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Written by Catherine VanWetter
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Sunday, 23 May 2010 00:00 |
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 It’s been said that the reason change is so difficult, is because it often isn’t our idea. It’s something that is forced upon us from the outside. From either the people around us, our job, a relationship or “life” that pushes us to move out of a comfortable situation, into a position where we are faced to go down a different and often unfamiliar path.
How often have we heard ourselves or others complaining about having to change? Yet as humans, we are not static. Change is occurring all of the time. Many times without us even being aware of it. It’s when change is thrust upon us, that we may withdraw or resist the reality that we are being forced to do something different.
It’s interesting because I have talked to many folks who were “forced” to change and the change they were resisting ended up being the best thing that ever happened to them. For instance, they were fired from a job that was killing them, ended a relationship that was unhealthy or were forced to begin taking personal responsibility in an area that they felt powerless to yet triumphed in the end. This awareness wasn’t always immediately realized. Often, the insightful learning’s happened after an individual had time to settle into their “new” life. Once the sting of being forced into a “change“ had subsided.
When I made the decision this last September, 2009, to sell my home and move, it was very difficult. I found myself wondering why I had to do this and ways that I could avoid it. Yet when I settled into the deep knowingness that I, for many years, had talked about and wanted to downsize and relocate, somehow my resistance and fear began to subside. I became at peace with what I knew was for my highest good. Ultimately, a decision that I had subconsciously made years before now was becoming a reality. The question was, how could I face this reality now that I was fully engaged in it?
My continued insights throughout this year long process has encouraged me to become very honest with myself. Once I took responsibility for my change and began making proactive and positive steps forward, than the transition became easier. That’s not to say that I don’t have periods of time that I feel sadness, grief or loss, just that I am aware of those times, honor them, reach out to others and know that even though I feel uncomfortable now, the change I made was for the best.
If you are currently faced with going through a challenging change that is difficult or something that you are resisting, I invite you to consider these following tips.
1. Know that as tough as the change may be, resisting it only makes it more difficult. Acknowledge the change, breathe into it and focus on being in the moment. When we are in the moment, it brings us back to the present, back to possibilities.
2. Notice when you have thoughts of what could happen, and begin to focus on what you have right now in this present moment. Do you have your breath? Do you have a roof over your head? Sometimes, it’s the small things that help us through these daunting changes.
I hope that what you have read has been helpful. Please let me know any thoughts or insights that you have. I would love to hear from you.
With a Grateful and Very Full Heart, Catherine
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Written by Catherine VanWetter
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Wednesday, 23 December 2009 14:48 |
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Dear Friends,
 Thank you so much for all of your support, encouragement and love. My wish for you, is that your heart be filled with joy, appreciation, laughter and peace. As we transition out of the "dark" and into the Light, what a wonderful time to release anything that no longer serves you. Bow deeply to that part of you, be it a belief, attitude or myth about yourself that no longer fits you and step into the brilliance of your bright light that shines out into the world showing the way for others.
Wishing you prosperity, health and a heart full of love, as we step into the New Year with infinite possibilities. We are the one's we have been waiting for.
With a Grateful and Very Full Heart, Catherine
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Written by Catherine VanWetter
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Tuesday, 01 September 2009 01:00 |
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 Do you practice having an attitude of Gratitude or an attitude of Hopelessness?
Noticing which emotion feels more comfortable is a way to start refocusing on how you view your world. It’s amazing how we chose to look out into our world either with a cup half full or a cup half empty. The choice is always ours, yet at times, it can feel as though we don’t have a choice. Sometimes it can feel like the world is out to get us and that the circumstances outside of us dictate how our life unfolds.
A lot of how we view the world depends on how we are feeling at a particular moment, whether we are feeling hopeful or discouraged. If we’re hopeful we give situations and people benefit of the doubt. If we’re feeling hopeless or disgruntled often we notice the little things that agitate us. It’s important to become the observer of our moods and our subsequent thoughts.
Many times we can be unaware of our thoughts and not realize how sneaky at times they can be. It’s like, where did that thought come from? I am amazed at how many thoughts we can have going on in a minute’s time. It’s as though we’re on the Velcro loop of continuous thought. It’s those sticky thoughts that hook us, and get us stuck into repetitive thinking of doom and gloom. One minute we can be feeling good, the next minute our life is a total catastrophe. How does that happen so quickly, and how can we gain some control over not being victims within our own head?
