A Country Faire or a Traveling Show?

I have been trying to decide these last few months whether my life is more like a country faire or a traveling amusement show. Or perhaps even a carnival. I know for sure I have become an expert juggler. The various objects or fiery wands that a juggler throws in the air remind me of the numerous and varied aspects of my life that are different and separate from each other yet are analogous with regard to the skill required to keep them in motion. I need at times to throw several things in the air in order to catch or take hold of the immediate, all the while having a keen awareness of what is begging attention or coming down next. It looks like this: I need to write that article for the website deadline, so I’ll throw the class preparation and returning emails up along with doing the dishes and vacuuming, just in time to catch that phone call before the bill paying falls to the floor. I realized in all this that a juggler is an expert at entertainment as well as deception. The origin of the word is Middle English, jogelen, which means to entertain by performing tricks, from the Latin ioculus/iocus that means "to jest or joke." Surely there is a message here. Or what about the meaning: "to manipulate by or as if by moving around components; juggle an account so as to hide a deficit"?

Sometimes when I stop juggling I get the sense I am on a merry-go-round, a series of repetitions, or perhaps the same things over and over again.

Then there are the fireworks, those things in my life which by their noise call for my attention, or the bright beauty and colorful patterns in the night sky that remind me of my unique creativity.

Not to be left out is the roller coaster, that well-known symbol of the thrills and fears, ups and downs, extreme highs and extreme lows of the carnival ride I call life.

The word "carnival" conjures up scenes of merrymaking and feasting followed by Lent. So to use that image I’d need to ask myself what am I willing to give up.

The country faire stays in one place and folks from near and far come to visit. So since my life involves a great deal of driving from place to place to do my teaching and consulting, perhaps "traveling show" would best describe it.

What about you and your life?

Are you hanging on tight with your eyes closed?

Do you need to get off the merry-go-round, or is there some comfort and ease in the repetitive motion?

How many things are you trying to juggle?

Is your sky filled with fireworks? What explodes in glorious, breathtaking color and what just seems to fizzle?

Perhaps you will find some time these next few days to explore these questions. I would love to hear what you discover.

Blessings,
Ingrid

Ingrid Kincaid is an internationally known storyteller, teacher and spiritual mentor. She is an intuitive reader of ancient runes. She gently shows her clients how to tap into their own inner wisdom by weaving together creativity, spirituality and ancient knowing. Ingrid is available for interviews, private consultations and group presentations. You can contact her at ingk@ingridkincaid.com or 415.652.3990.