Honor Your Need for a Break Now and Then

Today’s message is from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm by Julia Jeffrey and Barbara Moore. The Four of Swords. Rest & Retreat. I love the fall, but I always find the first half of September kind of melancholy. The summer is over. It’s time to go back to school. You can no longer float in the pool all afternoon … ride your bike until dark with your friends … read ten library books a week. Let’s face it, structure can be a real bummer 🙂 You are feeling pressured to get down to business and get things done now. It will take real determination to carve out time for yourself but you must do this. Put it on your calendar if that is what you have to do. My last boss used to block out an hour to go for a run every day and when he didn’t get his run in … it showed 🙂 There’s nothing wrong with taking some time for yourself in the midst of a busy day. You will be kinder and more productive in the long run. Everyone will benefit from your self-care.

How are you going to refresh yourself in the days and weeks to come? Maybe you need to take a walk or sit outside between conference calls in the afternoon. Maybe you need to squeeze in ten minutes to read a chapter in your book. If you are lucky enough to be able to get away for a short trip or a weekend stay at a spa … DO IT! All your responsibilities will be waiting for you when you get back.

It is a good idea to watch your children closely as they start back to school. The gentle, youthful figure represented on this card can indicate a child who could fall prey to bullying. Watch your kids, talk to them, and spy on them if that’s what it takes to keep them safe. It is natural to be embarrassed and want to hide it if you are being bullied but your son or daughter might be dealing with a situation that is too big to handle alone. If you find out that anything is going on, do not be afraid to launch yourself into full Mother/Father Bear mode. Your kids might not appreciate your interference now, but later on they will remember that Mom or Dad had their backs. Have a great day, everyone.