Thursday, October 13, 2016

Six of Swords – Running away doesn’t solve anything

Today's word to draw a card with is “Scarecrow” and it made me think about  how some birds keep coming back to feed on the crops even though there is a scarecrow defending the fields. So what is an obnoxious ever returning thought (bird) which undermines my physical and emotional well being (fields) and I drew the Six of Swords from the Original Rider Waite Tarot. 
This card often tempts me to mentally pick up my stuff and run: to ignore what has to be done, procrastinate and try to look the other way. Is this working for me? Of course not but flight is of my main reactions to stress. Yet, after I’ve sailed away from my problems, my worries or anxiety, I notice that I took my swords with me in the form of guilt, shame and regret. So there is no real escape from our own mind.
I wondered what stuffing my scarecrow would need to become a bigger threat  to this persistent bird and I drew the Two of Pentacles. Instead of running away this card advises me to accept the stormy waters; the emotional upheaval. In order not to drown in it the Two of Pentacles asks us to focus on our tasks at hand. Tasks that require a certain balance and attention, so our mind is free from worrying for a while. When you are busy in the here and now it is more than likely you will receive a fresh look on whatever is bothering you.

Bye bye birdy !

10 comments:

  1. Your post brings to mind an old adage or saying. "Wherever you go there you are" I thought about running away from my life a number times over the years, the first time I was about 21 and someone I worked with said "go ahead and go, if that's what you need to do, but remember who you are doesn't change." Hope you find your balance today.

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    1. I love the book with that title by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Thanks for reminding me!
      I hope you will have a good day too

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  2. Your post rings true for me too; it makes no sense to try to outrun our thoughts. For me it is much better to investigate rather than avoid. If I check fact-check the story around them, I can figure out if there is any truth there. If so, I can do what I can to change things; if not, I can realize my emotions are driving a delusion that isn't real.

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    1. And then, are you able to silence the voice of your emotions?

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    2. Then I have to focus on the sensations they arouse in my body only (not the narrative they spin around). If I can place my focus there, they seem to fade away on their own.

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    3. That makes sense. When we pay no attention to that voice it will eventually become quiet
      I will keep this in mind. Thanks

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  3. I've always found the best way to get out of my own way, past my worry and anxiety is to focus on helping someone else. Sometimes praying for them is always a good thing to do for anyone if you can't help in any other way. I spent a good portion of my life running away from reality at the bottom of a bottle. No freedom, peace of mind or bird of happiness to be found there!

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    1. It is good to know this is all in the past now. Praying is a much more healthy coping mechanism.

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  4. beautifully written. I'm still running away and I know it.

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    1. Thank you. It helps to know we're not the only one running.

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