordial soup.  I think there is something intrinsic in humans that makes us want to evolve.  Sure, some of us have our fears and doubts, and we may try to sit on the sidelines.  But I think eventually we'll experience that feeling of restlessness and discontent and be tempted to at least stick our toes in the water.