Sparks in Wisdom's Fire

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

A Fine Line: Dream vs. Fantasy

Sometimes fantasy blurs into dream and dream edges into fantasy. There is a fine line between fantasy and dream. Have you found yourself crossing this line? Have you found it difficult to discern between the two? I know that I have.

A dream is a desired goal; it may be your raison d’être. A fantasy is an unrealistic outcome based upon a want. It is easy to see how the line between the two blurs when we are unaware. We become aware of how we encroach this fine line through discerning what we want versus what we need. Only through reflection and introspection can we separate fantasy from dream and reach our goals.

The power of dreams propels us toward our goals — both short term and long term. Each step toward the dream gives us the energy to try one more time to succeed no matter what our perceived and real limitations. In fact, our limitations become challenges to overcome on the road of realized dreams.

Fantasies are illusions. Through them, we create false, unsustainable pathways through our life. Caught in a fantasy, we do not actively engage our soul purpose. We get mired in false hope. The fantasy becomes the beginning, the middle, and the end of the journey.

If a dream is a “wish your heart makes,” then a fantasy is born from unresolved suffering. Through this suffering induced fantasy, we may believe that a challenge is a barrier to be leapt over instead of dismantled by learning its lesson. When we are enmeshed in a fantasy, we lose the capability to reframe. The fantasy deludes us into believing everything will be okay even when it cannot be.

You may be surprised to discover that every dream must have a bit of fantasy woven into it. It is the part of dreaming big that propels us to new heights. But, we cannot allow the fantasy to overwhelm the dream. The fantasy is the place of exploration. Here we are daring and curious as we seek the possible that is birthed from the impossible.

Allowing a bit of fantasy to seed your dream is the power of being a change agent, a willing participant in transformation. It is the power of a growth mindset, a willingness to be flexible and allow your dream to evolve into exactly what you need. A dreamer has goals, has a respect for the potential of the impossible becoming possible, and has a plan while being open to the guidance of her intuition. Within those intuitive whispers are found the fantastical moments that nudge her closer to her dream.

Hoping you ride the fine line into the realization of your dream, Vanessa

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.

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Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Where the Wind Blows

I do not know where the wind blows. I only know that it speaks of hope, propels me forward, and clears the way of transformation. While this wind may seem external, it flows deep inside of me shaking the dust and cobwebs from my dreams. Maybe the wind blows the same for you.

It ruffles complacency and reveals possibility. That is the power of the wind. We need not open a window at all for the wind to enter. For this winds finds its way in and out of the cracks and crevices of our being. Each gust reminds us to be true to our self even when we feel compelled to be the illusion that others want.

So, what is this wind? From where does it originate? Deep inside each of us a divine spark is planted at the conception of our soul. This spark connects us to the Source of all. The wind emanates from the spark. It rushes through our connection to the Sacred and then whispers through the connection of our divine spark with other divine sparks.

Upon it flies the best of each of us that we willingly share with one another. This wind binds our hopes and dreams together into a braided collective of possibility. As it twines deep inside us and reaches out to others, It sings of compassion, gratitude, unconditional love, and limitless joy. This wind is our selflessness that manifests in compassionate action expressed internally, to our self, and externally, to others.

The wind blows sometimes as a gentle breeze that ruffles our feathers as we ride the thermals of change. At other times, it is a tornado that picks us up and twirls us high. From that vantage point, we gain a new perspective on life. Our world is freed from illusion as we fly into a place of transition that births our transformation.

No matter how gentle or fierce, the wind blows is exactly where it needs to. It invites us to peer into the dusty corners fo our soul and blow away the accumulation of our doubts and missteps. The wind blows with a courageous challenge to grasp who we truly are — that which we have hidden away. The wind propels us into the morrow as we and ride the thermals of transformation. I do not know where the wind blows, but it blows us to transform.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Just for Today: The Practice of Living

When I think about living in the moment, I remember my Reiki training. In every class I teach, I share the Reiki principles. Each principle begins with the same phrase, Just for today. Students are invited to live from those principles in each moment of everyday. Just for today is a reminder to be mindfully present wherever, whenever, and however you find yourself.

Although it may not be called mindfulness, many traditions invite us to focus on the moment. We are advised to be aware of opportunities that flit in and out of our consciousness. I have heard mindfulness referred to as “focusing your awareness on the Sacred.” What happens when you focus on the moment? I believe we discover that this moment is all we have.

Our life is comprised of rolling moments one seamlessly flowing into the next. Unaware, we lose focus on our hopes, our dreams. We miss nuances of opportunity. Instead of responding, we react. But, all is not lost. In the next moment, we can regain awareness. Then, mindfully, we reset our intent by focusing on that moment and those moments that roll from it into the next.

