Take One Step

It sounds so easy.  Take one step, just one.  And yet there are times in our lives when taking even one step seems impossible.  One step.  It's all we can do to consider the action much less take action.  What in the world could happen to us to put us in such a funk that we can't move?

In the times in which we live it seems as if every day we can think of a few good reasons to wallow, to zone out, to simply be so undone that even our deepest desires to move, to take action aren't enough.

What might we do to shift things, to change the inner dynamic enough to pick up one foot and then the other? Any ideas?  Some might say to pray or to work out or to eat healthier.  Some might say to hire a life coach or a therapist to break the log jam. Unfortunately, what works for one may not work at all for another.

Depending on the current circumstances, what worked for you in the past, may be completely ineffective now.  And that can be distressing as well, just adding to the struggle!

As I reflect back since the last blog I wrote, I am appalled at first glance to see how much time has passed.  Then I stop.  I reflect.  I realize I have not been lazy or irresponsible or a flake.  Rather, life happened.  My mother died, I was the primary executer with all that entails, we sold my family home, emptying it of 65 years of memories, eleven members of my immediate family moved out of state, and COVID interrupted the momentum of my business ventures.  

Do I tell you all this to get a bit of pity or understanding from you?  No.  I am simply sharing facts.  These events played out every day I wasn't writing a blog, hosting an event, offering personal coaching, or selling my book and deck of cards.  I wasn't taking any steps in that direction because I was focused on the other events.

When these unplanned events occur, they take a toll on energy and strength of will.  It's up to us to recognize and practice self care until we can clear the way to move again into our deepest and most important work in the world. 

If you are reading this, maybe you can relate.  Maybe you are looking for that right moment to be able to take one step.  Maybe you can use a bit of support or a few ideas to guide you in this difficult time.  Here's a few ideas that may give you exactly what you need to take one step:

Recognize the truth of your current situation

Stop and acknowledge what is

Breathe

Recognize the importance of what you are doing

Stay in contact with your Spiritual Solace

Breathe

Honor the integrity you are modeling for others

Journal the progress you are making

Reassess now and then

Change course if warranted

Breathe

As you read this list, you may realize I haven't given you a solution to your problem.  What I have given you instead is a blueprint for you to keep going.  To hang in there with whatever life is throwing at you AND a sense of hope that when the smoke clears, you will recognize it and see it's NOW time to take one step.

Ultimately, your willingness to show up will serve you well.  If you are able to recognize there is so much in life that will get in the way of what you thought was your work in the world, and that ultimately those events may be the catalyst for you to be in alignment with how this world works.  Things happen.  We show up.  We are responsible.  We care.  We give solace.  We model hope.  We show Divine Presence by our presence.  

Although it seems counter-intuitive, these responsibilities lay the foundation for us to then take the first step towards our life work.  I, for one, am grateful I held on through the difficult days.  And I'm very excited by this first step, this blogpost that signifies steps towards my soul work in the world have recommenced. 

It's my fervent hope that sharing my experience will be of support to you in your life's journey and that if you have struggled with that one step, reading this may give you just what you need to take it!

Much love and respect,

Verna, Your Soul Catalyst

Springing into SPRING

Yea!  If you are able to read this, you made it out of Winter and are firmly sitting in Spring Time.  I don't know about you, but Spring is my absolute favorite season.  Given I have lived in Southern California my whole life, you might argue that we only have Spring season here.  But the funny thing is, when you do live in Southern California your whole life, you experience what seems to you to be in fact seasons.  So there.  I repeat:  Spring is my favorite season!  Yea, Spring.

With Spring comes new hope, new dreams after surviving the harsh winter months.  The days of darkness and cold.  The barren ground.  The deep silence of winter.  When we move into the Spring Time, we move into the vast land of possibility.  What wasn't possible in Winter might very well be in Spring.  And so we dream.

What dreams do you entertain this year?  What seeds are you willing to plant?  You know that nothing grows without taking the steps to make it happen, right?  And yet it may be that making it through 2020 and all the changes we were forced to make have left us a bit fatigued and perhaps grieving many losses of many kinds.  We may find that we are struggling to get the gumption to start again.  If that describes you, I hope you may find a bit of hope in these words.

Fingers Crossed?

