In These Times - A Fire Drill for the Soul

Well, here we are.  Nearing the end of another coronavirus month.  Who would have thought that coronavirus would become an adjective rather than just a noun?  Not me.  But today I realized that's how I was thinking these days.  There is nothing in my thinking, it seems, that isn't colored by this.  I sigh and imagine a time in the near future when I won't have to worry about it.  And I am sobered by the thought that this may not happen...especially in the near future.

So, given this, what do I have to share, what tools might help us through? What can Integrative Wisdom offer?

What I 'd like to share is the risk I took to add my voice to a video that was created by Andy Grammer for his performance on the July 4th CNN special.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here.  As I worked to uncover what I don't give up on, the underlying most important value was integrity.  And so, check out the clip to see what I wrote.  I still can't believe I was on TV...  🎯

But, really most importantly is the encouragement to show up as a positive presence in the lives of those you most care for and perhaps for the larger community as well.  We can learn to enter into dialogue, be respectful, disagree, but keep working to make things better.  That is true soul work, work we are here to do.

It's like this time we currently live in is giving us a run for our money.  It's like a fire drill for our soul and we have to determine what the steps are to keep that deepest, truest, most complete part of ourselves just that.  Pretending everything is ok is not the way to go.  Neither is giving up and throwing in the towel.  We are in this, hook, line, and sinker as the fisherpeople say...

With that in mind, 

What is your healing practice?  What are you doing to care for YOU?  Please don't ignore you.

I have been very busy building up a library of healing content.  A video a day, Monday through Friday.  They are all on my YouTube Channel here.  The latest: Today's Office View cause today as I write this, it's Monday!  Topics are as follows:

Monday: Today's office View

Tuesday: Integrative Wisdom

Wednesday: Soul Catalyst Card Deck Day

Thursday: Elders Who Care

Friday:  Recap Friday

I hope you will stop by and watch and feel inspired, empowered, encouraged, or just plain educated on some form or fashion of Integrative Wisdom.

There is one other story I'd like to share with you.  Those who know me, know I always tell the story of being such a shy child.  I have shared that I realize I am not really so shy anymore, but shyness and fear of being judged harshly is still in my DNA.  I just don't let it run me around anymore.  In that spirit, I'd like to share one of the braver things I did this month.

Better Times Will Come by Janis Ian

It was fun.  And I even got to message with Ms. Janis!  

Lastly, for this post, I can share that the guidebook to the cards has had its final approval!  Soon it will be all printed, bound, and delivered here to The Center of Creative Transformation.  Let me know how many copies you would like.  They will make great gifts for all those adults you most care for!

Don't worry if you aren't ready to order yet.  You know I will be sharing this amazing project often.

As I prepare to say good-bye for now, please take a moment to really stop and assess how you are doing.  Please take steps to practice self care as well as listen in to your soul.  Put some healing practices in place now.  

Remember Integrative Wisdom is here to help.  I am glad to say the Community of Care service is going well.  If you are interested, just gather a few of your closest friends or family members and give me a call.  It's an amazing deal.  $10 a person for that hour Zoom meeting as long as there are 4 participants registered.  

You can email me at vernalwhispers@msn.com too.

If you are ready for your own private healing session, you can email or go to the website and fill in the form.

www.integrativewisdom.org 

With great respect and love,

Your Soul Catalyst,

Verna

With Adversity Comes Fortitude and Support

Remember that old Chinese saying, "May you live in interesting times"?  Well, dang if we don't!  Just about every aspect of our lives has taken a beating.  We have been faced with challenges from every angle.  And we are faced with the dilemma of determining how we will move forward, not only in the short term, but in the long run as well.

Our very humanity is being called into question.  There are those, who pushed to the end of their ropes are advocating violence.  There are those, who faced with such tremendous struggles are facing deep depression and anxiety.  Each of us is being asked how we want to respond.  And, each of us may or may not have the tools it will take to be that best version of ourselves.

Integrative Wisdom has advocated since the beginning for personal wellness practices to help us navigate times such as these, although I never imagined this particular scenario.  And yet, I am happy to say that our tools are indeed made for times like these.

I am grateful to say that there are several ways we are here for you.  I hope you will consider the ways you might find solace, support and encouragement by joining in one or more of the offerings.

