Watching and Learning

From the Tarot of Durer, the Knave (Page) of Chalices; from the Philosopher's Stone, Origin:

We tend to become like those we admire.

~Thomas Monson

This attentive Knave is affectionate and available to those in need. That's probably his to-do list he's reading, with elders that need home visits and help with errands as well as those who could use some emotional support. He doesn't require any recognition for what he does; the good feeling he receives for his altruism is enough. The Origin painting of a rock cracking is a nod to an egg hatching. Everything has a beginning, even the seed of kindness that has developed in this young man. He's had folks he looked up to that he's modeled his behavior on (not necessarily his parents). I'll never forget a woman telling me when I was in my early twenties that her daughter so admired me that she was even wearing her hair like mine. Looking back, I know that I wasn't someone I would want my own daughter to emulate at that point in my life. It's a good reminder that we never know who's watching and learning from us.

Can I Change?

From the Gill Tarot, the Seven of Disks; from The Circle, Origin:

          Gill writes in her lwb that "delay is always instructive." Delay pushes a pause button that I likely would not have pressed, giving me an opportunity to look more closely at the situation and myself. My frustration may point out my lack of commitment and that my persistence is slipping. My impatience could show how I live in the future rather than focus on what is in front of me. When my mind is elsewhere, I'm likely to miss crucial details that will make a difference later. The Circle's booklet states the Origin card reflects discovering the source of something: "Your past plays a significant role in your day-to-day life." While I was at my mom's last weekend, she gave me a copy of her ancestral DNA breakdown (via Ancestry.com) since it would represent half of my own. The results were: Great Britain 28% (Scotland & England likely), Western Europe 26% (Germany likely), Ireland 20%, Scandinavia 16% (Holland likely), Italy/Greece 7%, Iberian Peninsula 2%, and Eastern Europe 1%. In a study of twins reared apart, it was found that more than half of personality traits were due to genetics. Does this mean I can't change my characteristics like impatience? Only if I'm not willing to make the effort.

 Saying "I can't help myself" may not be a valid excuse after all.

~ Romeo Vitelli

Soft Spot

From the Gill Tarot, the Three of Cups; from The Circle, "Origin:"

          The red wine from a silver cup, filled beyond its brim, spills over into two gold cups. This card reminded me of hearing a laugh the other day from a person I didn't know. His laugh wasn't particularly boisterous or loud, but it was so genuine that I found myself smiling in response. His joy was infectious and spilled over to me. What is it in us that touches us so? The Origin card seems to ask the same sort of question: "What is your essence?" Buddhists speak of the noble heart (or soft spot) within each of us. It can't be destroyed, but we often put armor around it because we mistakenly think it will protect us. Yet when we allow that soft spot to be vulnerable, we find a boundless supply of tenderness, openness and clarity.

We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves—the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we so dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the addictions of all kinds—never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake. ~ Pema Chodron