The Storm is Fierce, Breathe Deeply

You never know when the unexpected with shower you with whatever you need. Life is about listening to the shadowy storms and responding in the bright sunshine.

The world is this scary, uncertain place that shines so brightly with the power of possibility. But, life is hard and sometimes we edge so deeply into the shadows, we forget who we are and the power that simmer deep inside of us. Instead of facing the storm, we wait for it to abate never realizing that the storms are always present.

We can grope in the shadows shrinking from any thunder while hoping to find the latch that releases us from our dark or we can breath deeply into the storm’s fierceness. With our breath we connect to our fears that form a seemingly insurmountable barrier to igniting the power of possibility. When we move between the barrier and those possibilities; sometimes we realize the possible, other times we retreat further into the shadows. 

So, what can we do? I propose turning that little spaces of darkness into a places of learning, places of respite, places of coming home to the real inside our self no matter how messy, how imperfectly perfect we find our self in those moments. Within that space we can be who we are. We can separate the authentic from the illusion. In doing so, we live in the freshness present after the storm.

How do you do this? Begin by acknowledging where you find yourself in the moment. Recognize that there can be no shame in the darkness when there is most surely no shame in the light. Both the dark and the light are needed to grow — each provides sustenance for the evolution into your truth. If you believe nothing else, believe that. 

Next, use your greatest life tool — your breath — to anchor and center yourself. Breathe deeply into those part of yourself that seem to be hopelessly frozen by some nameless emotion. Even if you believe that nothing will release them begin a wordless conversation with your fear, your angst, whatever you find hiding in the shadows. Listen to the reason, the root, that birthed the emotion. Respond to what you find at the root.

The next part is scary. Okay, maybe scarier then what you’ve just done. Befriend the fear, the angst. Ask yourself what small act you can do to turn the force of your feelings into the power of transformative action. Remember, a journey begins with a single step, so does your movement from the shadows into the light. 

Then act. Just do it without judgments or defenses. In your action you ignite the spark of your light. Listen to its guidance for your spark illuminates the message from all your senses. As your spark burns brightly, you gain a clear picture of where you find yourself.

In time, the dark you find yourself in comes less scary. It becomes a place to face your fears, gain respite, and rejoin the world with actions that a echo the power of your authentic being.  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is an Intuitive, Coach, Catalyst, who uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for personal and relationship transformation. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Contact Vanessa  (vanessa@intentandaction.com) for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2020 

Thoughts from the Frontline

Uncertain and interesting are these times. I am an empath who works in an essential business. 

Each day there are new policies and procedures enacted to keep the customers and workers safe. We are protected from the tangible while the intangible emotions continue to bombard us. Lately the battering of emotions has intensified leaving me overwhelmed most days.

Everywhere I turn I see a lot of hope and compassion heaped upon an unstable foundation of fear. Some seem to be intellectualizing the current situation in ways that gloss over the suffering of so many while focusing on the anticipated good that will come sometime in the unknown future. I have also read my share of fear-driven posts from people who are finding it difficult to navigate the choppy waters of change.

I find myself wondering, Is there a middle point? A place where we live in the real while addressing the issues as community while building and sharing a collection hope. I’d like to believe so. And, if this place exists, where it is to be found?

We are a people who tend to be stuck in our heads. We make sense of the most incomprehensible things because that is what makes us feel safe. If we can analyze it, draw a conclusion, and find a solution, then everything is okay, right? Maybe, maybe not.

I believe that this approach fails to take into account the uncertainty of the world and the fact that we are not islands. Our being okay as individuals or even segments of the population doesn’t mean that, for others, the world stops its descent into chaos. Unless we take into account that we are community, then any solution will not encompass everyone. Now more than ever we need to act from the stance of #inthistogether. We must act upon the knowing that our actions — simple and complex — impact the actions of others.

What can we do? I have learned that life is to be experienced through our entire being. Living in this way, we gain awareness with our body, mind, spirit, and heart of the richness of information presenting in each moment. Being stuck in our head might offer a certain consolation, but it cuts us off from not only community but also from our self. 

Absorbing any information with the four aspects of our being (body, mind, spirit, and heart), we gain a clearer understanding of circumstances and how they impact not only us but others. We use components of our understanding — including the compost — to nourish our plot of land. This plot is not an island garden; it is part of a greater community garden. 

What are the little and big ways that we impact others? Stop living in your head and get in touch with how others are being impacted by the uncertainty. Say thank you, offer a compliment, listen intently. As your sphere of influence widens, so does your ability to impact others and the world. Share resources in a blog, facilitate community discussions, connect with others to change policy at local, state, and national levels. Give as you are able from each aspect of your being — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spirituality. 