Developing a rhythm of moving from one moment into the next takes practice. For me, there are three types of practice:

Practice is formal. You may meditate, walk, practice tai chi or yoga. These activities empower you to focus your attention in the moment as you connect with the world around you. This practice occurs at regular times throughout your day

Practice is informal. These are check-in moments. Perhaps you are feeling frustrated or something just doesn’t feel right. You may be distracted. You take a break — focus on your breathing, go for a quick walk, play a game of solitaire. These activities serve as a disconnect from what is distractive and pulls you from the moment. They mindfully reconnect you to present moment.

Practice is spontaneous. These are those moments when the extraordinary catches your attention and you mindfully engage it. You hear the laughter of a child and fully engage the joy. You notice the beauty of the sunset and breathe into it. Living in the moment, your senses come alive. You feel the sacred found only in that moment. The resulting energetic boost gives you the power to stay in the here and now for increasingly longer periods of time.

Using those three powerful words, just for today, decide what actions edge you closer to your hopes, your dreams. Then take those steps knowing that you have the power to realize exactly what you need. That realization happens only in the present moment.

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 for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Self Compassion: Growing Compassion’s Roots

Do you ever want to hold others tight while sheltering them from a raging storm? Make that storm of worries, debts, and medical ailments — to name a few ailments — dissipate. Maybe you want to make the world less scary and a lot more sane. I know that I do.

It is true that we can alleviate the suffering of another, but to do so the roots of self compassion must deeply twine into the ground of our being. Without those roots we would be lifted into the winds of suffering. We would be depleted by its agony as the storm of suffering continues to rage.

As a compassionista, I have discovered that I cannot save the world; I can only save myself. Now, this is not a narcissistic salvation in which I turn away from others. This is a path of self awareness. I identify my suffering and gently, lovingly turn inward to alleviate my suffering. These acts of compassion increase my personal power. They can increase yours. Through these acts, we gain the fortitude, the strength, to empower others on their journey of alleviating suffering.

This is what our life journey is all about. The only person we can save is ourself. An ongoing alleviation of our suffering creates the space for us to hold the suffer of another. Within that space we listen with intent and respond with compassion while helping the other find ways to heal themselves.

I’ve learned the hard way that fixing is not a synonym for compassion. Our solutions for the issues of another are most certainly not their answer. Our compassion is guidance through their suffering. With this realization comes the inner knowing, and relief, that we are only responsible for healing ourself.

Say to yourself, “I cannot save the world. I can only save myself.” Full-body listen using all your senses to describe your body, mind, spirit, and emotions responses to the statement. Use descriptors to describe what you heard. Allow this knowing to bring understanding.

Gain an understanding of how deeply ingrained your desire to fix or save another may be. Then, reflect upon your reactions and responses to that statement over days, weeks, months — how ever long it takes — to gain a greater understanding of how your desire to help gets in the way of your compassionate action. Act upon your understanding.

You may need to work out a kink or two as you discover what stops you from growing roots of self compassion deep into your being. Continue to gently engage self compassion as you love those barriers away. Do it over and over again until you recognize this life is truly about you. It is only in this caring for yourself that you can show up and shower compassion on others.

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.

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Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2020

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Don’t Cling So Tight (The Art of Letting Go)

I grew up in an era where the phrase “let go, let god,” was the way to connect with the Sacred. Seldom did I experience what I thought was letting go: a total fall into the arms of the Sacred. I wondered what was the matter with me until I understood it wasn’t me — it was my interpretation of those four words.

For some time I have grown more and more tangled in a situation. No matter how much I tried to let go, I found myself more tangled. The tightening bands of attachment cut deeper and deeper into my spirit. I despaired that I would ever be able to let go. Taking a step back from this experience, I recognized that I was clinging too tightly.

After a particularly bad moment that resulted from clinging to what I could not change, I finally had the talk with myself. I could not continue on the path I was on. I knew that I needed to take two steps back from the situation that had me so tightly tied in knots. I needed to be objective about the experience before I could find a way to slip from the knots that bound me.

The stepping back began with reflection. I objectively reflected upon what triggered my clinging. Then through introspection, I gained an understanding of why I was clinging so tightly. What followed the identification and understanding of what was triggering my clinging was the difficult part — paying attention to how I was getting hooked over and over again. I used the power of my breath to flow through my addiction-like tendency to get trapped by the tightening knots. Through my breath I discovered in real time how and why I was being caught.

