THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
creativity & chaos
I'm stuck in the dark, but you're my flashlight...
Jessie J (2015)
Change Happens When We Become Who We Are
The Paradoxical Theory of Change
Change happens naturally when we become who we are, rather than striving to become something we are not. Forcing change leads to resistance, stagnation and procrastination. The problem is the personal growth industry has a culture of 'doing' and 'taking action.' So we need to listen to what the body has to tell us.

You've done the courses and trainings and still feel like you need to know more.
We've been told knowledge is power. Thanks Sir Francis Bacon in 1597. It's been 3000 years, you would think someone would start banging a different drum. Today 'learning' is a 4.1 billion dollar industry in 2025, but the way to reduce anxiety is to get creative, not learn more.
What is creativity for me?
want to reduce anxiety and get your wise on
If you...
have no idea how to engage with creativity, because you don't think you are a creative person.
are experiencing a chronic illness and find the superpower rhetoric annoying.
are experiencing divorce, a breakup and in recovery from active use of substances.
are recovering from rescuing and people pleasing but they still show up sometimes.
have relationship difficulties and blame others or take the blame.
like parts of yourself but don't love all the parts.
doubt yourself, but mostly because other people doubt you.
get strong feelings of rejection
feel burnout, unmotivated and unclear and are sick of blaming and complaining.
know that you are a perfectionist and proud of it but sometimes wish you weren't.
have a new diagnosis and don't know what to do with all of the emotions.
The House of Freedom
Chronic Wiseness
Gives you the capacity to stop chasing growth & transformation.
Translates knowledge to wisdom, an understanding that cannot be learned through teaching.
Finalizes the end — by putting an exclamation mark to end cycles, patterns and relationships that no longer are required.
Transitions the chaos of the trauma through expanding creative awareness beyond standard modes of creative expression.
Raises your awareness of the need from justice. Is it from wisdom or wounding?
1 — ORDER: Constellating The Transformation Paradox
2 — MOTIF: Actualizing "We are lost until we are sound."
3 — TIME: Synchronizing Chaos & Creativity
4 — SPACE: Attuning The Chronic Whyness
5 — ENERGY: Finding home through Intergenerational Wisdom: Good for the Greater Good
1
ORDER
CONSTELLATING
The Transformation Paradox
Transformation happens when you stop chasing it.
It’s not the chaos itself that causes suffering—it’s our resistance to it. When we expand our capacity to hold both chaos and creation, destruction and renewal, we unlock profound change.
2
MOTIF
ACTUALIZING
We Are Lost Until We Are Sound
Falling to grace
The stark reality is that we will remain lost and alone until we acknowledge that we know nothing — and we have nothing new to teach anyone.
3
TIME
SYNCHRONIZING
Chaos & Creativity
making good judgements about where to put your time
The tension point between chaos and creativity and how it keeps you paralyzed
4
SPACE
ATTUNING
Chronic Wiseness
the exclamation mark that ends cycles
The enduring wisdom of lived experience.
5
ENERGY
TIWAZ
justice, sacrifice and order
finding home
C.A.S.A: Intergenerational Wisdom
Your ancestors didn't just hand down trauma, there are things you can't see, because the pain is so big. We support you to dissipate the pain, so you can see clearly their views in a different light.
1 — ORDER: Constellating The Transformation Paradox in Personal and Organizational Contexts
The transformation paradox in personal development highlights the contradictions individuals face when undergoing deep change. It encompasses several key characteristics:
Navigating Without a Clear Path – Personal transformation often begins in uncertainty, relying on tacit knowledge that only becomes apparent through lived experience. Growth emerges from engaging with the unknown rather than following
Expanding Awareness Beyond the Self – True transformation involves more than self-improvement; it requires an expanded awareness of reality, relationships, and interconnectedness. Personal growth is not just about individual change but also about recognizing one’s role within a larger system. (Association for Transpersonal Psychology)
Balancing Adaptability and Resistance – While adaptability is essential for transformation, it often clashes with a deep-seated desire for stability. The paradox lies in needing to embrace change while simultaneously confronting the discomfort of letting go of old identities, habits, and beliefs. (McKinsey & Company)
Embracing Contradictions in Self-Leadership – Growth requires the ability to hold opposing qualities—such as confidence and humility, stability and change—without rejecting either. This paradoxical mindset fosters deeper learning and self-transformation.
Sources:
Future Proof: Solving the 'Adaptability Paradox' for the Long Term
Cultivating a Paradoxical Mindset: Enhancing Transformative Learning Through Paradoxical Leadership
ORGANIZATIONAL
Reversion to Dominant Paradigms: Organizations may revert to established paradigms that reinforce current realities, hindering critical examination and necessary paradigm shifts.
