The Practical Side of Practice

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, "Narcissus:"

           Surrounded by his tools, this fellow has a book marked at a page he can refer to as he works. Congratulations buddy, you have done what most people don't - apply what they learn. I can't count how many workshops I've been to or books I've bought in an attempt to learn something new. The fun part was accumulating the knowledge and studying something exciting. I was always highly motivated then. But when it came to practicing the skills I often gave up before I mastered anything. Which leads directly to Narcissus at the water's edge. He was so in love with his own beauty, he finally passed away staring at his own reflection. What a waste! I'm sure with his good looks he could have been a great politician, preacher or chariot salesman. These two cards suggest I shouldn't recklessly spend my time, money and energy on learning something if I'm not willing to go through the training phase as well. Even natural talent must be polished.

Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.

― Ann Voskamp