I relinquish my title as a Multi-tasking Queen, which I have held for many years.  The stress has finally caught up with me, and I’m done.  Just done – and I’m sharing with you in this newsletter what I’m doing instead.

For years, I have prided myself on juggling many responsibilities all at once.  I could answer emails and clean the bathroom and go to the grocery store, all while writing this newsletter article, or so it seemed.  I became the “organized to-do list” queen.  Always there was pressure – much of it self-imposed – to do more, to be more efficient, to please everyone, and manage everything right this second.

And the negative self-talk! “You’re not doing enough!  You aren’t working fast enough!  You aren’t as good as…..!  You’re getting old!  Time is running out!”

I am a Libra, so I eternally work toward balancing the mind-body-spirit scales of my life.  However, scientific research indicates that multitasking itself is a huge stressor.  Therefore, I needed to find a way to stop the stress in order to create a better mind-body-spirit balance.

And then, in typical universe-hits-me-over-the-head fashion, several events happened at once (does the universe multitask?).  I have several amazing professional opportunities in the works, all of which will be quite demanding.  They will keep me on my toes as I try to be focused and balance mind-body-spirit awareness.

If you know me, you know I meditate in an attempt to find that balance, but recently I’ve been lousy at it.  I’m embarrassed to say that meditation had become one more task on my to-do list.  I’m working my way back to what Buddhism calls “beginner mind.” 

Enter my friend, artist Marybeth Bradbury, who just finished her beautiful Loving Kindness series (https://www.marybethbradbury.com/loving-kindness).  These paintings remind me how much I need to practice loving-kindness meditation for myself, not only for others.

So, I sat down with some Loving Kindness guided meditations (videos from Tara Brach and Susan Salzberg are great places to start) and did some deep breathing.  I listened – really listened – to the words in their meditations, and realized I need to practice what I preach.  So, I’m now consciously stopping racing thoughts.  I’m saying, “One thought at a time, and I’m sending loving kindness thoughts out to….”  And then I give all of my attention to that one thought, with all the kindness and gratitude I can gather.  It seems to be working.

I hope you’ll try it too.  This month’s downloadable meditation offers you a chance to explore more deeply the notion of loving-kindness meditation.

Upcoming Course!

Five Elements to Help You Deepen
Your Connection to Spirit
 
Three-Session Course
Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18, 2022
8:00-9:00 PM EASTERN US time

(See details on my website about the afternoon session)
https://debbowen.com/product/five-elements-that-help-you-deepen-your-connection-to-spirit/
 

 As you journey through your spiritual awakening (sometimes more than once), you may find yourself drawn to nature to help you sort through your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.  You may look to the elements – air, fire, water, earth, and spirit - to bring joy, harmony, and balance into your life.  I’ve been working with the five elements and the cardinal points of the compass – east, south, west, and north - for many years, and am honored to offer what I have learned to you.
  
In this course you will learn:

• The spiritual meaning of the five elements – air, fire, water, earth, and spirit
• Ways to deeply connect to each element over time.
• Corresponding compass directions, stones, plants, oils, and other attributes of each element.
• How to create an altar and rituals to honor the energy of each element.
• How to bring your work with all the elements together.
• How the energy of the five elements can help you to bring more harmony, balance, and joy into your life.
• How incorporating the energy of each element into your daily practice enhances your spiritual journey.

 
Much more information and registration at:
https://debbowen.com/product/five-elements-that-help-you-deepen-your-connection-to-spirit/

Coming in November:
Unlocking the Mysteries of Tarot Introductory Tarot course.

I’m still working on creating the course about the Minor Arcana keys!  It’s coming early winter, I promise!

Tarot Key of the Month: Three of Cups

Tarot has many overarching themes, one of which is the need for balance in our lives.  The Three of Cups key offers a way of exploring balance, both with the world around us and within ourselves.

The suit of Cups is about emotions, and the Three of Cups is such a joyful, celebratory key.  Three women rejoice in a “matter of prosperity,” says Eden Grey.  They circle in a dance of happiness, cups raised in toast, surrounded by the prosperity of Mother Earth’s bounty, represented by the harvest of fruits and vegetables at their feet.

Consider this: consider the possibility that the Three of Cups represents three aspects of the same person in various forms: mind-body-spirit; maiden-mother-crone; planting-growing-harvesting, etc.  Consider that we may be seeing a being in harmony and balance within self and with the broader world.

Next week, on Thursday, September 22, the Autumnal Equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Vernal Equinox occurs in the Southern Hemisphere.  This is a day of balance wherever you live on the planet.

As we move on the day of the Equinox into the second harvest celebration in my beliefs, called Mabon, I offer up gratitude for the abundant gifts in my life, offer reflection about what I have planted and harvested, and make a commitment to be a light in the world as Earth spins toward the darkest time of the year where I live.

The Three of Cups reminds me to continue to seek, and find, balance, on the Equinox and beyond.