Storm Wisdom Blog

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” Steve Jobs, American businessman

How many times in your life have you faced and overcome challenges? How many times has fear made you feel small or less than? How many times have fear or self-doubt stopped you from moving forward? I ask these questions to bring into your consciousness the times that, in spite of being afraid to move forward or make choices, you have overcome the challenge. In other words, the times you’ve made choices with courage that are deep within you. Why has being courageous come up for me lately? Recently someone lovingly told me that I’m too accommodating! I’ve been wondering why I still do this. After some reflection I realize that there are situations in my life where I want to make everyone happy. I asked myself, “Am I afraid to disappoint them?” I realize that in some cases the answer is yes! Having become more aware of this I’m willing to make changes. I’m willing to be more courageous and follow my heart! For me, this is an evolving journey! How about you?

American activist Jody Williams has said that “If you’re always trying to please everybody around you, all you end up being is a pretzel, twisted into the shape of a pretzel. If you do that enough, you’ll end up not even knowing who you really are. So have the courage to be who you really are, no matter where you are.” I love this image of being twisted into the shape of a pretzel. It’s kind of extreme but sometimes being too accommodating feels like it! I admit that I’m getting better at expressing what works for me but I have to say I still have moments where it doesn’t feel great, especially when what works for me is different from others. I remind myself that it’s ok! Have you experienced this too?

It’s becoming easier to let people know what works for me. I’m getting better about creating healthy boundaries too. I’m no longer concerned or fearful about disappointing people if my choices are different. I realize that it’s more important not to disappoint myself! Where it’s possible I’m willing to compromise when decisions are ready to be made; however, I’m ok with having an opinion that’s different. Fear in its many forms can be paralyzing can’t it? South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Nelson Mandela has said that “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” I believe that within everyone is a well of courage that we can draw from once we identify what is the root of our fear. I invite you to draw upon this well as you navigate the week. Focus on your victories – the times where you’ve overcome your fears – the times where you followed your heart and intuition – the times where you were courageous!

I’m sending lots of love to each one of you and trust that your week will be filled with beauty, love, courage, and abundance!

I’m available by phone or Zoom for private coaching and channeled information sessions by appointment. To schedule please go to victoriabarna.com. I’m also available for in-person sessions. Please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204 to schedule.

“The very best thing we can do for others isn’t soaking up their pain, it is actually holding space for them. Holding space for a person means giving them the room to grieve or vent while still maintaining our own boundaries.” Mateo Sol, Psychospiritual teacher and author

Wow, what a week! How are you? Saturday October 14, 2023 we experienced a solar eclipse known as a ‘Ring of Fire’. It wasn’t a total solar eclipse but some of you may have felt or seen it. Endings, beginnings, and rebirth often symbolize this type of eclipse. Some believe that major transformations can take place during these times. We are living in a time where the earth suffers and there’s unrest around the world: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Congress, and increased violence. I’ve experienced conflicting emotions of feeling both discouraged and hopeful! How are you feeling? I continue to ask during my quiet time, “What is mine to know and do?” For now, I’m holding space. I also send unconditional love and healing to the earth and all life praying for greater wisdom, leadership, peace, love, acceptance, equality, compassion, abundance, health, and so much more. I’m holding space!

I recognize that in order for a new earth/world to be created the old systems that aren’t working must be exposed and choices made to change them in more positive and productive ways that release the need and desire of many to hold onto power and dominate others. I recognize that many people fear change and yet we still haven’t learned that violence isn’t the answer for patterns that keep repeating. Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that “Peace begins within.” Each individual being must choose to change and yet there is hope for I see many people beginning to recognize this and make choices to change.

My soul cries out for this earth, the sick and suffering, the victims of violence, their families, loved ones, and communities. And yet I am choosing not to dwell in the depths of despair and discouragement. Rather I draw upon the deep well of hope and love that resides within me knowing that we’re not alone and change can happen for the better. I continue to hold space and vision a new reality! I hope you will too. Remember that you aren’t alone.

I woke up this morning hearing John Lennon’s song, Imagine, playing in my head. It seems an appropriate way to end today. Know how much you are loved and remember that it’s ok to feel conflicting emotions. Ride the wave. The emotions are yours and not you! Imagine a better world, a reality that you want to live in. Take time this week to Imagine!

Imagine

John Lennon, Singer, songwriter, and peace activist

Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try
No hell below us Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people Livin’ for today
Ah

Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too

Imagine all the people Livin’ life in peace You

You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people Sharing all the world

You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will live as one

I’m available by phone or Zoom for private coaching and channeled information sessions by appointment. To schedule please go to victoriabarna.com. I’m also available for in-person sessions. Please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204 to schedule.

