meaningful life

This Really Got Me Thinking

Posted by Barbara Techel
This Really Got Me Thinking
photo credit: John Techel

I read something recently that really got me thinking. It’s about how “busy” is a sickness. Did you ever notice that is the stock answer so many of us give when asked how we are?

My intention for many years has been about living a life that is meaningful. To be busy feels like my life is out of control. While at times it does truly feel that way, I try to make a conscious effort to ground myself and look at why I might be feeling that way when I find myself in this place.

And I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks my husband, John if he is busy. He owns and operates his own construction business. It’s funny though, because no one has asked me in a long, long time if I am busy. I find this fascinating.

In the article, a woman responds to a man who asked her how she is and she replies she was crazy busy. She was surprised when he asked her what it was she had going on that day. She frantically rattled off everything she had to do.

His response?  “Sounds like a full day. Have fun!”

Whoa!  What a seriously, cool way to look at one’s life, I thought. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. So I checked in with this idea of a full life instead of a busy one, asking myself these questions:

  • Am I doing things that are meaningful to me?
  • Am I making a difference?
  • Am I tired in an accomplished feeling way and not a stressful way at the end of the day?
  • Am I, for the most part, happy every day?

The answer is yes, this is the majority of the time, and how I feel. This, to me,  is a full life and not a busy one.

And when I think of life as full, I think of it as rich, content, and wanting more.

How about you? Full or busy?  How does this feel to you?  I’d love to hear!

—

This is the article I refer to if you’d like to read more, “Busy is a Sickness.”

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Silence and Stillness. Crucial to Living a Meaningful Life.

Posted by Barbara Techel

silence

I ran across this quote this morning. It really spoke to me, especially as I continue to work on the fourth draft of my second memoir, Wisdom Found in the Pause.

This book, in part, about my paralyzed dachshund Joie and her short life with me ultimately led me to not wanting to write (or talk much) after she passed away. As someone who loved to write and share my passion about special needs dogs, this felt very odd and scary.

Taking a sabbatical from everything I had known and loved to do for the prior six years, from keeping up my blog, interacting with my audience on social media, writing books, and public speaking gigs for children and adults, to now plunge into what felt like nothingness felt like the scariest thing ever.

While it was true I was craving stillness, silence, and a slowing down, I was afraid to be with my own thoughts. I was afraid to hear and examine what I knew to be true – that I wanted to let go of a chapter in my life I had so enjoyed, which at the time really didn’t make sense. The scary part also was that I didn’t know where I wanted to go next.

And being in silence can seem daunting and overwhelming to face all those fears.

While I was very restless at the beginning of my sabbatical, oftentimes feeling like I wanted to jump right out of my own skin, I’m so glad I stuck with it.

It was in that silence and stillness that the gifts started to make themselves known…and where being in the presence of silence and making friends with it I could gain more clarity. Silence and stillness is now an ongoing practice in my life, even when I veer a bit far from it I hear that inner voice calling me back – to find balance.

I believe it is crucial to pay attention to it in order to live a meaningful life.

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Yellow Bird Says Pay Attention to Nature for the Answers

Posted by Barbara Techel

bird feeder 2This spring I just felt the need to put a bird feeder right outside my window from where I write and work from my computer in my writing cottage.

I took this photo with the screen on my window. But since I want to see if I can capture more pictures of my new feathered friends visiting the feeder I now took the screen off.

But seeing the birds visit reminds me of a moment I had during my sabbatical in the fall of 2013, a few weeks after Joie passed away.

One morning when I awoke I had two immediate thoughts, I want to live a simpler and quieter life and I want to understand animals on a deeper level.

When I opened the blinds on my bedroom patio door I spotted five sparrows hanging out around the bird bath. Two were splashing away in the water, two had their tiny heads bent down sipping water, and the fifth one seemed to be the lookout captain making sure everyone stayed safe.

I got so caught up in watching the birds that time seemed to disappear. During my sabbatical I was just trying to be instead of worrying about what was next for my life.

It felt like I was in a meditative trance as I continued to take such great delight in being with the birds and nature right outside my window. These words floated through my mind, Be free. Be open. Have fun. Listen. Splash. Hop. Sing.

I don’t recall how long I really sat there. But all I know is I felt divinely guided by these feathered Buddha’s offering a special message just for me. And I was open and willing to listen.

I think of that now and am reminded with the bird feeder next to me as I work. To see the birds landing to eat, I pause for a just a moment and take in the grand and exquisite work of spirit.

The messages of how to exist in this life with more ease is right outside our window or a walk in nature. I’m quite sure of it because when I am in nature or just sit to observe all that is going on around me in my yard, I feel this incredible sense of calm.

And just as I finished writing this post, this fellow ( or perhaps it is a Miss) showed up. I’m not sure what type of bird it is. Do you know?

bird 2 e

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