Spring.  The earth begins to reveal her magic as new buds sprout and plants you forgot you had begin to rise up out of the barren ground.  The birds sing songs that sound like joy on steroids.  The sky brings both beautiful blueness and also the fluffiest white clouds imaginable.  There is an energy of aliveness that wasn't there just a few days ago.  And we get to partake of it all.

There is a caveat however.  We too, must shake loose the winter doldrums and bring that Spring energy within ourselves.  It helps to do a few things to make it easier to feel the shift.  Let's talk about that.

First, it's always a good thing to formally recognize the change.  We do that here normally with our Gathering and the Changing of the Seasons event.  With COVID still around, we won't be doing that here but we will be meeting on the next best thing.  ZOOM anyone?  Check out the FB page to find the details.

If that doesn't work, please create your own special moment to honor Spring in your life.  This gives you an opportunity to listen to your inner prompts, to see what wants to be nurtured this year and what your soul wants you to tend to.

Second, be sure to take some time to evaluate what was important to you just last year.  Are you still on the right track?  Perhaps things have changed so much that it's important to reset your compass.  This may be a bit scary as you have already invested much of your time and treasure in this direction.  But if you have gotten a bit lost, it's better to reset now rather than find yourself even further down a road that is really not your best road.

You may want to take time to walk about and listen to nature.  See if you are drawn to certain objects and if so, take time to mull over their significance.  Some people will do a reading with an intuitive deck of cards like Tarot or Runes.  They are always fun to work with.  If these don't suit you, see if there is any other practice that works for you.  The main idea is to go deeper than the every day world you can see.

You have both the freedom and responsibility to wake up in Spring Time.  Perhaps the shift of energy around you will be enough to propel you forward.  Perhaps.  But, more likely, you will need that extra kick in the pants we have been talking about to really make the most of this wonderful new aliveness that surrounds us.  

What will you do?  Step up?  Step out?  YES!  Sounds like a perfect plan.  If you have any questions about steps to take or how to set up your ceremony to welcome Spring, just let me know.  I am so easy to find...

Here's to you and to your Spring Time and your Dreams and that Spring in your step!

Your Soul Catalyst, 

Verna

 

That Place of Deep Silence

I received news today that stopped me in my tracks, that completely took my breath away.  News that moved me into that place of deep silence.  News that is really not that surprising, given the times in which we live.  News that might have been expected after phone calls received last evening.  And yet.  The news hit like that wave that catches you on the shore and tosses you violently face first into the sand.  The news that ripples out to dozens and dozens of family and friends, tossing them as well.  Everyone given the news broken open.

It seems fitting to post today.  It's not every day that grabs your heart and squeezes it thus.  Given this blog is all about the soul and things that matter most, today I write.

Yesterday I received the first of the two COVID-19 vaccines.  I am joining in the company of others my age who are graced with the gift of this hopeful drug.  There is so much discussion around this and the social protocols asked of us to try and diminish the spread of the virus.  So much that close family members, neighbors and friends often walk away from each other, unable to come to peace with the others' views.  Today a family member died from complications of COVID-19.  He was too young to be in line for the vaccine and I don't even know if he would want it.  What I do know, is that he died.  And leaves behind so many people who are just not ready to say good bye.  And yet, they have no choice.

I have know this man since he was born.  He is my nephew, even if I divorced myself out of the family years and years and years ago.  My heart aches knowing this family is facing the future with him not here.  I am tired and my whole being aches.  How much more are they suffering.

If you ever read my stuff, you know I am familiar with dying.  Working in hospice for over a dozen years gave me an education that is beyond any school's ability to teach.  Lessons about living as if this day is your last, living life with passion and purpose.  Living with the knowledge not one day more is guaranteed or promised.  

I know this stuff.  And I try to live it.  Reality is, we probably can't stay in the depth of that awareness day to day.  Imagine if every day, you wake up, imagining this one is the last one.  Who would you reach out to?  Where would you spend your time?  What would you want people to know about you?  Who might you forgive?  What frustrations would you simply let go of?  Who will you tell that you love them?  While we may not be able to descend to the depths every day what if we at least try now and then.

Maybe the day you read this, you will be inspired to reach out to someone.  You may be inspired to forgive someone,  Maybe you will try something you always wanted to but were afraid to.  Maybe now is the time.  Maybe today.

Let's live with purpose, with honor, with integrity, with love, with compassion.  Wake up every morning and give thanks for this day.  Rise to the occasion and sing your song.  The song that is yours to sing.

