Life In Runes 72215 Weekly - Taiwaz

Even as we enjoy the fruits of a past decision, we are faced with new decisions.

And isn't that the flow of life?

This week Taiwaz is about the cold hard facts.

When facing a situation and deciding what the game plan is, we definitely want to step outside of our emotional comfort zone and be logical, maybe even brutal, with ourselves. A great way to know what we realistically can accomplish is to look into the past. Ask yourself, from this unemotional frame of mind, "did that work last time?" 

When you travel, do you arrive within the time frame your map app quotes? Are you faster? Slower? How long does it take you to actually get out the door? Does your 10 minute project usually take 15 minutes? These are important things to know when scheduling your day.

What about the time of day? Are you more effective at something in the morning than in the evening?

Have you in the past signed up for interesting classes but then had to cancel because your schedule was too full? Save yourself the frustration and don't sign up for the sheep-delicing seminar!

And what about that vacation plan? Do you have too many activities on the day after a 13 hour flight? Or too few?


Taiwaz. It's not even a sacrifice. It's knowing ourselves, inside and out, accepting ourselves, and really touching the core of our truths, so we can plan for the now and for the future. We have the power to make our lives easy.
(video link)

************************************************

So, last week was about making decision that will make this week better.

So far, my best decision was to do this week's readings before I went on vacation!

Isn't it amazing how disruptive a vacation can be? Surely there's a better way to handle such a thing, for the relaxing to be truly relaxing, without having to work twice as hard before and behind in order to "take a few days". But, shrug, it is what it is. Whether it's a vacation or a work trip… actually, any project or event can work more smoothly with planning and foresight. Not planning everything to the minute - but having a basic itinerary, some goals, and knowing oneself well enough to be realistic about those plans, and accepting enough to let things go if necessary. 

And oh, the small decisions that have such a big impact. Like deciding not to take my lap top with me when we went to the Adventure Park, and then having two hours where I preferred to sit instead of go on rides. The phone just didn't cut it as a tool for work I wanted to do! Shrug. Another practice moment. 

Yay, practice! Right?

I was going to whine a little about wanting more success moments, but I do remember having some in the past. Triumphant success moments, not so long ago. So I am going to take a deep breath, take another step forward, and practice making more logical, totally based on my needs and my skills, decisions.

It's all really just another way of accepting ourselves, isn't it?

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 71515 Weekly - Taiwaz in the Future

prefer video? watch here

There are times when we have to look at a situation, make a decision, with two points of view - the present and the future. Rather like a general looking at a map, or a person looking at a budget; we look at the finite amount of what we have, and decide whether we want to use it now, or save it for the future. We know certain chores need to be done, and we decide to do them now, or later. We procrastinate on our studying, or we don't.

Often in the stress of the moment, we are only focused on how our choices affect the now. But the reading for this week lets us know that next week, we are going to have some results, some consequences, some less or some more.  Next week the other shoe will drop.

If this is regarding a decision you've made in the past, now is a good time to prepare. Shore up your energies, if you expect to have less. Prep for a night of cramming. Conversely, you can sleep well knowing your project is well completed. And if you saved, know that the time you saved for is coming.

If this is regarding a situation you're in now, Taiwaz advices you make the decision based on future happiness. If you love steak, save it for a special day next week. If you really don't want to go somewhere, do it this week so it's happily in the past next week. If next week is jam packed, perhaps you can preprep to save yourself some energy.

Often, we make decisions for our truth and happiness in the moment. That's what we've been practicing. Perhaps we have that skill down pat now; we have a good idea what brings joy and what brings white hot raging frustration. So now we get to expand. And make decisions based on our truths, and the happiness of the future.

********************

It's an interesting experiment, to try and look ahead into next week. The now is so easy. Perhaps that's why it's time to expand. Because, yes, the next week already has many differences. There are changes coming up… Volunteer training for Hospice; vacations and birthdays, and, if we look REALLY far, Fall. Time passes.

It has been excellent practicing what works. And now, I do think I'm ready to carry it to what WILL work. Like holding a note, or walking a step, or cooking a dish. You start with step one and then, when it's easy, you add it to another step one. Eventually you have a song, a marathon, a meal.

I can do this. Now, what can I do with this?

I hope you have a great week!

-Lila

LIR 33115 - Taiwaz

Why is the situation what it is (or not) today? Because of a choice consciously made in the past.

Remember, there is no good or bad. No mistakes. Simply choice and consequence. And choice again.

And since we're all choosing with our truths, this is most likely a happy situation.

****************************************************************************************

"Let's do the time warp again!"

Okay. So, yesterday felt more like practice in nurturing. And I wonder if this rune may be for today (it was read for yesterday) - except having to do with decision made now for the future! Rahr. Whatever. 

So, for me, yesterday was a day of caretaking, hence the lack of posting and or reading for today. But today (at least the last few hours) have brought up questions regarding making decisions, and the affect on our future.

