Happy New Year – Come Hear Gidget’s Theme Song

Posted December 31, 2018 by Barbara Techel

When I heard the song the other night, it struck a chord in my heart and tears filled my eyes. I’ve heard this song often as I have the album downloaded to my ipad(do they still say album?!) 😉 But before this, I’d not heard it like I did that night. I just knew then that this song represents what Gidget has brought to my life….especially this last year.

2018 is a happy ending, even though it almost wasn’t. Holding onto an old story and pain from long ago, I almost missed the opportunity to be celebrating the New Year with Gidget at my side. I had convinced myself earlier this year that due to her chronic issues, she was suffering and I almost made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep. I really believed at the time it was the right thing to do. It has taken me until today to be okay with sharing this as the guilt and shame was overwhelming.

But with time, support, and lot of inner personal work, I’m in a better place today. Should judgement come my way from sharing this, I’m strong enough now to know that no judgement from other’s could hurt me as much as the verbal and emotional pain I inflicted upon myself through such a trying time earlier this year.

As I’ve mentioned a few times now here on my blog, I’m working on a new book to share more about this journey with Gidget. The working title of my book, which I hope to publish sometime in 2019 is, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

I’ve learned so much over the last twelve months and also discovered that what I experienced, I wasn’t alone. One resource I was able to find through all this was this website, Pet Caregiver Burden. Pet caregiver burden research continues with the initial discovery that those caring for sick animals or animals with chronic issues can suffer with similar feelings and emotions as one experiences taking care of a person with Dementia. The site has many helpful articles.

Also, my friend, Joe Dwyer, who was on my support team this last year, began Noble Strength Sanctuary which is all about being of support for people and animals, after he saw more and more the compassion fatigue that those in rescue often suffer from. You can become a member at no cost and receive a copy of his ebook about his dog, Shelby who graces his life in some pretty special ways.

And so I share this song as a tribute to dear Gidget who helped me see life in a new way! Lyrics are below the video with my favorite verse as:

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue

SOMETHING BLUE

I came with a little bit of sorrow
Was maybe a bit too sad
But one day rolled into tomorrow
And you gave me the best you had
That’s how we started together
And how together we’re gonna stay

You taught me a little ’bout good times
I fought through a little bit of rain

You brought me a part of your sunshine
You took in the heart of my pain
It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way

Every night, every day

Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue

You came and you found me wanting
And I’m saying that I’m in your debt
Some days were a little bit daunting
Some days I’d rather forget
You changed my life for the better
And I know I’d better be good to you

Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
So long to my little bit of something blue

It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way

Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad.

Now I know

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue

Farewell to my little bit of something blue.

Songwriters: Neil Diamond

Something Blue lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

XO,

Barb

Just For Fun – Animalscopes – 2019 Animal Wisdom For Your Zodiac Sign

Posted December 30, 2018 by Barbara Techel

Animals central to guiding me to new perspectives is something I continue to feel grateful for. What better way to honor them than to tap into their wisdom and allow them to guide us. For when we open our hearts to their messages and allow their beautiful teachings into our lives, we ALL do better.

While I know you’ve heard of horoscopes and possibly tarotscopes, I thought, why not Animalscopes?

While I’m not about predicting the future with my oracle readings, but instead working with the cards as reflection, intuitive insight, and personal growth, these Animalscopes I put together below are really just for fun.

As I move toward 2019 with my two words I chose as Grace Becoming, it’s with the utmost depth of love and gratitude to my sweet and wise dog Gidget and what she taught me this year, that tears well to my eyes as she is my inspiration.

May we each move with grace into 2019 as we renew our commitment to living a life full of wonder, magic, gratitude, and meaning…

XO,

Barb

2019 ANIMAL & ORACLE GUIDANCE

I pulled two cards for each Zodiac sign using the Spirit Animal Oracle and The Wisdom of the Oracle as a way to discover what 2019 may hold in store for you.

It’s interesting to note that Whale Spirit showed up three times in succession for the zodiac sign that begins in May and the signs that take us into summer. I see this as an invitation for all of us to bring ancient wisdom back into our lives, not perhaps exactly as it was then, but what we learned from it, and how we can incorporate it in a new way to serve the planet in a beneficial way for all.

CAPRICORN

Brown Bear Spirit invites you to let go of what no longer serves you to allow in the new. Staying grounded and connected to your heart, Brown Bear reminds you to take time in daily stillness, meditation, walks in nature, or anything that allows your mind to rest and brings you into a state of just being.

AQUARIUS

Bee Spirit invites you to see relationships and/or friendships from the perspective that each connection, past, present, and future serves as a vital part of your journey. Bee Spirit reminds you that they all matter, whether you remain physically connected or not and that connection is important to your well-being.

PISCES

Wolf Spirit invites you to look at the wisdom you’ve earned that brought you to a new way of seeing your life and new opportunities. Wolf Spirit reminds you that it’s the trusting of the mystery and mystical of life, and that you don’t have to have everything figured out right away, that deeper and true wisdom will continue to serve you well.

ARIES

Porcupine Spirit invites you to bring attention to areas of your life that need cleaning up, even though it may feel painful and prickly. Porcupine Spirit reminds you that just like their quills that are full of air which makes them float, so too can you learn to go with the flow through times that feel difficult, and remember that they are only temporary. Porcupine encourages you to not see something as a burden, but rather, from beginners mind and with curiosity.

TAURUS

Armadillo Spirit invites you to allow those you love and care about to walk their own journey without the need to feel you need to rescue them. Armadillo Spirit encourages you that like their tough outer shell that protects them, to protect your own heart by setting heathy boundaries in relationships and/or friendships. Not only will that serve others in a positive way, but will also benefit you greatly, and allow you to enjoy your life more fully.