In the last post, I shared the latest meditation on Insight Timer called Beacon of Light.  I am waiting for notification that my submission, A Litany of Loss, has also been approved.  I will let you know in the next post.  There are over a dozen Integrative Wisdom meditations now.  Please use them whenever you find yourself needing a moment of respite.

In the last post, I also shared my weekly video schedule.  These are uploaded to my You Tube Channel as well as my FB pages.  Offering information, inspiration, and tips on creating a wellness practice, all the videos are fairly short and can fit into even the busiest person's schedule.

What I am offering anew is a fee based service.  While Integrative Wisdom always offers changing of the season gatherings here at The Center of Creative Transformation,

currently with social distancing, that is just not an option.  Yet it is still important to honor the shift in a formal way.  What I am proposing however, are a few more sustainable options.  

Option One "Community of Care"

It is my pleasure to offer gatherings using Zoom.  If you have your own group of peers you would like to participate with, set your own day and time.  Smaller groups of about 5 or less will give everyone a chance to speak and to receive personalized attention.  Each person will be asked to pay $10 for the hour.  You can send it via Pay Pal, Zelle or mail.  I will trust you to make the payment.

Option Two "My Time"

For those who would like their own hour, we can arrange those sessions as well.  These will work well for specific situations or challenges you are experiencing.  Having an hour of dedicated time will allow us to be sure you know exactly what practices or tools you want to use to build your healing muscles.  The fee for this service is $60.  Again, I trust you to send the payment via one of the above options.

Also, the Soul Catalyst Card Deck and Guidebook are almost ready for pricing.  I will let you know as soon as the guidebook is completed and everything is priced.  I am loving doing the Wednesday reading with the cards.  I am hoping you will love them as much as I do.

The Soul Catalyst Card Deck

It is my deepest hope that Integrative Wisdom can make a difference during these adverse times.  I hope you will consider partaking of one or more of our healing practices.  During the years I have noticed that seeking wisdom is not always our top priority and in times such as these, it is even more challenging as we are often struggling just to get by.  

Which way will YOU go?

We have a greater vision.  We want much more for you.  We want you to rise up into your best self and feel strong and centered and well.  Integrative Wisdom was made for times like these.  Over twenty years in the making.  Now is the time.  Wisdom has come of age.  May you partake of its gifts in your own life ever more fully.

Sending you love and hugs from a safe distance,

Your Soul Catalyst,

Verna

Listen to Your Soul Talk

Are You Ready?

Ready for what?  Why, to listen to your soul talk.

Stop living from your head all the time.

Let that deep inner wisdom minister to you.

We are SO used to thinking, thinking, thinking.  Our minds are a great asset, don't get me wrong.  To lose one's mind is NOT a desired goal.  However, we must train our minds to work with the rest of us, not always lead us around like a trained monkey.

Research has shown that our bodies talk to us all the time.  We just ignore them.  Pain is one language our bodies use to speak.  Stop what you are doing.  Listen to me.  Wisdom is there.  We choose not to pay attention.  Our minds reason out why it's OK to keep doing what we are doing.  It's my life...

Spiritually even, we often allow our minds to run the show.  We decide with our minds what we will believe in, what is acceptable, how God works.  It is rare that we sense that Spirit within us.  It is rare to live our lives knowing that Spirit will guide us in our actions and our thoughts--if we take a minute to drop down into our hearts and get out of our heads.

That is a big IF.

Which brings us to the biggest challenge of all.

The Soul.

The deepest well of wisdom of all.

Yet, a well we seldom drink from.

Want proof?

Try to define soul for yourself.

I'm waiting.

I'm imagining it's a bit difficult for you.

And even if you define it to your satisfaction,

Now tell me how often you go there to that inner place to ask advice or to be consoled or to rest.

I'm writing today to encourage you to go there.

It's time.

Our world needs us to live from our Souls.

Now.

Are you ready to listen to your soul talk?

If so, take some time to Go SLO=W™

Stop.

Listen.

Observe.

Wisdom from your Soul appears.

Yes, it takes practice.  Your mind has run this show for so long.  It really is not ready to relinquish control.  But it will, in the long run, be SO happy with things once you do.

Maybe these questions will get you started with the whole "listen to your soul talk" thing.

Use them if they work, toss them out if they don't.

Easy peasy.

And, if you're looking for support or ideas on how to start listening to your soul talk, Integrative Wisdom is always here to help and guide.

Along with retreats and soul coaching there is a new offering in the works.

I couldn't be prouder of this card deck and guide book.

It's concrete proof of me walking my talk.