We are, each and every one of us, where we are because of decisions made. I met someone tonite who inspired the thought "That's something I could have done." 

If I'd chosen a different major.

If I'd chosen a different school.

If I'd chosen (at any of one hundred times it crossed my mind) to focus more on the study and less on the performing of music.

If I'd chosen...

If I'd...

If...

And the important thing about Taiwaz, about choices, and about life itself, is there is no one right choice. Sometimes it's good to know why the situation is as it is... what choices led to here - especially if you wish to change where here is. But except for practicing purposes, there is no real need to analyze.

A choice made in the past is done. The end. The important moment is now.

A choice made now is just practice. Yes, it's life altering. Every choice is.

And the truth of the matter is, if I really want to do that thing I chose not to do earlier, well, I'm still alive. I can still go do it! (And yeah, I still choose performing. *G*.)

So, let us relish our choices. If we find ourselves sitting up at night berating ourselves, let us turn that pity party into a celebration. We chose. And chose. and Chose again! Yay us!

I heard a line on a tv show "the Walking Dead" - (and no, I don't watch it. I just occasionally hear it.) I'm going to misquote it, I think, but it went something like "It was always going to end like this." Frankly, that is a crock of shards.

But, it is always going to be the way it was. Every choice we've made brought us to this situation. So, let's look forward. Because there is still an eternity waiting to be created.

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 71514 - Taiwaz, Sowelo

Question of the day:

what choices will lead to happiness & success?

which sacrifices are worth it?

***********************************

Since this was a question, I automatically asked and answered it.  What sacrifices are worth the success?  And the only thing I could think of was time.

Then of course I started obsessing with sacrifice.  But let's look at the first part of the question.  What choices will lead to happiness?  Time could also be the answer to that.    Spending time working on things, being with people and in places which create happiness.  Doing things that make me feel happy will lead to doing more happy things.

And back to the obsession about sacrifice.  Like "work" it has a negative connotation.  But really, all it means is choosing, doesn't it?  Choosing one thing over another.  Choosing this or that.  Choose excitement over fear.  Choose happiness over drama.  Choose to spend the time on things which make me happy, instead of bemoaning my anger or frustration or sorrow.

The important word is choice.

As always.

*****************************************************************

LIR 71814 - Dagaz, Uraz, Ehwaz, Othila, Fehu  (lol - "from a trickle to a roar".)

A little more time, a little more thought. Firm your foundations, ride the emotional wave, accept your gifts & open your arms wide. Your dreams are coming!

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 5314 - Taiwaz

More sacrifices coming home; more choices made in the past showing their results. 

 Let's celebrate all the choices we've made!

                                                           *****************************************

Why does that seem to be the most difficult part?  Celebrating our choices?

Everytime I look back on my choices I hear the song from Into the Woods; "How do you know what you want 'til you get what you want and you see if you like it?"

You don't.  Or I don't.  Granted, practice and experience eventually tell you what things you like for the moment (Ooo!  Shiney!)  And what things you really like in the long run.

And whatever else I have gained from past (and passed) choices, these last few days, the most important skill is to know there is a difference between making a choice for myself, and making a choice so I'll be finished with the process of choosing.  Sometimes the sacrifice we make is to wait.

The other benefit of making many choices in the past is knowing this other important fact - no choice is permanent.  I can always change my mind.  A second, a minute, a year, a decade later.  Changes, adaptation, a different set of circumstances.  My choices are (I hope) evolving with me.

************************************************

LIR 5514 - Wunjo

Fly your "freak flag" high & proudly, so your peeps can find you!

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila

LIR 42314 - Taiwaz

Choices may be made in your favor today.  Remember, you have the final say in what you accept.

**************************************************

And sometimes you don't actually know that the decisions have been made in your favor.  Possibly the results haven't reached you yet.

But the important things, as always, is to stick with my truth.  As long as I am true to myself, it won't matter if I miss noticing all the choices that affect me.  Which is how it should be.

****************************************************************************************

LIR 42414 - Naihwaz & Hagalaz

Sometimes, we find the biggest transformation is at the end of the storm.  The person who started the journey is not the person who ends it, and does need room and time to accept her or his new self.

I hope you (old & new) have a great day!

-Lila

LIR 3314 Taiwaz, WunjoR, Ansaz

View today's choices as would a general on a battlefield, with an eye for the best over-all picture. 

 Sure, the clan has opinions, but the best choice is your choice & discussion could fog the issue.

This situation may lead to more inspiration or communication.

***********************************

I have to admit, nothing I can think of fits this reading.

Now, as something to ponder, as words of advice, maybe.  Especially if planning for the move.  Or the knowledge of a famous quote, "Most plans don't survive the battle." which means, you can plan all you want but you have to be flexible.

Shrug.  I do not know.

**************************************

LIR 3414 - Naihwaz

The objective is in sight, and all the necessary tools are in your possession.  To achieve your goal, all you have to do is keep focus and keep moving forward.