Interwoven Paradoxes: Conflicting demands and opposing perspectives can become entangled, transforming positive features into negative ones and complicating the transformation process.
Tacit Knowledge Challenges: The paradox arises when individuals embark on transformative journeys without a clear roadmap, relying on tacit knowledge that is difficult to articulate but essential for guiding the process.
Paradoxical Leadership: Leaders must balance competing demands, such as fostering innovation while maintaining stability, to navigate the complexities of transformation effectively.
Sources:
A Framework for the Analysis of Politics in Enterprise Transformations
Cultivating a paradoxical mindset: enhancing transformative learning through paradoxical leadership
2 — MOTIF: Actualizing "We are lost until we are sound."
The phrase "I once was lost, but now am found" originates from the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace," penned by John Newton in 1772. This line reflects Newton's personal transformation from a life of moral and spiritual confusion to one of enlightenment and redemption.
In the Bible, the motif of being "lost" and subsequently "found" is prominent, especially in the Gospel of Luke. Parables such as the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son illustrate the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. For instance, Luke 15:10 states, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
While these narratives aim to convey themes of redemption and divine love, some interpretations can have adverse psychological effects. The concept of being "lost" until one conforms to specific religious beliefs may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression among individuals who do not share those beliefs. This internal conflict can result in identity crises and emotional distress, as individuals grapple with the fear of eternal punishment or ostracism. Such experiences are often referred to as religious trauma, encompassing the psychological impact of harmful religious teachings or practices.
Revising the phrase to "We are lost until we are sound" shifts the focus from external validation to internal well-being. Achieving a 'sound' state emphasizes personal mental and emotional stability, suggesting that individuals find their way through self-awareness and inner harmony rather than external affirmation.
Sources:
Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Impact on Mental Health
Spirituality, Religiousness, and Mental Health: A Review of the Current Literature
3 — TIME: Synchronizing Chaos & Creativity
Academic research has extensively explored the intricate relationship between chaos and creativity, highlighting how transformation emerges from this interplay.
Chaos and Creativity
Studies indicate that highly creative individuals often navigate between order and chaos, utilizing this dynamic tension to foster innovative ideas. This balance allows for the spontaneous reorganization of thoughts, leading to creative insights. Neuroimaging research supports this, showing that during restful states, the brain's association cortices are active, suggesting a self-organizing system at work.
Transformation Through Creativity
The process of transformation is closely linked to creativity. Engaging in creative activities can lead to personal growth and change, as it involves exploring new possibilities and perspectives. This transformative experience is often facilitated by embracing uncertainty and disorder, which can lead to novel solutions and personal development.
Effortless Transformation and Commitment to Creativity
While creativity can lead to transformation, the notion that this process is entirely effortless and requires no energy or action is not fully supported by academic research. Creative endeavors often demand significant mental effort, time, and persistence. However, a strong commitment to creative practice can make the process more engaging and intrinsically motivated, potentially reducing the perception of effort. The key lies in the balance between challenge and skill, where individuals may experience a state of 'flow,' characterized by deep immersion and enjoyment in the activity.
References
A Journey into Chaos: Creativity and the Unconscious. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3115302/
The Order–Chaos Dynamic of Creativity. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328890717_The_Order-Chaos_Dynamic_of_Creativity
Creativity. University of Rochester. https://www.rochester.edu/warner/lida/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/creativity-by-mihaly-csikszentmihalyi.pdf
4 — SPACE: Attuning Chronic Wiseness
Chronic wiseness challenges the notion that wisdom emerges only in hindsight. It recognizes that transformation is not a singular event but an ongoing process—one that unfolds not after suffering has been resolved, but in the belly of it. It is wisdom that does not wait for relief but exists in the tension between pain and insight, between loss and profound understanding.
Defining Chronic Wiseness
Chronic wiseness is:
Persistent – It doesn’t fade when the crisis ends but remains an ever-present undercurrent in one’s way of being.
Embodied – More than intellectual insight, it is felt in the body, influencing how one moves through the world.
Nuanced – It resists simple narratives of victory, recognizing the coexistence of pain and transformation.
Rooted in Presence – Unlike post-traumatic growth, which looks back on suffering from a distance, chronic wiseness exists within the ongoing experience.
This kind of wisdom often arises from defining life events such as chronic illness, prolonged grief, or deep betrayal. It manifests as a profound shift in perception—one that does not seek to “return to normal” but instead embraces a new way of seeing, being, and relating.
