Hawk Medicine

Posted by Barbara Techel

Hawk Medicine

Welcome! I knew you could do it. 

This is what I heard a hawk convey to me, just as I entered the small woods near my home yesterday. I saw him high in a tree, and then as he gracefully lifted off taking flight. After hearing this message, I said out loud, ” Oh yes! This was so worth it. So worth it!”

As I wrote yesterday, I was in a funk. The voice inside that knows what is best for me had been nudging me for quite a few weeks to get outside. But we’ve been having below zero temps made even colder with bite-to-the bone wind chills so that voice was being drowned out by the wee little nagging voice that complained it was too cold out.

This isn’t the actual hawk I saw but a photo I found online. It was zero degrees yesterday and I was bundled up in many layers so I could have never gotten my two pair of gloves off fast enough to get a picture.

But it does not matter because seeing that hawk and hearing his message made my heart soar! I have no doubt what-so-ever he was just waiting for me to confirm that I was right where I needed to be, taking that walk on such a chilly day.

The sun was brilliant, the skies an icy blue, and the winds calm, along with Hawk, it was just the medicine I needed to adjust my attitude which I sorely needed.

There is truly nothing like nature to remind you of how grand life is if we can take our focus off our silly little worries for a time being. And you know what? Just that half hour in nature had me feeling as if I could fly, just like Hawk!

After sharing this post, I heard from my 80 something year old friend, Jerry who wrote, “It’s true that I can’t tolerate the cold outside as well as I did even ten years ago, I have goose down, and I have my old-fart’s hat with the insulation and ear flaps. We went out for an early dinner on New Year’s Eve, and it’s the first time I’ve sat in an upscale restaurant with thermal longjohns under my good clothes, but old age brings many firsts. So try to enjoy it.” 

Point taken my friend, point taken. And a lovely quote he shared with me from T.S. Elliot, in “The Wasteland.” 

Winter kept us warm, covering

Earth in forgetful snow, feeding

A little life with dried tubers.

Pays to have wise old friends to keep us in check and I take this advice, tuck it under my fuzzy hood on my coat, and will carry with me.

And since my dear friend, Jerry isn’t on Facebook (of which I think is very wise of him at times, too) I share some pictures from my walk yesterday and today… and I hope it will inspire you, along with Jerry’s sage advice, to partake in the magic of nature…

Made it up the first hill after seeing Hawk and the cold was no longer a factor!
Hello trees! Oh, how I’ve missed you!
So pretty!
Interesting art in nature!
Right before heading out of the woods I came across the very busy bunny trail crossing!
Me and my shadow plus a walking stick friend I picked up along the way. The stick now awaits me for next time as I left at the edge of the woods. Can’t wait to see him and maybe Hawk again!

Sunday morning walk photos below.

I decided to walk earlier today with the intention that I hoped I’d see some deer. Lucky me, but also proof for me that we are truly connected and one with nature, the animals, and the universe…because as I walked down one part of the trail that is steep, I looked up just in time to see four deer run across the path about fifteen feet in front of me! Oh yes, so dang worth it. So worth it!!

First on the trail this morning!
What was and the promise of what will be again.
There’s a trio of trees like this, all with wooden fences around them, as we live in a part of the Kettle Moraine area. Fascinating how the landscape is, I think.
My walking stick friend which I leave to rest here after my walk. See you again soon!

My Chatter Box Curses the Cold

Posted by Barbara Techel

My Chatter Box Curses the Cold

We’ve been having frigid temperatures for about two weeks now. The kind of cold that bites your face and gets deep into your bones. I work hard to stay positive as I believe in the power of thought and how it affects us.

But I found myself in a funk this morning, angry at the cold weather, wishing I could be somewhere warmer, and mad that others I know are heading south. I was having a down right pity party with myself.

And yup, I have my moments too even though I’m passionate about being a positive and inspiring voice in the world.

The blessing though is that because of my dedication to working on my personal Self with a capital S, which means my inner voice, my higher self, I’m able to catch it sooner rather than later, and that it was my small self, with a small s, which is my ego, was the one chattering away in my brain.

I’ve been wanting to get outside and walk through a small woods near my house because nature grounds me, helps me feel alive, and makes my soul feel home. 

I’m currently enrolled in The Invision Process, which is about learning to be the observer of your thoughts. It’s part of Oracle School that I began in October 2017. While this personal mastery work can feel quite challenging at times, and yes, I’ve cursed that too, along with the weather…I keep going back to it. 

