The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals

Posted by Barbara Techel

During my Reiki I training my Reiki Master, Jay, brought Animal Medicine cards for me, since I would like to focus my Reiki practice on helping animals. I was thrilled!  I’m familiar with Animal Medicine cards (have a set of cards myself) and have worked with them before.

Be sure to read through the entire post for an opportunity to find out what animal is guiding you at this particular time on your journey.

Before I get into the meaning of the animal card, Jaguar that I picked, you might be asking what is animal medicine?

As quoted from the Animal Medicine Cards book by Jamie Sams and David Carson:

To understand the concept of medicine in the Native American way, one must redefine “medicine.” The medicine referred to in this book is anything that improves one’s connection to the Great Mystery and to all life. This would include the healing of body, mind, and of spirit. This medicine is also anything that brings personal power, strength and understanding. It is the constant living of life in a way that brings healing to the Earth Mother and all of our associates, family, friends, and fellow creatures. Native American medicine is an all-encompassing “way of life,” for it involves walking on the Earth Mother in perfect harmony with the Universe.”

I am very drawn to animals- not only dogs, but all animals. Among my favorite besides dogs, are dolphins, penguins, giraffe’s and elephants. But truly, they all fascinate me.  And I believe each animal on earth teaches us something. So I was intruigued I picked the Jaguar during my Reiki I class.

The Jaguar card says:

Sacred Jaguar teach me…

To wear my pwer lightly,

To walk with impeccability,

To approach life with compassion,

And to live up to the integrity of my human potential

I’ll share a portion of what the Jaguar means for me from the Medicine Card book:

Jaguar medicine is integrity and impeccability. Its mission is to devour the unclean aspects of human behavior. Jaguar teaches us good medicine to those who stand in their personal integrity and walk through life in an impreccable manner.

If Jaguar is roaming your dream/reality today, its primal roar may be rewarding you for mainting your integrity in some situation where you could have easily misused your authority. You may have been unwilling to pass judgement on another, or to be self-serving. Were you especially kind to someone or do a good deed that was unexpected? If so, allow the recognition to fill you with feelings of well-being and continue to serve with compassion and openhearted integrity.

Do not falter in your resolve to be your personal best at all times. Maintain your dignity, devotion, and compassion, holding to forthrightness and honesty, no matter whe the cotnrary influences. Jaguar medicine teaches you that personal integrity allows for mistakes, embraces forgiveness, and humbly makes self-directed corrections, allowing a rebalanced spirit to triumph once again.

The most powerful part of the Animal Medicine Cards is to pick your nine totem animals that surround your physcial body on your Earth Walk which are represented East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within.

Interestingly enough, I reviewed the nine totem animals I chose back in February 2006 and for East it was the Jaguar.  Picking Jaguar for East means that this animal in the East guides you to your greatest spirtual challenges and guards your path to illumination. Now this gives me major goosebumps as I truly feel this is where I am in my journey!  WOW!

Would you like to know what animal is guiding you right now on your path?

Just contact me via email (barb at joyfulpaws dot com) and let me know in a sentence or two what you’d like most to know for yourself? Are you are the right path? Do you want to manifest something in your life? Are you struggling with something? Let your animal card help guide you. Based on the area you’d like guidance on, I’ll ask the of the deck of animal cards to choose the right animal for you. I’ll then email you the animal card chosen for you, along with its meaning. Fun, huh?

Divine Gifts. Carrying on Frankie’s Mission.

Posted by Barbara Techel


Frankie enjoying more down time. She likes it!  She likes it!

Today I heard from someone who follows my blog. She shared with me how she admires the work I do with Frankie, as well as how some of my posts have helped her relax more and see the spiritual side of things. Thank you dear follower- oh, how I appreciate your kind thoughtful words.