Only because I kept listening and kept taking steps,

even if they were baby ones...

I followed my heart,

listened to my soul,

and succeeded in birthing a tool that I believe can help so many people with their Soul Talk.

I am sending you love and light as you read this.

I am so excited for you.

Listen to your soul talk.

Live completely and with great joy.

Any you will make such a difference in this world.

Signing out for today,

Your Soul Catalyst, Verna

A Shining Star

I wrote a poem today.  It's a poem to encourage me to move, to not get stuck or bogged down by life, whether that's mine or someone else's.  To reach out, to risk, to speak up, to trust in the big picture, all the while enjoying the journey!  So, I share it with you today, hoping you may receive your own inspiration as you read.  

A Shining Star

This incarnation of ME

Has reminded me of the Life of a Star

Shining brightly in the sky.

From very far away,

I seem small and insignificant.

It is when you move in close that the

Magnificence is made manifest.

The power and the Heat,

The Radiance Revealed.

Let me live the month of May,

At the very least, this one month

As the star I was born to be.

Let me reveal the depth and the strength

And the mystery of my gifts

To the Glorious Galaxy

That surrounds us all.

I Choose to Move, to Reach Out and to Enjoy

ME as Star, bursting with Light

Sharing, Not stopping Until

ALL the Heat of ME

Is completely used up…

By

Verna J. Fisher

May 6, 2019

How’s your starlight shining these days?  Are you taking the time to notice?  Only you can create the conditions to allow your light to shine.  What do you need to do today to turn on that love light?  Are you ready?  What’s stopping you?  Here’s to taking the steps to break out of the darkness and into YOUR light.  Your Star Light.  We need your light now. 

Furthermore...

Don't forget Integrative Wisdom is available for personalized coaching by phone or in person here at The Center of Creative Transformation.  Taking time to focus, to ask the important questions, and to listen to the responses goes a long way in helping us get to where we want to go in this life.  I'm here to assist you.  

Also, The Soul Catalyst cards are coming along.  So many details involved to birth such a baby.  I appreciate your love and your prayers and support as this comes into being.  Stay tuned for ways to help if you are so moved.  

What's Your Practice?

Lordy Mercy.  What a month this has been.  Coming off the high of getting my Integrative Wisdom card deck completed and having the article published in the SD Voyager on line magazine, my business plan was stopped cold by the events that transpired just a few days later.  Just yesterday, on  my birthday in fact, things were finally starting to settle down.  I decided to write my reflections now before more of life happens.

So, what could have happened to derail my business plan so suddenly?  A text message followed by a phone call alerting me to the fact my 89 year old mother had been transported to her local hospital due to severe shortness of breath.  My niece, who lives the closest to my mom, received the call early Sunday by my mother who stated, "I didn't know if I was gonna make it through the night."  Now mind you, she did not think or bother to call 911.  Instead, she waited for the sun to appear.  And called my niece who was Johnny on the spot and got to her grandma's in record time.  

My sister and family arrived within an hour and a half or so and my husband and I within 2 hours.  My mother was in the ER, in acute respiratory failure brought on by congestive heart failure (which was later upgraded to a heart attack).  I'd add a photo of her in the Bi-pap mask but she would kill me, so I won't.  Suffice it to say, it was very serious.  She was fighting the mask and was having a lot of difficulty calming herself down.  She felt as if she were suffocating to death, even though the mask was going to save her.  The ER doctor told us, "It's very serious."

Trauma Happens While You're Making Other Plans

The month had already been quite emotional for our extended family.  In December a family member's baby had gotten ill and died within a few weeks.  On the heels of that devastating loss, the 95 year old matriarch of the family died suddenly.  Her funeral was pending.  To the whole family's credit, once they got the news that the other family matriarch was in danger, almost every single one stopped their Sunday plans and came to the ER.  They wanted to be sure that if this was it, they were gonna be able to let her know how much they loved her and how important she was to their lives.

Now, another thing going on concurrently was that my sister and I were working on our mom's 90th birthday bash.  My sister was going in a million directions at once while I and my husband were trying to clean up a bit of mom's yard and prepare the space for the almost 90 people invited.  Suddenly all those plans were on hold as we waited to see if she was going to make it to 90 after all.  That Sunday in the ER she had 19 days to go.

I can't pretend to know what anyone else was going through during these scary days so the focus of this blog is to share my perspective and more importantly, how Integrative Wisdom worked to keep me mostly sane and how the practices I used reduced a huge amount of my stress.

