love

LOVE is the Light Within that Creates Lasting Peace

Posted by Barbara Techel

LOVE is the Light Within that Creates Lasting Peace

I know I’m not alone in sharing that I feel many emotions whirling around in me today. I’m working hard at not caving into fear. And it’s not about being on the “left” or “right” but truly wanting for all of us to stand united together…

I believe with all my heart that this chaotic and troubling time is begging us to each begin to dig deep….really deep…to love within—first and foremost for ourselves, because if you don’t love yourself it’s so easy to fall victim to the blaming and shaming of others. 

While I’m feeling so tired of all the negative, frightening, un-nerving chaos exploding around us, at the same time it makes me more determined than ever to dig my soles and soul in even deeper into the truth of what I believe.

LOVE….it’s the only answer. There is no other.  The opposite of love is fear – and fear can either swallow us in one fell swoop or slowly linger, killing our soul a little bit everyday.

Today, as I do often, I’m surrounding myself with those that uplift me – those that I admire and may not have even met – the beauty of social media (instead of the negative and volatile) and those sharing positive messages of love, healing, peace, and planting the seeds to create a world they wish to see.

And tonight I’ll be surrounding myself with three beautiful souls in my Joyful Pause Studio as we nourish our souls, and continue to build upon that peace and love we want also, with meaningful discussion, creativity, and friendship.

These positive steps are keeping me grounded…keeping me moving forward…keeping me in balance…helping me to continue to stand tall in my truth…helping me to live the peace that I wish for each and everyone on this planet.

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Happy Birthday to My Special Sparrow, John

Posted by Barbara Techel

Happy Birthday to My Special Sparrow, John

Happy 57th Birthday to the other half of this sparrow duo – my sweet, hardworking, loving guy, John.

When I awoke this morning I thought of John right away and the song “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” by Tanya Tucker popped in my head. It had me reminiscing back to the day John stole the keys to my heart, as a line in the song says. I was only 15 1/2. And yes, we had a head “full of dreams and faith that could move anything” and we still do. Cue the music!

Often in our almost 38-years together we have thought of ourselves as the two sparrows in this song – especially through the rough times – but somehow when things seemed against us, we knew we would make it. Perhaps maybe not at the beginning, but our faith has definitely grown stronger over the years. I guess you could say we’ve adopted this as “our song.” And yes, we’ve slow danced to this song in the kitchen many a times and I hope many more times.

I could see in my mind as I lay in bed this morning that adorable nineteen year old face with the piercing blue eyes, and longish hair curled over his blue jacket, which he loved to refer as his “cop jacket.” Oh how he made my heart go pitter-patter, pitter-patter, when I saw him walking the halls when I was a sophomore and he was a senior.

My heart still goes pitter-patter for him, but in a different way – an evolving, beautiful way for a man I deeply love, admire, and find such comfort in his loving arms.

I truly couldn’t ask for a better partner and just wish I could have him physically sit inside my heart so he could feel the love I have for him that is just too hard to put into words.

But I guess he will just have to believe me when I say he is my soulmate and I love him so very much. I kind of think he will.  wink

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Is This How It’s Going to Be Today?

Posted by Barbara Techel
Is this How It's Going to Be Today?
kids.nationalgeographic.com

I don’t know how it started. But sometimes these things just evolve on their own.

One day I just couldn’t get enough of my husband, John. What I mean by this is that there are days when I feel extra head over heels in love with him. It’s just something that takes over and I want to be sure he knows how much I truly love him. Lucky for me, he has these days towards me too.

Out of the blue one day a few years ago, with a big grin on his face as I was giving him a hug for what seemed the 100th time, John said “Is this how it’s going to be today?” And we laughed and laughed.

Now whenever these moments of bliss happen, which seem quite often lately, (and I’m not complaining!) this is what one or the other will say to whoever happens to be the lucky recipient of over zealous affection.

So when my friend, Dawn, shared a video in her newsletter this week I immediately thought of John and I. I couldn’t help but send it to John and title the subject line, “Is this How it’s Going to be Today?” I share the video with you below– Just click on the photo.

I feel so blessed to have the relationship I do with John. We truly are two peas in a pod, or I guess I should also say, two prairie dogs enjoying the sweet moments of life.

Wishing you many sweet moments today!

Photo: Jan Pelcman

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