From the Tarot of Timeless Truth, the Ten of Wands:
As this woman struggles up the hill with her load, I can almost hear her thoughts: "Why do I always get stuck with this job? I feel like I'm carrying the loads of everyone else." I imagine she has such a load because she agrees to it to keep everyone happy or she thinks no one can do the job right but her. Yesterday as I sat down to meditate, I began with my breathing exercises (the "three part breath"). I noticed immediately how hard it was for me - I was so tense I couldn't fully extend my belly/diaphragm. It's funny that even if my mind can overlook my stress, my body refuses to do so. This time of year is full of extra activities, and some are quite fun. But if I overload myself, I have only one person to blame. I need to take author Anne Lamott's advice: "Learn to use 'No' as a complete sentence."
From the Rune Cards comes "Ice / Is:"
Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.
~ Anglo-Saxon poem
The part of the rune poem about Is describes it as "fair" but also "slippery." In other words, it warns me that what looks and sounds great might not turn out to be. Instead of being impulsive, I need to look at the big picture and see from a long-range point of view when I decide whether or not to add to my holiday schedule. I may miss out on a few get-togethers or events, but at least my health and sanity will remain in tact.
