Storm Wisdom Blog

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance!

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance!

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” HRH the Dalai Lama

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing 22 years ago on September 11, 2001? I do. I remember feeling horror, shock, and sadness watching the twin towers fall, the planes that crashed, and learning of so many lives that were lost. Terrorists brought destruction within the United States. However, I also felt pride in how the people of our country rallied to help one another and rebuild. Unity rather than division was felt. Red tape was cut to bring resources that were so badly needed. Extraordinary heroism, courage, self-sacrifice, and a rush to help others was demonstrated by civilians, first responders, and service members. Differences were set aside.

Today, a deep divide can be felt by many within our country and yet I remain hopeful that once again we as individuals can remember what it feels like to pull together and help one another in spite of our differences. I’m hopeful that we can learn to seek to understand one another and although we may not agree with one another’s beliefs we can learn to find peaceful solutions. I recently read an overall motivation.com quote that reminds us that “A person’s most useful asset is not the head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help.” A heart full of love rather than actions driven by a fear of losing power and listening with a willingness to help each other is key to building unity once again.

Theologian, physician, and philosopher Albert Schweitzer has said that “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” September 11, 2001 reminds us of what is possible in spite of so much suffering and loss. 9/11 has been proclaimed as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. Let us remember and honor the lives that were lost 22 years ago as well as those first responders who have suffered and lost their lives due to their exposure to toxic materials. Let us remember how it feels to come together and help one another. Many of you do this already through your volunteer activities. Others participate as public servants and in the military. And there are still others of you who support your friends, family and community in many ways. Let us remember that it takes each one of us doing our part and in order for change to happen it must begin with each of us individually first.

Let us take a few moments to quietly honor those who have gone before us and ask, “What am I willing to change in order to bring more unity and peaceful solutions?” I am holding space and sending lots of love to each one of you.

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.

Self Awareness!

Self Awareness!

“To know others is wisdom, to know yourself is enlightenment.” Lao Tzu, Ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher

Hi there fellow journeyers! How have you been this week with the intense Super Blue Moon energies? As intense as these energies might feel to you there is so much encouragement to let go of the past, imagine the future and deepen your connection with the universe! This Super Blue Moon energy also supports a recognition of our interconnectedness, transformation, and inner growth – knowing ourselves more and more! It can be a healing time as well. Once again, there’s an opportunity to look within and travel to your ‘safe place’ of stillness and inner peace to explore and find answers – an opportunity to get to know more of you! How beautiful. During your quiet moments of introspection and reflection I encourage you to explore your depths without judgment so that you can embrace the beauty and majesty of who you truly are!

There are many people who believe that so much of what we experience in the world around us is a reflection of what’s happening in our inner world. Does this make sense? Have you ever found yourself finding fault with someone in your life? I know I have when I take a few moments to look at my past interactions. How did you feel as you judged or criticized someone? Perhaps you felt good, right, or even some guilt after the words were thought or spoken. Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius has said that “Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” I have found this to be true for me. I’ve noticed that when I changed how I responded to someone that I judged my relationship shifted and changed for the better.

Why? The change I was seeking first had to be changed within me. My perception, attitude and behavior had to change first. In other words, the more self aware I become and the more I know myself, my true self, the more I lean into acceptance, compassion, and love not only for me but for others. This doesn’t mean I agree with people all of the time for we continue to be individual and unique. Each one of us creates our own realities and makes choices that have rewards and consequences. Some people are more consciously aware and others are not. Being more aware of who I am and what I stand for means that I’m less triggered by others’ behaviors! What a relief! The awareness and change always begin with me first! English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley has said that “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” True. We have no control of someone else’s beliefs, attitudes and choices.

I encourage you to take some quiet time this week to reflect on who you are. Remember that you come from the one Source and we’re all a part of the whole – interconnected in so many ways. Search and feel the deep well of love and compassion within you! And if you feel ready to judge or criticize someone, ask yourself, “What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” Allow the answer to come without judgment! Then you have a choice to change or not.

I love this ever evolving journey of change and transformation. So many opportunities to dive deep into the depths of remembering who we are! We are so much more than we think. While you’re journeying with self awareness and exploring more of you this week continue to feel how loved and lovable you are!

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.

Oneness!

Oneness!

“The heart of the matter is always our oneness with divine spirit, our union with all life.” Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk

What does oneness mean to you? I just returned from an amazing Contact Retreat led by Annie Bossingham with over 20 participants. In reality there were many more in the unseen realms attending with great love and support as well. It was such a great reminder of our interconnectedness with all life – seen and unseen! During meditations with intergalactic beings I felt such deep feelings of unconditional love and acceptance that I was overwhelmed at times. Being able to open to the possibilities of ‘something more’ beyond current limiting beliefs enriched my experience as it did for others.

