Help Me, I'm Falling!
Author: Zelda

Sometimes on our journey through life, there are bumps in the road, obstacles we must find ways around, and dead ends to which we must go back to the map and plan a route to a new destination. Sometimes? Heck, not a week goes by without some kind of snag. But it's important to understand life's difficulties and what they truly mean -- the bigger picture. Hard times help us to grow -- to better understand who we are, and to see what we're truly made of.

I remember times when the obstacles in my path -- both real and imagined -- seemed insurmountable. There have been times when the world seemed very dark and I lost sight of the bigger picture. Heartbreak, disappointment, loss, rejection, depression, conflict, and pain are just a few things that can hold us down. Unless you're an invalid, strapped to a bed without anyone to help, you can pick yourself up and out of the darkness.

This fall make a pact with yourself to get rid of at least one thing that is keeping you down. You'll be glad you did. I'll tell you a story of a woman who came to see me a few years ago. I'll call her Jane (not real name). I didn't need the cards to tell me that Jane was sinking ...fast. It was written all over her -- in her body language, the way she walked and spoke. Her head hung low and her voice held no enthusiasm. She hated her job, her kids, her life. Even worse was that she saw no end in sight to her misery. I asked her to describe to me her perfect life -- one in which she sees herself truly happy. She couldn't conjure up an image. Hopelessness had crept into her imagination. I read her cards and discovered that the reason she hated her job was that her boss berated her almost daily, leaving her feeling inept. A single mother of two teenagers, at home she felt helpless in dealing with her children's issues -- which were many. In short she got no respect at work or at home. This was the crux of her problems. She simply needed to feel good again. At this point on her journey through life, I advised her to go back to the map and find a route to a new destination, one that would lead her to happiness and peace of mind. She was down but she was not out. Only physical death takes us out of the game. The Game of Life.

I'll be honest. It's not easy. It takes guts to say stop! I don't like the life I'm living. Let me try something else. It takes guts, hard work and sacrifice. For example, you hate your job but need to upgrade your skills in order to be more marketable to perspective employers. You may need to go back to school, or accept an entry-level position in a new field, or even transfer to another department within your current company. Don't let a steady paycheck hold you hostage. But don't be dumb about it either -- don't go out and quit your job tomorrow without some kind of plan and / or a nest egg. Figure out what you truly want, or at the very least, what's the minimum you need to feel satisfied, and plan your route. Again, it takes time, energy and sacrifice. But then so does suffering needlessly. Make a plan that starts off with ...By this time next year (two years, etc.) I will be... Put your blinders on and make a beeline for it!

Which is exactly what Jane did. It took a few sessions for her to break out of her negative shell. She started taking a couple of Saturday courses to upgrade her secretarial skills. In about six months she found a better paying job with a pleasant work environment -- she also met and starting dating someone from her class. The problems with her teens continued, but she was better able to deal with them because she was now stronger. Inside. Her self-esteem shot up. Having a new beau really did wonders for her, as well. Upgrading her skills through classes and changing jobs was something Jane did for herself and it really made a big difference in her life.

As the seasons change and the tress go bare and the autumn wind turns to winter snow, it's a good time to stop your vehicle and see just where you are on the road of life. Do you know where you're going? do you like where you're going? Do you know how to get there? Keep reading, there's tips and advice for taking stock of your life and making much needed changes. Remember that we all fall. It's part of being human. We may fall, but we don't have to stay down!







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Zelda is a professional tarot reader who has built a reputation over the years for her ability to deliver the tarot's message in a clear, straightforward manner, with respect for the practice and the client. She can be reached at www.zeldascouch.com

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