It's a Pondering Time

 

It's a pondering time in my world.  What about you?  There is SO much happening.  There are SO many distressing events.  There is SO little lack of consensus as to what needs to change.  It is heart wrenching.  It is stomach turning.  It is mind blowing.  And for the soul--it is time to come forth out of obscurity and shine some light into this world.  

Yes, this is deep time.  And deep time is Soul Time.  This is not a time to despair however.  It is a time to dig deep and to reach for the better part of us that we DO have.  The surface "Me" is not going to suffice.  Are you prepared to ponder?

Whatever your faith tradition or your belief system, or your nothing at all system, it might be a great time to ponder.  What in the world is happening?  Maybe we can forget the why part for now.  "What" might be a good start. It's pretty clear here in the United States that we are pretty divided in our opinions on our current situation.  And it's not just those we dislike that see things differently, it's our friends and our family.  Close to the bone you might say.  Which can make it even more painful.

One thing I consistently cling to is the realization that people I love and care about may see things very differently than me.  Because I love and care about them, it is important for me to listen deeply to what they say.  It may be that I can, at the very least, tap into the core of their understanding of events or issues.  I may still disagree but I don't demonize them or post things that would do so.

Naturally, I would hope they might return this favor.  Maybe that's why I post this today.  Perhaps, by reading this, a few more people will stop and ponder.  Where is the connection?  What might be the thread that runs through these times that can bring us back to a sense of common courtesy?   Is it important for me to stop before I post, to ponder and consider, to take a brief second and make sure I am not labeling others as the enemy, when it is very clear they are not.

This is a pondering time.  As we move forward every day to some new choice before us, or some decision we must make, I ask that we stop, consider that which we sign our name to, and move forward ONLY when we trust this is for our betterment, our personal and the collective good.  These simple steps can move us in the right direction.  No more demonizing others simply because their assessment of things is different from our own.  

NO, it doesn't mean to give up your cherished stance, but it may mean that you ponder another's.  If both people speak deeply and sincerely, without the need to be right or on top, there will be some, even if only a slight amount, of "give".  We may disagree on the big things but it seems to me that in the way  that we speak to each other there can be consensus.  And in that, perhaps we all find common ground.

It's my prayer we start today.  We can do this together.  Now.

In love,

Your Soul Catalyst, Verna

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

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

One Month Down. Eleven To Go.

Last night I had a dream.  In this dream, I was given a puppy.  I didn't say NO to the puppy, which is NOT like me.  I took it.  Thus began the adventure of which I only remember one detail. 

There was nowhere for me to put the puppy down.  Where ever I went, the puppy was in my arms.  And in my dream, I was ok with holding the puppy.  Except for one thing.  I knew the puppy needed to be put down for his own good.  And that caused me much distress.  Everywhere I went, I searched for a place to put the puppy down.  No luck.  There were no appropriate places for my puppy, at least in the places I found myself.

I woke up still searching.  The message in the dream?  Not sure.  But I've always read that if you remember your dream there is some significance to pay attention to, some information of value or importance for you to notice.  So, what better way to pay attention than to write about it and share it with others.

Here at Little Idaho, Dreams Really Do Come True.

As we end this first month of 2019 maybe it's a good time for a quick look back.   How's this year unfolding for you so far?  Are you making progress on those goals, those dreams, those tasks that need completing?  Have you paid attention to the passing of days?  Cause, voila, here we are.

One-twelfth gone, just like that (here you can snap your fingers).  Good news is, there is eleven-twelfths to go!  Woo-hoo!  Depending on this first twelfth, you are either hitting your stride or you have serious work to do.  And remember, it's not just about doing that we are talking about here.  We are talking about the work you need to do to meet both outer and inner goals.  So for some of us, that will be NOT doing.  The goal or the task will be to find that quiet place and sit there.  To sit and reflect and ponder.  To question.  To receive.  To notice.  To simply be.  Simple.  Right?

NOT!  For most of us it's not so easy to be simple.  It's not part of the mainstream culture to stop what we are doing and simply be.  It's not in our vocabulary to see success as being, simply sitting and breathing and taking in the beauty around us.  Or to sit and allow us to get in touch with our bodies and our emotions and to notice something is amiss.  We rush and rush and when we get sick, we are so surprised.  And then, most likely, we chalk it up to factors outside our control. 

