Two on the Subway, Man and Child

The subway train stopped short of its final destination.

Over the intercom, the Conductor apologized, promising we'd be moving along as soon as the congestion cleared up.

A passenger wearing a baseball style hat and a cartoon themed backpack, glanced down at the little girl sitting on his lap. She looked to be about 3 or 4, was fast asleep, and with her right thumb firmly housed in her mouth, created a picture of bliss filled contentment. I thought it safe to assume that she was the owner of the aforementioned cartoon themed backpack.

Gently, he shifted her position, hugging her closer to his chest. Then resting his chin over the top of her head, closed his eyes, appearing to make the best of the unexpected delay.

His eyes were still closed when the train resumed its course, but popped open, as if instinctively, a few seconds before the train pulled into the station.  Standing up, he transferred the girl so that she was now cradled against his right shoulder, and then fell into step with the rest of the crowd exiting the train.

In the wake of the sudden movement, the little girl, now staring out of half opened, sleep filled eyes, looked down at me. I smiled at her and earned a frown in return. Surprised, I laughed out loud and then thought it wise to feign interest in something else. Glancing back seconds later, I saw she had returned to the land of dreams.

Exiting the station, I found myself wondering if I had been her age, in her position, and on the receiving end of a random stranger's smile, what my response would have been?  But then it occurred to me that it didn't really matter. After all, whatever the nature of my response, it would still have been as honest and valid as that little girl's.

Two on a Subway Platform

The subway train pulled into the station, and in the middle of the afterwork rush hour, the varied masses made their exits.

Amidst the blur of coats, the buzz of conversation and the music of footsteps, one coupled pair, a man and woman, made their way onto the platform. Judging by the Snow White caps of hair and faces gently lined with the ghosts of expressions past and present, it seemed safe to deduce that they were older citizens of society.

She had exited first, purposefully walking a few steps, her eyes scouting out both ends of the platform.

He followed just enough to clear the train car's doorway, and then stood off to the side, carrying a rather large, cumbersome looking package-- its dimensions and shape reminiscent of the massive portraits usually seen renting wall space in various museums.

Once it appeared she had her bearings, she doubled back to him, circling upstage around the aforementioned package and briefly laid her right hand on his left shoulder.

Communicating in gestures with an ease that could only be borne out of concentrated familiarity, they readjusted the package so that each now bore its weight. The effect gave an almost shield-like purpose to the object as she held onto the inside of the upstage end, and he manned the inside of the downstage.

Then together, as together as can be with one ahead of the other, they slowly inched up the stairs, presumably, to other adventures, undoubtedly, looking forward to the leg of their journey where their package reached its destination.

Cards for the Week

Salutations, Radiants ☀ Here are our cards of guidance for the week☀Sensitivity-- Honor how you feel. Forgive the temptation to beat yourself up for feeling how you're feeling in the moment. If it's something you don't want to feel, look at it and ask yourself, "Why?" Are you judging it? Can you honor its right to be felt and at the same time affirm your desire to heal and release anything toxic about your experience of it? Our emotions show up to communicate guidance. Usually, the ones we quickly try to push away or feel trapped by, are signaling that there's something desiring healing and compassion. Pushing it away, judging it, pushing down the feelings, is not conducive to healing. But also, take the pressure off to have it healed instantaneously or within a certain period of time. Instead, create, as best you can, an atmosphere that is nurturing and gentle-- meditate, play music, spend time in nature. Honor its presence and at the same time work through and with it. And remember that you never have to go at it alone☀ The next card, which arrived stuck to the last, is that of Victory☀ Have faith. Focus your thoughts and actions on prayers being answered in ways better than you could have imagined. Release your ideas on how it should come to pass and instead keep singing that chorus of gratitude that with Source, the Angels, your Guides and your Soul working on your behalf, victory will come to pass☀Clairaudience☀Pay attention to repetitive guidance in the form of thoughts that pop into your mind or are "randomly" communicated by those you cross paths with, that encourage you to take loving action regarding any or all areas of your life. Pay particular attention to the guidance that strikes a chord of quiet, personal truth and feels unconditionally loving☀ Beloved One☀ How can you experience more love in your life? Focusing on a perceived lack only brings more of the same. Nurture love by holding more loving thoughts and engaging in more loving actions. Where is the experience of love already being felt, already being manifested in your life? Tune in to that. And while you're at it, tune in to the love you feel coming out of you when interacting with others. For added assistance, call on Archangel Chamuel to help you experience more love in your interactions with others as well as in your perception of yourself☀ Blessings upon you and your week, dear Radiants ☀Cheering! You! ON!