On Being a Space Keeper

Posted by Barbara Techel

On Being a Space Keeper

There aren’t many days I miss my yoga practice, while meditation is something I will more easily skip. That is, if my mind has its way and it can be awfully convincing some mornings!

Today was such a day. I was thinking about my “to-do” list filled with fun things I want to accomplish as I moved through my yoga poses talking myself right into skipping meditation at the end.

As I listened to a new artist I’d not heard before as my music for my practice, Krishna Das, I couldn’t let go of the chanting music so soon and found myself so drawn to it, that meditation became more enticing toward the end of my practice.

As I settled onto my meditation cushion, I told myself I only had to meditate five minutes convincing myself that was at least something. My mind still battled me, wanting to jump right into my work, but the music wouldn’t let me go yet. So I sat. And then I heard in my mind, “this is the most important work you have to do today. The rest can wait and will get done. You are a keeper of space.”

I knew what that meant, “keeper of space.” I love the term “holding space” which for me means holding space for others so that they can move through their own process of figuring challenges out or discovering new things about themselves. I’m not always perfect at this, sometimes wanting to interject advice I think will help, but I too, am a work in progress.

But I enjoy using “holding space” as a facilitator when I teach SoulCollage(r) because I really believe that telling someone how they should or should do something or how they should think is of not always the best way. Being a guide who holds space for others to discover and uncover what is right for them is truly a joy to watch unfold when a person has a “light bulb” moment.

And as I thought more about this being a keeper of space, I realized too that it was the most important thing I would do today. Holding space, sitting in silence with my soul, praying for peace for our world, that energy then moves out into our troubled world.

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Transition: A Doorway to a Deeper Self

Posted by Barbara Techel
Transition: A Doorway to a Deeper Self
Photo credit: freelyphotos.com

Happy Monday to you!  Today I’m excited to share with you an article I wrote for memoir author Kathy Pooler’s blog.  This article on how I came to understand that transition is a doorway to learning more about ourselves.

Transition: A Doorway to a Deeper Self

When it first began, I’d only hear it now and then. But as a pivotal chapter in my life was coming to a close, it became harder for me to ignore an inner whisper trying hard to get my attention. Yet I kept pushing down the feelings I didn’t want to deal with.

I knew a transitional time for me was right around the corner, but it was too painful to think about. It meant I needed to let go of what was, and give thought to what was next.

I had found what many seek and some never define– a purpose. For six years I had a passion to bring positive awareness to disabled pets and help children and adults see their challenges in a positive way. I did this through the example of my dachshund, Frankie, who was in a wheelchair due to paralysis of her hind legs. It was what made me bounce out of bed each morning.

Continue reading…

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For Juli. The Last Gift.

Posted by Barbara Techel

For Juli. The Last Gift.

As I trimmed and shaped the shrubs and cut back the perennials which I enjoyed immensely this summer being that they were freshly planted this past May, I thought about Juli.

I didn’t know her well, but knew of her, having encountered her a few times because of my work with Frankie my therapy dog. She was a caring, generous of spirit lady.  For the past seven years she has been on a journey living with stage four breast cancer. I marveled at her positive attitude. I learned today that her voyage here on earth ended. She was forty seven years old.

When I came across this last sprig of lilac and one last rose that managed to make its way into the world one last time this season, it made me think how Juli left her family and friends with the gift of her caring and giving nature – they will never forget that – and I’m sure she taught so many that even in the face of a difficult diagnoses and all she endured, she found a way to give back. Her obituary stating that even when very ill, she found a way to help others, never complaining, and often was heard saying, “I am fine.”

I was feeling melancholy as I thought about Juli and seeing the last of the summer flowers. While I know the flowers will bloom again next spring and the roots do their work below the surface, I remind myself that those that have walked this earth are not really gone either, their spirit in some shape or form continues and will always be a part of this planet.

And so Juli, this rose is for you – for being the beautiful soul you were while here on earth, blessing so many in your path.

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