bird messenger

Chickadee Reminded Me of the Sweetness of Life

Posted by Barbara Techel

It can be easy to get lost in the chaos of the world.

Sitting at my art table this morning excited to work on my next project piece, this darling chickadee sat for the longest time on the suet feeder, while my laundry on the line blew in the breeze.

It moved me to tears. The sweetness of life, I thought. This is what brings such joy to my heart.

Yesterday I’d gone down the rabbit hole with all that continues to swirl in the world – so much that does not make sense to me. My heart hurt for all the suffering.

Later in the day, I’d recalled what a teacher who hosts a monthly group I’m taking part in said, “The mind can’t take it, but the heart can.” I wrote that out and taped it to the mirror on my vanity.

Though at times it feels like my heart can’t take it, it really is the mind that goes into fear, when the heart knows what to do.

The sweet chickadee reminded me that I can choose contentment at any moment, which after looking it up, is exactly what they symbolize — that, and happiness. A tiny bird that reminds us of the joy in simple pleasures.

I also read that Chickadee is a homebody bird. Well, if that didn’t literally hit home in my heart, as I am a homebody too. This soft place that I perch and take refuge in when the world around me is confusing…and how grateful I am for my physical home, but also my inner home that I’ve worked hard to stay in alignment with what is true for me.

Thank you, dear Chickadee, for your presence and the reflection that turns out to be the best present I could have asked for today.

XO

Barb

                  

Are You Okay In There?

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was thinking that Sparrows are probably the least photographed bird. Check out this little darling on the right-hand side of the photo who was outside my writing cottage window this morning.

It almost looks to me like he is saying, “Hey, you in there. Are you okay?” 

I was in my writing cottage early today and did a full moon oracle reading for myself. It’s a new ritual I put in place for myself this year – once a month for the new and full moon I take time in contemplation with a deck of oracle cards. They always provide helpful guidance and insight.

I’m not going to get into details here of the reading because, well, it was a personal reading, and I’m still simmering in its meaning for me.

But this little bird really captured my heart.

And yes, little one, I’m okay and every day feels a tiny bit better.

Just as I ended this post, the trill of a bird was singing on a Pandora radio station I was listening to. I just love how the universe holds our heart at all times.

And even in the tenderest times, when we feel most vulnerable, if we focus our awareness we are able to see and feel the support all around us.

XO,

Barbara

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Robin Had a Message for Me About the Writing Process

Posted by Barbara Techel

I spied this Robin gathering materials for her nest outside my bedroom window this morning. How exciting to see new life is in progress!

With her mouth full of materials, I watched as she flew to the dwarf lilac tree, hopped carefully through the tight-knit branches and added to her creation of what will soon be her home sweet home. What a perfect tree for her to build her nest where she will raise her first brood. It faces the east and gets lots of morning sunshine. Not to mention the bonus for me as I can see it from my bedroom window and my writing cottage window.

I couldn’t help but think how I’m nesting just like the Robin. No, I’m not expecting. Well, in a way, I guess you could say I am.

Late last week I received feedback from one of my beta readers for my upcoming memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. To me, writing a book is like different stages of life. From starting with the idea to writing the draft, to reworking it until it feels right to send out to beta readers, to reworking it again, then sending it off to the editor, and reworking yet again, and then finally… off to the printers! But it doesn’t’ end there.

As I watched the Robin gathering materials, adding them to what will soon be a completed nest, which will soon be filled with eggs, to her sitting on her eggs until they hatch, and eventually her baby birds who will fly off into the world on their own.

I realized writing this book the importance of the nesting stage has been for me. I’ve been preparing myself emotionally along with news things I always seem to learn about the writing process, to eventually sending my book out into the world.

I really don’t know where it will land, but yet I trust that it will.

And speaking of my book….back to the nest I must go and give new life to the text that needs reworking!

XO,

Barbara

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