Your Joy Guides are tapping at your mind’s door, hoping to open it and free you from the corner any narrow or presumptuous thinking on your part may be unwittingly backing you into. If you fall into the trap of running on too many assumptions, or operating on unexamined preconceived notions, you quickly eliminate all your options, leading you to a “damned if I do, damned if I don’t” cycle of frustration.

Your Joy Guides playfully remind you to step back and notice where your “stuck” perceptions might be attracting such frustration. They remind you that you’re not stuck—but your thinking may be. Stop your mental movie and take a commercial break. It’s time for a fresh look and a new viewpoint on all things. The best way to achieve this is to treat yourself to a heavy dose of humor, and let it break through to your unbearable dilemma. Your Joy Guides’ counsel is, as always: “The situation may be critical but not serious.” Join them in reviewing the situation, and laugh your way forward.

This isn’t a time to act under an imagined sense of urgency. Keep your emotions from running away with you. Turn to your Higher Self, engage your power of reason, and trust your inclination to step away from the drama and intensity of the moment. Study and analyze all the factors of the situation, and allow your Higher Self to guide you to the right end. Sleep on it for a night. Better yet, sleep on it for three nights, then heed your Higher Self’s message: “Leave it to me for now.”

This is a time of conflict and challenge, pure and simple. No matter how you look at it, confrontation and discord are on the horizon. Others don’t agree with you or see your perspective, and they don’t intend to cooperate with you in any way. This could surface in such serious ways as legal battles, divorce proceedings, and contract negotiations; or it could just be an impasse with a spouse over a raised toilet seat. Whatever the issue, there’s no immediate or easy resolution. You’ve attracted a worthy opponent, so prepare to go the distance.

This is not to assume, however, that such combative scenarios are always a bad thing. Your Warrior Guides are present to enlighten you about the benefits of sparring with others. Competition brings out your best, and unleashes your passion and commitment in what you believe in. It develops your strength and prevents you from being victimized or manipulated by others; and it teaches you the need to respect others, too, and not mindlessly impose your will on them. Your Warrior Guides suggest that when you do battle with others, it’s best to fight fairly and learn from the conflict. Don’t compete just to let off steam. Fight for progress and higher understanding for all concerned rather than just being difficult to get your own way.

Hidden within the drama of battle and competition are the seeds of true understanding and compassion. The best spiritual warriors always strive for a win/win outcome. Your Warrior Guides suggest that you embrace the battles at hand to find your strength and reach for growth. Fight the good fight with your adversaries, but pray for Divine justice to prevail . . . not just your personal version of justice. Their message: “Fight fair, but concede when you are in the wrong.”