Why? Because the rewards are so great as I learn to see my thoughts through a new lens and learn to work with them, and to detach from the ones that are just that…chatter.

So I journaled this morning from prompts and an exercise from The Invision Process, moving through the feelings and how I feel when I let the chatter box of thoughts run wild. Then I visualized putting them in a box and just observed them. What a difference in my state of mind and the feeling in my body it made. I realized the negative thoughts were just that…thoughts, and I could let them go.

And the thing is, this is what gets in the way of what really matters. The truth is, that our inner voice knows the answer. It wants to get outside into nature. And so my determined, knowing self rose to the surface and I’ve made the committment to get out for a walk today. 

I turned my thoughts to gratitude: the sun is out, not a cloud in the sky, I have warm clothes to wear, new hiking boots, a cozy home, a husband who loves me, Gidget who snuggles with me, good health, work I love…and on and on the list I made mentally.

The cold is only temporary just like my thoughts. They come, they go. But it’s this moment, in the here and now is what matters, and truly, all that I have. 

Chatter box cursing the cold be gone!  🙂

—

Learning to move through transition, whether the seasons of nature, or whether small or big changes, it’s embracing that inner voice and learning to follow its lead is what I’ll be sharing in a free webinar offering on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00pm cst. If this calls to you, I’d love to have you join me! And feel free to share with others who you feel may benefit also.

Just click here to register or on the graphic below. There will be a recording available if you aren’t able to attend, so be sure to register if you are interested. Hope to see you there!

Free Webinar: Embracing the Gift of Intuition to Guide You through Transitional Times

Posted by Barbara Techel

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, colder days have arrived, and while the light is gradually extending its reach a bit longer every day, it’s the perfect the time to go inward to pause, really listen to your heart, and capture the nuggets of wisdom just waiting for you.

With the holidays behind us, you are likely giving thought to what so many of us do, and wondering how this year will be the one you live with more intent and meaning…and the one you will begin to embrace more fully who you are and what matters to you.

Perhaps you are in a time of transition and wondering what is next, or how to take steps toward living a life on your own terms.

What if you took the time right now, when life does not seem to have as many demands as others seasons can bring, and learn to hone in on your intuition? So when you find yourself in more challenging times of transition (and you will because this is all part of experiencing life fully!), you will feel more centered and empowered.

If that sounds like a gift you’d like to give yourself, then I invite you to attend my complimentary online webinar training and Q & A which is coming up on Tuesday, January 9th.

It’s called: Embracing the Gift of Intuition to Guide You through Transitional Times.

I believe that by understanding and opening to the gifts of intuition it can guide us to more easily answer the bigger questions about life when they present themselves, and when we do, more magic and love is able to take center stage in our hearts.

The truth is we are always in transition — some small — some big, because we are always expanding and evolving. By spending quality time in self-reflection, turning into the messages within, and capturing what matters, this is the foundation to more clarity, inner peace, and a life that is more fulfilling and meaningful.

One of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite authors, Joan Anderson, speaks to the vital importance to this inward journey: 

Nothing happens overnight. Developing a relationship with the unknown takes time. In doing so the seeker is granted the greatest gift of all—clarity. I have come full circle yet again. I must always be willing to journey forward—spiral into the center and then back out again. Then and only then will I be whole, in touch with all that I am.  

In this valuable complimentary webinar, I will share:

  • Why 15-minutes a day devoted just to you, will have you not only feel more calm and in balance but living with more awareness of what matters.
  • How working with images in a fun, creative, and inspiring way can gently speak to deeper wisdom that can provide guidance in your everyday life.
  • Why re-training your mind will have your body following suit — it’s not just about eating a good diet.
  • How to pay attention for signs and symbols that confirm you are on the right path.
  • How embracing transitional times as a gift can reveal blessings.

Mark your calendar! This enriching and valuable webinar is completely free…

Date: Tuesday, January 9th, 2018

Time: 4 pm pst/ 6 pm cst/ 7 pm est

Bonus for Registering: Receive my interview, in which transformational coach, Jocelyn interviews me about how opening to the messages from animals, nature, and oracle cards can guide us.

Special Bonus During Live Call: Everyone who attends the webinar live will be entered for a chance to win receive one of three 30-minute readings and intuitive guidance sessions with me. It will be a beautiful way to feel supported and gently guided toward tuning into your intuition so that you can take meaningful steps forward. 

Register Here Today!

I’m looking so forward to seeing you at the event!

In gratitude and love,

Barbara Techel