It could also be that our lives are just plain complicated.  We have so many responsibilities and so much to do that we scoff at the very idea of just sitting in the quiet and contemplating our lives.  While it is true our lives are very messy and busy, it's also true that more likely than not, when we do have a bit of time we end up making plans to DO something fun, something exciting, something wild, something big, something that we can tell our friends about, or post great photos on FB or...

And of course, that's ok too.  It's just important to be real and honest about it all.  There are times we DO have time.  We just need to add the option of doing nothing as our something.  I call this time Soul Time.  And let me be clear...doing and achieving our dreams and goals may very well be Soul work.  But typically, unless we have taken the time to go within and listen, we aren't aware of this.  Most likely our dreams and goals are outer directed, picked up during our travels through this world by listening or observing what others call important or successful or worthy of our time.

Getting back to the end of this month...maybe you will decide to stop for a few minutes.  Take a few deep breaths, and take stock of how you are doing.  Listen not only to the voices in your head, but also the messages from your body.  Sense any tightness or discomfort and ask the question:  "what's wrong?"  Listen for the answer.  Then take steps to put that puppy down.  For its own good.

Put That Puppy Down For Its Own Good

In closing, as I look back on my January, I am mostly satisfied with my actions and inaction.  As I reflect today and as I notice and listen to my inner workings, I sense that overall I am on the right path in this new year.  In February I will be putting some finishing touches on a few important projects for Integrative Wisdom.  I will be continuing to offer healing sessions and coaching both in person and by phone.  I will be opening up my coaching practice by phone to men again!  (This is great news and very much right timing!)  I will be working on my mom's 90th birthday party.  Lots of Soul time here.  What about you?  Sending you my warm wishes as you go forward. 

Here's to living from a Soul Place. 

Love, Your Soul Catalyst, Verna

Wisdom Received From The Fall Gathering

Integrative Wisdom held its annual Fall Gathering on September 22^nd and 23^rd this year.  While there is space in the retreat center for ten women, only two were able to make it.  As is with most businesses, you might think this event would be cancelled due to “poor attendance”.  But Integrative Wisdom is not most businesses.  It was clear to me early on that my work was to serve, not to necessarily be financially successful.  And I adopted the mantra, “just one is enough”.  I figured that if only two women could make it this time, then there was a reason that only these two women would be here together.

And I was not wrong.  Our topic for our gathering was simply “Fall” and we gathered to create an intention for the next three months of our lives, based on where our summer had led us.  I had spent some time reading and listening to music in order to find just the right poems or quotes or songs to supplement this goal.  Here’s the first selection:

“Each moment is a place you’ve never been.”  Mark Strand

“Each act is virgin, even the repeated one.” Rene Char

“Your duty is to be; and not to be this or that.” Ramana Maharshi

As you might imagine, we had quite a robust conversation around these ideas.  And, we agreed that most of the time, we don’t follow any of these words of wisdom.  As the dialogue progressed, we opened to the possibility that we might adopt these words of wisdom as we moved into this season of “fall time”.  There was special resonance with the idea of giving ourselves permission to simply be, without having to fit into some kind of box or expectation.

I hope you will think about that for a moment before reading further.  What if you showed up to the next moment of your life as if you have never seen or experienced anything like it before?  How might your commute, your business meeting, your time with family be transformed?  I hope you try it.  Stop yourself when you say, I know what they are thinking, or I know you won’t care, or whatever other thing you say when you’ve already closed your mind to the possibilities inherent in the now.  Give another person the gift of blank slate, possibility, and wonder.  And, if in that moment, they do exactly what you thought they would do, the very act of you not expecting it will be new enough.  No need to say, I told you so.  Cause it will be different because you showed up differently.

OK, back to our gathering.  As we continued to breathe in and breathe out and as we sat in the expansiveness of peace, our hearts were open to share deeply.  And then the flow of communication intensified.  Here were two women who knew each other for years, and yet a dialogue began that was “a place they’d never been”.  One woman, a widow, sharing this journey back to wholeness and living in the now.  The other woman, sharing a cancer journey with her beloved, allowing herself to share that journey with us.  While you think one might be able to offer suggestions and advice given she has travelled that road, the consensus was:  What if this is approached from that idea “each act is a virgin act”? 

