It Takes As Long As It Takes

What you see here is the lucky shot.  The Super Full Snow Moon was making its way out of sight so I stopped what I was doing, braved the cold morning air and ran outside to take a photo.  When I got outside, the moon had gone behind the clouds, nowhere to be seen.  Drats, I thought, and went back inside.  But I couldn't give up.  Instead, I went into the bedroom and peeked out the curtains.  Whoa, there she was!  I snapped my picture, then went outside to take another shot.  And she was gone!  I am glad I didn't give up the first time and that I got this shot.  This experience of today leads me to my topic for the month, which you  might think is "never give up" but no.  My real point is this: 

It takes as long as it takes.

This past weekend I reached a major milestone in my life's journey.  But even I didn't realize how long it has taken  me to achieve it.  I had told my husband that I had been working on this project since about 2012 or so.  If that were true, I achieved my goal in just under 7 years.  Quite a long time, wouldn't you say?  As I mulled over how long it had been since I began to dream of creating a deck of cards, kind of an oracle or affirmation deck of cards, I realized it probably wasn't 2012.  In 2012 I had changed the name of my business from Wisdom Works to Integrative Wisdom and my little set of  home made index cards had a title reflecting Wisdom Works.

This meant that I had to have started this idea before I changed the name of my company.  Out to The Center of Creative Transformation I went, where all my memories and important papers pertaining to the business are stored.  After going through a mere five journals and yearly calendars, I found what I was looking for.  And the date blew me away.  I had started my dream not in 2012, but in 2007.  Right there in the journal was an entry that stated I bought the little notebook just so I could begin to write down my ideas for a deck of Wisdom Works cards.  There was another note added later which said, "prototype cards completed Oct 2010".  Well. Well. Well.

While I hadn't thought about this project constantly over the past twelve years, it was always there, on the back burner of my mind.  For some reason, maybe having given up my hospice social work career, who knows, but anyway, for some reason I was inspired to work on-going throughout January to finish this project.  The card deck needed a booklet to explain the cards and I wrote an 80 page booklet to explain it all.  I then created a homemade version of the cards and the booklet.  See below:

I was so inspired by this completion, I have already identified another whole set of tools that will become my second set of cards!

But back to now.  I hope my experience will give someone reading this the encouragement to never give up and to trust that it will take as long as it takes, but it will happen.  I am living proof that the soul guides us on and is true to our path, as long as we keep walking.  Don't stop, even when you get discouraged.  Don't judge, even when things look bleak.  Don't despair, always keep your chin up and trust in the vision.  It may not be your idea of success or the world's idea of accomplishment, but that isn't what's important.  What's important is to put that one foot in front of the other and walk.

I did have the gift of time this month.  I did use Integrative Wisdom tools as I worked.  Lighting a candle, setting an intention, using sage and palo santo wood to clear the energy and focus my mind all made the work seem to flow. 

For some of you, that may seem immaterial or even a "waste" of time.  Those who are more practical may find this silly.  That's important to notice.  You don't have to do it my way.  However, it is important to find out your way, what methods will increase the chances you will follow your dreams and pursue those areas that are not that easy for you. I would also add that, no matter who you are or how you work, setting an intention is  basic.  Be as clear as you can about your goals.  And if you aren't that clear yet, don't give up.

It takes as long as it takes and that's ok.  My last thought for this post is to share that I am considering keeping this set "home made".  I don't have a huge following (yet!) and I like the idea of making this a kind of "farm to table" tool.  I appreciate any reflections about this.  It would keep the cost of the cards down and that's a good thing.  Maybe perfectionists might not see the plus side to this idea.  But those of us who live with "good enough" will most likely appreciate the sentiment. 

PS They aren't the index card version...see below:

52 cards.  80 page booklet.
The Soul Catalyst Card Deck featuring the 4 in 1 healing system of Integrative Wisdom.
Please share your thoughts about the production aspect of the cards.  And reach out to me if you would like to own your own set. You can find me at my fb page:
Integrative Wisdom by Verna Fisher MSW or at my website: www.integrativewisdom.org