She also has a doxie in a wheelchair and would like to do the same work as I do with Frankie. She feared I may take this as possibly her being a copycat, so at first she was afraid to reach out to me. With Frankie’s semi-retirement she felt a bit more comfortable in approaching me. I assured her I think it is wonderful that she has admired our mission and is inspired to do so with her pup. It also made me sad that we have to think in terms of someone worrying that others may be upset if we “copy” their idea. While Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog will always be just that and no one can take that from her, what a wonderful opportunity to help share the message she has begun. This wheelie dog and her owner will do things in their own way and thus touch the lives they are meant to touch- just like Frankie and me have done. And how beautiful to know more doxie lives can be saved through more awareness. These are all divine gifts, I think. I consider it a great honor.

While Frankie is officially semi-retired and I continue to share her message on a more limited basis, I still see myself as always doing this line of work. Likely not to the degree I did for the last five years, but to some degree now. And the day Frankie does move on I hope to continue working with children in some fashion educating them about special needs pets and using these pets shining example to help they, themselves to be positive. That may mean another special needs doxie or special needs pet in my future. I don’t know the clear answer to that yet- but I see a vision of it being a part of what I continue to do… along with new things emerging in terms of my helping animals.

But to my dear blog follower who found the courage to reach out and share her thoughts with me about her vision, I thank you. It’s another rippled pepple that will go out into the world to touch the lives of those we have not yet reached or may never reach– which in turn will make a positive difference– and that is what life is all about. Divine gifts indeed.

“The life I desire is a work in progress, and even though I can’t see the entire picture from where I stand at this moment, it is coming together in a perfect way. It’s comforting to me to remember that divine ideas have their own timing. When I can wait, in calm expectation; ready to act, but not forcing it, an idea, a suggestion from a friend, an opportunity, a new way of thinking about a perplexing problem, will come bounding into my life and bring with it the answers that I have been seeking.” ~Mary Muncil, White Feather Farm Blog

 

Everyday Is About Endings and Beginnings

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Kylie had surgery at 9:00am today for a torn ACL and meniscus. I was beginning to worry around noon when I hadn’t heard back from the vet that all went well. I tried not to worry. I found myself getting upset about something that John was telling me, and then upset that Frankie had made a mess in her kennel while I was only gone a short time.

Then I was upset with myself for worrying and getting upset. I started out the day reading my Principles of Reiki, which I have set as a goal to do each day:

  • Just for today I will live the attitude of gratitude
  • Just for today I will not worry
  • Just for today I will not anger
  • Just for today I will do my work honestly
  • Just for today I will show love and respect for every living thing

Each day we have the chance to make a new beginning. I know I tried this morning, but lost my way in worry. But once I caught myself and what it was that was making me on edge I realized why I was feeling like I was this morning. I was trying not to worry about Kylie- but I was. But I thought, you know what? We can begin again in the middle of the day. So I decided to read my Principles of Reiki once again and give thanks for ending and beginnings.

Ending and Beginning:  

Yesterday I completed my manuscript for my new book Through Frankie’s Eyes, Lessons Learned From a Dachshund on Wheels. I found myself at a loss of what to do when I came out to my writing studio today and after I submitted my manuscript to my editor. For over a year the book has taken up so much room in my head and now it is all written down and done. An ending. But I reminded myself of the beginning of the editing process plus gathering my notes and thoughts together for a book cover, layout, and marketing. So my book has not ended… it has only begun.

Another Ending and Beginning:

It was announced today that our darling little grocery store (photo below) will be closing it’s doors soon. It was open for 6 1/2 years. Many factors played into it having to close its doors, I am sure. But I am hopeful it will be the beginning for another entrepreneur with a dream.

Life is truly all about endings and beginnings and if we can find positive in all of it, I think the better off we can live more joyful lives. After all, endings and beginnings is what life is all about. So before bed and when I rise again, I shall read my Reiki principles once again to stay on the good and upbeat path of ending and beginnings.

And tomorrow will be another new beginning when I pick Kylie up from the vet and hug her tight… and help her on the way to her recovery… and before I know it another new beginning of our daily walks will begin again.