My Pondering Question Answered by a Tiny Creature

Posted by Barbara Techel

At the beginning of the year, I invested in an Aeropilates workout machine. Years ago I did pilates with a different piece of equipment I had until the springs gave out.

This particular machine is an improved step-up from what I had, plus it comes with a rebounder that can be changed out with the foot bar to incorporate cardio.

I had four days in on my new machine when I sprained my foot. This meant no rebounding until my foot healed. I was so bummed! But I could still do the toning and stretching exercises, which I’ve been doing and really enjoying.

My foot is healing nicely and well enough that I decided I could slowly start incorporating some rebounding. I did a few sessions of five minutes each and they went well. Then yesterday I was pondering whether or not I should increase the time. I didn’t want to overdo it and reinjure my foot, but yet, I felt ready to increase my time.

As I was pondering this I removed the foot bar. When I picked the rebounder up off the floor from underneath it a teeny-tiny jumping spider jumped. There was my answer. Yes, indeed, I felt confident it was okay to increase my time rebounding.

But before I did, I sat for a moment watching and smiling as the tiny spider jumped along the floor toward the window and then I thanked her for bringing me this message.

Years ago I would have screamed and squished the spider, but this time I just sat in awe once again at how the universe supports us and this time it came in the form of a tiny spider.

xo,

Barbara

Hank the Service Dog Who Took on the Role of Therapy Dog too

Posted by Barbara Techel
Hank is a service dog for the Mayor of Sheboygan Falls, Randy Meyer.  Photo credit: Randy Meyer’s Facebook page.

It happens every time. When I see a service dog with their person it touches something deep inside me. I have such respect and admiration for the work they do.

This past Saturday as John’s family and I greeted guests at the church who were there to express their condolences for the passing of my father-in-law and to share stories of their friend, at one point, I glanced to the front of the line to see Hank and his person, Randy.

My gratitude went out to this sweet dog for his dedication to Randy. As he moved down the line and approached my sister-in-law, Lori (I have five of them), Hank started to break protocol as a service dog. He butted the top of his head up under Lori’s hand and did it several more times.

The protocol is that a service dog is not to be pet when he is working. But Hank seemed to have a different plan and had ‘forgotten the rules.’ After several attempts that looked as if he was trying to get Lori to pet him, his tail began to wag wildly back and forth. This same action of bumping his head into the hands of the other family members continued as he approached each of us, and his tail continued to swish back and forth in enthusiasm.

It was hard to resist petting him and in being honest, we all started to break protocol too.

Or did we really break protocol? Maybe this is just what we all needed at the moment. Perhaps Hank sensed this and decided it was his honor and duty to not only be a service dog but to incorporate being a temporary therapy dog too.

It was certainly a welcome respite for many of the family members who are dog lovers.

Several hours later we gathered for dinner in the church fellowship hall. After we’d filled our plates and were seated I noticed Randy standing in line to get a plate of food with Hank still faithfully at his side. 

Now Hank was in his role as a service dog as he stood patiently by Randy’s side, no attempts to entice others for a pat on the head, and his tail resting down his backside. 

And my respect and gratitude grew even deeper at that moment for the role dogs play in our lives. Thank you, Hank, for your love and devotion to humanity. I’ll always remember this fondly.

xo,

Barbara

 

Personal Animal Oracle Guide for the Week. Come Pick Your Card and Hear the Message.

Posted by Barbara Techel

The world is full of symbology that supports, guides and comforts us. My father-in-law’s ashes now rest in a mausoleum and his dedicated space is on the end next to a large half-moon window with a view of pine trees. Within moments of my father-in-law’s ashes being placed inside, one on my sister-in-law’s exclaimed, “Did you just see the cardinal fly from the tree?” 

A red cardinal is often associated with representing that a deceased loved one is visiting you. My father-in-law loved birds. Their yard is evident of this with the many feeders and berms to support a loving and nurturing environment for many varieties of birds to thrive.

I found it also interesting that on Thursday, five days after he passed, I saw a cardinal in our dwarf lilac tree. The following day I saw it again on our deck railing. Then driving home from the grocery store that same day, I saw one fly across the road in front of me. Before this, I’d not seen one since the summer.

I so appreciate how we are being supported in these beautiful ways and it brings so much comfort.

Ok, onto the reading for the week! Similar to last week, I’ve picked two cards. Pick one (left) or two (right) from The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle photo above. After you’ve made your choice of card one or two, click below on the choice you made to hear the message from your animal guide for the week.

As always, if you wish to explore deeper with a challenge you dealing with, I’m happy to help with my one-to-one oracle guidance sessions.

CARD ONE – LISTEN HERE

CARD TWO – LISTEN HERE

xo,

Barbara