inner journey

My New Book, “I’m Fine Just the Way I Am” is Now Available to Order with Bonus Gifts (limited time)

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m so excited to share with you that my new memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Healing Emotional Pain through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles is now available to order! 
 
The official launch date is April 22, 2020, but I’m offering this limited window of opportunity between now and then for you to order a copy of my book which includes bonus gifts (ordering and details below).
 
The thought to write another book happened one morning two years ago driving down a country road. It flashed quite quickly across my mind but then as quickly I tucked it away.
 
At the time, I was deep in the muck of going through a dark time and finding it difficult to cope with taking care of my special needs dog, Gidget.
 
I had no idea at that point how things were going to unfold, but somewhere in the deepest part of my heart, I thought maybe, just maybe, my story could help other women.
 
A few weeks later during an animal reading with friend and animal communicator, Dawn Brunke, I’d learn that Gidget was fine just as she was despite her health issues even though I was feeling challenged by it all. Her invitation to me was to see subtle perspectives I wasn’t considering and to see life sideways.
 
She also encouraged me to understand inner focus and details and how she really wanted me to get this. She said it was her final teaching to me.
 
While I didn’t at first fully grasp what she meant by seeing life sideways, I was open to exploring what insight this could bring me.
 
During that reading, Dawn also mentioned that perhaps I’d write a book about this someday even though she hadn’t known I’d just had that thought two weeks before.
 
She said that maybe a great title would be I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.
 
I still recall how my hand immediately flew to rest upon my heart. It struck a chord deep within me. Though, I wouldn’t know the full extent of its meaning until I embarked on the deep inner work that I was being called to do.

Little did I know I’d be taken on a journey to explore a significant and painful recurring vision that has plagued me for over two decades.
 
I wanted more than anything to be the best I could be for Gidget and also for myself. I was so very tired of suffering and the endless inward berating I’d done to myself for years.
 
After that reading with Gidget, I’d embark on an inward journey and employ a myriad of tools — each serving as a building block to self-knowledge and healing. 

  • I learned to trust my intuition and trust in the process.
  • I learned to dance with the wisdom of not only my dog, Gidget, but with a snake, a wolf and a horse. Each had a poignant message to help me heal different parts of myself.
  • I gained insight I’d not have considered by incorporating oracle cards and identified patterns that no longer served me. I also discovered ways in which I could course-correct when I fell into old patterning and repeated my never-ending story.
  • I paid attention to my dreams and worked with a dream analyst to understand how my dreams were guiding me to believe in the wounded little girl within me.
  • I incorporated the power of forgiveness and ceremonial work.
  • I accepted help from others who were beacons of light guiding me to listen to those parts of myself that felt shame and guilt.
  • I took part in life-enhancing breath work that took me to feeling the core of my wounding and healed me on a level of understanding that I was never alone, always loved, and most importantly, that I was worthy.

I’d come to understand that the turmoil in my life wasn’t happening to me, but rather for me.
 
All of this was integral in helping me transform my pain and accept it both as a gift and the path I was meant to walk in order to finally understand that I’m worthy just as I am. 
 
Bonus gifts included with pre-orders (until 4/21/20): 

  • Animals as Oracles – Oracle cards and messages from four of the animals I write about in the book that helped guide me in profound and powerful ways. This is a PDF that you can print and cut out the photo of each animal and use them as oracle cards if you wish. Plus pages to journal your thoughts on what each animal is personally offering to you to help guide you.
  • An inspirational 5 x 7 graphic to encourage you to embrace your worthiness and know that you too, are fine just the way you are. This is a PDF you can print, cut out, and put in a favorite frame. Place it where you will see it every day to remind you that you are worthy just as you are…and that you matter.
  • Coupon with a special discount toward one oracle reading and guidance session with me.
  • Special drawing: Your name will be entered in for a chance to win one of five oracle reading and guidance sessions I’ll be giving away.

**After you’ve placed your book order send an email to Imfinebookgifts@gmail.com with your name and order # for your bonus gifts.

Please note that bonus gifts will be emailed on or around April 22, 2020, along with notification of winners of the five oracle reading giveaways.

In closing… to my Gidge girl, I can never thank you enough for being you and walking so lovingly beside me. I miss you. But I’m so honored to carry you in my heart and the beautiful teaching you instilled within me.

xo,

Barbara

P.S. The e-book version will be available sometime in May.

The Sweetness of What Life Brings Begins with Us

Posted by Barbara Techel

This week two cards jumped out of the deck as I was shuffling — Hoatzin and Sugar Glider. I’d not heard of Hoatzin before though I am somewhat familiar with Sugar Glider.

Immediately what jumped out at me is that both cards are a pair of animals. This month we’ve certainly seen our share of two’s with the dates of 02/20/2020 and 02/22/2020 and the celebration of the day of love on February 14. Two is about balance, harmony, and duality.

Just as I write this post I glanced out my window to see a pair of wrens on the peanut feeder which is like a wink from the universe and confirmation of the pairs on the cards of hoatzin and sugar gliders. It’s interesting to note too that this is the first time I’ve ever seen two together feeding as I’ve only ever seen one on the feeder.

While it can be common to look at these pairs on the cards and the wrens I just saw and think it is about a relationship with another (which it can very well be), we can’t forget also that the first and most important relationship is to self.

To live in harmony with others we have to first be in harmony within ourselves. When we can find this balance it makes the sharing of life with others so much more enjoyable.