As I end this post, I take a moment to honor "Little Bobby".  I imagine I will inhabit that place of deep silence for some time to come.  

Inside Out

Sitting here.  Wondering what to write.  Wondering how to help.  Wondering is help needed.  Or wanted.  Wondering.  As I sit, I look up from my writing.  I am given a view of the outside world.  I am viewing the world from the inside out.  I consider that is what life is all about.  We view the world from the inside out.  And just as there is a window and a wall separating me from the out, so too, is there a barrier within me that colors and distorts what is outside me.

Think about it for a minute.

Not only does my hearing and my vision affect what I see, so too does my beliefs, my attitudes, my previous experiences and even my personality.  No wonder communication can be so difficult.  I define what I see by my insides; you define from yours.  These two views may or may not be similar.  Who will be determined to be "right"?  The stronger debater?  The more vocal?  The one who emotes the most?

Think about it for a minute.

Unless we are aware of this inside/out abstract notion, we will strongly defend what we see.  We will find it difficult to see any common ground.  We may determine it is not worth the effort to try.  Instead we may look for those whose inside/out is at least similar to mine.  Then we can form a tribe, a group that has bonded over our inside/outs.

Think about it for a minute.

Suddenly, we may find ourselves a divided nation, broken into tribes that have decided their inside/out view of the way things are is the way things are.  We will decide it's not worth our time or our energy to listen any more to what others are saying.  They in turn decide not to listen to us.  We both know our inside/out is the way things are, that is, the RIGHT way.  What more is there to do?

Think about it for a minute.

Now, stop reading.  Stop thinking.  And really go inside.  Go inside to that space, that quiet space where opinions and beliefs and attitudes do not dwell.  Go to that space, the real inside space.  And stay there.  Breathe.  Again, breathe.  Infinite possibilities here.  Vision.  Not my view.  Not your view. 

THE view.

Think about it for a minute.

Each of us has a unique inside/out view of the world.

In Closing,

Let each of us envision the possibilities of looking more closely, more deeply, less personally, to find a vision of THE view that will perhaps more accurately reflect the world as it really is, not as we see it.  A world of endless possibilities, that serve a greater truth than what we as individuals can see.  Perhaps we all have a piece of the truth within us.  Perhaps we also see distortions.  Perhaps we really do need all of us, coming together to, perhaps for the first time, really see what is.

Think about it for a minute...

Ode to A Rabbit

As we know, odes tend to be poetic, meaningful and quite a story.  

What follows is all that.  Here's an 

Ode to A Rabbit

For Your Pleasure

In the Beginning...

It started with the best of intentions.  Upon finishing a job, a job well done, our two gallant subjects began the journey down the hill towards home.

And then...

Watch Out

came the cry...a RABBIT!!!

Our hero, the driver of the truck in question, made quick decisions, turned the wheel, missed the rabbit

And...

wiped out our fence!

It was a bit surreal as I happened to be in the house, in direct view of the yard.  A sound caused me to look up where upon I couldn't quite make sense of the fact the front yard was now hosting a pick up truck where the hedge and fence used to be.

Running outside, it was quickly determined all parties were safe, especially the rabbit.

Well, all parties except for the fence and the hedge.

They were quite done for.

Young man explained his desire to protect the rabbit-a person after my own heart.

If my fence has to be sacrificed for wildlife, I am a YES to that.

However, I am not in favor of NOT fixing the damage.  Driver Dan was Johnny on the spot, calling insurance and providing personal information.  He assured me all would be fixed.  

And, as this is an ODE, the story continues.  Insurance took over 3 weeks to determine there was no insurance at the time of the rabbit save.

Now, this is where the lessons begin.

There are those who would be angry and frustrated and angry.  There are those who would never trust someone who saves a rabbit and wipes out a fence.

But, I and my spouse chose to believe in the goodwill of these two men-one only 15 years old.

 

When it was determined NO coverage was forthwith coming,

A date was set for the rebuilding of the fence and fixing of the damage.

However, in this epic ode, myself and my mate determined a new way forward was called for.

We decided to open up the space to our neighbors,

To create a sacred space to share.

While we did freak out our driver for a minute or two, once he and his helpers arrived they began to assist with the new vision.

