You may be experiencing some conflict in your life, whether with yourself or others.

Five of Swords

The tarot card of the day is the Five of Swords.

The five of swords suggests that you need to be careful about how you engage in these conflicts.

A man is carrying three swords, two of which he has just won from two other men who have turned their backs and are walking away. The man is triumphant, but there is still a sense of sadness and emptiness in the card.

The heavy clouds in the background suggest that the victory may not be as sweet as it seems. He may have won the battle, but at what cost? The other men are not fighting back, suggesting they may have given up.

This is a time to be careful about the choices you make. You may be feeling like you need to fight for what you want, but it is better to walk away. Sometimes, you must take a stand and fight for your beliefs, but this is not one of them.

Let Go of Your Ego

Sometimes, when someone offends us, it feels like a personal attack. We take it as a reflection of our worth as a person. This is when the ego can take over, and we become blinded by our need to be right. You need to let go of your ego in order to move forward.

In the event that you find yourself on the defensive or feeling attacked, take a step back and assess the situation rationally. Is it just you, or is there more to it? If it directly affects you, you might want to evaluate how sensitive you are.

Oftentimes, we need to let things go and not take everything so personally. If it isn't about you, don't allow yourself to be pulled into the conflict. As the saying goes, “Drama free is the way to be.”

Choose Love

Ask yourself what is more important to you: your pride or the relationship? If the latter describes you, then choose love above pride.

This doesn't mean that you have to be a doormat, but it does mean that you should try to see the other person's perspective and find a way to compromise.

Make a conscious decision to love yourself. If you are in a conflict with someone, make sure you take care of yourself first and foremost. Put your needs first, and don't allow yourself to be drawn into a situation that is harmful to you.

If you conflict with someone, try to understand their perspective. They may just need to be heard. If you can listen to them without judging or getting defensive, they may be more open to hearing your side of the story.

People generally want to be heard and have their feelings validated. If you can do this, it may help to diffuse the situation.

Forgive and Release

Despite the hurt and pain that conflict can cause, it is important to forgive. True forgiveness does not include ignoring wrongdoing or accepting disrespectful treatment from others. To forgive is to release any resentment you may have harbored.

This doesn't mean that you have to be friends with the person who hurt you, but it does mean that you let go of the negative emotions weighing you down. Holding on to these feelings can only cause you harm in the future.

Also, stop being so hard on yourself and start moving on. You are only human, and you deserve forgiveness just as much as anyone else.

Reflect and Decide

Today, take some time to examine your conflicts. Are you choosing your battles wisely? How much is your ego stopping you? Are you putting your own needs first? And most importantly, are you forgiving yourself and others?

While it's usually preferable to fight for a peaceful outcome, there are instances when doing nothing is the best option.

Try to see the situation from all angles and make the choice that will lead to the most peace in your life