Resident Bird Watcher.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_2012Kylie has taken to her spring title of “Resident Bird Watcher.” No bird gets past her view that hops or flies through the front yard.  Well, that is, as long as she doesn’t nod off, which she has a tendency to do.

Funny how I saw my first robin two days ago and now I’ve been seeing them everywhere. It’s almost as if that first robin on Monday gave a bird shout out to all the other robin’s that all is okay to come join the party.

I’m enjoying the sunshine today, though we still need to wear a heavier coat as it is still about 15 degrees below normal for temperatures… and a winter storm advisory is up for our neck of the woods later tonight.  Can someone please tell Mother Nature it is spring?  Maybe I’ll have to talk to the Resident Bird Watcher and find out if she has a direct line. It certainly can’t hurt to ask.

I just finished working on my bi-weekly newsletter that will come out on Friday. I got an adorable photo of Ms. Gidget that I included. A sneak peek to what is inside this issue: I can see clearly now that my connection with animals is what leads me to my highest self and helps me trust that little voice inside me called intuition.

Spring has Officially Landed at Joyful Paws Headquarters… Sort of.

Posted by Barbara Techel

robin 2Photo credit:  The Rabbit Room

As I was almost done with my yoga practice this morning, I glanced out my window to see a Robin land on top of the bird house I have right outside my writing cottage window. A big smile came across my face! It’s the first one I’ve seen this season. It is official… spring is here at Joyful Paws Headquarters. Err, well, sort of.

The winds are howling and windchills are making it feel in the 20s today. But that Robin made my whole insides feel warm. He stayed perched on top of that bird house for a good five minutes. After I finished my yoga I sat down in my big wicker chair and just watched him.  Then I noticed a little sparrow peeking his head just a wee bit out of the opening to the bird house. It was a lovely meditation of sorts before I closed my eyes to go into my full meditation.

Lucky sparrow, I thought. He doesn’t have to be out in that wind. As I looked at the Robin again I thought, such determination.  The calendar says spring and the Robin landing outside my window says spring too.

That is my message today. To stay determined to live the life I want. The last few days I’ve been caught up in a swirl of concern with taxes we owe this year, adjusting our household budget, and some other responsibilities I’ve taken on having me worried how I will fit it all in.

I can’t control taxes – that is part of life.  But I can choose my attitude. I can focus on what matters to me. I can live from a place of peace. I can live from a place of following my heart… and that Robin was my message today to keep spreading my wings and flying.  Thank you dear Mr. Robin. I needed that.