personal growth

On the Way to a Local Farm Stand Emotions Stirred

I’m surprised, not surprised, by the number of emotions that have been whirling through me of late. 

I’m by nature a sensitive creature, to begin with, and with all the unrest in our world today that has added to my feeling emotional even more. 

Earlier this week in my weekly oracle reading I shared how it came to me recently that our hearts must break in order to heal. And oh, how we resist that!  The card I pulled that expanded this notion of the heart needing to break was ‘Beautiful Uncaging’ from the Oracle of 7 Energies deck.

It was late yesterday afternoon I could no longer hold in a swirl of sadness and anger that had been coursing through me, that I finally let it out. Lucky for me, I have a husband who listens and is there for me to lean into. While at the same time my heart breaks for those that don’t have this in their life.

I ranted and I cried. Sometimes I couldn’t even speak clearly as I realized I was still trying to hold back the tears and I didn’t want to ‘ugly cry’ and I can still fight with being okay with feeling anger. But I also remembered how one day author Jon Katz shared a realization about his wife, Maria that the way she “talks,” especially when something really touches her or upsets her, is that she cries. He came to really appreciate that about her.

I mostly cried because it pains me to see the division in our world – the shaming and blaming that feels even more exasperated than ever – which in my opinion never gets us anywhere. I cried for those I see in anger and pain. I cried because I realized I’d drifted back into a state of fear of what “might be.” 

After crying and releasing what I had to say, I did feel better. And this is what is so important, to find those we can express all of what we need to say without fear of judgment. 

Before I drifted off to sleep, as I’ve been doing for quite a few months now I silently named five things I was grateful for during the day. And I also prayed for help getting through this time – for myself – and for all of us.

This morning as I drove to a nearby farm stand, which has become part of keeping me grounded because I love the beautiful drive and also it makes me feel good to support small businesses and to support my body with healthy food, I felt emotions stir again.

It’s the simplest things that are bringing me to tears. Like two people I know that I saw standing on the sidewalk, both out for a walk, that serendipitously met up and were chatting, and one with a dog at their side. Why did I feel this stirring of emotion within me? Because it was so beautiful to see two people not afraid to stop and chat – such a simple thing really – but something so many are living in fear of these days.

Driving back out around the gravel circle drive from the farm stand, my emotions stirred once again for the opportunity to have this sweet place to come to for fresh veggies. I thought about how hard they work, but also the fact it is their passion. 

It was a needed reflection for me too that I want to continue to strive to be who I authentically am, that I wish to live a simple life and to give back in a positive way whenever I can.

It was also another reminder for me to not resist who I am and that my nature is one of crying and emotions that course through me often that need to come out. And the breaking of my heart is what brings me back to remembering that I must feel it all in order to move forward.

xo,

Barbara

 

 

 

Weekly Oracle Reading: Uncertainty is a Call to Clean it Up

Today’s reading I share how I came to appreciate and respect the vulture when before I’d look away because of my perceived notion that they were ‘ugly’ and their work ‘gross.’ It was at a wildlife center that I found compassion for them and through that, I found compassion for myself too.

This week’s reading is all about this space in-between our world is in right now and a call for what it is we each need to clean up to help bring us all to a better place.

So before I share the video of the reading…

Something I continue to work on (and clean up) is my relationship to money and that I’m worthy of receiving for the work I love to do.

It takes me about 4-6 hours each Monday to do the reading and then upload it here on my blog, to Youtube and Instagram. It’s something I truly enjoy doing because of my love of sharing the wisdom of animals and oracles and it’s my desire to bring these teachings to those that wish to learn more and find them beneficial.

I will continue to do these weekly readings for as long as I feel called to (and right now I don’t see an end in sight!) 🙂 But I’m also stepping out of my comfort zone in asking that if a particular reading resonates to consider leaving a donation now and then. I will continue to do the readings either way, so have no fear if this isn’t something you are able to do. You can still get them here or via my other social media channels.

So moving forward you will see a link within my post to leave a donation if you feel called to. Again, if you are unable to, no worries. I’ll still be offering the readings!

If you find this reading helpful and would like to support my work I welcome donations here. Thank you!

Have a beautiful week!

xo,

Barbara

Frog on the Window Brings Welcome Reminder Message

This morning when I woke I rolled over in bed and something on the window caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, I saw this teeny frog who was suction-cupped to the outside of the window.

Just the night before I attended an online class about the sacred agreements we hold with our pets and also with the animals in nature, so it was still at the forefront of my mind the reminder that animals in their own unique way are here supporting us.

I stopped to give thought to what had been on my mind when I awoke just a few moments earlier. Many of my thoughts worrisome ones, and I was frustrated to have let them enter into my mind the moment I had opened my eyes.

Ted Andrews’ book, “Animal Speak,” says of frog that their wisdom is “transformation through water and sound.”

The line that caught my eye in the description of frogs was, “Emotions are often associated with water. Individuals with frog totems are very sensitive to the emotional state of others…”

There was the wisdom for me and the thoughts that had been running through my mind that I’d been worrying about someone I care about.

This is something I became aware of about myself many years ago and have become much better at recognizing it so that it does not exhaust me. But there are times I forget. And here was this teeny, sweet frog with a reminder that I have to allow others to move through their own process. That it is not my responsibility to take what they may be struggling with or even my perceived idea of what I think they are feeling challenged by.

Frog reminded me that the song I choose to play inside my head is up to me. And with that, I was able to shift my thoughts to a more peaceful place after saying a little prayer for the one I was concerned about and then let it go and trust it would all work out.

Thank you little frog with the big message that helped me on my way for the day!

xo,

Barbara