The Fool
Blue Rose Tarot
Created by Paula Gibby
Produced by Soul Guidance, 2001

Looking at this card gives me a sense of exhilaration and freedom.  It reminds me of the sensation I get when rising up the first hill on a rollercoaster.  The excitement builds and I’m eager to start the journey down but at the same time there is a hint of fear – what if something goes wrong?  Even the safest amusement park ride has the potential to derail and so does life.  This card reminds me that if we never take chances and let ourselves jump headlong into new experiences, we might live a safe life but how unexciting it will be.

This Fool seems confident that everything will be just fine.  In fact he seems to be taking that “foolish” leap to extreme levels.  Even if he crashes he will walk away having learned something valuable; a lesson that will take him to his next great experience.  How often have I taken the safe path in life?  Even in my career choices I favored jobs at which I was skilled rather than passionate.  Passion and excitement can be wonderful things but they may not always pay the bills.  It is often said that if you do what you love the money will follow.  I’ve seen many people who have managed to achieve that goal in their lives and yet I’ve been afraid to take the leap.

One of my biggest obstacles is my own fear and self-doubt.  If I can’t do something very well I prefer not to do it at all.  How I’m to learn whether I’m good at something if I never try it is something I’ve not quite determined.  Ironically as I get older I’m becoming more accepting of risk.  In fact I’m embracing it.  I think the experiences of my childhood made me crave stability and avoid risk.  Now that I realize you can never truly avoid risk and that nothing in life is ever stable, I’m more open to embracing change and taking that leap of faith.  I don’t know where I will land but from the expression on this skateboarder’s face the journey will provide quite a thrill.