This was not easy. As I reflect upon the past several weeks, I see that things have lightened — knots have loosened. Instead of my frustration morphing into anger, I now identify the frustration at the root of my clinging. It doesn’t have anything to do with another; it has everything to do with my reaction to the situation. So, I ask myself, “What you can do in the moment to alleviate your frustration?” I listen to the answer wafting from my intuition. Then, I act upon it. Any potential reaction is neutralized. The energy of letting go powers my response.

Slowly by slowly the grip of my clinging has lessened in this situation. I have discovered that letting go is less about flinging myself into an abyss and trusting that I will fly and more about leaning into my awareness with courage, trust, and resolve. When I lean into awareness, I catch the thermal of letting go and ride it on sacred wings.

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Tuesday, July 21, 2020

A Living, Breathing Gratitude Journal

Wisdom often comes from the least expected sources. As an example: a coworker shared her perception of a current situation with me. It wasn’t until after she left that I comprehended what she told me. She understood what she had, but there was little appreciation for it. That realization just made me sad.

Instead of getting stuck in that sorrow for more than I moment or so, I engaged the reframe. (The power of the reframe is strong within me.) Instead of judging her, my internal voice asked me when I experienced what I perceived she was experiencing — when my understanding was disconnected from my appreciation. Or, what was present in my life that I understood but did not appreciate?

As the memories slowly trickled in, I was humbled by many things that I take for granted. I recognized the number of seeds that my lack of gratitude planted in the ground of my being. I asked myself, in this moment, how I could shift to a place of gratitude? This shift requires an ongoing commitment to the bridge between my understanding and appreciation.

My biggest takeaway from all of this? Not to take anything for granted. There is no understanding and moving on without gratitude. Even if I only spend a brief moment acknowledging my gratitude and feeling it course through my being, that is enough. It is not the duration of the gratitude that matters, it is the act of gratitude itself.

When we commit to this way of being, we do not keep a gratitude journal, we become a gratitude journal. How do we do this? Here are some simple tips:

Set your intent each morning to find those things of which you are grateful.
When you come upon one, internally or externally, vocalize your appreciation. This might be a whisper in your mind or words uttered from your mouth or even a physical expression.
It is inevitable that you will miss an opportunity for gratitude. Whenever you recognize it, acknowledge what your appreciation in that moment in the most appropriate way.

When we live in gratitude, we consciously and intentionally share its spirit with everyone we meet. In doing so, we become a beacon of unconditional love and support in an uncertain world.

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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

A Brief Moment in Time: Experiencing the Pause

Rhythm is found not in musical notes but in the spaces between them. Meaning is found not in the words but in the silence between syllables. Understanding of Tai Chi body/mind/spirit connection is not found in the inhale/exhale but in the space between them.

The pause is found in every thing we do. It is vitally important to how we respond or react. How often have you missed the meaning within a pause? How often was a trigger being flipped before a pause was identified? I know that I have flipped triggers more often than I comfortably admit.

Through the pause our intuitive awareness activates. We notice nuances, even patterns, and find meaning within them. Those pauses are the weave that connects the essence of who we are to our intent and action.

Perhaps one of our greatest challenges is learning to live in the pause. We can only be in that space when we are in the moment. The past no longer pulls us at with its regrets and remorse. The future’s lure of hopes and dreams loses its allure.

Now, I am not saying that the grief of the past should stay unresolved or that we should never have hopes and dreams. What I am saying is that we cannot afford to be any where other than the present moment. For when we are here now, we find the energy to carefully nurture the seeds of possibility that are found only in the pause.

What I am proposing is that we acknowledge what pulls us from the moment and muddies our connect to the present moment. Part of the acknowledgment is to take opportunities to feel the poignancy of what intrudes and then heal those parts of us wounded by the past.

As for the hopes and dreams, let’s ask our self what we can do, in the moment to nurture the seeds of hopes and dreams. It is not enough to admire our hopes and dreams; we must find way to bring them alive in this moment.

How we resolve our past and bring fruition to the future are birthed in the pause. For within it, we are able to understand without logically knowing which is the best path on this journey. Using this understanding we discern how to move from each moment while creating the life we are meant to have.

So, how do you get to a place where you comfortably and actively engage the pause? Here are just some suggestions. Each practice session need only be 90-seconds or so.

Listen to how the rhythm of music is impacted by the moments of pause.
Listen to how the pause impacts a conversations.
Walk and find the pause in your gait.

This practice helps you develop an awareness of how the pause presents itself to you. Through practice your awareness of what opportunity presents itself in the pause increases. Notice:

In music: how does the pause shift your energy?
In conversation: what meanings do you grasp within the pause?
In walking: what does the pause tell you about your physical balance?

Recognizing the pause is a way of welcoming richness into your life. The pause is the home of transformation. Using the information gained in the pause shifts your reactions to an increasingly uncertain world to responses.

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