Sixes symbolize the union of opposites, finding equilibrium, harmony in the face of constant change.  Wands are associated with inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and the element of fire. 

"You've met the challenge to your identity and come through it.  Now, the self you're presenting to the world is more confident and stable.  You feel more secure with your identity and sense of purpose or personal direction.  You're settling into the groove of being this self." - Gail Fairfield

Renee:  The 6 of Wands recommends that you focus on an important goal, and summon and direct your productive energies into this objective.  This card especially favors involvement in projects, activities, and enterprises as an expression of your skill and competence.  Do things right, maintain order, and improve your systems so your efforts will pay off.  The 6 of Wands also advises you to maintain a wining mindset:  one of optimism, expansiveness, and the belief that you are able to stay on top of all situations.  Success is a natural consequence of being willing and able to take on challenges, so deal with delays, obstacles, and other problems by viewing them as part of life's parade, rather than as roadblocks on your path. 

How interesting that this followed the 7 of Wands.  Although they are in reversed order their messages seems to reinforce one another.  Once I have found the way to defeat my inner demons/critics and allow my multiple personalities to express themselves, then I will emerge triumphant and victorious.  I will be able to achieve a winning mindset and have a more positive approach to things.  I like Renee's line about viewing obstacles and challenges as part of life's parade.  I deserve a parade (well actually doesn't everyone).  I was thinking about it the other day and I realized that staying at PAL as long as I did damaged me on a deep level.  I felt that all my gains there were due to the influence of others and as a result never truly felt that I had earned any of it.  I had a similar experience in school.  When anything seemed to come easy to me, I considered it of no value.  Getting excellent grades was not tough but if I could learn to play baseball I felt I had achieved something.

It seems to be a quirk in my nature and something I would never tolerate in a friend.  I would shore up their ego by pointing out their achievements, their skills and their talents.  I would reinforce all their positive traits and show them that their flaws only made them more interesting and unique.  So why can't I do that for myself?  I probably could if I bothered taking the time to consider it.  Instead I just sort of float through things with my wounded wing and just stop trying.  Well screw that!

I need to take all this wonderful time off that I have and really focus my energies on spreading those wings again and learning to fly.  I need to acknowledge and appreciate all the triumphs I've achieved in life.  Considering my background and upbringing it's pretty amazing that I didn't get hooked on drugs or other illegal activities (not that I would blame that on my parents but it was pretty pervasive in my neighborhood).  I didn't get pregnant as a teen (or at all for that matter).  I have been happily married for 23 years to a man who is a true partner.  I am on my way to achieving a second masters degree.  I have wonderful friends and family who love and appreciate me.  I am there for them when they need me.  I am fiercely loyal and will defend said friends and family to the death.  I'm also outspoken and opinionated and see no reason why I shouldn't share these opinions with anyone and everyone.  I may not be mysterious and exotic but I am like a blaze of sunlight - what you see is what you get.  I am honest, forthright, forceful and sometimes just plain old abrasive and obnoxious.  I know that.  I try not to overdo it but even I have to acknowledge that this is me too.

Maybe the victory I need to celebrate is that despite everything I've experienced in my life, it's never doused the true me.  Sure my energies can be rather sluggish on some days.  And I'd rather sleep long than do exercise.  I've never met a piece of chocolate I didn't like and I may occasionally drink more than is good for me.  But I can embrace all of this as part of me.  I don't lie to myself.  I don't kid myself about who I am or what I stand for in life.  What I have been able to do is be consistent about it.  It's not that I never change (although I will kick and scream about it) but at my core I am who I am.  I know who I am and I know what I want from life.  What I need to work on is how to actually manifest it.