Guidance from Whale Spirit During These Challenging Times

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m thinking of all of you as we go through this challenging and unprecedented time in our world. I hope you are finding ways to stay calm, grounded and centered. For the most part, I’m feeling centered, though in being honest, I have had a few moments of feeling scared too. This is natural and vital for each of us to feel our way through this.

And this is one of the teachings (of many) I believe is unfolding from this time. We are being called to hold it all, be in a space of flow, acceptance, and surrender, and find peace within, plus feel the myriad of feelings we feel.

I’ve been using some of my tools in my toolbox more of late like 5-10 minute meditations two to three times a day. I’ve also been practicing, even more, to stop and take deep breaths, and taking time to reflect on the bigger perspective of this time and my belief that we will get through this and we will all be better for it.

Another tool I find helpful and always feel comforted by is tapping into the energy of animals and so I chose a card for us today from The Spirit Animal Oracle.

I pulled Whale Spirit in protection and the message on the card is Trust in the Great Mystery.

Because it came out in reverse we are being called to check in with ourselves when we feel scared. When we are frightened we are giving in to fear (again, totally natural). But this is truly a mystery of what is unfolding right now and we are being called to trust that this is all for the better of our planet. To trust that we will, and already are, learning from this. 

I see Whale Spirit card as a message that this is a time to really lean into your connection with a higher power, no matter how you define it, God, Spirit, Goddess, Universe, etc.

Last night I woke in the middle of the night and my thoughts started to spiral. But I stopped myself and felt into an experience I had almost two years ago when I had a transitional breath session. I recalled how after that session, for the first time in my 55 years, I felt this undeniable energy, and what I identified as God that enveloped me with this deeply touching love I’d never felt before in my life.

I knew in that moment that I was worthy and that I was safe. I had always been. And I hope this is of some help for you too that I share this. It also reminds me  of when listening to Marianne Williamson when in her meditations she says, “God is here.”

So just like what we are going through right now and we don’t know how it will all unfold, we have to trust in what we can’t see. But know we are safe and are being guided by a loving force that is there.

Lastly, I share this from the booklet that I find comforting and I hope it will serve you in this way too:

“You must trust absolutely that what will come will be for the highest good. Stay in your present moment awareness and allow the Hidden Realms to hold your intentions safely until it is time for them to manifest in the Realm of Form. Let go, for you will not be left behind.”

Sending you all so much love and light!

xo,

Barbara

Boosting Our Confidence During Times of Fear – Lion Energy

Posted by Barbara Techel

This week’s animal wisdom comes from Lion and the question I asked for us all of is “What is it we need to know to stay grounded this week?” 

With so much being reported in the news that can have us sink into doom if we let it, I felt this is such an important question to work with as we move through our week.

This card comes from a new-to-me deck by Sarah Wilder called Animal Kin Oracle. I say new-to-me because a friend gifted it to me as she no longer needed it (thank you, Connie!).

The Lion holds a special place in my heart because two years ago I gave myself the gift of a reading that was based on my birthdate. The reader started off the reading by sharing with me what animal came in with me at birth and it was Lion.

I remember being surprised, while at the same time I felt a welcome positive shift of determination within me. While I didn’t fully feel the strength and confidence of this powerful animal, I knew this is what I wanted to embody within myself and was working on that.

The lion is all about leadership and while many have shared with me they see me as a leader, I didn’t always feel that way. But I can say today I feel so much more confident in who I am than I have ever felt before. Yay!

So when I think about the question for all of us in staying grounded this week amidst all the news that can feel scary and chaotic Lion is perfect for us to lean into and work to embody.

Lion is about the masculine and the deck creator also included the elements with each card of water, fire, earth, air, and spirit. Lion is the element of fire and fire is all about movement.

WhenI think about staying grounded and lion and fire as our symbols I see this as taking charge of what we believe in, tapping into that space within each of us that knows what is truth and what isn’t. It’s about being the leader of our own lives and not following the fear of what the media may have us wanting to believe.

I’m thinking about my own situation and applying this as John and I have been getting our R-pod camper ready for our next excursion. Last night we had a discussion if we should really leave on vacation considering what is being shared in the news in regards to the Corona virus.

But like many, we believe we aren’t being given all the facts. While yes, it’s important to be cautious and take precautions, we feel confident we will be fine. 

So for all of us, I believe Lion is inviting us to move forward with confidence no matter our fears. Each time we take a stand in what we believe we build a new strength within ourselves. The more we then see this play out in a positive way and it helps build our self-confidence. This, in turn, is what helps us move through these times of uncertainty with less stress and fear.

Right after I got done writing this post came more confirmation of Lion. I saw this quote and photo on Facebook and feel it goes right along with what I just shared.

“Whatever the struggle, continue the climb. It may be only one more step to the summit.”~Diane Westlake

Artwork by Jody Bergsma

So we lions need to stick together— and walk forward united in strength, conviction, and determination that we will get through this and we do it by tending to the nurturing of ourselves and those we love and taking pride in who we are and what we know in our hearts to be true.

Have a good week everyone!

xo,

Barbara

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Sweet Connection Outside My Window. The Animal Human Bond Never Ends.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’d not even noticed until this afternoon. But after running errands and returning to my writing cottage I felt this nudge to look outside my window— the one next to my writing desk.

Gidget passed away May 11, 2019 and when the first snowfall came I felt some grief when it snowed enough to cover the stone heart marker of where we laid her to rest.

But I remember reminding myself that even though I couldn’t see the marker that she was, and will always be, in my heart.

Yesterday I made an announcement on my Facebook and Instagram pages of the release of my latest memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. The minute I hit the publish button I felt tears rush to the surface.

As I’ve said often along the way, I’ve learned that we are always releasing, integrating and healing. This book has felt vulnerable for me to share in many ways. But my tears were a mixture of just another sweet release and celebration that I did it.

It has been a full week and last night I had to remind myself to take a deep breath. I was tired and so I honored that I really needed to rest and went to bed early.

After rushing around again today I was looking forward to returning to my writing cottage to chill out. And that’s when I felt the nudge to look outside the window.

I smiled when I realized why I was feeling called to do so. The stone heart marker is almost visible once again. And then I knew it was Gidget who had been nudging me. 

I said out loud, “Oh Gidge girl, I love you.”

And when I looked a bit closer I noticed a dried leaf that took on the shape of a heart. You can see it within the stone marker on the bottom left of the photo above.

To me, this was symbolic of Gidget, the protector of my heart as she was in life and now in spirit. My heart within hers and hers within mine for infinity.

Oh, how I love when the universe presents us with these precious gifts.

xo,

Barbara