collage

On Grace Becoming – My Words for 2019 and My Vision for How I See It

Posted by Barbara Techel

On Grace Becoming - My Words for 2019

Like last year, I couldn’t pick just one word for the year and chose abundant depth. Part of my intention with abundant depth was that I wanted to have deeper conversations with others. Whenever I have the opportunity to have deep and meaningful discussions with friends and family, and also experience with my clients and my oracle reading and guidance sessions, I feel so uplifted!

What I realized this past year was that in order to continue to have meaningful conversations, I had to first begin with having those conversations with myself. Now, not like talking out loud to myself, but I do that too. ha! But about really focusing inward and tapping into what really matters, which I did quite a bit of in 2018.

As 2018 drew to a close and the thought of what I’d like to invite into 2019, I was given some poignant signs recently. From receiving a book as a gift earlier this fall (which I’d read years ago) called, A Return to Grace by Cheryl Richardson, to receiving another book as a gift I’d not read before called, The Way to Grace by Miranda Macphearson, to being nudged awake at 2am one morning two weeks ago by that magical, unseen force that supports us, and hearing the words, Grace Becoming.

When I heard those words I knew this was it as I felt a rush of excitement run through my whole being. It was as if I sank into a warm, swirling pool of water. I just felt it. 

Grace Becoming for me is about trusting there is a divine purpose in guiding me to evolve with a deeper understanding of myself when I experience difficult times, while appreciating that this is part of living a full and meaningful life. Every day I have the opportunity to flow like I imagine grace does.

So then I thought, what would Grace Becoming look like in terms of an image? What oracle card would represent it? What animal oracle card would it be? What number is Grace Becoming? And what color?

This is how I came up with what I guess you could say is a type of vision board. I’ve never really cared all that much for vision boards, or rather those that are done with the intention of material things. Not that I don’t like material things cause I do! But what I created digitally using Canva and this collage is more about how I want to feel, how I want to move through my days, and how I want to be in the world.

Grace is not reacting, but rather allowing a natural flow and why I chose water as how I see it and also in the image of the woman depicting all the many facets of who we are. The bluish green color of water which is calming and how I imagine the color of Grace Becoming. The number 8 I feel represents Grace Becoming beautifully in its fluid and continually movement.

The horse, such a large animal, but moves with such ease and grace, feels like Grace Becoming to me also. And when we adopt more grace into our lives, freedom for how we want our lives to be seems to come more naturally. It’s those challenging times that when we embrace them as opportunities that we become poised (represented by a card from The Wisdom of the Oracle deck) for the life we envision by being more often here and now in this moment, soaking up all that it has to offer, and that by default is a stepping stone, that leads with grace to yet another and another, and to a life well lived.

XO,

Barb

 

The Making of a Prayer Box and The Water Horse

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Making of a Prayer Box and The Water Horse

This past Sunday I spent the afternoon collaging and painting an old wooden box into a prayer box while watching The Water Horse – Legend of the Deep. 

As I mentioned a few blog posts ago, I have some family members and a dear friend going through some health challenges right now. It has left me feeling helpless at times and wondering what it is I can “do” to be of support.

The thing is, I know we must each walk our own journey and that we must also honor each person’s journey even when we feel like we wish there was something we could do to take away their challenging time. Balancing our own needs with wanting to help and respecting the dignity and choices of other’s can be a fine line to walk. 

Earlier this year going through a dark night of the soul myself, I came to feel Spirit envelop me for the first time in my life. I continue to be more comfortable with saying Spirit as I see this higher power as this swirling, right beside me, within and outside of me, as energy rather than sometimes labeled as male and/or God. But I came to understand that Spirit, even in those dark moments, was there for me.

And what if what my family members and my friend who are going through this difficult time could come to this same feeling and understanding of Spirit as I did this year? I’d certainly want that for them. Maybe that is how I can best support them and hold this in my heart and in my prayers.

And so the idea of creating this prayer box was born…I didn’t have any idea of what it would look like when it was complete, but just followed what felt right as I dug through decorative papers, paints, and pictures from magazines.

