God

I Found My Easter Egg’s and My Light Shines Brighter

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1972Happy Easter to each of you. While I don’t celebrate in the traditional way of going to church, I connect in my own way with the meaning of this special day.

A day of hope and renewal. Another chance to see that beautiful light within me and to let it shine just a bit more brighter. That this day signals another gift in itself. Another opportunity to let down my guard that I sometimes build around me, and be who I was created to be.

Today is also day seven of my meditation that I have been doing called Finding the Flow. A free 21-day mediation with Oprah and Deepak Chopra. It was about exploring our true self as light. “Light is around us and within us – it is our guide on the path toward self-realization… As we open to the light within, we connect to the divine light that illuminates our soul, awakening us to our real self, and the light that connects all things.”

I am connected to God/Spirit/Universe in my own, unique way. It is my guide to shine that light within me out into the world. I am not always perfect and sometimes find myself in struggle. But this special day called Easter I give thanks for another chance at renewal. A day to accept past and present struggles, as they are a part of my journey which has helped me move closer to the true light that is me.

As I lay in bed today thinking about all the little kids that will search for their Easter eggs, I found myself wishing I could be a kid again — the anticipation of the treasures they will find on their Easter egg hunt and all the goodies within their baskets. And then I realized I can still go to that place. It is always there for me to tap into. That joy of finding surprises and feeling so alive.

I found my Easter egg’s today and all it’s treasures inside as I glanced over at John and he said, “Happy Easter.” My next treasure awaited me as I lifted Gidget out of her bed and kissed her on the side of her snout. And finally, Kylie, who came to greet me with her tail wagging good morning.

I’m grateful for all that I have and for this awakening that continues to evolve in me, even when the journey has been filled with doubt and pain. And for Easter, I am giving thanks for its gifts of renewal and hope as it washes away the past to help that light in me to shine brighter.

Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. -John O’Donohue

Do You Listen to Your Soul?

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1439 650We woke up to an icy morning after alot of rain overnight and thunderstorms.  I took some photos at lunch time-this one I added the new “light trails”effect in Picmonkey.

Rest of photos on Facebook.

I recently had a deep conversation with a friend. I love deep thinkers. Thinking outside things that sometimes don’t make sense, but in actuality it may be our soul trying, sometimes begging, to tell us.

As she shared her fascinating and intriguing story, my heart leapt back to a memory a few years ago. I don’t recall if I’ve shared this on my blog or not, so forgive me if I have.  But when I realized I wanted to write my book Through Frankie’s Eyes I felt myself struggling to begin. Something was holding me back. It was odd, because I really wanted to write the story, but there was just something tugging on my heart.

After talking with a friend she referred me to her friend who is a holistic healer.  Interestingly enough (though I call it synchronicity) I had met this same woman years ago at a writing conference. We would then meet again as I helped her with questions for writing her own children’s book. Now her name popped up yet again as someone who could maybe help unblock what was holding me back.

I really had no idea what to expect as I made the hour drive to see her. I was a bit nervous, but I was also open.

After talking for a little bit she then had me lie on a massage table. She put her hand on my heart and a hand cupped on my left ear. She then guided me into a meditation. I felt myself fighting the process at first, wondering how in the world this was going to help me.

Soon enough though I decided I wanted to trust the process because I really wanted the help. As she guided me into the meditation she had me pick a favorite spot I love to be. I told her I was on the deck of our house. It was summer. I could see my writing cottage and all the pretty flowers by the  front door. I then moved down into the little garden that is a few feet off the steps of our deck.

She said, “Is anyone else with you?”

I said, “Yes.”

“Who is it?”

“I’m afraid to say.”

“Is it an angel?”

“No.”

“I see only feet and they have sandals on.”

“It’s okay. You can share who it is.”

I was hesitant and questioning if this was who I was really seeing- was it real?

Finally I said, “I see God.”

Though I didn’t see a face. For me I take that as my wondering if God is male or female or just is. I don’t really know the answer to that.

I felt safe in that place with my God.  She continued the questions asking what my fears were.

It suddenly rose up in me and I felt myself ready to burst out crying. I knew the answer. Again, I was afraid to say. Afraid if I did, it would come true.

But I finally said the words I didn’t want to speak out loud, “I’m afraid if I write this book, Frankie will die.”

My heart was beating so fast the minute I said it and put it out there, while at the same time I felt this huge relief.

It came flooding back  again as my friend was sharing with me what her soul may be trying to tell her.  I didn’t want to begin the book about my life with Frankie because I truly believed my soul knew she would leave shortly after I finished the manuscript. I somehow let myself believe that if I didn’t begin, I could keep her with me forever.

As most of you know, she is with me in a new way– and a way in which I’ve evolved even further into my spiritual belief’s. She knew exactly the right time to move on and she knew when she did we would always be connected.

I’m so glad my friend helped remind me of this powerful experience I had years ago, because as I reflect on it today I find a great peace with it. It is also a reminder, I think, to listen to our heart… listen to our soul. Listen very deeply as the answers truly do lie there.

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On this weeks Joyful Paws Blog Tour I’m featured on Linda Hoye’s blog,  A Slice of  Life Writing. I invite you to stop by and check out my guest post, “Trust the Writing Process – Trust Your Writing Process.”

Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate

Posted by Barbara Techel

I received the following quote  today (below)  from my dear friend, Julie.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’  Actually, who are you NOT to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” –Excerpt from Marianne Williamson’s book “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles”

I was touched beyond words that Julie said when she heard this verse during a movie she was watching that she instantly thought of me, and she shared with me that this is what I have taught her. She said that by letting my light shine and being me and believing in who I am, it has inspired her.

I write about how I played “small” often in my younger years because of my own insecurities (in my upcoming book) and didn’t grow tall until I was in my early 40’s. I wish I could change that it took me until a few years ago to do that, but I can’t regret the past– I can only move forward.

When we truly live into our authenticity we never know who we will affect around us, just like Marianne says. But we must do it because we are a piece of God- every one of us. Whether you call it God, , the Universe or higher source, it does not matter.  We are here to shine our light- to be the best we can be. And I think at the core of each and every one of us, we want to leave a mark on this world- to know that we mattered.  From my experience in the past 10 years and all I’ve learned since then, that when we let our light shine it truly is how we leave our mark on the world– and when we do that, the Universe automatically supports us.

I recently began an 8-week course that has me giving thought to my purpose (as I move forward with the release of my book) as one of the assignments. One of my purposes (of which I have many!) I’m writing about is how I want to help others not be afraid to live their own truth and to know and understand that joy is their birthright. I was having my doubts of how I was going to actually do just that. So there is no coincidence that I got this verse from my friend today, reminding me that this is part of my purpose…. and by just being me I am already living that purpose. Thank you to my friend, Julie for this reminder.

Now go out and shine your light! Each and every one of you!  And just imagine, what our world will be like when we all do just that. Brilliant, beautiful, and at peace.