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When the Universe Presents an Opportunity to Practice. Listen, Take Action, and Watch for the Reward.

Posted by Barbara Techel

All spring I walked past the pond where geese and ducks hunker down each year to raise their families.

It’s my favorite spot I travel by each morning, often stopping to just be in the energy of nature’s exquisite healing gifts.

But each time I reached the pond; I found myself getting more and more upset.

So much litter. Scattered among the grasses, flowers, and rocks that lead down to the pond.

My heart was feeling such sadness to see the trash accumulated there from the new neighborhood of homes being constructed nearby the past few years.

And anger was part of this too, wishing people would be aware and care more.

Then it struck me. Well, I care!

So, the next day I tucked a plastic bag inside my pocket. I knew what I was to do.

When I arrived at this spot that had been creating a mix of sadness and anger within me, I happily picked up all the trash I could reach.

My heart lighter and the joy that followed because the geese and ducks wouldn’t have to walk among the litter. Nor would I have to continue carrying this negative energy.

Today as I approached this same area, I was rewarded in the most lovely and heartwarming way for my efforts!

One by one I counted them. Seventeen goslings on the pond and three sets of parents! How is it I’d not seen them until today, I wondered.

Well, they couldn’t be seen until I released the sadness and anger from my field of energy by giving nature a helping hand.

A special wink from the universe for putting this opportunity into my awareness so I’d be shown once again that every small act of kindness matters.

XO

Barb

Photo Credit

When the Animals Talk, I Listen. New Mini Dimensional Mixed Media Collage Available.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Owl – True Seeing

It’s like entering a whole other realm when creating mixed media art. Different than that of writing, as I don’t really have to focus, I just have to let myself be.

Being with the animals is one of my favorite things to do and the animals chosen for my art present themselves to be created in a variety of ways.

Lately, it’s been mini versions of mixed media collage animals that have captured my fancy. I’m just having so much fun with this smaller size! Even though I initially resisted it. A reminder that one can be small and still make a big impact!

I’ve created four mini’s so far and they were especially talkative sharing insight with me as I created them.

Eventually, after much thought, we agreed upon a message. They also each have a mirror behind them as a reflection to encourage you to embody their special messages.

SOLD – Mouse – Dream

 

Snail – Go Slow

 

Butterfly – Be Wild

They are happy sitting on a shelf or on a desk or nightstand. Or if you wish to hang them they come with a hanger on the back.

A portion of all my art sold this year benefits Pilots to the Rescue transporting animals to give them the best chance at finding their forever homes!

If interested, available here in my Online Shop.

XO

Barb

Learn to Be Still. Can Butterfly Teach Us This?

Posted by Barbara Techel
8 x 8 Mixed Media Collage

It seemed contradictory. To name this Butterfly piece, Be Still.

A birthday gift for my sister’s 60th birthday I knew I wanted to create a butterfly, though when the message that kept coming was be still, I wasn’t so sure.

But animals have a way at times of making us work for our wisdom.

It’s oh-so-lovely to be a butterfly – owning your total beingness and those glorious gorgeous wings as they flutter out into the world enjoying the sweet and nourishing nectar of plants and flowers. How everyone marvels in awe when they see a butterfly!

But how do we get to this magnificent stage? Ah yes, I understand, dear Butterfly. We must embrace being still.

It’s reminding me of a conversation during a monthly astrology group I’m part of. Butterfly and the concept of transformation comes up often. How as a collective we are all going through a significant metamorphosis.

Though, how often it is that some get stuck being a caterpillar, as a member said in exasperation! Not that there is anything wrong with a caterpillar! And I’m not saying this is the case for my sister.

But we all can learn to be still in some aspect of our lives. Even though this was something I craved when I left the corporate world many moons ago, and in many ways wrapped stillness around me with great pleasure, there are times it being still can feel uncomfortable.

Something I continue to lean into is that when we resist stillness it’s is a clue. A very valuable clue. It’s niggling at us to go within, listen, and observe. What is needing your attention right now? What part of you really wants to become that butterfly? What part of you is in protection mode not wanting to expand our of fear?

I know for myself, coming into my sixties two years ago, I felt something changing within me. I wanted even more stillness. I wanted to really appreciate everything around me even more. I want to drop deeper into my being. Though a part of me was scared – and still is at times, because of all those years of doing, doing, doing can sometimes be hard to let go of.

I reflect on my parents, now in their early eighties, both with some health challenges. My husband inching his way toward not working as much. Each navigating stillness in their own way. And me observing this and taking the cues as lessons for myself.

To Be Still is a gift if we can change our perspective and look through a different lens. When we do, we just may find a part of ourself that wants to be seen and know it is loved, and that all is going to be okay.

xo

Barb