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila

LIR 22514 - Taiwaz & Perthro

Today's situation is based on past decisions, past actions.  Some choices were yours, but other people's choices affect us too.

So when you're celebrating your current fortune, you might take a moment to celebrate everyone who chooses.

***************************
There was no one specific moment, but I did spend a lot of time contemplating the past, and which moments - well, which stretches of time, seemed the happiest to me.  

I know we can't go back in time; I know that change is part of my life cycle.  i seem to like the challenge of it, especially if the change creates a project, like moving into a new house or starting a new job.

And I know other people make their choices and those choices can affect us.  Like the house we had viewed and viewed again and made an offer on, and never received an answer, diverting us to a different choice.  

But every day is like that - small moments and big ones.  Every day is based off of previous decisions, ours and others.

Shrug.

**************************************

LIR 22614 - OthiloR

Today's answers may lie somewhere other than the traditional path.  Look not amongst the skills & gifts handed down from family.  Reach outside your ancestral box.

I hope you have a great day!
-Lila

LIR 2814 Taiwaz

Taiwaz is about sacrifice, balancing the needs and desires of now against those of the future.

Someone has made a choice in your favor (either your past self or someone else) & today you feel the results.

*************************

Sacrifice is such a scary word.  And I do get all closed off, possibly even uptight when the word comes up.

But really, what is sacrifice?  Well, okay.  I just looked it up and it has a pretty heavy subtext of giving something up.

Then maybe Taiwaz isn't necessarily about sacrifice, with all that heavy weighty portent.  Because nothing I felt yesterday, or participated in, felt like the end result of "sacrifice (dun dun duuuuun)".

I can see some end results.  Behavior yesterday that was refined because of practice in the past.  Additional fun & prizes yesterday because someone decided to give their game tickets to us some months ago.  Work accomplished today because of practice through the year.  And there are/ were probably a hundred little things which contributed to yesterday as the result of work and choices made in the past.

So, Taiwaz, in any position, need to not be portentous.  As my next blog will state (coming up next on the Meanderings page)  it's all about the little things.


*****************************
LIR 2914  HagalazR

The storm is not coming.  But we no longer need trauma to effect a transition.  We breathe, we choose, we change, we grow.

I hope you have a great day!

-Lila

10613 - Teiwaz, Eihwaz

Part 1: Teiwaz - sacrifices you might be making today will have positive returns in the future.

Part 2: Eihwaz in water - Emotional impact from past can affect future; you choose how to balance what was with what can be.

----------------------------------

Well, obviously, whatever yesterday was about, one thing it did was (hmm) remove me from the universe for a solar rotation.  Let's start from the beginning.

Teiwaz was in air, which did not come up in the reading, but I did remember it throughout my morning.  Air is communication and inspiration.  One of the most difficult types of communication for me is talking on the telephone.  So, the indication of sacrifices pushed me to make phone calls when i would be more inclined to send text messages, yesterday.  I did feel mightily pleased with myself.

One of those calls reminded me of a task I'd agreed to do, so I virtuously began it.  As this task involved heavy lifting, carrying, and playing with a database, I was again mightily pleased (cuz I was exercising as well as helping.  And I learned I can sing and do easy data entry at the same time.  Multitasking!)

But, then, the task led to introspection and emotional delving.  I am a crier, and I am learning to be proud of it.  It helps get the emotions OUT.  And I've learned to revel in the emotions; it feels like a celebration of life.
  So, I finished the task and the emotional journey, again feeling good and productive and nostalgic.  I decided to take a break and have lunch and finish reading a book.

And that became, somehow, a feast of gorging myself, on food and on words.  (There are perhaps many psychological implications in this.)  It is something I used to do regularly.  Of course, if I could, I would read while doing everything!  And I love food.  And I used to smoke regularly.  So reading did become associated with putting things in my mouth.  We could say I regressed yesterday.  I don't think I stopped eating until I finally became too tired to read.  This morning I took up right where I'd left off, though, happily, there wasn't much left in the house to mindlessly munch on.  (there is a reason I don't buy snack foods!)

I can't say it was exactly 24 hours later when the compulsion eased up; but by lunch time, while I was still reading, I wasn't eating for the sake of eating.  And by now, I have managed to get a few chores done, and I've even been outside once or twice.

So, if this gorging was related to the "emotional impact of the past" (highly possible), then I can't say I handled it well.  Well, let's change that wording.  I really dislike how I handled it.  It didn't make me happy!  Even the reading.  I love reading, but...  I probably would be happier about it if I'd at least gotten some writing done to balance it.
  But the food thing.  Blech.
  So hopefully that is the impact on the future.  That next time I'm swept into an emotional regression, I'll do a better job of balancing the "comfort process" with my work, so when I arrive on the other side of the maelstrom, I'm happy.

Yup.  That's about it.  Tomorrow will be a better day.

I hope you had a great day!

-Lila