The Growth That Happens Inside the Suffering
While mainstream psychological frameworks often suggest that meaning is found after hardship, there is growing evidence that meaning-making happens within suffering itself. This contradicts the linear model of trauma recovery and instead supports a simultaneous process of pain and transformation.
For example:
Illness as a Teacher – Studies on chronic illness suggest that those experiencing long-term health conditions develop existential resilience, learning to live in paradox—hope and grief, strength and fragility, limitation and possibility.
The Role of Embodiment – Research on somatic psychology indicates that bodily suffering itself can be a site of wisdom, where pain is not merely endured but listened to.
Neuroscience of Meaning-Making – Neuroplasticity studies show that the brain doesn’t just “bounce back” after trauma but actively rewires itself during ongoing adversity, creating new pathways for insight and adaptability.
Academic Research on Growth Within Suffering
Tedeschi & Calhoun (2004) – The architects of post-traumatic growth theory recognize that growth is not simply a byproduct of suffering but an active process occurring during distress.
Frankl (1946) – In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl documents how meaning is not discovered after suffering but can be created within it.
Neimeyer (2019) – Work on grief and meaning-making suggests that individuals reconstruct their worldviews in real-time, not just retrospectively.
Merleau-Ponty (1962) – Phenomenology of the body highlights how suffering is not only experienced mentally but also held and processed somatically.
5 — ENERGY: Finding home through Intergenerational Wisdom: Good for the greater good
Intergenerational Wisdom
The transmission of wisdom across generations has been shown to offer significant benefits for both younger and older individuals. Programs designed to facilitate intergenerational interactions, such as the Building a Community Legacy Together (BCLT) initiative, have demonstrated that structured wisdom-sharing activities enhance adolescents' social-emotional development and provide older adults with a sense of purpose. Empirical studies reveal that these exchanges foster mutual respect, improve communication skills, and bridge generational divides, thereby enriching community cohesion and individual well-being.
Intergenerational Innovation
Collaborative efforts that harness the diverse perspectives of multiple generations have been found to drive innovation within organizations. Research indicates that intergenerational teams, which combine the technological proficiency of younger members with the experiential knowledge of older members, are more adept at problem-solving and generating creative solutions. This synergy leverages the strengths of each age group, leading to enhanced organizational performance and a more dynamic approach to addressing complex challenges.
Intergenerational Vision
Developing a shared vision that encompasses the aspirations of different generations is crucial for sustainable organizational leadership. Studies suggest that intergenerational leadership models, which integrate the values and insights of both emerging and established leaders, promote resilience and adaptability in the face of change. Such models encourage mentorship, continuous learning, and the alignment of long-term strategic goals with the evolving needs of the workforce, thereby fostering a culture of inclusivity and sustained growth.
Sources:
Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma Effects: Putative Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms
Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: The Mediating Effects of Family Health
The Benefits of Intergenerational Wisdom-Sharing: A Randomized Controlled Study
Ancestral Wisdom: Tiwaz: Justice & Sacrifice
Symbolism and Meaning
Tiwaz (ᛏ) is the rune associated with Týr, the Norse god of war, justice, and sacrifice. It represents themes of honor, discipline, courage, and self-sacrifice—all qualities exemplified by Týr, who sacrificed his hand to the wolf Fenrir to uphold cosmic order. As the warrior’s rune, Tiwaz signifies both physical and moral strength, as well as the pursuit of justice, even at personal cost.
The rune is often linked to leadership, law, and victory, but unlike the brute force of battle, its victory comes through strategy, integrity, and righteous action. It is considered a rune of guidance and self-discipline, often appearing in contexts that demand perseverance, ethical choices, and the willingness to endure hardship for a greater cause.
Historical and Cultural Context
Elder Futhark (2nd–8th century CE)
In the Elder Futhark, Tiwaz was primarily associated with divine justice and warrior ethos. The rune was inscribed on weapons and amulets to invoke protection and strength in battle.
Younger Futhark and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (8th–11th century CE)
The rune evolved in later runic alphabets, but its association with Týr and justice remained strong. In the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, Tiwaz is linked to the guiding star (likely referring to Polaris), reinforcing its role as a symbol of steadfastness and divine order.
Runic Inscriptions
Tiwaz appears frequently in Viking Age inscriptions, often in contexts of war, oaths, or rulership. Some runestones feature Tiwaz to invoke divine favor or signify a warrior’s dedication to higher principles.
Modern Interpretations
Psychological Perspective: Tiwaz is sometimes seen as the rune of personal discipline and resilience, representing the ability to make tough choices and endure difficulties for long-term gain.
Esoteric and Spiritual Uses: In contemporary rune readings, Tiwaz often appears when one is called to act with integrity, take a leadership role, or commit to a demanding but necessary path.