GEMINI

Whale Spirit invites you that when faced with a decision you are unsure of to tap into the wisdom you’ve gained along the way, plus trust in the Universe/Spirit/Creator/God, that you will be divinely guided and in just the right time. When presented with a fork in the road, remember you don’t have to know an answer right away, but instead allow life to flow to you.

CANCER

Whale Spirit invites you to stay connected with what truly matters to you instead of chasing after shiny, new objects. Whale Spirit will gently nudge you to trust and tap into the wisdom that is already within you. Take time to be with all of what you are feeling, the joy and the sorrow, so that what really matters to your heart can bubble to the surface as the truth of who you are.

LEO

Whale Spirit invites you remember that as you continue to build upon the momentum of what you are creating for your life, one action at a time, that those actions first began with a spark of thought that came from your intuition. When you feel stuck, it’s times of going back to marinating inwardly that the next step in your journey is allowed to make itself known in an organic way.

VIRGO

White Raven Spirit invites you to set yourself free from what you know in your heart no longer serves you, but you hold onto for fear of speaking your truth. White Raven Spirit is your reminder that nothing is coincidence and within each synchronicity there is a message that will guide you to align with what is true for you. Follow that light of truth and you will be supported.

LIBRA

Brown Bear Spirit invites you to bring more balance into your life. With Brown Bear Spirit as your reminder that when you feel out of sync, experience fatigue, or are feeling a loss of which way to go next, it’s a clear signal to take time to rest. Pushing forward for the sake of trying to force an outcome won’t work.

SCORPIO

Otter Spirit invites you to look at where you may have felt, or feel, you aren’t enough or feeling you are alone. Otter Spirit is your reminder that staying in connection with like-minded people and reaching out to those that matter to you are just what you need as gentle nudges that others do care and love you, and are here to support you.

SAGITTARIUS

Bat Spirit invites you to look where your life may be out of balance and what it is that you are afraid to let go of. Bat Spirit reminds you that within all dark times and uncertainty that when you allow what no longer feels right for you that you must let it go so that a new perspective is allowed to come in which will guide you into the light once again.

Bobcat Spirit (and Fox) Helped Shift Me Out of My Funk

Posted December 4, 2018 by Barbara Techel

I awoke in such a funk this morning! Ever have those? And I wasn’t quite sure why.

As the morning wore on, the angst I was feeling continued to grow, even though I still wasn’t sure what it was about.

Getting on my exercise bike, while listening to a podcast, I felt my anxiousness continue to grow. Especially when I noticed two lint pieces on the arm of the sofa, and the more I tried not to notice them, the more they bugged me. And right away my mind tried to convince me that something was “wrong” with me.

But soon enough I knew this was a clear signal that something was brewing below the surface and I knew I had to work with it. John and I have something we say when seemingly simple things become the object of a frustration, and we know better that it isn’t about that particular thing. We say “It isn’t about (fill in the blank)! In my case today I said, “it isn’t about the lint on the sofa!”

Once I was finished exercising I pulled up the Insight Timer meditation app on my ipad, feeling called to find a guided meditation. I knew I needed to work with my emotions, but that I also felt that what I really needed to do was surrender. I came across a lovely woman named Sarah Blondin who does the most beautiful guided meditations. The one I chose was “I Learn to Surrender.”

Listening to her soothing voice and beautiful poetry of words, the tears finally came near the end of the meditation. I felt I still needed a bit more inward time so chose another one of her meditations. This time, I listened to “Accepting Change.”

Afterwards I made my way out to my writing cottage and sat at my desk where I keep my oracle cards and journal. In my journal I wrote, “Dear Spirit, What is it I need to know about the frustration I’m feeling today?”

From Wisdom of the Oracle I pulled Observer in protection (reversal) — the essential meaning of this card is about perspective, objectivity, and neutral observation from a distance.

So what did that have to do with my frustration? Well, I knew right away it was guiding me to see that I was getting caught up in my head of trying to intellectually figure something out that can’t be dealt with in this way. I was also trying to control my feelings of frustration because I was feeling bad for having them.

Once again I had to remind myself that all emotions are part of being human. In order to release them, I must feel them. The observer in protection (reverse) was my extra nudge from Spirit to take the time and pay attention and work through all my feelings.

Just the awareness of this brought me relief. Asking Spirit for my next right action step I turned to the Spirit Animal Oracle deck and pulled Bobcat Spirit and the short message on the front that says, “Life is a mystery.”

Ain’t that the truth, I heard myself say. And the truth is that sometimes that mystery can feel so very distressing because we want control and we want an outcome we are wishing for that we think is best. I was reminded, once again, that I have to be okay with the unknown right now.

Not only do I need to again practice sitting in the observation of all my feelings about a certain situation I realized my angst is about, I also have to trust that either an answer will come at a later point, or it may not come at all. Even though that feels uncomfortable, I’m being called to sit with it.

Turning to the guidebook after journaling my understanding of the cards regarding my particular situation, I especially resonated with this line from Bobcat Spirit:

No matter what, Bobcat Spirit is a sign that you are being called to trust, even when what is revealed does not agree with your need for intellectual certainty.

What I do know now with certainty that after taking this time to focus inwardly is that I’m feeling much better, even though the situation hasn’t changed and there is still uncertainty – but my perspective shifted and from this place I’m feeling much more peaceful.

As I look at the observer card again noting fox on the card I’m sensing the message of how sly and clever our minds can be at deceiving us. But it’s dropping into our heart during challenging times and listening and just being, that we eventually find our way back to truth and understanding.

XO,

Barb

I’m offering a special price on my Oracle Guidance Readings if you are feeling stuck and need some support. I’d be honored to hold space and offer guidance. Click on graphic to learn more about my readings. P.S. Though special price is only good through December 21st, you can schedule your session for the New Year if you wish.