simple life

Summer Sun and Fun and Trusting the Process

Posted by Barbara Techel
Summer Sun and Fun and Trusting the Process
Smart Gidget taking cover from the sun.

July. My favorite month of the year! And ah, yes, I must confess—it perhaps just might have something to do with the fact it is the month of my birthday, too.

But this month always seems to call out to my soul to kick back somewhat, let go of so many “to-dos” and savor the glory of being more.

As I walked into town the other morning, Gidget rolling along in the stroller, I felt like I was floating on clouds— and I found myself feeling so grateful for this small town I live in.

I thought about how we plan to leave here someday when we reach closer to our mid-60s – head for somewhere that is warmer all year long.

And my heart ached for just a moment at the thought. I don’t know if I can leave here. This place I’ve called home for almost 30-years.

But life has a way of working out I just as quickly reminded myself. No need to feel bittersweet or rush ahead in my mind to unknowns.

Time will move along and before I know it, everything will fall into place just as it is meant to be.

My job for now….to let life unfold and trust the process.

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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Park Bench Promise

Posted by Barbara Techel

park benches

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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