Storm Wisdom Blog

I recently enjoyed a visit with a dear friend, whom I hadn’t seen face to face for several years. She was staying with us during a surprise trip through the state. From the sitting area in our home to the restaurants we visited, a theme for our conversations emerged.

Both of us are in the midst of significant life transitions, finding ourselves navigating the uncharted waters of retirement. As seekers, it’s not unusual for us to face such phases with a mix of curiosity and introspection. Over steaming cups of coffee or a glass of wine, we delved into our experiences, sharing the unexpected challenges and surprising joys that this new chapter has brought us.

For the past couple of years, I have been semi-retired. Though I still run a small business, the minimal administrative tasks and occasional visits hardly constitute what one might call a “job.” My friend, similarly situated in the traditional retirement years, still manages her own business too, approaching it in her unique way too. She only does things that bring her joy.

For both of us, being retired, even semi, has brought up a lot of internal “stuff.” When I reflect on our shared experiences, it reminds me of a workshop series I participated in years ago that featured the ‘7 Faces of the Soul.’ Content was originally channeled by Lazaris.

While we were studying the material in class all those years ago, I felt a deep internal conviction that I already understood the truth of these 7 Faces of the Soul. Therefore, it didn’t feel like I was learning new material, but rather like I was remembering it.

At the time, as a group, we were much more focused on the “Wounding,” the 4th Face of the Soul. Yet, during this visit, I kept thinking about the “Double,” or the sixth face. My interpretation of the Double, at the time, was that it was a time of owning our wisdom, becoming a Sage, and deepening our understanding of ourselves through our lifetime of experience and self-reflection. To me, this meant we had learned what we needed to learn and it was time to share it with others.

My friend is certainly wise and sage, and I have my moments. However, I realized through our conversation that even a Sage or Wise Elder is still learning.

Now that I am in my “retirement years,” I realize I had a very juvenile perspective on what retirement would mean. It meant you stopped working and enjoyed the rest of your life doing whatever you loved.

Let me assure you that this is not the case.

Sure, you have more time to do the things you love. But there is also a bit of a mind-f*ck that happens. You realize that the first question most people ask when they meet you is, “What do you do?”

Culturally, our identity is largely defined by the work we perform. This means that self-worth, image, and identity issues confront us almost immediately and frequently when we stop working, or, in my case, significantly reduce our work.

This is not about the people asking the question; it is about what goes on inside our own heads and even hearts when asked. For me, it is also in the quiet moments when I’m alone, and invariably, my internal inquiry is, “What’s next?” Don’t get me wrong; I love where I am and the freedom that I’ve created. Yet there are still parts of me that struggle with this internal inquiry, “What should I be doing?”

My initial thought was that I needed to shed those old expectations. However, upon further reflection, it appears that this is more about embracing a new level of self-learning and self-awareness. This, too, is part of our personal growth.

When we are willing to sit in the discomfort of the unknown and listen for and to the voice of our internal guidance without trying to figure it out with our mind or ego, something new and beautiful will emerge.

This past week, I had an experience that has stayed with me. It was simple on the surface but, for me, deeply profound.

I’ve had a few lingering questions that I couldn’t quite resolve, always hovering just out of reach. To gain clarity, I decided to seek answers through a channeled session.

My questions ranged from sorting through conflicting ideas to addressing personal issues that seemed insurmountable.

One topic I want to share with you is my struggle with personal motivation.

Lately, my motivation has been coming and going in fits and starts. Usually, it centers around my work and how I shape and envision the future for Storm Wisdom. There was a time when I was on a roll—making changes, updates, and feeling confident about my focus and priorities.

Running a brick-and-mortar retail business involves constant change and a lot of administrative oversight. Most of the time, I handle it well.

However, there are moments when I know something needs attention, but I feel completely unmotivated. In those times, it’s hard to gain traction or momentum. I know what needs to be done, but I just can’t muster the energy.

This was my state for the past couple of weeks, and I wondered how long it would take me to get moving again.

So, during my channeled session, I asked: “I’ve been feeling unmotivated for a while now. Is there anything I can do to shake it off, or any way to get going again?”

Here is their paraphrased response:

“You are aware of the natural cycles of life and the nature of ups and downs. You understand the uniqueness of each season and the shifting and changing transits in an astrological chart.

Why, then, would you be surprised that you also experience ebbs and flows in your life?

We see this as a natural time for you to rest and rejuvenate.

Our concern is the self-judgment you might layer on top of this rest period. As we see it, when you move to the next phase or cycle—which will happen soon—if you’ve added guilt, shame, or blame to the mix, you will not only need to get the wheels of motivation rolling again but also deal with the weight of these emotions.

We suggest letting go of these judgments and trusting that you are exactly where you need to be.”

As soon as I heard this, it made perfect sense. Yet, I had never thought of it this way. It has prompted me to pay attention to other areas in my life where I judge myself for things or situations that might actually be working in my favor.

Simple, but profound.