Bursting through the Layers

Posted February 17, 2016 by Barbara Techel

For three years I felt in transition. While at the same time, I saw myself getting to where I am now — though I wasn’t quite sure how “getting here” was going to happen.

I’ve got so many wonderful opportunities happening right now. It makes the time of transition now feel like it went fast, though when I was in it, it was difficult at times to trust the process– and how I fought to not just push it along so I could move past feeling uncomfortable.

My faith was being called upon often during those many months of feeling I’d lost my way– but really, what I learned and had to practice (and still am practicing!) was allowing my path to unfold organically. I had to learn to let go of control.

Much of this I’ve been writing about in my new book called, “Wisdom Found in the Pause.” The process of writing this book has been a practice in itself also of allowing and not forcing it out into the world until it feels ready– but I feel closer to that point now than ever before.

I’ve come to realize that I had to experience what I call the “full circle” of transition. There were many layers I had to work through – some took longer than others — and there are many layers of which I still must work through. And as author Joan Anderson says, we are “unfinished” women. I love that because it means we just have that much more to explore and learn about ourselves– and it’s what life is all about.

Of late, I’ve had this burst of feeling on purpose and in align with right where I should be–something that eluded me since Frankie passed away in 2012.

Though I admit, I find myself worrying about the one thing I want to let go of– and that is balance. Not that I don’t want balance in my life, because I do — but trying not to control it — but to let my life bring me the special opportunities that feed my soul and know this is right where I’m supposed to be– and trust the rest always works out.

As I contemplated so many of these thoughts this morning, brushing my teeth, something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

It was dear, sweet, Gidget peeking around the corner from the bedroom looking at me as I was deep in thought.

A burst of pure love washed over my heart and brought me right back to center. I sensed she was reminding me to ride the waves of these wonderful new feelings and opportunities coming my way, while at the same time, she was here to remind me that I could slow down when I need — and everything will still work out.

I was grateful for that connection in that moment of what is the ebb and flow of life. And how grateful I am to be in this time right now of bursting through yet another layer of who I am and where I want to go.

—

We celebrated 60 days Monday, the 15th of Miss Gidget having no seizures! Woo hoo!

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Yet Another?! Yup! 54th Disabled Dog Gets Wheelchair thru The Frankie Wheelchair Fund. Come Meet Her!

Posted February 16, 2016 by Barbara Techel

It’s true! Abbey is the 54th dog the Frankie Wheelchair Fund had the honor to grant a wheelchair to recently. This is the note I received from Hearts4Doxies who Abbey found her way to for a better life:

Barbara Techel, you are Abbey’s guardian angel and we love you.

Before being rescued, our little girl was forced to live outside for years due to her incontinence, never having an opportunity to leave her homemade cart that was far too small, damaging to her spine, and causing her constant pain and emotional distress.

abbey roe

I don’t know as I’m her guardian angel, but I feel blessed to be part of Abbey’s joyful new journey. So many have helped me and continue to help me with donations which makes this all possible. So many guardian angels out there!

And this note from Abbey’s foster mom, Kristen:

We, as her foster family, are forever grateful to Barbara Techel . Abbey is living the dream and chasing the birds in her awesome new set of wheels. Thank you Hearts4Doxies and Barbara for giving Abbey a new chance in life. If she could talk she would say, ” Thank you!”.

I’d say the look on her face says it all and yes, thank you, it is! So so thrilled to help you dear, Abbey. Keep on rolling!

To donate, apply or learn more about the Frankie Wheelchair Fund please visit the website National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.

Abbey’s wheelchair custom made by Eddie’s Wheels for Pets.

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Waiting for My Goddess Painting to Reveal Her Name

Posted February 16, 2016 by Barbara Techel

Never did I think I’d paint. And more than that, I never thought I’d say I actually finished a painting!

But I finished this first Goddess in a series of three that I’m working on. They will hang on the long wall in my Joyful Pause Studio where I recently began teaching SoulCollage(r) workshops.

My painting teacher is someone I love dearly…my mom. When I emailed her the photo of my first complete Goddess, I also told her I’d started on the second one. She wrote back and said I should listen very closely and the Goddesses may share their names with me.

I loved it! It actually reminds me much about the SoulCollage(r) process which is also about listening intuitively and collaging images together that speak to you–which, in turn, helps us to better understand ourselves.

I shared with my mom that I’m taking her advice awaiting to hear what my Goddesses names may be. But all I got yesterday after painting for two hours on my second Goddess was hearing this from her: My arms are too fat and I don’t like the color of my mid-section.

And then I heard my mom’s voice in my head: It’s only paint and you can paint over it!

And I really wasn’t frustrated that I didn’t have it “right” yet. But it was an interesting thought because I wondered why I get so frustrated with my writing at times. Yet, I’ve not been with painting.

While it was initially scary to put paint to canvas in fear of making a “mistake” I feel better about knowing now I can just go over it with paint if I don’t like what I do.

And aha! Just like I can also delete sentences in my writing that don’t jive right either.

So, indeed, these dear Goddesses are talking to me… boy, are they ever! But, I do hope they will properly introduce themselves soon with their first names.

And ah, once again, a reminder that this is all part of the process. Just add in a bit of patience and perseverance and it all shall come together… just like writing a book or short story.

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