When the Sun is not shining

There are times in life when for all our efforts and striving, we wallow in the mire of stress and confusion, or we are stuck in a grey middle condition of apathy, still worse, we may end up in the misty land of regret. We may feel too old, too young, too foolish, too clever, and many other "toos" for our own good.

In more ways than we can tell, we get a sense that we have lost our path, or have never truly walked it to start with.

One of the first pieces of advice I can honestly give you is to cultivate small pockets of mindfulness during your day. You don't need to make dramatic decisions at once, or book an expensive escape somewhere else.

Start by carving out five to ten minutes between your chores and errands, or during your lunch break, or between a task and the next.

Even if you perceive your life as extremely confused, especially then, give this activity a try.

Take out your journal or notepad.

Start with a long inhale and exhale. Repeat two or three times.

Notice what objects are in your immediate visual field, and focus on one in particular.

Observe it closely. Take in all the smallest details.

Describe it briefly in writing.

Then, observe your thoughts.

Ask yourself: "How am I feeling right now?"

Write it all down unrestrained.

Feel your emotions, but before you get lost in them, be curious and ask yourself "what tiny shift I can make today?"

Write down the answer that comes up without censure.

Pull a Tarot card for guidance.

Observe the card, and notice its details. Then ask yourself how this card applies to you at this time, and listen to your intuition cropping up as you observe the card.

Write it all down.

Observe how the tiny shift you came up with and the guidance from the Tarot match, enhance, contrast or complement each other.

Write down a sentence about a tiny commitment you can make to yourself, and take action accordingly.

Repeat this activity over several days, and you will find it helpful to get calm, clarity, self-trust, and empowerment.

Write by hand: writing by hand your responses is invaluable because the very act of writing has proven beneficial effects, and it is an underestimated magical act in its own way. Besides, you will keep a record you can refer to in the future.