Response-ability

From the Badgers Forest, the Two of Badgers (Swords); from the Gemstone Oracle, Magnesite:

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. 

—Henry David Thoreau

Two badgers face off - serious business for animals with such formidable jaw strength. In high density clans, female badges will often compete for breeding rights in order to adjust clan size for resource availability. Major decisions are often based on what we will get from each option, yet it might be wiser to choose based on what each one will cost us, physically, mentally and emotionally. Magnesite represents a state of grounded calmness that grants us clarity, knowing that we are responsible for our choices and actions. As Stephen Covey wrote, "Accountability breeds response-ability." 

Spoonfuls of Chamomile Tea

From the Badger's Forest Tarot, the Four of Rabbits (Wands); from the  Gemstone Oracle, "Magnesite:"

          This illustration made me think of Beatrix Potter's storybook, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I can imagine Mother bunny waiting for Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter to come home for the evening. They are old enough to go off exploring during the day on their own, but at night they must return to the safety of home. Eventually they will leave and start families, but the bunnies still have some maturing to do. In fact, I'm sure Mother bunny has already gathered some chamomile flowers for Peter, knowing he probably has been busy stuffing his furry little cheeks in Mr. McGregor's garden.
          The quote and keywords for magnesite are:

Do not overlook negative actions merely because they are small; however small a spark may be, it can burn down a haystack as big as a mountain. Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they are of no benefit even; tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel.

~ Gautama Buddha

cause and effect, reaping what’s been sown, gracefully accepting responsibility for one’s actions

Whether raising a child or working on a project, there are times when a person can feel like nothing is making a difference. For me personally, I think I miss the progress that has been made because I have a specific vision of what the end result will look like. There's a good chance things are moving in the right direction, but taking a different route to get there. And so today I will have hope that those "tiny good actions" I do will one day bring things to fruition, even if today only a foundation has been laid.