animal wisdom

Trapped Inside My Writing Cottage

Posted by Barbara Techel

Trapped Inside My Writing Cottage

This is new.

This darling little fellow.

Who just recently started to sit upon the birch tree branch I have outside my half-moon window of my writing cottage.

He caught my eye as I was doing my yoga practice this morning.

Sitting there so content and might I add, so dang cute!

And he sat, and sat and sat.

So unusual for a hummingbird to sit so long.

It had me reflecting on how Hummingbird has shown up quite often lately in my animal wisdom oracle card readings.

And just two days ago listening live on Facebook as life coach, Cheryl Richardson shared the news of Louise Hay, founder of Hay House Publishing, who passed away at the age of 90 on the very same day that Dr. Wayne Dyer passed away two years ago. As Cheryl talked about Louise and her dedication to helping people heal, a hummingbird landed right outside her window…

and it just sat, and sat, and sat as Cheryl talked so lovingly about Louise.

And this is the thing…life is truly magical. Hummingbird showing up just then as Cheryl talked about Louise reminding us that joy is our birthright…

in life… and in transition.

And while the title of this post is ‘trapped inside my writing cottage’ because when I wanted to walk back in the house after my yoga practice, this little fellow had returned again to sit upon the birch branch.

And he sat, and sat and sat.

His message to me that life is to be savored and enjoyed. That there is no need to rush, but to take in all the joy that abounds.

And so I waited, and waited and waited until he decided it was ready to move on with the day. And then I too opened the door and made my way into the house.

And taking with me the lesson that I am only trapped when I make that choice. But when we make the choice to pause and capture what is right in front of us that the real magic happens and with it comes so much joy.

So much joy.

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Healing Wisdom from an Ancient Animal

Posted by Barbara Techel

Healing Wisdom from an Ancient Animal

Yesterday afternoon I went for an impromptu ride. Well perhaps it wasn’t really an impromptu ride but I knew I couldn’t stay in my writing cottage as something was bothering me. I needed to shake it off.

I hesitated if the drive would even work to help release a negative energy I encountered which was feeling quite toxic. But I pushed past my second guessing and made it out to my car with camera in hand to take some pictures along the way to help distract me from all the thoughts racing through my mind.

As I began to drive I recalled a week or so earlier going down a country road I don’t think I’ve ever traveled before. I came across what I labeled as ” cow creatures”  because I wasn’t quite sure of their correct name. But when I came across them they seemed so ancient and made me feel peaceful.

So I headed down that same road again to find them. Sitting on the side of the road and observing them I began to feel myself move out of my head and back into my body again.

Those primal looking cow creatures did it again – helping me to feel grounded and more at peace.  When I got home I Googled a description of them to find out they are Highland Cattle. They come from the Scottish breed and are one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world.

No wonder I felt such a deep healing from just being in their presence. I was able to remind myself that the toxic feelings flooding me were only temporary. And that I had a choice to let go. The Highland Cattle also helped to remind me that I am strong and wise.

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Animal Communication is Real. Thank you Kuma the Cat.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve certainly had signs from the other side of the veil from dogs in my life. And one that stays with me to this day as one of the most profound was when the shape of a water paw print appeared after the passing of my dachshund, Joie. I tell the story of this in my second memoir, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift. I’m still in awe for this gift she sent me just when I needed it most.

Photo of water paw print from Joie

This is a sign one can’t simply dismiss or explain away. Though that isn’t always the case.

At times I have my doubts about animal communication. Not that I don’t believe it isn’t real, because I absolutely do. It’s really my own lack of self-confidence that can get in the way.

But a little over a week ago I got a huge boost of confidence in animal communication. I’d gone to a small shop in our town, “Two Fish Gallery” to pick up a gift for my mom. It’s my favorite shop in our small village.

For years they had a darling white and gray cat named Snarky. He was almost always around to greet the shoppers and also loved to sit in the sun in their colorful and beautiful gardens that surround the shop. But then he passed away about three years ago.

To set the background a bit here, I was in the shop this past spring and also right before Christmas. While there I hadn’t given thought to whether or not they’d gotten a new cat or not. But when I was in there recently, looking for a specific item to buy my mom, I silently wondered to myself if the owners had gotten a new cat.

I was standing at the counter where you check out, looking through a basket of fabric animals as I continued to wonder if they had a new cat. I then thought that if they did get a new cat I’d sure like to meet him or her.

Just then I looked up and past Pat the store owner who was sitting on a stool behind the counter, peering into what is part of their home as the shop is in front, and down the stairs came a cat!

I said quite excitedly, “You did get a new cat!” 

Pat said, “Yes, we’ve had him for about two years now. His name is Kuma which means Bear in Japanese.

Well Kuma, the caramel and black Siamese cat, glided every so beautifully toward Pat, by-passed him and came from around the counter and right over to me where he proceeded to rub his sweet self up against my legs.

I didn’t get a photo of Kuma, but this is a likeness – though Kuma is slimmer.

Now even more excited I said, “He heard me!”

Pat tried to dismiss it as just that Kuma is friendly, not really understanding what I was trying to convey as I explained how I just had thoughts moments before wondering if they had a new cat and how I’d love to meet him or her.

But I know Kuma heard me. All of the electric feelings vibrating through me couldn’t be denied. I wasn’t going to try to convince Pat and just decided to enjoy the moment in all its divine glory.

I knelt down by Kuma petting him and talking with him. Pat told me he loves to be picked up and I could hold him if I wanted.

Oh boy, did I!  He was just so adorable and handsome. When I picked him up, his deeply intense azure eyes looked right into mine. I wanted to take him home right there and then. I was smitten!

I said, “You heard me, didn’t you?” and he purred and purred.

I hated to leave that day as it was such a wonderful experience. But to seal the deal of our new friendship, Kuma walked me to the door…and right into my heart.

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