You are an enlightened being. I know you are because I am too. We all are. The trick is to notice it. The trick is to figure it out. The trick is to hear our wake up call and pay attention to it. Those that do prosper. Those that don’t… well, I don’t want to say that they suffer, but they do miss out on some pretty great things in life. Those that don’t tend to spin around in the same little circles worrying about the same little problems and making the same, same, same, complaints. Waking up means instead of spinning around in circles, how about expanding outward? How about creating a spiral? How about as you the same starting point coming up again, how about expanding outward instead of meeting it again? How about growing? How about considering and pondering the lessons that you learned on the way around and using it as strength to go beyond your previous ideas of limits and boundaries?

In life, we set goals for ourselves. We set these goals as plateaus  on the  horizon line ahead of us. We then begin the proverbial journey  to reach these plateus. Sometimes the road to this plateau is easy, sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes it can seem down right impossible. Getting past these difficulties  is what builds strength in our lives. This strength, once amassed, will be a part of us forever. To turn back just because the situation is difficult is to deny ourselves much strength and growth. Today, ask yourself, “What was the journey to where I am? What difficulties did I overcome to get here? What new strength  did I amass?” How can you use this strength as a starting point for your next journey? What other goals can you now set? What other plateaus can you set out for now?

How was yesterday for you? Rough day? Hard day at work? Upsetting news from family? Trouble on the home front? Well, that was yesterday. Here we are at today, and things are different. The turmoil has calmed down. The chaos has subsided, and you can now get a clear picture of where you stand with it all. That’s the power of the five of swords. It reminds us of the impermanence of difficulty. Yes, there will be hard times, but they subside. Attitudes shift and change, situations alter themselves, and the sun has a way of shining again eventually no matter how cloudy a day may be. Take time to consider that today. Notice how yesterdays hard times probably seem silly today. Going through a hard time today? Just know it is not a forever thing. It is only temporary. It will seem silly soon enough.

Self Assurance. Confidence. Faith in your own abilities. The ability to transcend limitations and blocks. Keep these things in mind. You have the ability to achieve, and you know this. Sometimes though, certain things get in the way and maybe you forget. But today, remember. Be sure of yourself, and these little things can not stop you. They may slow you down, sure. That’s what happens in life. But true power and strength is to get past them, get around, go over them, tunnel under them- whatever it takes to get on the other side of it and leave it behind you. Let confidence be your guiding light.

Maybe you are just now starting to realize that certain things in your life “just ain’t right.” What will you do about these things? Are you going to stay on the current course and let these things get worse and worse? Or will assess what changes need to be made? If you assess and make plans and actually implement these plans, you are avoiding an inevitable crash. If you pretend everything  is fine when you know for a fact that they are not, what do you think will happen? Do you like the paradigm will shift to suit you? This is unlikely. If your gut is telling you that a situation is not in your best interest, then that is a truth you need to pay attention to. Take control of this before it controls you. You don’t need to feel like a victim. You are empowered to make whatever changes you need to make.

Follow your imagination to the truth. Has this ever happened to you? You begin just joking around, just using your imagination and making stuff up, but then all of a sudden in this joking around, somebody comments on the truth of what you are saying, or perhaps you discover how good an idea is that you were just kidding about? Pay attention to this. Notice where the truth comes from. Notice how it comes to you. Sometimes it comes in a flash of brilliance, sometimes it comes in a round about kind of way such as from joking around. Pay attention to where it comes from for you, so that you can tap into more easily in the future. There is much divine wisdom and truth to  be shared with us. Practice hearing it, however it is that you hear it.

Sometimes the 4 of wands will pop in a reading to remind you that you are not alone. Sometimes, it is here to remind you that you are supported in your endeavors. Consider that today. What are your ideas? What are your goals? What are your ambitions? When considering these, know this- others recognize these in you. Not only do they recognize you, but they want to see you achieve them, and they are willing to help. What help do you need? Don’t be shy to ask, because it is being offered. Whatever help you need, be it moral support, physical help, or emotional upliftment, you are appreciated and supported. Remember this as you pursue your passions.

Define what “fortune” means to you. Is it an abundance of material means that make you feel secure? Is it a state where your desires are aligned with your means? Is it an opportunity to express the highest ideal of yourself? Whatever fortune means to you, appreciate it when it is in abundance. Your notion of it may alter and shift with circumstances, and you may not even realize your definition until this shift happens. Perhaps fortune to you, means having security. You do not have worry that you have means to get by. This could mean different things to different people. To a parent,this could mean providing security for the family. To a single person, this could mean having access to a satisfying social life. Fortune is have in your life that which brings you the greatest contentment. Fortune is to not perceive lack. Give thought to this today. What abundance in your life brings you the greatest sense of security and contentment? What (in your own mind) do you feel is lacking? What doable actions can you do right now to bring what you feel to be lacking into your life? Never settle for less than you know to be in your  highest and best interest to have, but at the same time, show appreciation for what you have.

Consider the idea of gestation. A life is being formed and strengthened. It must be nurtured, cared for, and monitored until it is ready for the world. If you let it out too early, it will likely lead to tragedy. Consider your ideas in this same manner. Don’t give it away too soon. Think it through. Consider it from all angles. Make sure it is as strong as it can be before unleashing it to the world. Visualize what you see this idea growing into. What does it look like at its greatest glory? What does it look like beyond its greatest glory? Once your idea is strong, it is ready to grow. It  is ready for the influences of the outside world. It is time to birth the idea. Give it to the world.Let the influences of the world help it to take shape and become what it will become.

Things get thrown at us. It happens all the time. These are things we didn’t ask for, don’t want, and were not expecting. These cause emotions in us to well to the surface that we probably don’t want to have to deal with, but here they are. None of us are immune. It happens to us all. What do you  do when suddenly you are faced with some heavy emotions from out of nowhere that you don’t appreciate having to deal with? What can you do but endure them? Find the strength from within to withstand them. Don’t let them bowl you over. Learn what you can from them and ride them out. You have the strength to do this. Tap into that strength.