Hello, Subscribers. One of my former leaders told us it's not worth doing if it isn’t fun. This forms the core philosophy of my weekly writings and will help you prepare for the week through the sheer joy of play to set yourself up for success. As your guide, I believe incorporating play into your daily routine can enhance your creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being, leading to personal and professional growth. I glean insights from my inner child about behaviors and patterns and can help you do the same. Let’s get set up for success.
It’s time for an accountability check-in. I successfully did “No New Things” for another week. My final Thursday night audio room was so much fun. It’s incredible when people keep their promises to you. Shout out to Lisa Feveck RD and friends. I also took it easy this week and have been resting. I attended my second funeral in the past two weeks, and it has me doing some serious reflection. Yesterday, I also accepted my limits. I do not have to prove to anyone that I’m a badass. It is essential to celebrate all that you have accomplished. Life is a series of relays, a cycle of activity and rest. I don’t have to run the entire way; even marathon runners incorporate rest days into their training. It’s a long weekend here; my biggest challenge will be sitting still.
This week we are going to use “Black Tarot” written by Nyaha Williams and Illustrated by Kimishka Naidoo. I am going to explore pushing our limits in the week ahead. “What is happening?” I pulled both the Mother of Wand and the Six of Coins. The Mother of Wands depicts a Black woman in a red dress in a field of grey sunflowers holding a sunflower that emits a yellow band of light across the card. The Six of Coins shows a young Black lady sitting on a stool. She is getting her hair combed out by her Mother and Father. The Father has a baby tied against his chest in a sling. This shows the struggle of where to put your energy and balancing your time with your responsibilities. The woman in red is vibrant and walks a unique path while the family works together. It’s a beautiful depiction of give and take. They are modeling community behavior for the next generation. We need to follow our path AND recognize our community. If the woman ensures that her cup is full and overflowing, she can pour from the saucer to her loved ones. Sunflowers carry the seeds for the next generation. What are you trying to balance this week?
“What is the challenge?” The Son of Wands depicts a young Black man in a tank with two crocodiles. He appears to be recording his experiences. A massive challenge for me is knowing when to stop. I love shiny new objects, and since I am quickly bored, I often take on too many new challenges. You may have the opposite issue and not be stretching yourself to grow. When you do a workout routine, your body gets bored and can stagnate. This can also happen when you do not incorporate rest. The young man in the picture is bold. Sometimes, we fail to respect the natural world in our quest for glory. Crocodiles are predators. They do not seem interested in him and are going about their business. How many people cheer you on to do dangerous things? They also may not be concerned for your health as long as you entertain them. This ties back to finding balance and questioning your motivation. Are you serving your community? Do the people around you value your contributions, AND what it takes for your participation?
“What can help?” I pulled the Four of Baskets and the Nine of Baskets. The Four of Baskets depicts a Black woman in a light grey dress looking in the mirror. There are baskets on shelves and new plants sprouting. The Nine of Baskets shows a Black couple, elegantly dressed, in front of a luxury car surrounded by luggage and boxes of goodies from their last trip. Michael Jackson sang about the man in the mirror. Our lady has to look at herself, deeply reflect, and potentially change her ways. Perhaps she has to rethink her ideas about abundance. What lies within? These cards are similar to the first pull, where we have a single figure and a card with multiple figures. How does what we think impact our community? What are you trying to accomplish in the week ahead? What is your north star?
Finally, “What is a way forward?” The Four of Wands depicts a Black couple exercising together in perfect harmony. The man stands balanced on two sets of rails and has his arms linked with his partner sitting in a lotus pose. The trust and serenity between the two is very evident. She has no fear, and he shows no strain. This is a beautiful merging of individual strengths in a supportive partnership. Where is your center? Begin your week grounded in your inner strength. Take the time to pause and reflect before taking action. Who are the people you can rely on? Who depends on you? Count the cost of your actions in the week ahead. What will be the impact on the next generation? What is the example you are setting? I want to gift my loved ones by modeling rest and recovery. How about you? Namaste
