animal teachings

Wisdom of the Butterfly

Posted by Barbara Techel
Wisdom of the Butterfly
Photo credit: Paula Pipping Hirschmann (my sister)
This morning I had the impulse to randomly open one of my journals where I collect quotes because I wanted to share one with you today.
It so happened (synchronicity!) to be one about the butterfly. This made me think of the beautiful photo of a butterfly my sister posted on her wall yesterday.
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. – Maya Angelou
This got me thinking about the wisdom of butterfly that feels fitting for me and perhaps it may for you too.
I think oftentimes we forget how far we have come and about all the positive changes we’ve made in our lives. How easy it is to think we are not enough, haven’t done enough, and need to be and do more.
This has been a practice for me to know that I am enough…no matter what. All those years I was in the “spotlight” so to speak with my work with my disabled dog, Frankie, and now I’m in a place where I’m content with more solitude.
But yet, I still have this need to make a difference in the world. And the butterfly reminded me that I am…no matter what…just as long as I honor my true heart and live from that space.
All the different layers of myself I’ve peeled away and shed over the years have brought me to this place called me that I am right now. A place, I for the most part, am quite happy about. I’m happy with the changes I’ve made for myself, though not always easy.
And so the butterfly reminds me to pause and remember all I’ve done to get to this point. All the little steps I’ve taken along the way (and will continue to). And as I sit for a moment to look at the photo of this butterfly I see it coming in and landing ever so softly on the flower. In my minds eye I see it opening and closing its wings in the most graceful way – reminding me that there is beauty in the pause and there is beauty when we take flight once again…and that there is beauty in each moment and stage of our lives.
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Morning Joy

Posted by Barbara Techel

Morning Joy

What a treat to open the bedroom blinds today after having been gone for two days to see this Sandhill Crane family in my backyard. We have a big open field behind our house where a farmer oftentimes plants corn. It’s also a great nesting ground for Sandhill Cranes who always seem to find their way to it each year.  And as sometimes happens,  they find their way to our backyard and it’s such a treat to see them up close.

 

I was feeling a bit tired after two days of fun, eating and shopping with my dear friend who celebrates the same birth day as me. And I couldn’t help but feel that the Sandhill Cranes showed up as a reminder to ground myself once again back to what is most important to me — which is home and simplicity.

Thank you dear Sandhill Cranes!

The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for “Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift” is Done!

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for "Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift" is Done!

I just had to take a moment, dear friends to share with you that at 1:20pm today, Tuesday, July 12th, I completed the writing and major editing of my new book, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift.

What a ride this has been – a bit bumpy at times – but oh, how I’m reminded again as I typed the last word on the last page the JOY that comes from persevering and following through on the creative process.

Now I shall let it rest for the remainder of the day and night. Tomorrow I will review the Afterword, written today, and then I will be sending my manuscript back to my editor for a final proofread.

This moment of completion of the writing and editing of a book always feels like a full circle moment to me. A passage that will not come again as each one is unique. Each time I come to this completion, which I think will never come, I’m also reminded of how it feels when you finally know this is it. It is done. I’m blissful, feeling complete, and spent all at the same time.

And this calls for celebration and date night out tonight!

But first, taking a moment to sit in a moment of gratitude and thank dear, little Joie, for without her, and the lessons she taught me — this book would have never come to be. I love you and miss you little one.

joie with flowers

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