Imagine, if you can, the possibilities of other civilizations, intergalactic ones, that we can’t see who have experienced what our planet is going through right now. Imagine what can be learned from their experiences. Once a tipping point was reached some civilizations survived, others didn’t, and yet those who survived rebuilt and evolved beyond separation and recognized the value and beauty of oneness. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein has said that “A person experiences life as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. Our task must be to free ourselves from this self-imposed prison, and through compassion, to find the reality of Oneness.” Our spiritual journey of awakening includes ‘remembering’ that we aren’t separated. We are a part of the whole, an expansive whole! We come from the one Source which I like to think of as LOVE.

I believe that each one of us is an expression of the one Source here on earth and that LOVE is the greatest transformer of all. In order for humanity and this planet to heal it requires each one of us to awaken and make a commitment to change. What will happen if we embrace our differences and value them? Rather than focus on what separates and divides us, what if we seek to understand and lean more into using our differences to build strength and collaboration? What if we begin to see others and life through the lens of love? What if we accept that change and peace begins with each one of us – one person at a time? Oglala medicine and holy man Black Elk has said that “Peace comes within the souls of men when they realize their oneness with the Universe, when they realize it is really everywhere, it is within each one of us.” What if we learn to accept through our prayer and meditations the wisdom that is available for us? What if we open to receive the unconditional love that is waiting to be shared through our interconnectedness and recognize that we are one and in our oneness all is possible? How will life for you change?

For me, the moments that I’ve felt and experienced Oneness through the years brings tears to my eyes. Feeling unconditional love and the interconnectedness to all life is overwhelming and yet it gives me hope that magic can happen if we are willing to change. I hope that your week is filled with love and magic beyond your imagination.

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.

Am I a Good Friend?

Am I a Good Friend?

Sometimes I wonder.

I get feedback about being a good listener, sounding board, advisor, or neighbor. I am told I’m humorous, generous and supportive. Most of the time, I feel like being a good friend is one of my strong suits.

Then there are times like today, when I wonder if that is true.

Life is full of ups and downs. Hopefully the older we get (or more truthfully the more experienced we get!), there are more highs, than lows. Most of the time I feel as if I ride those waves pretty easily with my family and friends.

But the truth is, I have a low tolerance for someone who stays in victim mode.

Mind you, we all experience moments of victim or martyr and we should expect that. We are, after all, human. We are emotionally affected by situations, circumstances, and the actions (or inactions) of ourselves or others.

Some build over time. Others seem to spring on us in the moment. We experience something hurtful, unexpected, shaming, offensive, etc. And it has impact. Maybe we feel surprised, scared, taken advantage of, shamed, belittled or…

Sometime, we actually are a victim.

What I recognize is that I am good at showing up and supporting someone who is dealing with a difficult problem. Until it has gone on for too long.

The problem is.., “too long” is subjective. What might be too long for me versus someone else, could be vastly different.

What I have noticed in my relationships is that when someone gets stuck in victim mode for an extended period, and the narrative doesn’t evolve, shift or change. I lose interest. If every time we talk, they relay the same stories with similar outcomes or no new perspectives I get bored. Eventually annoyed.

I remember when I was a coach, I often coached on relationships or work/life balance. If for the client, the same situations were continually coming up and the same choices were being made; I would tell my client, that perhaps they should find a different coach who offered a new view or more aligned solutions. As it appeared that the ones that I offered, weren’t doing much to move the needle for them.

I was also confident that my perspective about their situation wasn’t going to change.

I’m not sure if that was the catalyst for my current modus operandi. Perhaps I got so used to the idea that if either of us didn’t change, it would be healthier for both to simply find a better fit.

The difference is these were clients. Not friends.

I have both friends and family members who I have simply stopped trying to support. And in some cases, this means minimizing my time around them. Either we’ve lost touch or our interactions are perfunctory.

I understand that friendships fluctuate. Our relationships are dynamic and are in constant motion. However there is also usually a state of tension. That is how we sense our connection to others. Both sides are responsible for holding onto their end of the invisible, yet important rubber band of friendship.

Maybe it is the awareness that the tension is gone in these relationships that makes them feel so different. Not only is there no elasticity, I am keenly aware that I have let go altogether.

How does that stack up against “through thick or thin”? How does that stack up against my perceived identity of “being a good friend”?

Perhaps what is even more telling is that in this moment, I seem to be okay with letting go.