animal teachings

Go Within and Let Go

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget and animal reading

For the last two weeks I’ve been practicing my meditation routine again. I had gotten out of the habit for a time being.

Miss Gidget seems to be enjoying it too. The minute I open the door to my writing cottage, she scurries in and heads for my large, peach wicker chair. I pick her up, tuck her in her blanket and this is where we sit Zen for 15-minutes.

Okay, I admit, we don’t always succeed for a full 15-minutes as one of us gets wiggly. But we are doing pretty good. It is why it is called a practice.

After meditation, I’ve been immersing myself in a new daily ritual of working with animal cards — a way of learning more about other animals and understanding their wisdom.

I shuffle the Animal Wisdom Tarot card deck I have with a question in mind. Either something I’m having a challenge with or just asking what it is I need to know for the day.

After a few shuffles, I choose a card at random. I then sit with the card for a few moments listening for a message of its meaning for me.

I journal what thoughts come. This day, having chosen Bat I wrote about how I am learning to be more comfortable in the shadows of unknowns, trying my best to release worry, and accept things as they are.

After I journal for a few moments I turn to the booklet included with the cards. It is always a wonderful confirmation reading Bat’s message according to the booklet which is surrender, release, sacrifice, renew and the overall message of “go within, and let go.”

It’s exactly where I’ve been in my inner world with some things I’ve been working through.

The universe really does support us if we let it.

And I love how often Gidget looks on as the wise self that she is — all these things of which she already knows — as she sits and waits in total patience for me to understand.

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Opening to Magic Led to “Magical Dogs”

Posted by Barbara Techel

Opening to Magic Led to "Magical Dogs"

When 2015 began, I chose a word for the year — really, just for fun to see what would happen — and with an intention or two just for good measure.

The word I chose was magical. I’ve been astounded at how often it has showed up these past twelve months.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote and came out with Big Magic and my friend gifted me a copy — and that was pretty exciting! BTW:  It’s a fantastic book if you are a creative.

Little snippets of magic showed up all year long, here and there. And then today came a very magical moment….

Having shared my story about my journey with Frankie earlier this year for an upcoming book by author Patti Kerr called, Magical Dogs ( I know, can you believe the title?) – I was given first sneak peek at the final cover today.

Recognize anyone on the cover?  Hint:  She’s red and has a nice set of wheels.

Now I’d have to say this is my most memorable magical moment for 2015! It’s truly an honor to know that Frankie’s legacy continues to find its way out into the world.

And it makes me think about synchronicity which I love being open to — and how setting intentions can vibrate out into the world and return to you in ways you’d never even expect!

Now that is magic! Pure magic!

I’ll be sure to announce right here when the book is published. It’s in its final stages of editing, so it shouldn’t be too long now.

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Christmas is for the Birds

Posted by Barbara Techel

christmas is for the birds

It’s the coldest day of the season so far. But I felt the need to venture out into my backyard with two small grapevine wreaths, covered in suet and seed, that I purchased Friday at a local eclectic, vintage store called The Red Rooster.

Being a writer, I’m always thinking of my next blog post. I look forward to coming up with what I will write next.  As I hung the first bird seed wreath I thought, Christmas is for the birds.

I thought about the pressure that comes with the holidays and I which I sometimes have to work to not get caught up in it anymore.

Being in nature, as I was just then, was my reminder. I find myself at peace and centered when I’m honoring my heart impulses, the sky above me, and the ground below me as my foundation. And I thought about how animals don’t worry about all the silly things we humans do.

The birds will come and feast upon the wreath and take great delight in being their bird selves. They won’t feel like they need to rush out and get a gift for me because of the gift I provided them.

The fact that Christmas has become so much about consumerism and materialism and getting caught up in what we should do to fit in tugs sadly at my heart now and then.

But being outside today, connecting with the earth and all its beauty no matter which way I turned, this is what Christmas is about to me. It’s about connecting with Spirit, God, Source, Mother Earth and giving thanks for being a part of the vastness of it all.

It’s about honoring and respecting this precious time here. It’s about taking the time to remind ourselves about what’s important to us.

Many moons ago I used to get so caught up in making sure my house was decorated just so and I stressed myself out worrying about just the right gifts to get everyone. I never truly enjoyed the holidays because by the time they rolled around I was stressed and burnt out.

But I now do my best to honor what is right for me. Simplicity, being in nature, time with my animals and John, stillness and solitude.

And funny how when one does this, that then Christmas and the Spirit of it remains with us long into the New Year.

Gazing out my writing cottage window shall then serve as a reminder… that Christmas is indeed for the birds, our earth, all the animals…. and a mirror to which if we look will cast a magical spell onto our human hearts of what the Christmas Spirit is truly all about….Peace. Love. Joy.

christmas for the birds 2

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