Connecting with Gidget through SoulCollage® and Oracle Cards

Posted by Barbara Techel

I recently completed a SoulCollage® card in honor and memory of Gidget. It’s an intuitive process I’ve been trained in as a facilitator and have held workshops with different themes. Something I’m giving thought to for the future and facilitating some online classes.

Every one of my dogs has a card in honor of them and what it was they brought to my life. Central to the process after collaging on a 5 x 8 card is to journal with the prompt I Am One Who. 

It’s a sacred and beautiful way to connect with our dear animal friends who are no longer with us. I find it so soothing and healing.

Sometimes it takes me a while to put the images together and then journal. But allowing the process to unfold in a natural flow, I think, is all part of the beautiful teachings my dogs taught me – and to be in the present moment.

So I thought I’d share with you my recent connection with Gidget through the I Am One Who prompt and then working with oracle cards to gain some additional insight from her.

I Am One Who…

…sat quietly with you sharing my energy of truth as a way to guide you to yours.

…was content as who I am as a reflection for you to do the same.

…came into your life to hold your wounded heart as you found the courage to witness and accept your worthiness.

…resides within you always as the princess of your heart.

…sees deep into the soul of truth.

…took on your childhood pain, shook it loose for you to see and so you could set yourself free.

…watched your heart expand in compassion for yourself.

…provided unconditional love and support in your deepest, most excruciating moments of grief.

…loved you without judgment through it all.

…loved to entice the little girl within you to come out and play.

…rejoices and dances with you whenever you wish. Just think of me and I’m there.

…will always envelop you with the purest and deepest love as my everlasting gift to you.

…knows you will now carry the light of compassion within you and allow it to guide you through your remaining earthly journey.

I pulled an oracle card from the Wisdom of the Oracle asking Gidget what more she wanted me to know right now?

 

We are always connected. The key to being able to be with me is through quiet time and attention to the love we shared. That love is still here for you.

Our relationship has only changed form. I see you, I feel you, and I hear you. Rest sweetly in what you can’t see and know that it’s what you feel that matters. 

I’ll be your forever friend.

Thank you to Linda Su of ArtLin Creations for the beautiful and sweet gift of the memorial card in honor of Gidget. It’s such a lovely addition to my altar and I love how it looks next to the SoulCollage card of Gidget.

XO,

Barbara

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A New Chapter. Our Vamper, “Second Chance,” Gets a Friend.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Turn the page to a new chapter in our lives and here we are. 

We were up early Sunday morning with the birds so we could be on the road by 7:30 a.m. We drove about an hour to check out this used 2017 Forest River 180 R-pod that was for sale. It was hardly used since the owner purchased it new and has only 1,400 miles.

As we were driving down the road I looked over at John. The past few years he has earned some gray hair with it mostly showing at his temples. It endears me to him even more. What a privilege to experience mid-life with him. His biological father died at the age of 36-years old when John was just seven. At times this moves through me in an emotional way and has me feeling blessed to be this far in my journey with John.

A mix of emotions struck me as I looked over at John and said, “Here we are. Just two middle-aged folk up early goin’ to look at a camper! How did we get here so fast?”

John still has six years until retirement, or as we like to call it, a new phase in our lives. But for now we hope to travel to warmer climates in the winter more as his work schedule allows.

So as many of you know a few years ago we began converting one of John’s Chevy work vans to a camper and we took it on a few runs. It served its purpose well. We dubbed it “The Vamper” and also named it “Second Chance.” It represented to us that even though we were hit hard by the fall of the economy in 2008, this was our ticket to do some exploring away from home.  It also allowed us to take our dogs along. 

I’m grateful that we experienced life in this way traveling when we could in our van converted to a camper.

As we thought about longer trips away – more than a week – we didn’t feel the Vamper would be all that comfortable. We aren’t able to stand up in it, it does not have a bathroom (though we have a portable toilet) and it also still needs a kitchen. With John’s full work schedule, it’s been a challenge to finish.

So while we weren’t really looking, it all began with John spotting a camper van for sale in our town. One thing led to another and lots of discussion and here we were driving to look at this R-pod. 

On a side-note, being the sentimental gal that I am as we discussed buying something that would be more comfortable I became emotional. It felt so bittersweet. We had traveled in the van with both our dogs, Kylie and Gidget. Now both gone. It felt like if we got an upgraded van camper that it was like saying goodbye to that part of our life too. Though of course, the memories stay with us always.

As you can see by the photo above, we purchased the R-pod. It is in mint condition and we got a good deal on it. It has a full bathroom, great storage, a kitchen with two-burner stove, convection oven, a nice sized refrigerator, a quaint kitchen table, and queen sized bed.

The bonus is that our Vamper will pull the R-pod. Which means we feel incredibly blessed to travel with that much more storage space! We half-joking also said that the vamper could be like my writing cottage on wheels. Oh, the possibilities!

Sunday evening we celebrated with an adult beverage sitting inside the R-pod right in our driveway. At one point with a grin on his face, John said, “Now, you aren’t going to girly it all up are you?” 

The first trip we hope to take with it is to Arizona the winter of 2020. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to moving things from the vamper into the R-pod and organizing…plus no doubt, a few “girly” touches may just magically appear.  🙂

XO,

Barbara

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Happy, Happy is Just Being You: Oracle and Animal Guidance for the Week

Posted by Barbara Techel

Right away pulling these cards I was struck by the blues and greens within them. Whenever I see these colors together I immediately feel a calming effect on my central nervous system.

I pulled Happy, Happy in reverse which is called protection in this oracle deck – which means to pay closer attention and it’s like a hug from Spirit.

The essential meaning of Happy, Happy is joy and contentment, a sense of fulfillment and a feeling that all is well.

Because it’s in reverse we are being asked where in our lives are we not feeling this? Where do we need to pause, check-in with ourselves, and take stock of where we perhaps are pushing too hard to try and force happiness. 

How often do we forget that we can choose happiness at any given moment? Whether we are working or taking time for play – there is happiness in both. Each provides us satisfaction in some aspect. But if we are too much in one or the other, we can tend to feel a lack. Both are important for feeling grounded and whole.

Peacock Spirit and the message to Let it Shine reminds us that no matter what we are doing or if we are just being, to be totally and authentically ourselves in everything. Within each of us we have many colors. Some days we shine with the most brilliant light and vibrant colors and other days our light is not as bright and our colors more subdued.

But they are all part of who we are. Each serves a purpose in their own way. When we can appreciate all of who we are and what life brings us, this is the key to how we can live a more balanced life and find gifts in all of it.

Looking at the hummingbird on the Happy, Happy card and one who can fly backward and forward, and up and down, so too can we flow with this rhythm as we are called to do on any given day. Within it all there is something to learn and grow from and an opportunity to practice finding the gift in all situations.

And today is also the full moon – strawberry moon – which the energy in this moon is here to help us put into practice, even more, staying in the present moment and following the natural flow of what your heart is calling you to. We each can shine our own light, even in a world that often has much darkness – but how important it is for us to each continue to shine our special light no matter what.

Cards used: Wisdom of the Oracle and Spirit Animal Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid

XO,

Barbara

P.S. I offer personal one-to-one oracle readings and guidance sessions. If you are feeling stuck and need some support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can learn more about my oracle reading service here.