Focus or Distraction

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Two of Pentacles; from the Tapestry Oracle, Focus:

Your results are the product of either personal focus or personal distractions.

The choice is yours. — John Di Lemme

Imbalance, thy name is Bev. In the area of spending and saving, I'm fairly thrifty. But not so with my body. In the fall and spring, when the weather has days that are deliciously cool and sunny, I try to do yard work like I did in my twenties. That might not be a problem if I wasn't thinking about the next thing I was going to do while currently doing another task. Focus implies keeping the mind pointed at one thing rather than several. If I could remember to do that in the yard, I would be aware of when my back sends me signals that it is strained and needs a rest. And I wouldn't see so much of my chiropractor. 

Where Are My Feet?

From the Golden Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Yantra Deck, 'Focus:'

          What happens when - back in the Seven of Cups - we make the wrong choice? Perhaps it was a new, lucrative job, an exciting relationship or a radical spiritual path we were sure would bring us bliss. In the past, I would do battle in an attempt to get my expectations met. My goal was to change reality in order to find the fulfillment I sought. I was sure that if things were done my way, then all would be well (stubbornness can keep a cycle going long past its expiration date). Age and maturity eventually gave me a new perspective; in the words of Bill Wilson, "we have ceased fighting, anything or anyone." I've learned two things from such situations: the root of the problem often lies within me, and if I want change, I need to do something different. The Focus yantra implies concentrated awareness. When things don't work out, it's tempting to keep looking over my shoulder at the past. Yet if I do, I won't be aware of where my feet are or the direction they're headed.

Make the Now the primary focus of your life. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Focusing Fire

From the Spiral Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Sacred Journey Cards, Focus:

          This wand seems to be responding to the nearness of the hand in the sky. If it were actually touched, it would probably bloom into something like a red hot poker. I imagine we would be amazed if we could be aware of all the potential opportunities we have to do something. But because of various reasons and excuses, we often never strike that match. As Thomas Edison once said, "What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration." But once we do start that fire, we need the Focus found in the SJ card. I think a lot of creative or ambitious people have a feast or famine relationship with their muse. Once those ideas start coming, it's easy to have way too many irons in the fire and forget to keep the blaze going. The other caution that comes from this card is the kind of thoughts I entertain. If I'm in a low mood, my inner critic can keep me from accomplishing anything. But if I'm full of fire, I may not be willing to listen to any wisdom and guidance. Sometimes I need to observe from a detached point of view to see what is real and what isn't.