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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It is an honor to serve as an intuitive guide and oracle reader for women who wish to embark on an inner expedition and evolve into living in alignment with what matters most to their soul and live a more balanced, gracious and peaceful life. I’m happy to help so feel free to reach out or learn more by clicking on the banner.

 

 

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

 

Remembering Friend Marie and Reflecting on Her Message to March Forth

Posted by Barbara Techel

It was one year ago that I was moving through the grief of my dear friend, Marie. She was 72 years old. I fondly referred to her as Miss Marie. I’d known her for about six years, but in that time she had a significant impact on my life.

A big fan of the author and illustrator, Tasha Tudor for many years now, Marie reminded me of her in many ways. Many, including myself, considered Tasha eccentric in her way of living. She dressed in wool frocks, a scarf upon her head, and a shawl often around her shoulders. She didn’t believe in hurry yet accomplished much in her 92 years of life.

While Marie didn’t dress in wool frocks, she certainly had an eclectic flair, and she too an artist, she definitely lived to the beat of her own drum. It was something I deeply admired about her and what drew me to her like a magnet. And once we became friends, I soaked up all the wisdom I could from her.

I’m thinking of Marie today, March 4th, and the day we often associate with progress day. This day also the day of Marie’s funeral one year ago. I still recall how I awoke that day with a heart still heavy and missing her so much. As I shuffled into the kitchen I glanced at the calendar noting the day. I then glanced at the altar I’d made on my kitchen table with my favorite photo of Marie holding my dog, Gidget. 

I was swimming in sadness staring at the photo when I heard, “March forth.” It was Marie’s voice. I knew she was encouraging me to get on with life. It was just like her as that was the way she was in life. Though she suffered from depression, she was always encouraging me to make the best of life.

I devote a chapter in my latest memoir to her because she was an important part of my healing journey. 

Looking through photos of her to share here on my blog I felt the grief bubble up within me again. I tried to hold the tears back at first, but then recalled the words I’d just heard yesterday listening to a speaker on the Animal Wisdom World Summit. They came from Hanna Bracken, an animal communicator, and she said,  “Our strength comes in our dignity to shed our tears.” 

And so I let it out.

I then reflected on a post I saw on Facebook yesterday from fellow children’s book author and Wisconsinite, JoAnn Early Macken and her post that said, “It’s March Forth, the date I intentionally misspell every year to mean forward motion, not just a number. I’m reminding you now so you can take time to reflect on where you’ve gone (Hooray for you!), where you are now (Count your blessings!), and where you want to go (Luck, luck, luck!).”

And I think of my friend, Miss Marie. This is how we march forth by releasing the grief and pain when it comes and honoring it for reminding us that they are vital in understanding life. While I’ll always miss her, I have learned to be with her in a new way. And I want her to know that I have marched forth carrying her wisdom within my heart each step of the way.

xo,

Barbara