Delight (and wise advice) from Little Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel from my upcoming Animal Reflections Oracle Deck

Red Squirrel may find it confusing this mid-April morning thinking it’s spring, yet, there is a little over two inches of snow on the ground, and it’s still falling as I write this. Red Squirrel may also be wondering if he came out of hibernation too soon.

I felt the same as Red Squirrel as the morning light began to fill my bedroom and a quick peek out the window from my warm bed revealed a fresh blanket of snow. I wanted to stay nestled under the cozy blankets too.

But I knew the oracle card next up on my writing desk to write a message for was that of Red Squirrel. Just like it seems with every card I’ve pulled the day before and have waiting for me, Red Squirrel seemed fitting for what I needed to hear for the day.

One would have to be hard-pressed not to smile when thinking of Red Squirrel. Every time I do and even more when see one I’m energized with a welcome infusion of joy and delight.

They are like little sprites that have an endless well of curiosity that takes them on many an adventure!

Okay, Red Squirrel, I thought, I will embrace your infectious adventure of spirit and get on with the day. There’s no telling where it will take me, what I will learn, or what new thing I may discover.

While the calendar does say it’s spring we must trust that this snowfall is short-lived. Before we know it, it will have melted. The flowers and buds will then continue their journey of sprouting toward the sun and will gift us an abundance of blooms and color along with a lushness of endless green leaves.

Red Squirrel reminded me to take advantage of this quick hit of snow as a way to pause before the spring brings with it a rush of new creative and adventurous energy that will fill my days.

Thank you, Red Squirrel, for the gift of your wisdom. I’ve taken heed and my spirit is filled with joy for your sage and delightful advice.

XO

Barb

                  

Sandhill Crane Invites Us To Come Back into Balance

Sandhill Crane for my upcoming Animal Reflections Oracle Deck

Small magical moments are often playing out around us. But how often do we just dismiss them or think of them as coincidences? I used to be afraid of sharing such moments for fear of others thinking I was just weird.

But you know what? I’m really liking this thing of being ‘weird.’ And you know what else? It’s really not weird at all. It’s just that we’ve been conditioned to think it is.

Here’s an example of one such small moment that played out for me in the last 24-hours. 

Before I left my studio yesterday afternoon, I randomly pulled a card from the animal deck I’m creating and from the twelve I still need to write messages for. I like to do this so I can simmer in the energy of the animal before I work on writing the message the next day.

Since I’ve been back from vacation I’ve been thinking about self-care and some things I’m working on for myself in that area. While I was getting ready for the day this morning, I was listening to an interview with Anita Moorjani and her newest book called, “Sensitive is the New Strong.”

While the subject of empaths and highly sensitive people isn’t new, I welcome hearing more about it because it resonates with me. I especially enjoyed hearing her take on what the world would be like if there were more sensitive’s in leadership positions. 

While I don’t particularly care for labels, I strongly identify with being a sensitive being. I feel everything. This hasn’t always been easy and sometimes still isn’t. But I continue to understand the vital role that self-care is for me and being sensitive. And the last two years with all the upheaval, it has in many ways been beneficial as I’ve learned even more that as I take things in, I must also let them go instead of consuming me.

So perhaps you are wondering what this has to do with Sandhill Crane’s energy and small magical moments? 

Well, when I see or hear a Sandhill Crane I am brought to a place within myself that feels connected to some ancient wisdom. It seems like cranes have been here on this planet for so very long. A quick search on the internet brought me an answer that they’ve been around for over 2 million years! That’s a mighty long time.

When they migrate to Wisconsin in spring and I first hear their call or catch a glimpse of them in the sky or feeding in a field, a sense of calm washes over me. They are a connection for me in revisiting what really matters – simple pleasures – a simpler way of life – a life that is more in balance and grounded.

Sandhill Crane is very protective of their young and while the chicks will walk just eight hours after birth, the mother cares for them for a year. This spoke to me as mothering my own inner self when I know I’m in need of self-care and being protective of my energy when I’m feeling out of balance.

So as all of this was floating around in my mind, I happened to glance out my bedroom patio doors just in time to see two Sandhill Cranes fly overhead. 

This is one of those magical moments when I know the Universe just sent me a confirmation of what I’d been feeling and contemplating. 

So while some may think this is a strange way of looking at life, being sensitive benefits me with the advantage of experiencing the joy of this confirmation.

And I come back to reflecting on what Anita said about more sensitive’s being in leadership roles. I can feel the positive, inspiring, and hopeful implications of that when I think about what is all playing out in our world right now. It’s time to let go of the old and stagnant ways that just aren’t working and come back to remembering who we really are and what really matters. In many ways I see this as going back to what we’ve always known and has always been here, but that we lost our way.

And Sandhill Crane seems fitting for tapping back into that ancient wisdom that will bring us back into alignment and open us to having more compassion for all beings.

XO

Barb

                  

My Etsy Shop is Open Again & with a Spring Sale!

While Spring is taking its sweet time finding its way to Wisconsin, I can say I’m taking great delight in all the bird songs and action happening outside Joyful Pause Cottage! 

Now that I’m back in full swing in my studio I’m happy to say that my Etsy shop is open once again…and with a spring sale to boot!

25% off my dimensional animal art – which I find so soothing and fun to create from collecting bits and bobs from nature, finding animal images that speak to me, and playing with paper, paints, pastel chalks, and chalk pencils (I love the feel of chalk on paper!) 

Each is assembled on wood and comes with a black easel for displaying.
 
You can check it out here in my Etsy Shop by clicking here.
 
Thanks for taking a look!
 
XO
 
Barb