78-Day Meditation Challenge: Day 7

Clarity of Thought

Card of the Day: Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords conjures that moment when the noise stops. It is in that instant that the facts around a circumstance, favorable or not, snap into focus—whereas a moment prior they remained obscure.

The road forward is now obvious. Taking that road may yet be difficult. Therefore, seeing clearly is not the same as taking action. Trepidation sometimes remains. What will it mean to take that obvious next step?

For me, this card is an invitation to peace. Peace that comes from acceptance of reality. Because it is through that peace that the clarity of thought can be transformed into action. The first action is radical acceptance of what is. Peace follows, and with that peace, the subsequent action of stepping onto the path is now relatively easy.

We achieve radical acceptance when we release the practice of bargaining with the Universe, when we give up on trying to leverage just a little bit more from a circumstance, whether good or bad.

When instead we release desire for control, for dominance, then stillness emerges, clarity, and right action.

How can I apply this today?

• I will put aside desires of control and lean into being present.

• When tempted to focus on how things aren't a certain way, I'll dwell in reflection of how things are as they are intended to be. And in this reality mine is the choice of which path to take.

• I will enjoy the freedom that comes from not being beholden to things I cannot change.

I welcome all parts of myself—known and unknown, shining and shadowed.

I honor my past for what it has taught me.

I trust my intuition to lead me.

I release what no longer serves me.

I walk forward with steadiness, guided by the light within me.

Be well, be present, be at peace.