“Love is the water of life, nurturing heart and soul.” Rumi, 13th century poet, Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic

Nurturing has been on my mind this week more than usual. We’ve been spending time with our youngest son and his family providing as much support as possible with a 2+ year old and a newborn! It’s been amazing to have this gift of time spent with them. I’m reminded of how dependent babies and toddlers are on others. I’m also reminded that love is the key element that’s required to nourish and support our relationships and personal growth. As the days have gone by I’m reminded that we nurture in so many ways. I think of gardeners who nurture plants and nature. We nurture children, health, relationships, pets, dreams, friends, new ideas, creativity, values, curiosity, family, love, emotions, and many provide nurturing through the food and meals they provide! I’m sure that you can think of others as well.

As the gardener demonstrates over and over again plants must be nurtured consciously and with intention in order for the seeds to sprout, grow, and bloom. I’ve always loved using the image of a rosebud or any other blooming plant – happiness is watching it grow and unfold, reaching its beautiful potential. I’m reminded during this time with my son and his growing family how precious it is to watch the children evolve and grow into their own glorious person as they’re nurtured with lots of love. English singer, songwriter, and peace activist John Lennon has said that “We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.” And isn’t this true of our relationships and the many other things that we nurture?

Don’t we garden in our inner world as well? We choose what we believe, think, and value. We choose the seeds we plant and allow to grow and flourish. Is our garden designed to be lush and thriving or is it full of weeds and old beliefs that are ready to release? It’s a choice each one of us must make. In your quiet time you might ask, “Where do I want to spend my energy and what do I want to nurture? English poet and journalist Alfred Austin has said that “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.” How much are you feeding your soul through what you are choosing to nurture? How many of your choices are based on love? Through your nurturing will love flourish and thrive in your life? I invite you to take this week to notice all of the opportunities in your life that can be nurtured including yourself. Enjoy watching a child discover magic and wonder around them if you have the opportunity.

I’m holding space for you and sending lots of love to each one of you. Laugh, giggle, play, and have fun! Remember, NOW is all there is. Please don’t delay!

I’m available by phone or Zoom for private coaching and channeled information sessions by appointment. To schedule please go to victoriabarna.com. I’m also available for in-person sessions. Please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204 to schedule.

“Family is not about blood. It’s about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it the most.” HRH the Dalai Lama

As we leave the powerful energies of the last SuperMoon of 2023 we are invited to lean into more harmony and balance. How do we still manage to balance our energy while helping others and taking care of ourselves? This question is one that comes up for me when I think of family. First, I ask, “Who is my family?” I have a birth family, a co-created family with children and grandchildren, a blended family, extended family, spiritual family, and Storm Wisdom family to name a few. Of course there are adopted families as well as others that you might have.

Each one of my families represent choices I’ve made. In order for the relationships to flourish they must be nurtured. I find comfort and nourishment in different ways from each of them and I trust that I give comfort and nourishment to them as well. As you can see, these relationships that I value and cherish are not all blood relations. Yet, I can count on support from them when I ask and consider them family.

I have found that my blood relation family has presented challenges and opportunities for me to grow in ways that some of the other relationships haven’t through the years. My co-created family with a husband, children and grandchildren have taught me ways to experience love and joy that I never imagined. My other families have helped me to grow and expand my beliefs, perceptions, and skills that have helped me experience magic and explore the unknown. Family, to me as you can see, is beyond a blood connection. What does family mean to you and how do you maintain balance and harmony in your family relationships?

I’m still learning how to create healthy boundaries in my relationships. Some days are better than others. What I find is that there is still a part of me that doesn’t want to disappoint people. I’m aware and continue to reflect about this in order to be more balanced. American talk show host, actress, and author Oprah Winfrey has said that “Family should be the place where you can be your most complete self. Where you’re accepted and appreciated, seen and valued, even in moments of disagreement. It should be your soft place to fall, the place where you’re reminded that no matter what happens to you, in the face of your deepest challenges, you are loved.” I love Oprah’s view of family. I know that this view doesn’t represent what all families experience today; however, I feel it is one to value and incorporate as we choose to create and be a part of a family. To love and be loved. Love is the foundation and answer!

Another connection that I loved about the role soul plays I found in a quote similar to HRH the Dalai Lama’s by an unknown author who said that “Family is not just about blood relations, it is about the special connection we share with those who understand our soul.” Soul connections, soulmates or people who feel and understand our soul. How many of your relationships/families include these types of people and connections? How many are based on love?

In closing, I realize that families play an important role in our lives. I feel it is up to each one of us to create and determine who family is for us and what role each one plays. Right now my co-created family is front and center because my husband and I are helping out with our 2+ year old granddaughter while the birth of her baby sister just expanded our family.

I’m thinking and holding space for each of you this week. I trust that balance and harmony will come easily and that your relationships will be filled with love, ease and grace.

I’m available by phone or Zoom for private coaching and channeled information sessions by appointment. To schedule please go to victoriabarna.com. I’m also available for in-person sessions. Please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204 to schedule.