Good morning and welcome back to Standing on the Ledge.
We’re rebuilding from the rubble. Another day.
Yesterday was a productive day. We got out and did the things: picked up prescriptions, got moving, and I grabbed propane for my Buddy Heater because the forecast was calling for stupid-low temperatures.
It hit −34 °C (−29 °F) last night, and I’m glad I planned ahead—because my furnace decided to kick out. It got too cold, the pressure in the lines dropped, and the flame couldn’t stay consistent. So yay me for thinking ahead. Otherwise, it would have been a very chilly night in the house, and probably an expensive service call just to be told, “Yeah… it’s cold.”
Admin, boundaries, and the grown-up stuff
I sent off letters to my previous employer regarding a chargeback they’re trying to push through. Their response was basically, “Oh, we have the right to blah, blah, blah.”
My view is simple: just because a contract says you can do a thing doesn’t automatically mean you can do it legally, cleanly, or without consequences. So we’ll see where that goes.
I also got in touch with my accountant to get my year-end handled and make sure the T4s go out on time for my employees. I specifically requested that they mail paper copies this year. Last year, people complained they didn’t get them. From what I understand, most of this is handled electronically now anyway—but complaints are complaints, and I’d rather reduce friction than win an argument.
World noise, and a couple of wins
I’ve been paying attention to the news, and the protests in the United States right now are intense. It’s about time people stand up and say, “Enough.” That’s all I’m saying about that today.
On my end, I believe we’ve landed a job—just waiting on confirmation.
And two copies of my book have sold. Yay. Thank you.
If you’re interested, please check out Amazon. The title is Standing on the Ledge: Field Notes, Rebuilding from the Rubble. There are two editions: the first is a short manual (about 24 pages), and the second is more in depth (about 90 pages). They’re both up there right now.
Tarot: four-card spread
As promised, we’re continuing the four-card spread. I know some of you may not like me doing this, but I’m going to do it anyway.
- Past: Four of Pentacles (Reversed)
- Present: Eight of Cups
- Future: Six of Pentacles
- Me (Querent): King of Cups (Reversed)
Past — Four of Pentacles (Reversed)
This feels like “loosening the grip.” Not just money—control, scarcity thinking, the reflex to clamp down because life feels unstable. Reversed, it’s not telling me to be reckless. It’s telling me to stop armoring up so hard I can’t move.
Honestly, yesterday was a good example of progress: I didn’t freeze. I planned. I bought what I needed to stay warm. That’s not indulgence. That’s stability.
Present — Eight of Cups
The Eight of Cups is the choice to walk away from something that drains you—not in a dramatic “storming off” way, but in a quiet, committed way. It’s the moment you admit, “This isn’t working,” and you stop negotiating with reality.
Right now, that hits like a direction marker: I don’t need to carry old dynamics, old power games, or old narratives that keep me stuck in the same loop. This card isn’t about revenge. It’s about moving toward something healthier.
Future — Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles is fairness. Clean exchange. Balance between giving and receiving.
It also comes with a blunt reminder: when the exchange is lopsided, resentment grows. If someone is taking more than is fair—money, energy, silence—this card says, “No. We rebalance this.”
It’s not lost on me that I’m dealing with exactly that right now: invoices, obligations, documents, accountability, and trying to keep everything above board while I rebuild.
Me — King of Cups (Reversed)
Reversed, the King of Cups is emotional weather. Not emotional truth—weather.
So here’s my read: I’m not broken. I’m under load. There’s a difference.
This card reminds me that steadiness isn’t “be numb.” It’s “stay grounded.” It’s noticing when I’m reacting from stress and choosing to respond from values instead. It’s also a warning label: not every thought deserves the microphone.
Putting it together
Four of Pentacles (Reversed) says I’m learning to stop clenching around fear.
Eight of Cups says I’m walking away from what drains me.
Six of Pentacles says the next phase is about fairness and clean exchange.
King of Cups (Reversed) says I need to manage the emotional tide while I build the next version of my life.
A psycho-soc lens (because that’s what I do)
Psychologically, this is stress-and-coping in real time: assess the threat, choose actions that reduce harm, and regulate emotion enough to keep making decisions that help tomorrow-me.
Sociologically, the Six of Pentacles reads like reciprocity and power. Relationships and workplaces don’t run on vibes—they run on exchange, norms, and leverage. When the exchange turns exploitative, people burn out… or they leave. That’s the Eight of Cups in plain language.
Astro-weather
It’s deep-winter energy out there—cold, sharp, honest. For me, a waxing moon mindset fits this: not a miracle, not a reset button—just momentum returning one step at a time.
Micro-protocol for today
- Stabilize: Do one practical thing that prevents a problem later (heat, food, paperwork, a call).
- Set something down: Identify one thing I’m carrying that isn’t mine to carry—and release it.
- Balance the exchange: One action today that makes the give/receive ratio more fair (ask, invoice, document, or rest).
That’s it for today. Thank you for coming again to StandingOnTheLedge.com. Godspeed.
References
- Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley.
- Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299.
- Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.
- Mullainathan, S., & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why having too little means so much. Times Books.
Discover more from Standing on the Ledge
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Standing on the Ledge 
One thought on “Rebuilding from the Rubble: A Journey of Growth”