While I still think I may add something to it, though not sure what that is yet, I posted a photo of it on Facebook with this note: Spent the afternoon collaging this wooden box as a prayer box. With many I know going through a difficult time right now, I will add each of their names to the box as a way of holding space, love, light and peace for each of them.

Ronnie left a comment: Beautifully created…sincere& beautiful wishes. But how does light get into a closed box?

I found the question so intriguing! And so I thought for a few moments and wrote: It’s the light within each of our hearts – that when we say a little prayer filling our whole being with the light of Spirit, that we wish for the person we are praying for to be filled with that light, too.

I can’t help but think of the movie I was watching also while collaging this prayer box. The movie’s description of what it is about in case you’ve not seen it: On the shore of Loch Ness, Scotland, Angus (Alex Etel) finds an unusual egg. When it hatches, it releases an unexpected surprise: a water horse, the legendary creature from Scottish mythology. While the boy tries to keep its existence hidden from his mother (Emily Watson), he and his new pet, Crusoe, quickly become inseparable. But as the water horse grows larger, eventually becoming the fabled Loch Ness monster, Angus must protect his friend from those who would want to do it harm.

We’d do anything to help those we love to not suffer or come in harms way. While we can do what we can and be of support, we have to trust that this is their journey to walk as it is each of ours. And so it was with Angus, who loved that water horse he named Crusoe, with all his heart. But in the end it was for the highest good to allow Crusoe to continue his journey in his sea home that was best for him and it was that Angus could not travel with him as his  home is on land.

But it didn’t mean he didn’t love Crusoe any less — but all the more — for he loved Crusoe so much he set him free to swim the journey he was meant to.

XO,

Barb

 

Finding that Meaningful Life

Posted by Barbara Techel

Finding that Meaningful Life

I think it takes courage to live a life that feels meaningful. To not live the status quo, but to live from that inner space within that yearns to trust that inner voice, while at the same time not knowing what that may really look like as we try to move toward it and what we believe it is that will bring us joy.

I feel like I’ve been down this road hundreds of times – and no doubt it will surface time and again as I grow and evolve. Though I am much stronger in my convictions which feels liberating. But isn’t this what being human is all about?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my almost 54 years is that happiness isn’t outside of us, though it can feel like an uphill battle because it is what is in front of us constantly in TV, ads, etc. if we allow it to be.

So when I hear of a breakthrough from someone who I’ve shared the SoulCollage® process with that I facilitate in my studio and online, my heart overflows with ecstatic happiness. To know another person on this planet is learning to accept who they are – well – it is very rewarding. 

Kathryn, who is part of my online SoulCollage® True Essence class is a beautiful example of taking the steps necessary to move toward living a meaningful life. I was so touched by a recent posting she did on our private Facebook group that I asked her if I could share it with you. She graciously agreed. Thank you, Kathryn.

This is a recent SoulCollage® card she created for her altar: 

Kathryn wrote, “It (the card) was created intentionally, the image of the woman had a quote by it and the woman said that she loves who she is just the way she is. The locusts represent my fear of bees and wasps. This is the first summer in many years where I no longer feel afraid of getting stung. The card is about being proud of who I am today, stepping into my power and releasing fears that no longer serve me.”

Kathryn’s insight for herself not only no doubt freed her in many ways and brought deep meaning to her life, but in sharing with the group, she made my life (and likely others in the group) feel even more meaningful. 

Finding a meaningful life takes work and is truly an inside job. And why I continue to do my own inner work too so that I can support others on their path to a meaningful life. This summer I’ve devoting myself to a 22-week online course to help me grow in who I am and expand my workshops online which began this past Monday.

Because truly, it’s moments like this that Kathryn shared with me that are food for my soul – me as facilitator guiding others toward deeper meaning for their lives, in-turn makes for a meaningful life for me. Win-win not only for me and participant, but a big win for the planet!

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If you’d like to learn more about the SoulCollage® True Essence online course details are here.

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