Our trust in the two gentleman paid off.  Everything was rebuild to our new vision.  We expressed our gratitude with cookies and notes of thanks.  The young man and I had exchanged visions of  a better world and I determined to gift him with a set of my life's work, 

The Soul Catalyst Card Deck and Guidebook to the cards!

Having fulfilled their promises and taken responsibility, the two rabbit protectors went on their way, and we were left to figure out how this new arrangement would work.

The vision was a space of magic, mystery, and fun along with beauty and joy.

We wanted to pull our neighbors into the space for moments of rest, rejuvenation and joy, along with an increase of awareness of the personal responsibility for change.

We used the arch from our grandson's wedding to create the main space.  Then we added a star on top since it was Christmas.  We created a billboard with the word, WISHES and invited passer-bys to stop and write down a wish.  We also made some inspirations quotes as ornaments to give away.

From our view inside the house...

It was SO affirming when neighbors, passer-bys some we had met and some we had not, began to stop and make it a point to tell us how much they loved what we had created.

More than one person loved the idea of 

Making lemonade from lemons.

They said we were a light in the dark or some such thing.

They GOT it.

Our wishes space generated tender words and prayers, not only for toys from our local kids,

but wishes for healing and for seeing family again as the pandemic continued.

Once woman shared that she cried while writing the hope for her brother to recover from covid-19.

She even took a photo and sent it to him.

THAT IS EPIC

AND why this is an ODE...

As Christmas passed, I knew the space would stay.

I began to call it

The Giving Grotto

I don't know if the name will stick but here's what happened next:

Happy New Year's......

As you can see, this incarnation was all about resolutions.

Moving the responsibility directly on to the one making the claim.

I think wishes are easier to make, don't you?  After all, there is another entity in change of those.

And still, neighbors participated.

Which made us happy. 

Currently, we are in the midst of GOALS.

It's only been a few days and we have had a bit of participation.  

AND yet another newly met neighbor said thank you.  

Wrapping up, you can't say I didn't warn you.  

An ODE is weighty, long, and with much to learn perhaps.

Over these past couple of months we learned a few things.  

Sometimes you have to trust, even when you are not sure you can.

Sometimes, you are called to let go of the old and move into the new.

Sometimes, you allow vulnerability so that others might try it as well.

Sometimes, out of a mess, beauty comes.

And finally, sometimes to pays to save a RABBIT...

The End

Ode to a Rabbit

By

Verna Fisher, Your Soul Catalyst

PS, be sure to check out the Soul Catalyst website to learn all about the cards and guidebook!

My goal in 2021...get the word out.  (And it's always easier with friends)

And feel free to stop by and see what's happening at the Giving Grotto.  

A new month means new ideas!

See you here!

Oh Holy Night

 The Stars Are Brightly Shining.  Thank goodness something is!  What a crazy year 2020 turned out to be.  As some wise person said early on, "It's not the year I asked for, but it was the year I got."  On that note, My hope is that you have not been hit too hard personally by the 2020 tsunami of difficult things.  I do however know of several who have been hit hard.  And my heart has been doing overtime in sending love and compassion out on the wind.

I took some time yesterday to review my personal 2020 year.  January seems like another lifetime ago.  And yet January had it own set of stuff to deal with.  Some day a book will be written about those events and I can say, I was there.  But then the rest of the year happened.

And I can only imagine the slew of books that will come out of this year.  Speaking of books, I want to recommend one:  There's No Such Place As Far Away by Richard Bach.  I have had it for a while but when my granddaughter and family moved out of state to Utah, I really needed the message in that book.  And given this is the year of distancing, I imagined many of you could use it too.

So, check it out!

I'm not sure if you are tuned in to any of the many places where I let loose with my videos, but I am especially proud of my Christmas Cheer 2020 series.  I share it on FB and on my YouTube channel, on Instagram and Linked In.  I figure that if even one person gets a bit of cheer, then I have done my job.  

One bit of information about The Soul Catalyst Cards.  I am not offering a special price for the sets.  There's a reason for this.  My loyal friends and family who purchased the card set at full price deserve my loyalty.  I just can't in good faith, reduce the price to try and seduce someone to purchase.  I hope that makes sense to you.  I just have too much respect for them.

That being said, if you haven't purchased a set yet, maybe you will want to take some time to check out the website:  www.thesoulcatalyst.com   I am so happy with it.  Shaunna Heth did an amazing job and got it up in time for the Beautiful Dying Expo that I was a speaker at.  That too, went very well and I'm really happy that I was able to share a bit of my experience working in hospice care as a social worker.