While it was acknowledged that having others who have walked a similar path share some of their experience in order to support someone else’s path, we also realized that if we believe in the idea presented in our opening quotes, there is a newness of possibility that presents itself.  This newness might have more juiciness and give more life to each day rather than waking up and saying to oneself, oh now I know what comes next. 

This was powerful to be sure.  We then moved to our next set of quotes:

“Meditate on the markings on your heart.” Mark Nepo.

“Lend yourself to others but give yourself to yourself.” Michel de Montaigne

“If you want to hold the beautiful one, hold yourself to yourself.” Rumi

Oh, now we really got into the meat of it.  So much of this journey is about others; what they need, what they want, what they expect….usually from us.  And to imagine turning inward to be as generous to one’s self?  These quotes led to some pretty deep silence and meditation.  While the wisdom contained within the quotes was recognized, it was also clear that these would take some practice to actually live day to day.  We were in agreement that this was a practice worthy of our Fall time.

We completed the day by creating a sand mandala.  The process was calming and allowed us to integrate our newfound wisdom into our souls.  We went forward, looking forward to the next few months of living in and for the NOW.

I hope you enjoyed this brief description of the Integrative Wisdom Fall Gathering.  What follows is information I passed on to our group from the book, “The Medicine Woman’s Guide To Being In Business For Yourself”, by Carol Bridges.  This book has helpful to be over the last 20 years and I still enjoy the wisdom within the pages today.

Take stock of your routine.  The average day is the harvest of thousands of thoughts, desires, longings, repression, or expressions over your lifetime.  Is the harvest good?  Are you experiencing joy in these average days that are passing you by?

Are you noticing the simple pleasures?  The way the light is streaming in the window?  The smell of your flowers in the garden?  Do you pay attention to those nudgings that encourage you to pick up the phone and make a call to a friend, or the one that says, Stop and just take a breath, or are you muttering over the list of to dos that aren’t getting done or frowning with frustration at the world?

It is important to recognize our responsibility in harvesting our best life.  Let us be sure we are taking small steps to create our best day, in spite of things we have no control over. 

Direction:  West.  It’s time for a “Time Out”.  Fall into your comfortable chair and look over what you have done so far.  Look over what you have placed your attention on in the summer.  Is it coming to fruition?  Is it worth your continued time and efforts?  Are you proud of what you are doing with this one precious life?

Do you see this in relationship to your connection to the Divine?  Give your life to that which is greater than yourself.  Time is all we have.  Let us use it well.

What Will Make This Year A Happy One For YOU?

Happy New Year.  How many times have you said that in the last few days?  A simple declarative statement right?  I dare to say NO.  This simple phrase that we say with such apparent delight is really one filled with expectations and angst.  We hope it will be a happy new year.  We pray it will be so.  But have we taken the time to ask ourselves what that means to us?  And more importantly, have we taken the time to explore our responsibilities to make it a happy one?

So much of our day to day is spent in a bit of a fog, if we are to be truly honest with ourselves.  We allow the day to progress without paying attention, without participating fully.  We fail to get to know ourselves and how our beliefs and habits underlie much of our existence.  We fail to trust that we do have a part to play in creating our best life.  If I were to ask you, What do you need or want to make this day a happy one, what would you say?  And what would you be willing to do to make it happen?

Herein lies the rub.  Are you taking the steps needed to fulfill your heart's desires?  If not, what is stopping you?  Fear?  Lack?  Lethargy?  Disbelief?  Grief?  Getting to the bottom of our true selves takes time.  It takes commitment.  Sometimes it takes a companion and guide.

That's why Integrative Wisdom exists.  Back in 2001 I was given a dream to live.  In fits and starts I have been following that dream.  This year I am stepping into the dream become real.  That is my responsibility to claim.  The whole story will be told, bit by bit as this year unfolds.  In the meantime, I hope you consider taking part in waking up to your unique new year.  Take time to step into the silence and listen.  Examine what your strengths and your limitations are.  Commit to taking action daily so that no matter what happens this year, you can say with complete sincerity that you have played your part fully.  You have participated in living the life you desire.  You are walking your walk.

If you find you could use a bit of guidance and support, please reach out to me.  I am here for you.