Simple Strength
Take pleasure from daily opportunities to destroy the knots of suppressive living. When we let fear thwart our capacity to speak up, to live at our fullest depth and greatest expanse, to correct wrongdoing, or to stop negating forces in their tracks, we sacrifice ourselves to a cowardly existence. To take space, to draw back our swords of power, melting them down into mirrors, to be still in self-reflection is the work of a true magician. The "incantation" is just living, speaking and acting from your best truth - either quietly, with conscious, dignified force, or with playful impulsiveness. In every case, to be kind is the beginning and end motivation, remembering that kindness does not equal being taken advantage of, or of letting sacred boundaries be defiled. Real compassion demands ferocity of response and attention - even as we choose to do no harm. To not harm others, we first apply the medicine of not causing harm to ourselves - never engaging in detrimental self-effacement, or self-neglect.
