pausing

Why Wait to Pause and Pivot

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was recently inspired by this post on Facebook from writer and author, Linda Hoye: 

“It’s become this thing we think we need to do. Pivot.

In effect: keep going, but change direction.

But what if pivoting only leads us farther away from where we want to go?

What if the wiser course is to pause. Pay attention. Ask hard questions. Listen. Set a course we don’t need to pivot to stay on. Or at the very least pivot with intention.”

I’ve had my moments, just like anyone else, of feelings of fear, helplessness, and frustration. Yesterday was such a day, though it was more frustration than anything.

It was nearing 5 pm last night when I was feeling just tired of it all, wondering when all the shaming, blaming, and hate will end.

I felt called to light some candles in my living room but hesitated. Normally I only reserve doing that for the weekends or special occasions.

Why?

Wait until tomorrow to do that which comforts me? Wait to practice a good dose of self-care?

I’ve been all about the Pause for quite a few years now – thanks to the teachings of so many dear animal friends I shared my life with. But yet, at times, I forget.

What really stood out to me that Linda wrote is to pivot with intention.

And the way in which to best do that is to pause. And yes, really listen. What was I really feeling frustrated about? Something of which I can’t control which is the action of others and that can sometimes elicit fear in me.

But I can create my own inner world of peace. And that is the pivot I intentionally chose to make.

And the way in which I felt called to begin to create that peace was to light my candles and sit on my couch and call upon remembering all the many blessings I have.

In this case, pivot with awareness to what could change the course of my frustration brought me back home to a safe place in my heart and also literally as I sat in the safe sanctuary of my home where I could make the choice of how I wanted to feel.

Wishing you light and peace for your heart too…

xo,

Barbara

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The Art of Blissful Breaks. Gidget Needs No Reminder.

Posted by Barbara Techel
The Art of Blissful Breaks. Gidget Needs No Reminder.
Blissful Gidget

After a meeting via a video call with a friend/colleague discussing a potential collaboration on a future workshop, it was time to take a break.

In the past I’ve driven myself to the point of burning out a few times. It’s not a place I wish to find myself again. While I still have tendencies to push myself, I’m much more aware, and realize it sooner rather than later more often than not.

I remind myself that not everything needs to be done in one day…that pausing and moving away from the computer will benefit my work when I return to it again. See? I too am truly a work in progress and continue to practice what it is that I guide and empower other women to do…and the importance of pausing, listening and capturing what matters.

What matters isn’t only in the big things of life. But it’s in the small things too. It’s recognizing that time away from the computer screen is vital to my well-being. While I’m not a fan of the word balance, I often gravitate to the word flow. For me, it feels in alignment with following the flow of your souls wishes for the big things, and for the small.

I enjoyed myself immensely in my discussion with my friend/colleague this morning, but also recognized it was time to move away to something that didn’t require so much of my mental energy.

With the sun shining I decided to work on the high-top table on my deck. I gathered together my bullet journal, some pens, gelatos (not the Italian ice cream – though that would have been yummy (!) – but rather a creamy crayon for creative projects), scissors, glue, and an image of an owl. It was time to create my calendar for July. 

A few months ago I set the intention to have more creative outlets that take me away from the screen of my computer. I remember hearing someone via a podcast talk about how she has a separate digital desk and analog desk. I liked that idea! So after a writing session or other work tasks I’ve completed, I’ll sometimes turn my chair around now and work on an art journal page, or as in today’s case, create my July spread for my bullet journal.

As I got lost in cutting out the owl for July, which by the way is the animal that swoops in as my ally for the month from a reading I had done in January, I glanced down to notice Gidget lying peacefully next to me.

As I was lost in my bliss of this creative spot in my day, so was Gidget, lost in her bliss enjoying the summer breeze and the warm sun, I had a moment of lovely reflection. It’s something that has been coming up for me often the last few weeks and how sweet this summer has been with her. Different, in a beautiful way- more expanded – in many ways than summers before.

It’s in large part due to me, I know, as I worked through some deep inner work late winter/early Spring. While that inner work was painful and difficult in many ways, I’m continually reminded now of how grateful I am that I opened to doing the work that needed to be done. Gidget was so often a reflection for me, even though I couldn’t quite grasp it in the thick of the emotional downpour.

There is a new depth to our bond that may have not otherwise made itself known had I not heeded the messages I was receiving from her, or the signs all around me. So while I got lost in the bliss of creativity this afternoon, I also melted into the bliss that this one said little dog has opened in me, too.

Wishing you many blissful moments, too!

XO,

Barbara

The “Digger” that Reminded Me the Importance of Slowing Down

Posted by Barbara Techel

The “Digger” that Reminded Me the Importance of Slowing Down

We had about six inches of snow yesterday. With not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining so brilliantly this morning, I felt the call to saunter in the woods.

After doing a reading for a client, I scampered into the house, and layered on all my winter gear. I was excited to meet up with Mr. Walking Stick once again.

As I approached the pine tree on the right at the end of the first leg of the path, I could see my faithful walking stick friend nestled in the branches where I carefully place him after each of my walks.

As I reached out and grabbed him, I silently I said, “Hello, Mr. Walking Stick. Are you ready to go?”

Thinking about the client I had just met with, I was holding her in my heart that she find a sense of direction she is in search of, and the cards revealing that taking time to pause and go inward was being called for.

The gift of pausing has been on my mind much lately too.

My feet happy to be the first ones making tracks in the new fallen snow, but my mind still in a thousand other places, and before I knew it, out went my feet from under me, and I found myself on my back, staring up at the blue sky.

There was ice under the snow and down I went with my head being the last to hit the ground. Luckily, with all my padding of clothing and enough snow, I didn’t really feel hurt anywhere, but was just stunned for a moment.

And it was a reminder for me as I brushed myself off and continued my walk.

Walking in winter is so much different and my favorite quote from author and illustrator, Tasha Tudor echoed in my mind, “I don’t believe in hurry.”

It’s no wonder I love that quote as it is something I continually work on practicing and integrating into my life. Taking that fall was another reminder. There was no need to be in a hurry to get to the woods – they weren’t  going anywhere, after all. But I did have on my mind what was “next” on my schedule when I returned to my writing cottage.

Also, having a passion for much in life, and wanting to experience as much as I can, I can sometimes forget and hurry, instead of just being in the moment of what is. Though I must say I’m much, much better than years ago, and I’m grateful for how far I’ve come.

But as I continued my walk through the woods, I made sure to consciously connect with each step. As I did, I also took time to stop every few feet and look around. With so much gear on, my face mostly covered by my large furry hood, it requires making an effort to look left, right, up and behind.

It was such a perfect metaphor for life, I thought, being in conscious mind, making sure I carefully watched each step I took in the snow, as I wound my way down and up and over the snow covered paths, but also pausing now and then to take in all the beauty around me.

So I’m grateful for the “digger” and even more so, that I didn’t break anything! But even more than that, I am grateful for the reminder of how much beauty there is when we live more in the moment, and not what just was, or what will be.

Last by not least, I recalled this drawing my Facebook friend and artist, Abrah Griggs, recently shared. She’s an amazing artist by the way, and I invite you to check out her fun art that often has birds and spiders wearing galoshes! At any rate, I’m not sure her meaning behind this drawing, but for me it means that whether or not I’d have cleats on, if I’m not in the moment and paying attention…. well, I’m still likely going to fall on my ARS!

P.S. Don’t worry mom, I’m okay. Even at 54 1/2 years old, I know my mama still worries about me, so just need to reassure her I am fine. XOImage may contain: drawing