In my previous blog post (The Art of Practicing Mindfulness and Gratitude), I shared that I write in The Five Minute Journal each morning and the daily affirmation "I am" statement is a simple statement that defines you as you want to be, to evolve your perspective and thoughts, which then changes your beliefs, actions and habits in your daily life. For the daily affirmation, I pull an animal spirit card. These cards have helped me to explore my inner truth, complex self, and endless mystery of who continue to become. Each morning I ask the cards a question such as:“What do I need to be reminded of about myself?; What type of energy do I need today?” then I pick a card that "feels" right. Each card provides a different perspective or insight. While I resonate with an aspect of the readings most days, there are some days when the reading is scary spot on in that moment.
On May 22nd, I asked “what part of myself do I need to be reminded of?” and I picked the Panther. The Panther is a card of the fire element- "fire creatures lead us toward change, challenging us to become our best selves. These cards are about action and change and are most often drawn when we are experiencing conflict or discomfort, but it is all in the name of growth; fire is the only thing that transforms darkness into light."
The Panther card brings the energy and need to purge the unnecessary in our lives; the Panther will not stand to see our growth or energy stagnate. Instead, it pounces into our lives and causes all kinds of havoc, with the ultimate intention of bringing us toward more fulfilling lives. It’s unexpected, uncomfortable, and sometimes feels devastating, but after all the dust clears it’s easy to see the panther’s wisdom at work. We’ve all been through these experiences and they’ve made us better people. Trust that the panther’s journey always leads to a brighter place. When in balance: brave, productive; when out of balance: self-destructive; to bring into balance: get rid of the unnecessary.
When I pulled this card, I was going through some significant changes in my life, personally and professionally. This card reminded me that life is full of moments that are unexpected, challenging, and also full of wisdom and opportunities if our hearts and minds are open to them. We do not always have control over these experiences, however, we do have control over our attitude and how we respond to them. Embracing these experiences with a positive perspective allows us to recognize them as opportunities to learn and grow while encouraging us to become stronger than we were before. As I started this day, I felt energized with courage as I was reminded that when change occurs, I have the power to create something from it, which can lead me to my best self and a more fulfilling life.
"Change is the only constant in life."
How do you navigate change? How has embracing change led to a stronger you?
Please share your own tips, insights, and stories below in the comments to share with others who are reading.
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