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

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...

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