Hi, Subscribers. This blog uses the power of Play to guide our daily lives. Play can help you grow personally and professionally and helps to power up your creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being. Let’s set ourselves up for success and inspiration and remember to find joy in every step of our development.
It’s time for an accountability check-in. Despite the chaos of the current political situation, I was able to maintain my boundaries at work. My loved ones and I are communicating more effectively. I received an early birthday present, a portable art set, and I did some sketches yesterday. Finally, I planted my potatoes. Incorporating some of the lessons from my last post resulted in a smoother week. Communication is key.
This week, we are using The Urban Tarot deck by Robin Scott. I was unsure what I wanted to talk about this week, so I’m using the TGROW framework.
What is the topic I want to explore? We begin with The Princess of Swords: The Activist reversed. Today is Easter for many Christians, and I can’t help but think about the revolutionary spirit of Jesus/Yeshua. The people in my life are deeply committed to bringing about social change. It is hard to stay encouraged when we see our rights being rolled back and the social fabric ruthlessly slashed with scissors. It’s a heavy calling, and even Jesus/Yeshua asked for the cup to be taken from him. You may not be trying to bring out a new world order. Perhaps you are only trying to make sense of your life. Why can’t you make the changes you want?
What is my goal? The Prince of Swords: The Hacker offers its wisdom. It’s also reversed. The Hacker is locked in. He is focused on his target and seems cocooned in his room. I think many of us would like to be able to focus on that one thing. Whether it be to exercise, complete a project, start a business, or be a more effective communicator, it takes discipline and willpower to achieve those goals. Swords are associated with the mind. What is something specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound to accomplish this week? I want to finish a document and have it sent to the printers. You may have a different goal.
What is the reality of the situation? The Knight of Swords: The Game Master is very action oriented. He plays chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Part of making a change is building consensus. Change does not happen in a vacuum. Even if a goal were self-improvement, it would ripple out and impact our interactions and environment. To finish this document on time, I may need to take out the Queen with my Knight, like on the chessboard depicted on the card. How do I strategically communicate my needs and manage my stakeholders? I need to get it done, and I need to keep everyone happy. Sounds like your day job?
What are your options? The Princess of Disks: The Kindergarten Teacher offers us advice. Teachers are masters of strategy. I still am in touch with my kids’ kindergarten teacher, who is incredibly warm and compassionate. This teacher enjoys a moment to herself, watching the students play outside. There is a sweet potato growing roots next to her. Teachers provide differentiated instruction to adapt the lessons to meet the students’ individual needs. My options are to go it alone or meet with the stakeholders for final approval. I have communicated the document before and have not received feedback. Sometimes even a “yes” is a “no” in disguise. How do we ensure that our stakeholders understand and are aligned?
Finally, What is one step forward? The 2 of Swords: Peace depicts the sun and a fenced-off playground. Two swords are hanging over the teeter-totters. Peacemakers may be blessed, but managing all those egos can feel like a curse. The teeter-totters remind me of balance. It would be easy if we only had to worry about our feelings, but life never gives us perfect moments. We have choices. Not deciding is also a choice. Conversations may seem like scaling a barbed wire fence, but what is on the other side? Is it worth the struggle? I’m committed to having tough conversations even if they are uncomfortable. I just had one with my son, which will delay my timeline, but it’s necessary. I almost resorted to a threat, but I stopped myself. Would it result in peace or war? I chose peace. I decided to communicate what needs to happen, and he is doing it. How will you practice peace in the week ahead? Namaste
If you want to infuse more play into your life to navigate the challenges, my current offerings are listed on my Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/thingstothinkabout. I also urge you to share your experiences and strategies with the community. Your voice is valuable to this journey, and your unique path can inspire others.
Picture Descriptions: 5 Tarot Cards. The Activist depicts a strong Brown woman holding a bullhorn on a podium. The style is like a stained-glass mosaic, with trees and scattered paper in the background. The Hacker is a Black man wearing headphones and round glasses. He is lit by the light from the three computer screens surrounding him. His fingers fly across the keyboard, and he is intensely focused. The Game Master is playing chess. The Knight has felled the Queen. The Queen chess piece is on fire. There is a statue of a horsebound knight raising a sword in the background. The Kindergarten teacher is a short-haired white lady wearing glasses, sitting on a windowsill, watching her students play outside. She wears a blue chambray shirt over a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
