Every night before I go to sleep I pull a Tarot card. Been doing it for years. Many times its right on the mark for my day, other times it is a great catalyst to promote deep reflection. Anyways, its a habit I find very comforting.
The last four nights in a row I have picked the exact same card each time. Now, let me add, I shuffle like a dealer in Vegas.....like a dealer on crack that is!! I do all these wierd shuffle moves and break them into different packs and then shuffle them all back together into one happy family. Occasionally I have picked the same card two nights in a row. But four--that's a record. And more then anything, I'm taking it as a huge sign.
According to my beloved book on Tarot called The Tarot Handbook: Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols, the Tower card is not as frightening of a card as it looks. It is a symbol of the universal principle of healing, renovation, and restoration. Those unlucky folks that look like they've been thrown out the window to their death...they more or less, to me, symbolize getting rid of the things/people/habits/ways/etc. in your life that no longer serve you---do a little life renovation!!
My intention for this post is to discuss the importance of self care in my plan for beginning a true Creative Juicy Life. I find it so interesting that the Universe keeps handing me this card. It is telling me something that my body has began to scream at me about already! Self care needs to be a major priority in the Creative Juicy Life. End of story on that one.
During my Summer break I consumed almost every second of my day with something creative. I spent hours in the studio on end. What happened is that I terribly neglected my Yoga practice, sometimes I barely showered, and my eating habits are even more embarrassing to talk about. I was so on fire with creativity that I just didn't want to stop. Finally 8:00 pm would come rolling around and I would feel dizzy and starving, and realize that maybe all I had that day was some smoothie LOVE at noon. Not good. So very NOT Creative Juicy!!
Before this butterfly cracked her cocoon this summer, I had a great little self care system up and going. Running and Yoga first thing in the morning. Followed by a dry brushing, shower, an essential oil self massage, and before brushing my teeth, doing my hair, and make-up, I would do the neti pot. I would follow all of this with some fresh juicing and breakfast. When the painting tornado hit me this summer, I ditched all my self care little diddies out the window. I barely did Yoga or even go to class and I had to stop running for awhile because I hurt my foot.
Now, the Universe is absolutely right. It is super important to take care of this vehicle that hosts the soul that is living the Creative Juicy Life. Finally this past weekend I took some down time to just reflect and be...not do anything, and I could hear my body talking to me. I feel crunchy and heavy. My body does not feel fluid--so how can the Creative Juice really flow freely through me?
To begin and sustain a Creative Juicy Life, one must make self care a priority. For me, that means my little morning and evening rituals. My exercise of choice is Yoga, running, and once the Universe gets the memo to turn the damn heat off here in the desert--hiking mountains! What I feed my body--I'm a vegetarian, and I love to cook...whole delicious foods. I'm a huge juicer and smoothie lover too. But this summer I would spend all my creativity energy on Art, that creating a fresh delicious dinner killed me. So I ended eating quick, junkier food. Yuck!
I hate this crunchy, heavy, unhealthy feeling my body is tolerating right now. Though I am super grateful to my body for holding up, after all the neglect I did to her, in the name of Art. And, in pursuit of a true, Creative Juicy Life, I am getting back on track and putting Self Care at the top of my list, even if it means sacrificing some time in the studio right now. I know that once I get back in the routine, and my body is at its happy self again, things will balance out.
So, I encourage you to decide what is in your self care plan. It's good to find some down time and listen to your body and see what it needs you to do to keep the Creative Juicy flowing through you. That's what I'm working on now. If we're going to be living Creative Juicy...we need to feel Creative Juicy!
Peace & Love.
10 comments:
connie- you are amazing. I think diving into your art this summer was so important that it's ok that the other things took a back seat. You really needed to do what you did. What is also imortant is that you came back to your wonderful self care routine. AND, you never got down on yourself, you continued to love. I have to ask, when you say you were eating junky, please elaborate. I doubt you ate fast food, and the like. lol. Have a GREAT 2nd day at school! xoxoxo
You are absolutely right about our need to practice self-care. I too go through periods where I take very good care of myself, doing my yoga and eating well and doing other things that are beneficial to both body and spirit. Then I go through periods where I am overworked, don't take care of myself, and finally just hit the wall. That's where I've been the last month: so exhausted I can barely function... I'm slowly getting back to my good self-care habits. Every time this happens, it only re-emphasizes how important it is for me to take care of myself. Thank you for writing about this!
You got the Tower 4 x in a row? Wow! That's unbelievable and yes, self-care is a good idea.
Three years ago, I went on a nine-month writing tear. If I wasn't tending to work or family needs, I was writing. I also completely lost my appetite and 30 pounds in the bargain (I had a few pounds to lose, but not that much; my face looked gaunt and old). I didn't exercise anything except for my fingers.
The Universe finally got my attention in a big way: my daughter got so sick with the flu we nearly had to hospitalize her. Weakened as I was, I caught it from her. While I was sick, the de facto "leader" of my writing group began spreading some ugly untruths about me, saying I was a plagiarizer; others in the group started avoiding me. I thought these people were my friends and that really hurt.
I also caught a wretched case of writer's block that didn't leave until this summer, and gained back every one of those 30 pounds from drowning my sorrows in a few too many Frappuccinos-in-a-bottle.
What I've learned this summer is that balance is key, and self-care is definitely part of that. I've paid more attention to yoga, meditation, and enjoying life, and my muse finally stuck her head back in the door, saying "it's about time, you know."
You're smarter than I am, because it took you far less time to realize it. Now go take care of you! <3
Hey there Ms. Connie Chica,
My husband is a master at reading Tarot cards. In fact, I've been fascinated by watching him give readings with a "you create your own reality" spin. The cards provide an awesome way to gain clarity on where your current vibration is. And as you wonderfully decided, it is time to shift. AND, you benefited immensely from your art immersion time. So, it is ALL GOOD.
I hear you though on wanting to amp up the self-care, healthy eating and honoring our bodies with movement...that's where I am, too. In fact, I've just created a dream board focused on exactly THAT which I'm going to post on my blog. YES, my third blog post!!! Yippee. Salute!
Wow - do I relate to this!! I just wrote about this myself on Sunday. The creative streak hits & the next thing I know I'm eating nut butter out of the jar for dinner! I've made a similar commitment and your words are great inspiration! I'm especially digging the simplicity of "Is it juicy or isn't it!" It really cuts right to the chase! Thanks!
oh the tower. How I don't enjoy pulling that one. For a while about five years back (already??) i pulled the same set of three cards for FOUR DAYS in a row- break up cards. it was for the best.
This post reminded me of my beautiful tarot that i have been neglecting... it's time to bring them back into the groove. :)
that and I need some more guitar playing to make me happy!
you know what makes me THE MOST happy?? yoga outside. and summer is the best time for it!
Don't ya just love when you get that Tower card? But, wow! 4 times in a row!
Yay for you for nurturing your physical body. I love that you dry-brush, (thought I was the only person who did that).
Yoga rocks and I've fallen away from it too this summer, hanging out with my hatchling and grabbing fast, easy meals...so I totally get this post!
Keep 'em coming - you're such an inspiration!
I applaud your courage and insight. Many blessings for sharing yourself and giving inspiration to many of us.
you are absolutely right. self-care is so important.
Post a Comment