Now is not the time to be stuck in our heads intellectualizing our selves into the illusion of hope. Now is the time to open our self to understanding — how we are impacted and how others are changed by this unfolding. Now is the time to act in ways that spark personal and communal revolutions. These are revolutions fed by an awareness that we are in this together and will only survive if all have the tools necessary to cultivate our plot and help others cultivate theirs in the community garden.  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is an Intuitive, Coach, Catalyst, who uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for personal and relationship transformation. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Contact Vanessa  (vanessa@intentandaction.com) for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2020

Painting Joy into Your World

Believe it or not, in this uncertain world artisans of joy are flourishing. They do this not through the illusion that all is well, but through living from freedom, solitude, and love. 

Let’s begin with the blank canvas of freedom. This is not the freedom of doing whatever we want whenever we want. No, this is the freedom of choice through discernment. We begin with the realization that life is not always fair, the world is uncertain, and each of us is imperfect. The is a potent recipe for disaster averted through discernment. (Discernment is the process of objectively reaching understanding through reflection and introspection. 

Through discernment we wade through the swampiness of uncertainty to find the hidden sparks of truth. Courageously blowing upon these sparks, our freedom burns bright. Within this freedom, we respond with love and compassion to whatever life gives us. This doesn’t mean that everything is wonderful. It means that while life might be tough, we find the wonder and grace in each moment. 

Finding wonder and grace may feel elusive until we rest in silence. This is not a cessation of physical noise. Within this place we notice the busy-ness within our mind and quiet it. We enter a place of clarity. In these moments of solitude we see clearly, weigh our options, and make choices. Without resting in the quiet, our internal monologue distracts us. Within the clutter, we would have no freedom. We can clear the clutter and gain freedom. With freedom and solitude, no matter what we choose, we act with love.

We discern how we are called to be love in a world that is uncertain and populated with people who are imperfect — just like us. The goal is to love our self for who we are while forgiving our self for the many ways our imperfections present. In loving our self in full acknowledgement of our imperfections, we gain the ability to love others despite their imperfections.  

Through this boundless, unconditional love, we suffuse our self and the world with joy. Ask yourself what choice you freely make today. Rest in the quiet of your heart, identify the roots of your choice. It doesn’t matter how you judge the choice — good or bad — dig deep into the roots to understand why you made this choice. Use your internal spark to burn away the illusions that have you trapped. Recommit to being/doing from the depth of your soul. Love with a purity of heart. 

Key into how you feel. Full body listen. Connect to that which raises your energy vibration. As your energy raises, ride the wave of this energy — joy. Be it. Share it. Do it. Joy is the only thing that will coax us from the dark of uncertainty into the light of our true self. 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is an Intuitive, Coach, Catalyst, who uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for personal and relationship transformation. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Contact Vanessa  (vanessa@intentandaction.com) for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2020

Take a Chance

In a fragile moment, the world shifted. Nothing is as it was. For sure, it is tough, frightening time. The ground has shifted giving way to a cavernous sinkhole. We are unsure if it will continue to grow or even what lurks in its depths. We can skirt around the sinkhole ignoring what hides within, or we can call upon the courage to listen to the whispers floating from the cracks and crevices.

What if these uncertain and scary moments are a call to take a chance? What if we take that chance? Now, I am not talking about leaping before you look or doing something equally dangerous. I am suggesting you ask yourself what you’ve always wanted to do. Find something that has you stepping just a bit outside your comfort zone. Sit with feet dangled over the edge or peer over the ledge of your chasm. Discover the chance and take it!

Here is the chance I have taken: I come from a family of visual artists — cousins, a sister, nieces, nephews, even my son. I never saw myself as an artist, but I have always been drawn to watercolor. I have the paints, the  paper, the brushes, yet I was unable to create. Holding a brush my hands felt fumbly. 

Then covid-19 happened. My Tai Chi classes were canceled. This gave me an extra four hours a week. A little voice inside whispered, “Take a chance.” So, I did. I began to paint. This time, I didn’t feel so fumbly. I ask a number of people if they would be my models. They all said yes. I began to paint aura portraits.

I took a chance and discovered that I was a visual artist. In order to take this chance I shifted my perception and judgment about my abilities. What did I gain? Confidence in my abilities to paint with water color and added trust in my intuition. I also gained another way, in addition to writing, to reduce stress and share myself with the world. Painting watercolor aura portraits is now another intuitive-coach-catalyst offering.

So, take a chance. Look deep into the sinkhole and ask yourself, “In this new world, what chance calls to me?” And, then do it. This isn’t about success or failure. What matters is that you take the chance and, in doing so, connect to the core of your being. Because really, what do you have to lose beside fear?  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is an Intuitive, Coach, Catalyst, who uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for personal and relationship transformation. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Contact Vanessa  (vanessa@intentandaction.com) for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2020