Signs, Signs. Everywhere a Sign.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Signs. Signs. Everywhere a Sign.

Yesterday on my blog I wrote about how an issue with my right eye has had me feeling vulnerable in going out in public without eye make-up and how this has been a great lesson of acceptance of myself.

It opened a great discussion and thoughts on the post itself and on Facebook. Thanks everyone for chiming in!

The discussion continued today when I went in to get my haircut by my friend, Missy. Standing in the reception area we talked about my post and Missy agreed about much of what I said about questioning what real beauty is and how we’ve bought into what our culture deems as so. With my eye still red (but a bit better today), Missy shared with me how a spot on her face has her feeling very self-conscious right now.

Truth be told, I never saw the spot. It was her sparkling eyes and her genuine, loving personality that I saw. As we talked about self acceptance Missy looked down to see a heart shaped leaf on the floor of the salon.

And there it was! Confirmation for both of us to know in our hearts we are enough. I was thrilled she handed it to me so I could bring it home and take a picture and share with you today.

So there it is…for each of us…we are all truly enough. Believe it and really know it…for then you shall be set free.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

What is Real Beauty? Embracing this Lesson of Acceptance.

Posted by Barbara Techel

What is Real Beauty? Embracing this Lesson of Acceptance.

On Sunday afternoon, my right eye became quite swollen. Monday morning I could barely open my eye as it was so puffy. I’ve been battling something going on with it since mid-October, trying all sorts of remedies to try to get rid of the redness, itching, and flaking on the lid of my eye.

I ended up going to urgent care yesterday morning and the doctor felt it is an allergic reaction to something and gave me some steroid creme to use. I’m hoping that’s the answer to this mystery, as the creme has helped with the swelling. Time will tell.

But it’s been an interesting process for me in terms of acceptance…and going out into the world without eye make-up on. I can honestly say that years ago I would not have ventured out, afraid for others to see me without make-up. Silly and trivial perhaps with so many more issues in much need of attention these days- but I’m pretty sure I’m not alone on this.

Our society places so much value on beauty, or what is perceived as – something I’ve wrestled with and worked through many layers of my own self-consciousness of for many years.

Just last night I watched a make-up video of a new mascara promising to give us those long, long lashes, so many wish for. I found myself getting depressed watching, not being able to wear make-up right now. I went to wash my face for the night and John walked in the bathroom as I was looking in the mirror.

I said, “I’m so ugly right now!”  

And then I caught myself. I was beating myself up. It didn’t feel good. I didn’t want to do that. I’m still me, red, swollen eye and all. I am not my looks. I am my heart. 

And it brings me back to the issues that need our attention right now in this world. It’s about re-framing our language. It’s about accepting all the parts of ourselves. It’s about healing the wounds we have of buying into what is perceived as true beauty and what makes a person beautiful.

So while not wearing make-up and being self-conscious about it may seem trivial, it really is much deeper. It’s about the fear of being judged. Of feeling not pretty enough. Or feeling not good enough.

It’s owning those fears and knowing they are false. That I am good enough. That I am enough. Make-up or not.

And as I got ready to meet a friend for lunch today, I stepped into my confidence shoes and walked proudly into the cafe.,, And had the most wonderful, uplifting, inspiring lunch with my friend, Connie. Something I would have missed out on had I let fear get in the way.

And this…this is what matters. Connecting. Sharing. And accepting others for who they are and where they are at. That is real beauty to me.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

For the Love of Donkeys

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

For the Love of Donkeys

In my newsletter on Friday I wrote about how donkeys are dancing in my head this holiday season (opposed to sugar plums!). I’m sharing what I wrote below, in case you aren’t a subscriber to my newsletter. If you wish to be, I give away a different book each month, one that I’ve read and enjoyed, if you’d like a chance to enter and win. You can subscribe here.

On Saturday I shopped local at one of my favorite shops in Elkhart Lake – Two Fish Gallery, with fine art and craft and most recently added, Fair Trade. I just needed to finish up a little Christmas shopping.

It never fails when I shop Two Fish that I find something for myself. But one certainly deserves a little Christmas gift for oneself, right? When I spotted this colorful donkey with the perky pink ears, well, I giggled out loud and I just knew she had to go home with me. I was smitten on the spot! She was made in Peru under the Fair Trade Act, which is something I feel good about supporting, along with small local businesses.

And that makes four donkey totems I now have residing in my Zen writing cottage. Donkeys and Dachshunds are starting to really take over this place!  But I’m totally happy with that.

So without further ado — the reason for my donkey excitement of late– read on…

Donkeys Dancing in My Head

I am just busting at the seams in anticipation of a dream that is coming true!

How long I’ve had this dream?  Well, quite honestly, it feels like forever.

I thought it would never come true. But yet, I held onto hope that somehow, someway it could happen.

That’s the thing with dreams. You may envision it one way, but being open to unexpected ways in which it can come true, just might prove to be better.

I believe my dream originally began when I first started reading some of Jon Katz’s books about life on Bedlam Farm of which he had a donkey named Carol.

He then acquired Lulu and Fanny. Several years later he would rescue Simon, a donkey that could barley walk, and when he did, was in much pain due to the cramped conditions he lived in.

For a time being, I was also friends with a woman who had four miniature donkeys. Many groups of special needs adults and children visited the donkeys. I was able to witness the magical and heart warming connection one sunny afternoon, writing a story about it for our local paper.

My love of donkeys has just continued to expand. Whenever I get a chance to see one, I have to contain myself because I just want to squeal out loud. Well, truth be told, I usually do squeal!

As much as I’d love to have donkeys of my own, it just isn’t feasible. We’d have to have the land to do so and of course, there is the cost.

But I never gave up hope.

I’ve known Rachel (who I’m teaching an upcoming workshop with) for a quite a few years. 

Two years ago she established LaValley Sanctuary, which takes in geriatric and special needs equine. The location of her sanctuary? Only five minutes from my home!

While Rachel currently has four horses, she also wants to bring donkeys to the sanctuary. The challenge?  Funds to build the shelter they require.

But along came someone who wanted to help financially and offered the funds for the lean-to to be built. Thank you, special lady for supporting this dream!

Now it’s just a matter of time. Rachel’s significant other, Jeremy, is a carpenter who has provided the skill and labor for the sanctuary’s current buildings.

So this spring, the lean-to will be built for the donkeys!  And the fences will be put up. And guess who has already been solicited to help?  How did you guess?!

It’s true!  I’m going to be a ranch hand and help with installing the fencing for the donkeys before they arrive.

Dreaming of donkeys all these years and wishing to be involved with them in some shape or form is finally coming true.

Perhaps not in a way I could have ever guessed, but it sure does feel right.

So you never know how a dream can come true! And so this holiday season instead of sugar plums dancing in my head, well, yes… yes, indeed…donkeys are dancing (and prancing) in my head!

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.