The Tree that Reminded Me to Appreciate What Is

Posted by Barbara Techel

This is the view outside my kitchen window. Beyond the tree is an athletic field and a walking path that winds around it. To the north of the field is a small woods where I love to walk. Though with the snow we’ve had it’s made it hard to get to the woods and so I’ve not been there in some time.

Working from home and as much as I love my writing cottage and hibernating in the winter, this time of year as we edge toward spring I can begin to feel a bit antsy. I’m ready for more color and warmer temperatures.

But there was something about this view out the window that called out to me after I came home from a walk several times around the walking path. I was feeling a bit down with the weather of cold and no sun and realized this view was reminding me to appreciate what is right now. It was as if the tree was reminding me to appreciate this time of quiet and stillness that winter brings with it.

Soon enough kids will be riding their bikes down the path laughing and yelling out to each other, I’ll hear neighbor dogs barking again, church bells ringing, and lawnmowers humming. And I will welcome this.

But I was also thinking about how when I walked round and round the path how I relished the quiet. The only thing I heard was a lone crow call out and the wind rustling through the pine trees. Just being out in nature was so uplifting. 

It was a great reminder to enjoy the here and now…and just like the end of summer when my ears will be wishing for quiet, I’ll remind myself then too to enjoy what is right now because soon enough the stillness will come once again.

And I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the faster the seasons seem to come and go. So it seems to me practicing this being in the present is really the best gift we can give ourselves every day.

xo,

Barbara

The Sweetness of What Life Brings Begins with Us

Posted by Barbara Techel

This week two cards jumped out of the deck as I was shuffling — Hoatzin and Sugar Glider. I’d not heard of Hoatzin before though I am somewhat familiar with Sugar Glider.

Immediately what jumped out at me is that both cards are a pair of animals. This month we’ve certainly seen our share of two’s with the dates of 02/20/2020 and 02/22/2020 and the celebration of the day of love on February 14. Two is about balance, harmony, and duality.

Just as I write this post I glanced out my window to see a pair of wrens on the peanut feeder which is like a wink from the universe and confirmation of the pairs on the cards of hoatzin and sugar gliders. It’s interesting to note too that this is the first time I’ve ever seen two together feeding as I’ve only ever seen one on the feeder.

While it can be common to look at these pairs on the cards and the wrens I just saw and think it is about a relationship with another (which it can very well be), we can’t forget also that the first and most important relationship is to self.

To live in harmony with others we have to first be in harmony within ourselves. When we can find this balance it makes the sharing of life with others so much more enjoyable.

I’m being reminded of a card I pulled when I was in the process of integrating a dark night of the soul in 2018 and what my dog, Gidget was trying to help me with during that time. I’d reached a point where a big part of my healing had occurred when one morning I pulled the card Soul Mates from the deck Wisdom of the Oracle. The image is that of two penguins.

As I simmered in its meaning I understood it as Gidget and I had agreed to come together when we did as she stood lovingly by me and encouraged me to give voice to a painful wounding from childhood. This required a focused time of inner work on myself. She was the soul mate that was (and did) exactly that. Interesting to note also that Soul Mates is also about fostering personal growth as I went through one of my biggest transformations ever.

I had to do a little research about hoatzin because as I mentioned I’d not heard of this bird before. They are described as a chicken-like bird. They are the only bird with a digestive system of that of a cow and ferment the vegetation they eat which is huge amounts of foliage.

They are also referred to as a reptile bird, skunk bird, or stinkbird. This is because of the smell they give off because of what they eat and how it is digested. They have also been referred to as the ‘punk-rock’ bird because of their feathers that protrude straight out the top of their heads.

The sugar gliders can fly seamlessly through the air just like flying squirrels and are also quite adept at climbing trees. They love sugary foods and enjoy sap and nectar. The symbology connected with them is gentle, philosophical, adventurous and enjoy life on their own terms.

Linking this together with the importance of relationship to self first in order to be in harmony with others, I see this as how we have to be willing to be with those feelings and emotions in our lives that can feel toxic and drain us of our energy. We can’t possibly be one hundred percent there for another if we are swimming in our own gunk of emotions. When I think about the hoatzin and the only bird that ferments their vegetation, this is a great teaching for us to not rush through times that feel challenging and the importance of taking the time and being with what we are feeling and understanding the why of it.

Sugar glider then reminds us that this is where the sweetness of life lies. When we take the time to be gentle with ourselves as we process our emotions and struggles, we eventually come to a place of acceptance and understanding. From that place, we feel more confident in who we are, and we are willing to be more adventurous and stand in our power of living life the way we feel is best in alignment with who we are.

And from that more centered place of peace and knowing ourselves better, we attract into our lives the relationships that support and encourage us. 

Have a great week!

xo,

Barbara

Cards from: The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle deck by Bernadette King

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A Fresh New Start in My Writing Cottage

Posted by Barbara Techel

I woke up Sunday morning with the niggle to clean up my writing cottage. So I spent the day decluttering, dusting, re-arranging, discarding and sweeping. I could hardly wait to come out to my writing cottage Monday morning as the new, refreshing energy was calling to me.

Walking through the door I was giddy with the light and airy feeling that embraced me. I just sat in my chair and took a moment to slowly look all around the room. It felt like I was floating on a feather that was ever so gently drifting in the wind.

I thought about how my latest book is complete. I have a clean slate and another opportunity at a fresh new start.

Looking at my altar(the photo above) which takes on different objects throughout the seasons, I thought about Gidget. In May it will be one year since she moved on. Her photo had been on my altar since then. I can’t tell you how often I looked at it, talked to her, and stroked the body and ears of the photo.

I also knew yesterday as I cleaned and re-arranged that it was time to move her from the altar. My altar—a space where I go for my inward work— pulling oracle cards, journaling my thoughts, connecting with my heart, and one that supports my continued healing journey.

While there are times I still miss her physical presence these last nine months have also been filled with what I find so difficult to put into words— it’s been a time of what I can only describe as a deepening of my love and gratitude for her and how she walked so very lovingly beside me as I went through a very dark time.

I’ve often said, and will continue to say because it’s what I believe, is that we are all a work in progress and we are always in some phase of healing. Gidget’s teaching continues to be such a blessing and I’ve found myself expanding on it even though she is gone. I welcome being in this new space of relationship with her. I feel also like I’ve moved into a new space of healing and why I felt called to move her photo from the altar. 

I placed the photo on my writing desk and to the right of my computer. This feels symbolic to me. She was the one that patiently and with such devotion stood by me through it all – knowing and believing I could find my way out of the darkness. She is the one that helped me finally accept that I am worthy – just as I am. I know and feel this now.

Having her photo on my desk where I can see her and she is looking back at me is a nod to her wise, healer self, and her beautiful teaching to me that I’ve learned to embody that says, this is me and I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

My writing cottage has a fresh new start, my heart one too, and my relationship with Gidget that continues to evolve and is my beacon of guiding light I feel so remarkably blessed to have.

xo,

Barbara