meditation

Soul Tending Tools in my Toolbox

Posted by Barbara Techel

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It seems that many of us want that one thing that will be it. That one thing that will be the answer to our souls calling or help us when we sometimes feel stressed, lost, or alone.

I can say this, as it is how I’ve felt before (and sometimes still do!). But then I realized over the years I’ve actually put together a pretty nice toolbox to help me through some of life’s tougher moments — or simply just to inspire me. Of course, I visualize my toolbox as periwinkle and chartreuse green—my favorite colors together.

So I wanted to share some of my “tools” with you today as maybe you will like them, too. We have so much more available to us these days than we ever have before.

My Soul Tending Toolbox:

IMG_2130**Walks in nature with my dogs.

**Reading books that encourage and inspire, such as Joan Anderson’s many books about being an unfinished woman. Her newest, a collection of essays, “Stretch Marks” which I enjoyed very much. FYI- being an “unfinished” woman is a good thing.61YfflDyolL._AA160_

**Daily Yoga practice.

**Doreen Virtue’s Angel cards, Dawn Brunke’s The Animal Wisdom Tarot cards and Cheryl Richardson’s acGrace and Self-Care cards.

**Meditating. I like Calm, Oprah and Deepak Chopra (they offer free 21 day meditations quite often) and Brain Wave Altered State app.

**I’ve also turned to life coaches when I feel stuck, such as Diane at Lead Your Life, and Pam at Meaningful Life Counseling and Coaching.

**Reiki is another tool that I became trained in a few years ago. I especially love practicing this with Gidget right now. When I do, I feel this deepening with her, which lights up my soul.

**Recently I’ve been reading more about EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or also called Tapping. I’ve tried it a few times and definitely felt a shift when I do this simple and quick method.

**Something new I did this year during the month of January was to createll a mandala with my desires and conditions for the year using the book by Janet Conner, The Lotus and the Lily. Seeing my mandala every day hanging on the wall in my writing cottage is a reminder that I can live the life I want.

**Hay House Radio, radio for your soul (some of my favorite hosts, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Christiane Northrup and Cheryl Richardson).

facilitator_logo-slogan_H2v1_1**Last, but not least, something I’m really excited about is having discovered SoulCollage®. A unique way of strengthening your intuition and listening to your soul using images. I became a facilitator because I’m so intrigued by it and wish to share this powerful and fun soul tending process with others. I’ll be teaching my first workshop in April!

Do I do all of these every day? No, but I have them in my “toolbox” and choose what feels right for me on any given day, moment or time.

Do you have a particular resource or “tool” that you especially like? Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear!

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Intrigued about SoulCollage®? Learn more about the introduction workshop I am teaching and register here.

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Park Bench Promise

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I’ve been itching to be outside, going for walks. Yesterday it was in the upper 20s. While I realize that may sound very cold to others, it was welcome here where we have been below zero for a good part of February.

Mother Nature seems to have flip-flopped January and February because we should be in the mid 30s for this month. But yesterday, I got Kylie and Gidget out for a short walk. Neither like to walk too far, and Gidget really can’t go all that far because of her IVDD.

After I walked the girls, I dropped them off and continued on for a longer walk alone. This morning was below zero again and the wind is supposed to pick up later today making it feel colder as the day goes on.

I thought about using the excuse of the cold as a good reason for not walking, even though I didn’t want the weather to stop me either. I was going back and forth in my head, lying in bed.

But then I thought about the book I just finished reading, Walking Home: A Pilgrimage from Humbled to Healed and how author Sonia Choquette walked 500 miles in 30 days walking the famous Camino de Santiago. Most days she walked in pouring rain.

That was enough to motivate me to get outside and start walking. My mind so inspired I walked down to the lake (my body may regret this later on!). I hadn’t walked down there in quite some time.

How lovely to come across the park benches sitting in the snow, looking out over the lake. As if a promise, that soon, before we know it, sounds of children splashing in the water will be heard, boats skimming across the lake will echo off the shoreline, and dogs prancing happily down the brick path will cause people to pause and smile.

Images of people sitting upon the benches eating their ice cream cones, reading a good book, or gazing in meditation out into the still blue waters of Elkhart Lake filled my mind and suddenly I realized I had forgotten all about the cold.

Lost in my own meditation from my early morning walk. Now that is what it is all about. I’m so glad I ventured out.

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To the Sea – You and Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

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There we were. Me in my big, floppy periwinkle hat, sitting in the sand, my knees hugging my chest. In the space between my thighs and chest, is you, peeking over the top of my knees, with the brim of my hat acting as an umbrella over your soft, petite head.

The sun is setting as we gaze out into the ever darkening sea. The waves gently lapping up to touch my toes every few moments.

Something about the water as if spirits are dancing on the waves reminding us that we are all connected. We can visit this inner place any time we want whether sitting on the beach, out for a walk, lying in bed, or wherever. It’s always there.

Each time this has happened, I feel this warm glow of knowing rise up in me. It makes me smile. We don’t speak, yet we know there is something real happening between us that needs no words.

This last week I began practicing what I was trained in a few years ago, which is Reiki. It means spiritual or universal energy. Practicing Reiki, which is like a meditation, is holding the space for another to accept and take (or not), whatever it is they wish for their own healing.

Miss Gidget has been the recipient of my practicing this again. And the last three days I find us on the beach as I described above during the Reiki session.

At first, like our minds always try to do, I tried to analyze it. Why are we on the beach? Why does this scene keep popping in my head? Were we once there together in another lifetime? Am I crazy? Why have I pictured this scene three days in a row now?

But then I let it go and sink down into my heart. This is the place I want to be. This place of no explanation. This place of feeling loved, safe and secure. And this is the gift. Not only to me, but to Gidget as well.

This is our connection – a bond between you and me that is ours and only ours – and it is real- and beautiful.

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Should you enjoy the writing you find here, you may wish to subscribe to my newsletter (on right hand side of post) or my RSS Feed. I’d love it if you would also share through your favorite social media network. Thanks for visiting!