I’m being reminded of a card I pulled when I was in the process of integrating a dark night of the soul in 2018 and what my dog, Gidget was trying to help me with during that time. I’d reached a point where a big part of my healing had occurred when one morning I pulled the card Soul Mates from the deck Wisdom of the Oracle. The image is that of two penguins.

As I simmered in its meaning I understood it as Gidget and I had agreed to come together when we did as she stood lovingly by me and encouraged me to give voice to a painful wounding from childhood. This required a focused time of inner work on myself. She was the soul mate that was (and did) exactly that. Interesting to note also that Soul Mates is also about fostering personal growth as I went through one of my biggest transformations ever.

I had to do a little research about hoatzin because as I mentioned I’d not heard of this bird before. They are described as a chicken-like bird. They are the only bird with a digestive system of that of a cow and ferment the vegetation they eat which is huge amounts of foliage.

They are also referred to as a reptile bird, skunk bird, or stinkbird. This is because of the smell they give off because of what they eat and how it is digested. They have also been referred to as the ‘punk-rock’ bird because of their feathers that protrude straight out the top of their heads.

The sugar gliders can fly seamlessly through the air just like flying squirrels and are also quite adept at climbing trees. They love sugary foods and enjoy sap and nectar. The symbology connected with them is gentle, philosophical, adventurous and enjoy life on their own terms.

Linking this together with the importance of relationship to self first in order to be in harmony with others, I see this as how we have to be willing to be with those feelings and emotions in our lives that can feel toxic and drain us of our energy. We can’t possibly be one hundred percent there for another if we are swimming in our own gunk of emotions. When I think about the hoatzin and the only bird that ferments their vegetation, this is a great teaching for us to not rush through times that feel challenging and the importance of taking the time and being with what we are feeling and understanding the why of it.

Sugar glider then reminds us that this is where the sweetness of life lies. When we take the time to be gentle with ourselves as we process our emotions and struggles, we eventually come to a place of acceptance and understanding. From that place, we feel more confident in who we are, and we are willing to be more adventurous and stand in our power of living life the way we feel is best in alignment with who we are.

And from that more centered place of peace and knowing ourselves better, we attract into our lives the relationships that support and encourage us. 

Have a great week!

xo,

Barbara

Cards from: The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle deck by Bernadette King

HAPPY TO HELP
It is an honor to serve as an intuitive guide and oracle reader for women who wish to embark on an inner expedition and evolve into living in alignment with what matters most to their soul and live a more balanced, gracious and peaceful life. I’m happy to help so feel free to reach out or learn more by clicking on the banner.

 

Time to Break Out of the Cage and Sing Our Songs

Posted by Barbara Techel

This week it is Canary that is our animal guide.

It’s time to break out of that cage you perhaps have kept yourself in for far too long. It’s time to sing that song that has been wanting to burst forth from your heart. It’s the one that has been calling to you, consistently nudging at you, to let it out because it is the one of truth. It’s time to set it free.

The canary on the card sits on a flute. I played flute in high school. I no longer have mine, but now have a Native American flute which I pick up from time to time. There is something so soothing and haunting all at the same time about the sound that when I play it often brings me to this space that feels sacred and real.

It can feel scary to let our true selves be seen. But I find it symbolic in thinking about the haunting sound a flute can make—and how we live in this stage of angst and ‘what if’s’ if we don’t live from more of that true space within us. Isn’t it more difficult to hold our song in than to let it out? I’ve definitely realized, especially the last few years, that to let it out has set me free in ways I never even imagined for myself.

That is what Canary is inviting us to be with this week. How can we be who we are and in a way that feels safe? It’s little steps really. One note at a time. Being with others in a like-minded flock that supports us— that’s what helps us to spread our wings just a bit more and more each day.

At the beginning of 2019, I pulled an oracle card from The Spirit Animal Oracle deck for each month of the year. I did the same this year but with a different oracle deck. Each month the animal card I pulled serves as my guide and teaching for that particular time. When I looked back over 2019 and each animal that had presented itself over those twelve months I definitely saw the teachings and what I needed to work on, as well as, where I was being supported. It told a story of how my life unfolded that year.

It’s interesting to note that the canary was my card for December 2019. And in this New Year, I’ve been feeling the nudge to make a SoulCollage® card of canary. So I think not only is this message for all of you, it is for me too. So I best heed the advice. I do know that the canary is quite symbolic for me personally as I’m on the cusp of releasing my new book soon – and one that shares my journey of finally giving voice to a childhood wound that haunted me for twenty-five plus years.

While a small part of me can still feel a bit of fear around this, I’m more ready than I’ve ever been before. I’ve experienced what it feels like to have worked through what needed to be looked at and acknowledged. The freedom that has come with that has made it easier for me as I now embark on sharing my song with others.

We all have a special song to sing and it’s what brings so much beauty to this world. As I write this, in my mind’s eye I’m seeing a sky filled full of birds and in a wide variety of brilliant colors! Let’s light up the world like a rainbow, plus a multitude of colors we’ve never even imagined— and let’s listen to the melody of songs being sung by each of us —and know that this will transform us, heal us, and set us all free.

xo,

Barbara

HAPPY TO HELP
It is an honor to serve as an intuitive guide and oracle reader for women who wish to embark on an inner expedition and evolve into living in alignment with what matters most to their soul and live a more balanced, gracious and peaceful life. I’m happy to help so feel free to reach out or learn more by clicking on the banner.