A good way to begin is to start to notice repetitive thoughts that you have and whether they expand or contract you. That is, whether they make you feel good or feel lousy. Once you start to notice, then you can shift a thought as soon as you become aware of it. The biggest challenge is to notice.
Another tip is to consciously choose an attitude of gratitude for whatever shows up in your life. Incorporating this into your life on a moment-to-moment, day-to-day practice will help you strengthen the gratitude muscle. It takes discipline and yet with practice it can totally change your life.
This article is based on the words found on page 53, Attitude and Hope, of Catherines's newly released book of heart whispers, "The Soul of the Heart". To review the beautiful, heart-filled pages of "The Soul of the Heart" and to listen to a section of the accompanying meditation CD visit http://TheSoulOfTheHeart.com
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Written by Catherine VanWetter
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Monday, 31 August 2009 01:00 |
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 As we shift into a whole new way of being, many of us are being called to look deep within and uncover the hidden treasures of insight, wisdom, and inner knowing that have been slumbering within us.
Now is the awakening of our full potential as we release and surrender to situations that are at times creating havoc within our personal lives. These clever situations come in the form of losing a job, a life threatening illness, or the loss of a relationship. Usually it occurs in areas that we are most vulnerable to, and that will either humble us to our knees or cause us to shutdown and retreat.
This is the work of our Soul. That part of us that remembers what our purpose is long after we have forgotten. It’s that part of us that knows what we are capable of, yet for whatever reason we have become complacent in. It’s the shedding of our false selves, those parts that protect us and keep us from stepping into the brightness of who we are.
As we shed our masks, our vision becomes clearer because we are no longer holding a veil over our eyes. Sometimes this clarity can bring panic and disbelief in areas of our life that we may have discarded. If we can stay with the discomfort and uncertainty, and not reach for another mask to put on, we will be amazed with the discoveries we find.
All the answers are deep within us, just waiting to be uncovered. Uncovering these insights on the journey of our life takes courage, gratitude, respect, grace and persistence. It takes a strong backbone to stand up and fully claim the life that is your birthright. If not now when? If not you, who? Time is of the essence.
This article is based on the words found on page 3, Insights on the Journey of Life, of Catherines's newly released book of heart whispers, "The Soul of the Heart". To review the beautiful, heart-filled pages of "The Soul of the Heart" and to listen to a section of the accompanying meditation CD visit http://TheSoulOfTheHeart.com
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Written by Catherine VanWetter
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Sunday, 30 August 2009 01:00 |
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 For many folks, this time in history is one of tremendous challenge and change. Many individuals are being forced to make decisions that they thought they would never have to make. The decision to sell a beloved home, the need to relocate in order to find work, adult children moving back home again or downsizing in order to pay off debts.
Whatever one’s challenge may be, what if within that challenge was a blessing in disguise? What if, underneath the sacrifices individuals were making, there was freedom for them to follow up on the dreams they held so close to their hearts but had tucked away because of other responsibilities? What if we stopped struggling and resisting with what was happening, and instead allowed ourselves to collapse into the struggle and consent to what was happening? Would that make a difference?
Those who have surrendered and asked for divine guidance have ended up living lives that were far more expansive than they could have ever imagined. Often, we surround ourselves with so much stuff we think we need, that ironically it creates a prison for us, encumbering our movement. The beautiful home we always wanted ended up being far more time consuming than we imagined it would be. Instead of rejoicing in the luxury of having so much, often folks talk about the burden of having so much. Wishing they could close the door on all the added responsibilities and walk away.
It’s interesting to note that many folks, who have lost their jobs, when asked if they were happy with their jobs, often said that they weren’t. Once they were able to settle down enough and know that they would be OK, that’s when they saw the blessing in their challenge.
This is an invitation to you, for whatever it is that you are facing, to perhaps, slow down enough to step away from your reactivity and ask yourself these questions, “Have I always been take care of?” “Am I really happy in the current situation that I am in?” “Is there something more I would like in my life?” Listen to your deep inner knowingness. You may be very surprised with what you hear. Then you can surrender and be guided.
This article is based on the words found on page 69, Challenges and Blessings, of Catherines's newly released book of heart whispers, "The Soul of the Heart". To review the beautiful, heart-filled pages of "The Soul of the Heart" and to listen to a section of the accompanying meditation CD visit http://TheSoulOfTheHeart.com
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