Putting Myself Back Together Again through Meditation

Posted by Barbara Techel
I took this photo mid-morning today. I love the blue hues I see in the snow.

I had some interesting insight yesterday morning when I sat in meditation. The more I’ve pondered it the more I’ve come to appreciate what it did.

First, a little of the back story. On Saturday afternoon my father-in-law was admitted to hospice and by 10:30 pm that evening he had made a peaceful transition. While he’d not been well for a few years now, it still felt unexpected and it all happened quite quickly.

It brought back many memories being inside the hospice facility where I paid many visits with my special wheelie dog, Frankie when we were a therapy dog team many years ago. We volunteered there for three years and the perspective I gained there was life-altering in a beautiful and profound way. One of the key lessons I learned was to ‘leave my baggage at the door’ before entering. Our job was to be one hundred percent present for the patients and families we met.

I remember how scared I initially was to do this type of work – to be with those that were dying. But what I’d come to understand, which was vital, is that they were still living. I’d come to experience being part of hospice as a true honor and privilege to be allowed into the rooms of those that were in their final stage of life.

Now I was on the ‘other side’ of things as my father-in-law was making his transition. I was among the family members as we sat vigil in his room. At one point, witnessing the deepest of compassion and caring the nurses were lovingly extending to my father-in-law and the family, I was overwhelmed with emotions. It truly is such sacred work they do.

As to be expected with all the emotions flowing it leaves a person drained of their energy. Along with the family activity the next day at the home where John grew up, the energy was running high with much that needs to be done as a funeral is planned.

Being one who needs lots of quiet time, and sensitive to energy, by Sunday evening when we returned home my energy was depleted. I was eager for Monday morning to get in some meditation time as one of my go-to’s when I need to refill my well.

I chose a meditation called, Whispering Thoughts on Inside Timer which provided ambient sounds that said it would “guide you into a state of inner calmness and bring you back to your true nature, your inner self.”

Once my thoughts quieted down, I saw my spine in my mind’s eye. It was crooked with many zig zags. I then saw my hands on either side of my spine. They started at the bottom near my tailbone and began to gently compress inward on either side of my spine. As they did this, I saw my spine begin to relax and straighten.

After several rounds of this, I then saw my hands gently smooth out my spine beginning at the top and running them along the top of my spine and extending this motion all the way to the bottom of my tailbone. This happened for several minutes.

As I’ve pondered this and how I feel today, the straightening of my spine as it came to me through meditation, which was so relaxing and soothing, was a way in which I was calming my nervous system. It also helped to restore some of the energy that had been depleted.

My meditation practice evolves and continues to teach me new things and this one I’m feeling much gratitude for. The difference in my practice these days is I have learned to trust that what is happening is real and I’ve learned that tuning into my body and taking note of how I’m feeling is a guide to help me during difficult times.

xo,

Barbara

A Little Something Different Today for Some Oracle Guidance

Posted by Barbara Techel

A little something different today as my energy isn’t there to do a recorded reading on Youtube like I’d normally do. If you’d like you can pick card one, two or three (left to right) from the photo above. Take a moment to look at the cards, take a deep breath, and then choose which one speaks to you first. The card you chose will be your specific message for the week. Once you’ve chosen the card, just scroll down for the reveal and the message…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 1 (left) The Fates #17

What area of your life are you resisting against what is? The Fates in protection (reverse) asks you to look at this and surrender to that which you cannot change. While there are certain things we can control, like how we choose our attitude moving through something that feels challenging, we also have to accept that some things or situations are destined to play out as they are meant to. The sooner you can surrender into this, the sooner you will experience more peace.

Card 2 (middle) A Change in the Wind #12

You are either sensing a shift or know that change is on the way, but you may feel uncertain of what it is exactly all about or how it will all shake out. This can leave you feeling shaky or on uneasy ground. The Zebra invites you to be in the space of the unknown and that things aren’t always black and white, but to trust that this feeling of imminent change will result in something that will serve a higher purpose, even though it may not feel this way in the moment. The one thing we do know is constant is in fact, change. Learning to accept this can guide us to flow with more ease during times of uncertainty.

Card 3 (right) Orphaned #5

Orphaned in protection (reverse) asks you to look at where are you perhaps isolating yourself? Where is it you are feeling challenged to show up as who you authentically are but are afraid to do so out of fear of abandonment, rejection or judgment? When we are in fear, which can feel very real, our perspective can be that we either feel all alone or that we will be left alone. But orphaned in protection is encouraging you to step into who you are, even when afraid, and most importantly, to not abandon yourself. It begins with you – taking that first step – and when you can recognize this, you can then begin to shift those unwanted patterns of fear. As you begin to do this you will start to notice how the universe supports you and those you truly connect with will begin to show up in your life.

If you’d like to go deeper and explore more about a challenge you are working through I’d be honored to support you. You can learn more about my one-to-one oracle guidance sessions here.

xo,

Barbara

Cards used: Wisdom of the Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid

A Garden Close to My Heart Celebrates Ten Years. Hint: Frankie Lives on Here.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I remember how nervous I was sending a copy of my children’s book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, to the founder, Sandy, asking if there was a possibility Frankie’s book could be included in Bookworm Gardens as it was just getting off the ground of being built.

I remember how I was overjoyed when she said that of course, she wanted to include Frankie.

I remember watching as John took great pride in building this dog house to represent Frankie and her book.

I remember how joyously overwhelmed I felt in gratitude to my mom and her husband and a special foundation that funded the effort for Frankie to have a spot in the gardens.

I still remember like it was yesterday as I watched John and a friend wheel Frankie’s house down a path paved in brick to a permanent spot in this children’s garden in Sheboygan, Wisconsin called Bookwork Gardens.

This spring Bookworm Gardens will celebrate their tenth year. It was two years after the installation of Frankie’s special place in the garden that she would pass away.

I remember it was a month later that I mustered up the courage to go visit her in the gardens and my mom went with me. I’d never hold that sweet girl in my arms again. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the replica of her again since she’d been gone.

It was mixed with sadness, the uncertainty of what the next leg of my journey would be without her, and a deep sense of honor that she lives on in the garden. And the ache of grief was still acute at that point and I wondered how I’d go on without her.

Now learning it has been ten years since Bookworm Gardens came to be, I’m marveling at how far I have come.

It was Frankie who instilled in me a confidence I didn’t have before she came into my life and then became paralyzed. She brought me out of my introverted shell as we visited over 400 schools and libraries sharing her story and becoming a therapy dog team logging a combined 250 visits to a senior assisted facility, a local hospice, and a local hospital.

My world and my perspective on life expanded beyond anything I could have imagined because of the journey I took with this very special wheelie dog.

And I’m reminded all over again as I move through a myriad of memories that I feel so honored to permanently have this as part of my heart.

If you are in the Sheboygan, WI area or planning a visit here is the 2020 schedule of events for this special garden, which by the way, is free of charge to visit.

And if you go, please give Frankie a squeeze for me.  😉

xo,

Barbara