All uses of catalyst... are those consciously applied

[Nicholas]

Here is an example of conscious intent.

"God grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cant and the wisdom to know the difference"

The message in this old saying I believe is to affirm to one's self that change comes from within (courage) via observing and analysing catalyst from a detached viewpoint, to find peace of mind that all is well when all is clearly not (serenity), and to be aware of the first distortion within this dualistic reality (wisdom).