Legal and Ethical Symbolism: Due to its connection with Týr, Tiwaz is also associated with law, contracts, and justice, making it relevant in discussions of ethics and responsibility.
Academic Findings and Scholarly Perspectives
Runology and Linguistics
R.I. Page, in Runes and Runic Inscriptions, discusses the role of Tiwaz in Norse and Anglo-Saxon societies, noting its presence in inscriptions related to leadership and military matters.
Looijenga (2003) in Texts and Contexts of the Oldest Runic Inscriptions highlights how Tiwaz appears in early inscriptions that may be linked to ritualistic or legal functions.
Comparative Mythology and Religious Studies
Simek (2007) in Dictionary of Northern Mythology explores the sacrificial aspect of Tiwaz, linking it to Indo-European traditions of divine justice and warrior codes.
Paul Johnsen (2019) examines how Tiwaz may have served as a symbol of divine kingship, drawing parallels between Týr’s justice and medieval Nordic rulership ideals.
Archaeological Findings
Various Viking Age weapons, amulets, and runestones bear the Tiwaz rune, suggesting it was commonly used in ritual and martial contexts.
A famous example is the Kylver Stone (5th century CE, Sweden), which contains the Elder Futhark sequence, including Tiwaz, possibly indicating ritualistic or commemorative uses.
Choosing the Right House at the Right Time
We believe, you will land in the right house, and the right event at the right time, regardless of how you get there. We believe everything is occurring in good order, meaning if you land in a house whether it feels 'right' or not, it is the house meant for your right now. Each house is determined by characteristics, concepts, values and beliefs and an overall vision. If the vision fits you, then you fit the house and if it doesn't, if something becomes alive in you, it may be exactly what you need in that moment.
Research on regrets of the dying
Bronnie Ware's Blog Post: "Regrets of the Dying"
a palliative care nurse, shares the most common regrets expressed by her patients.
Academic Article: "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing"
Meta-Analysis: "What We Regret Most... and Why"
A study analyzing common life regrets across various domains.
Psychology Today Article: "Learning From the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying"
An exploration of Ware's findings and their psychological implications.
The Guardian Article: "Top five regrets of the dying"
A summary of Ware's observations from her time in palliative care.
Forbes article: "The Top Regrets Of The Dying And What We Need To Learn From Them"
An article discussing the common regrets of the dying and lessons to be learned.
Chronic wiseness is the deep, embodied understanding that emerges not after suffering, but within it. Unlike the neatly packaged concept of post-traumatic growth, which implies transformation happens only after the crisis has passed, chronic wiseness acknowledges that wisdom can take root during the most difficult moments. It is not the triumphant arc of overcoming but the slow, ongoing integration of truth, often shaped by pain that does not fully resolve.
Wisdom is not just knowing—it is the end of chasing. Chronic wiseness is the weight of understanding without release, the exhaustion of carrying every lesson but never stepping beyond the cycle. True wisdom is transformation, but transformation is a paradox—it happens when we stop grasping for it. The courage to express what we feel, to stand in vulnerability, is what allows us to fall to grace rather than from it. Protection may keep us safe, but it also silences creativity, dulls experience, and traps us in survival. Justice wielded without balance destabilizes rather than restores, keeping us lost in the fight rather than finding the way forward. We are lost until we are sound—until we attune ourselves not just to truth, but to resonance, where wisdom is not just held, but lived.
Falling to grace is not easy. It takes courage to let go of what we know and trust in what we cannot yet see.
It means facing the fear of being unworthy, of not being enough, and still choosing to stand open-hearted. It is the opposite of control—it is faith in something deeper than pride or power.
The fall is not the end. It is an invitation—to step into a life that is truer, freer, and filled with the grace that only surrender can bring.
Tiwaz is more than just a warrior’s rune—it represents justice, discipline, and righteous action. Whether seen through a historical, psychological, or mythological lens, it continues to symbolize the power of sacrifice and unwavering commitment to higher principles.
Would you like me to expand on any specific aspect, such as archaeological finds or deeper mythological comparisons?
Justice is essential. It acknowledges harm, restores balance, and ensures truth is seen. Without it, healing can feel incomplete—like a wound left to fester. The need for justice is not just valid; it is a force that shapes meaning from pain.
But to live from that need can unsettle the very order we seek to restore. It demands a sacrifice—not just of time or energy, but of inner peace. When justice becomes the only anchor, it can pull us into resentment, fixation, and exhaustion.
Falling to grace does not mean abandoning justice but giving way to something deeper—allowing space for healing, even when justice remains incomplete. It is to bow, not in defeat, but in trust that something beyond retribution can still bring wholeness.