Laps in Hell

From the Fey Tarot, the Magician; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, Older Woman (Two of Spades):

A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.

~Marcus Aurelius

The Magician is often associated with keywords like 'will' or 'volition,' meaning the power to choose or determine. Our life is shaped by our mind in that our thoughts create our experiences. What we focus on will paint the color and texture of our perspective of the world. It doesn't mean that meditating on an apple will cause one to appear, but doing so consistently might convince us to buy a bag then next time we're at the grocery store. We need to be aware of our thoughts, or we might end up like the Sibilla's Older Woman, staring forlornly out the window and wishing life were different. As Rick Hanson wrote, "Staying with a negative experience past the point that’s useful is like running laps in Hell: You dig the track a little deeper in your brain each time you go around it."

Elasticity

From the Fey Tarot, Temperance; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Spades (Old Woman):

          Elements of earth, air, fire and water surround this fey; she is an alchemist, though it's not gold she's after. Living in this world, understanding it, finding our purpose and creating relationships along the way requires balance. Her goal is to mix these elements to create a workable life of joy and meaning without causing harm to anything or anyone. All of her senses are finely tuned to detect any area that may be drifting from the middle path to an extreme. Caught early, it will require only a slight readjustment rather than a major overhaul. The Two of Spades is a card of insecurity, and I can just imagine all that this older woman has to worry about: loneliness, an aging body, finances, loss of career or social roles and lack of mental stimulation. Life is constantly filled with change, endings and beginnings. The only way to stay afloat and balanced is to flow with them and adapt as best we can.

Life requires of man spiritual elasticity, so that he may temper

his efforts to the chances that are offered. ― Viktor E. Frankl