The Hit List - Go with your strengths

Many years ago, I took a quiz to figure out my “strengths.” The Strengths Finder (now called CliftonStrenghs) revealed mine were: Relator, Empathy, Positivity, Developer, Strategic. This information was supposed to help determine which roles would be best for me if I worked in a corporate setting. Of course, that’s not the path I chose (or the path that chose me), but those skills certainly show up in the work I do.

When people do work that suits their nature, it’s less stressful for everyone. The same goes for situations outside of your job.

Recently, I was helping a loved one through a crisis. Suddenly, I was thrust into a caregiver role, which I’ve been in many times before.

Although I could do the work, I started feeling extremely burnt out after a while. Why? It’s hard work, but also: I’m not suited for it.

I am excellent at cooking, wardrobe culling, and managing money. I’M AT MY BEST when I’m in those jobs – and everyone benefits. Put me in charge of dishes, cleaning, or butt wiping – and I fumble and grumble.

After this epiphany, I used one of my strengths, strategic (see how that works back into this), to develop a new plan to set my loved one up with the right people for the right “jobs.” Now? The team is coming together brilliantly, with everyone doing what they love – and are great at.

This doesn’t mean you get a free pass to shirk responsibility, by the way. I still do dishes, clean the house, and wipe my grandbaby’s cute little booty. Because real life means being mature and competent. You can’t ignore what needs to be done (lord knows I would LOVE to disregard the dishes…).

But you don’t have to be all things to all people or good at all things. Go with your strengths most of the time, and just do your best the rest.

xo
Theresa

Other stuff:

Interesting: The race to map the world’s seagrass — before it disappears.

There’s a new book review site on the block: Shepherd.

Good question: How Could A.I. Destroy Humanity?

On Soft Ambition.

From Hyperallergic: Pêdra Costa on Art, Tarot, and Resistance.

Lauren Ash investigates Taylor Swift’s Rising Sign.

Wow: The Craziest Details From the Trump Documents Indictment.

Our season is almost over: Your Guide to Gemini Personality Traits for a Complete Understanding of the Twin Sign.

I’m all about the Midheaven: What Your MC Astrology Sign Means — And How to Find Yours.

These Are the Best Cities in the US for Birdwatching, According to New Data.

I want her to succeed: Eight Hours With Lindsay Lohan.

Good to know: These 2 Interview Questions Can Expose A Company With A Toxic Work-Life Balance.

Fendi Launches Astrology Summer Capsule 2023 With Irina Shayk.

It’s about damn time: Hardcore Punk Is Looking (and Sounding) Different Now.

I never trust crypto anything: The Crypto Geniuses Who Vaporized a Trillion Dollars.

Yep: When Internet-Famous Kids Grow Up, Things Get Complicated.

From The Atlantic: The Happiest Way to Change Jobs.

Cool: The View from Inside Beatlemania.

I used to watch this all the time: Ten former America’s Next Top Model contestants on what the show was really like behind the scenes.

Added this to the wish list: On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good.

This too: Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud.

Oooh: The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life’s Final Moments.

Every renter needs this: Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.

Coming soon: Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words.

Birders will want this: Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World.

For the metalheads: Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard.

If you like ghost stories: A Life with Ghosts: True, Terrifying, and Insightful Tales from My Favorite Haunts.

I love angels: Angel Abundance: Revelations on True Wealth from the 12 Archangels.

WANT: The Handmade Grimoire: A creative treasury for magickal journalling.

From Jason Miller: Real Sorcery: Strategies for Powerful Magick.

My husband illustrated this book: The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters, Witches, and Ghosts.

Intriguing: Small Magics: Practical Secrets from an Appalachian Village Witch.

If you want to master tarot, you need a good journal: The Weiser Tarot Journal: Guidance and Practice. It has stickers!!!

I’m so proud of my upcoming book – it’s a topic I always wanted to write about: The Cards You’re Dealt: How to Deal when Life Gets Real (A Tarot Guidebook).

Learn how to use tarot and astrology to find your right path – and to right your path: Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot.

What I would have preferred instead of Barbies when I was a kid: Tarot For Kids.

Become tarot proficient with this book of lessons: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Prefer to listen to your tarot lessons? Check this out: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

If I had my druthers I would have started learning astrology with this book: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

There is an audio version if you prefer: Astrology For Real Life.

Time to treat yourself to a new tarot deck (it’s always time for that): The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

Bust out your crayons and learn to read tarot: The Tarot Coloring Book.

Have you felt like this year has been kicking your ass? Me too. That’s why I rely on simple practices such as rituals, meditation, and tarot readings for coping: Tarot For Troubled Times.

I love this simple kit for making a custom tarot deck: Create Your Own Tarot Cards: A step-by-step guide to designing a unique and personalized tarot deck. <-Cards are included!

I never, ever make a business move without consulting the stars. You can do the same: The AstroBiz Digest.

**NEW** Looking for an alternative to social media for your astrology or tarot fix? Sign up for my SMS service and get updates right on your phone: Sign up here.

If you’re an aspiring or fellow author, I also have a special newsletter just for you: The Metaphysical Author’s Confidential. Essays and lessons on writing, publishing, and marketing your magical book.

Classes and Events

Join my Patreon Community! I am serving up extended card-of-the-day interpretations, astrological tidbits, community tarot practice, political astrology, early sneak peeks at horoscopes….and more. Higher tiers get access to live classes, replays of previous classes, mentoring, and more.

October 7, 2023: Tarot for Mediumship. Join me at the Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, Michigan, and learn how to use Tarot to receive messages from the dearly departed. Details coming soon.

October 8, 2023: Ethics and Responsibilities for Professional Tarot Readers and Astrologers. In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to deliver ethical, responsible readings. Where: Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, Michigan. Details coming soon.

October 13, 2023: Book signing at Free Spirit Crystals in Butler, Wisconsin. 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Come on down, say hi, get a copy of The Cards You’re Dealt signed, and check out the cool crystals in stock.

October 21st, 2023: Book signing at Aum Shanti in New York, NY. 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Meet me in the Big Apple and get your book signed. Yay!