Briefly, other things going on as I sat, first in the ER, and secondly in the hospital intensive care unit, included meeting my son's fiance for the first time, attending my ex mother-in-law's funeral, taking my best buddy from high school out for her birthday and celebrating, not only her birthday, but also finally getting well from complications from breast cancer treatment, continuing to plan for a party we weren't sure we could hold, learning about family secrets that were just that and trying to put that newly acquired knowledge into perspective, taking care of my three great grandsons for several days during their Spring break as promised to my granddaughter, prepare for an upcoming trip to Canada, and celebrate my birthday!

I'm trying to give you just a taste of what my soul, mind, body, and spirit were going through.  What is most important to this post however, is how my practice kept me sane and afloat.  I have always said it's important to have a practice in place before the you-know-what hits the fan.  And what follows is mine.

My Practice for When the You-Know-What Hits The Fan

Just seeing the photo above sends an immediate reminder to breathe.  Slow down.  Stop.  Breathe in with awareness and then let the breath out slowly.  Do it again.  And again.  This tool is probably the most important of all tools.  The benefits are instantaneous.  A nice cup of tea helps too... 

Nature as a Healing Force

Sitting in the hospital, whether in the ER, the intensive care unit, or the SNF, takes a huge toll on our minds, our bodies, our spirits, and our souls.  It is crucial to try and sneak a few minutes to step outside and be in nature.  Allowing your entire being to breathe in the beneficial effects of fresh air, the blue sky, the flowers, the trees, brings additional calm to a worried mind.  This really helped me cope with the long days of not knowing.  I especially appreciated when the birds would sing to me.

Deep Awareness

Pervading each and every moment of this month was the practice of being aware.  Being aware of my limitations, my beliefs, my values, and my strengths as well as others' limitations, beliefs, values, and strengths, allowed for a depth of presence to the decisions and tasks at hand.  This reduced the amount of friction that can occur when family members come together to solve problems or face difficult situations.  I'm not perfect with this practice, but I am good enough at it that it helps me immensely. 

Remembering to Look for the Blessings

In all of the chaos this past month, there have been many blessings.  It's such a comfort to identify and recognize this during all the struggles, sorrow, fear, anger, and pain.  Taking that moment to breathe, to acknowledge the situation, and then to give thanks for the little things, the big things, and to consciously look for the silver lining meant that I was able to find the blessings that were there.

Identifying a Talisman and Sharing with Community

This was a fun and super exciting moment.  My granddaughter took the time to create special bracelets out of important beads of mine.  We then shared them with a few of the women in our lives that were also going through big life changes or challenges.  I recommend finding a way to identify a talisman of some significance, at least for yourself to hold on to, and then if possible, finding a way to include a community of support as well.  When I wore my bracelet,  I remembered the women were holding me up as I went through my day.  And I knew they knew I was holding them up as well.

Turn to your Angels and Guides

Not only is it helpful to find your community here on earth, but it's also helpful to call on your spiritual support team.  I find comfort in trusting I have this team in place.  You will have to figure out if this is something you believe in.  Then, be sure to call on your team as soon as you realize there is a situation developing that will tax your body, your mind, your spirit, or your soul.

Celebrate the Victories

Lastly, for this post, it is really important to be sure to take time to celebrate the wins.  I was responsible for so much this past month but I also wanted to be responsible to me.  My birthday is a special day to me and I never work on my birthday.  I wanted this to be the same during this stressful time.  And, I was able to have my birthday fun.  Of course it took a team effort to make it happen and of course I was still receiving calls about my mom and her care, so it was still a bit stressful.  I made sure to use the "breathe" tip when I had to take a call.

Going forward, as far as my mom's situation goes, will require me to continue to use my practice.  She's home now and is reintegrating herself back into her home routine.  She will need support but we aren't yet sure what that arrangement will look like.  She knows her daughters will do as much as they can to assist, but she also knows that we have our own responsibilities and families to tend to.  Using my Integrative Wisdom practice, I am hopeful I will stay healthy and sane.

Oh, yes, humor is another very important tool to use...

I hope you have learned something useful from reading this blog.  And I hope that if you are interested in creating your own personal healing practice but need some help, you will reach out to me at Integrative Wisdom.  It would be my honor to assist you.

PS, my mom's party was a huge success!!!

The Seat of Honor

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