Were you able to check out the Great Conjunction?  Two planets so close together they might be seen as one?  The event was dubbed "The Christmas Star" and it was considered the light that led the Wise Men to the Christ Child in the manger.  We went up the hill from our house to see it.  Of course to the naked eye, it wasn't much.  But the imagination could enhance the scene.  

As we enter into this Holy Night, my wish is that you and yours find joy and peace within.  My wish is that you may be as healthy as possible-body, mind, spirit and soul.  What is your wish?

Here's to you and to your wish.  Blessings and Peace,

Your Soul Catalyst,

Verna

Zuzu's Petals

It's getting to be the holiday season. And that means it's time to rewatch a classic, at least in my world. I'm referring to It's a Wonderful Life of course. I'm sure you remember it. George Bailey has had a rough year. (Can anyone relate?) It's been so rough in fact that he imagines that maybe the world would be better off if he had never been born. As luck would have it, that's when the angel is listening and grants his wish. George, and the life that has become so difficult vanishes in the waving of a hand, or was it a wiggle of the nose, or? Well, I don't really remember what the angel did but at any rate, all of the places and people that George had touched ceased to remember him and all the interactions, such as having a wife and children also disappeared.  As did precious Zuzu's rose petals that George had tucked away into his pocket, to save his sick little girl from being sad as she watched the flowers wilting.

Of course George was given the ability of observing all the changes that happened when his soul disappeared from the earth.  With each new twist in the lives of those people he loved and cared for the most, George began to think that maybe his life mattered after all, in spite of all the troubles.

2020 has been a banner year.  And not in the way we usually consider banner years.  I could say, it's been a doozy.  I could say, it has really sucked.  I know lots of people wish this year had never happened.  And yet, if we were to have this year wiped off our memories, what would the world be missing?  What would we be missing?

For me, right away, I have always said this year was magical as my son and his wife gave birth to my 4th grandchild.  That makes all the struggles worth it to me.  It's also the year that a life's work came into being.  I don't want to see that disappear from the earth.  I am sure, in spite of the struggles, you too, might find a worthiness to your last 320 whatever days.

We aren't here to simply have good days.  We haven't been brought forth into life so that we can grab the most toys.  We have not been given one day in order to rise above others.  And we DO NOT have one day guaranteed to us.  I learned this during my years in hospice when babies and children, teens and young adults were faced with their mortality.  Not one day is guaranteed, not a good day nor a bad day.  But it is up to us to show up to our days, whatever they are like and live that day fully.

Yes, this has been an incredibly unusual year.  Those of the status quo have felt the ground beneath their feet shift.  Those who were already struggling have experienced even more difficulties.  We have fought each other.  We have been really ugly to each other.  You know it's true.  So while it might seem worthwhile to wipe this year from our memories, perhaps this year would be better served if we can learn from it instead.

Can We Learn Anything From This Year?

It is my deepest desire we can.  There is much to be gained from taking a step back and asking to be given a bit of wisdom to move forward with into 2021.  Integrative Wisdom's view anyway.  First off, we are in this mess together.  The independence we may so deeply desire is a falsehood.  So, forgetting what any power that be might tell us, what is the right thing to do for the greater good?  We might want to take a bit more responsibility so that we don't have to be told what to do; we simply do.

If you have any knowledge of energy dynamics, you might want to take a look at the vibe you are giving out to the world.  No matter what you believe, your actions matter and they emit a frequency that either is harmonious or causes chaos.  Chaos is inherent in matter, this is true, but the possibilities of creating a world that enhances life depends on coherence.  Pay attention to your thoughts, especially ones that put others down.  Pay attention when you put yourself down.  Pay attention when you despair.  Do not give in.  That is not your birthright.

Look for ways to enter into the beauty of our world.  Don't let yourself be led down the rabbit hole of negative thought patterns, no matter which world view you hold.  Take heart that this amazing universe we are a part of, loves creativity, diversity, joy, laughter, love...

Find ways to take care of your mindset.  Find ways to nip the negative in the bud.  Find ways to be glad that you still have Zuzu's petals in your pocket and that you make a difference just by being here.  Your presence here in this exact time is important to us all.  I hope you can believe...

Love,

Your Soul Catalyst,

Verna

PS come visit the new website:

The Soul Catalyst