The Road Less Traveled. My Heart Reminisces and Blossoms.

Posted June 1, 2016 by Barbara Techel

The Road Less Traveled. My Heart Reminices and Blossoms.

There was a time in my life that taking the shortest, fastest route was how I traveled anywhere I went. Just thinking about that now makes me want to jump out of my skin.

These days I look for the most scenic route to take. This often means taking the back roads. The roads less traveled these days it seems. I try to avoid the long stretch of speed and concrete on the super highways if possible.

I actually feel different and better when I do.

This morning I didn’t plan accordingly with my time when I set out to go to the dentist. As I was driving 70 miles an hour down the highway I felt my soul shrink into a safe place, not wanting to keep pace with the cars rushing by me.

I knew after my dental cleaning was done that to entice my soul back out of its cocoon that a picturesque ride back home would be in the cards.

The dentist office I go to is about a half hour from my home. It is also close to the neighborhood I grew up as a little girl. I didn’t have anywhere to be after my appointment so I rambled home the long and slow way.

What a treat! I love driving down Geele Avenue to 10th street where I walked those sidewalks many a times when I went to Washington Elementary School. I don’t have vivid memories of being a young girl, but I do remember bits and parts. Like trick or treating at night, which I loved and wish they still did today. I also remember playing “Barbie dolls” with my friend Liz on the different corners of our block.

When I travel this way, back to the “old” neighborhood I think about all the good memories of my childhood. Past my house on 10th street I went. Such a long time ago. Another life and many chapters ago. Going past the house I lived in until in the seventh grade, I often think of my childhood friend, Kelly. I fondly called her Kewee and she called me Bwarpie. She lived a few short blocks away and between the two of us we had a pretty big stuffed animal collection.

I took the country roads home, listening to the Doris Day station on Pandora, which I’m addicted to lately. Past farms, barns, cows, sheep, horses, and blossoming trees as my soul slowly peeked back out again. I swear I heard it sigh in relief.

And past part of the Sheboygan River I went. Not a car in site, so I got out and took the photo above. I could hear the water rushing under the bridge and it made my heart feel home. There is just something about nature that makes me feel at peace.

As I got back in the car I silently gave thanks for this time I had to take the long way home. The road less traveled never seems to feed my soul in such a beautiful way.

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Unfinished, Transition or Renovation – No Matter – It’s a Gift of Acceptance.

Posted May 24, 2016 by Barbara Techel

Author Joan Anderson, of The Second Journey, calls it “unfinished.” I’ve also heard it referred to as, and use the term often myself, as being in “transition.” On Saturday I heard a woman call it “renovation.”

Renovation was one I’d not heard before and it make me chuckle. There are many stages of life as we all know and have experienced at some point. Some stages we go through time and time again.

And perhaps it’s because I’m a woman consciously working on my own little awakenings that these terms really speak to me. But call it what you want, we are all unfinished, in transition at one time or another, or busy renovating to welcome in new aspects of ourselves, and new manifestations that are trying to break through.

Listening to this woman who referred to herself as being in renovation, during the Spiritual Fun Fair I took part in on Saturday, was so refreshing. She was excited about being in this stage! Usually I encounter the opposite and that women fear not knowing what is next for them or try to push away or stuff down what they are feeling.

Then today my friend, Monica, who writes a newsletter for her beautiful website at Life is a Pretty Word wrote last month how she was side-lined with a health issue, which wasn’t easy for her.

But this month, now that she is better she is in total flow of manifesting some wonderful things for herself. While in that “not being able to do much stage” which was an inner battle at times, she now sees why it played out like it did.

These times of being in transition, no matter the amount of time, if we can see it as a gift, even though we can’t always understand why at the time, is the universes way of supporting us. It is preparing us for the next step, the next phase, the next path.

Thinking about the woman in renovation I met, and Monica now in a wonderful welcoming flow of exciting new revelations, turns out to be a gift to me during this time of my own transition as I am still awaiting the return of my manuscript from my editor.

I’m told by my editor it will be about another week. My new book, about my time taking a sabbatical and how difficult it felt at the time, I’m understanding more and more, is a pertinent message that I must share.

Monica and the dear woman in renovation are my messengers from the universe of the timing of how this is all unfolding. I have no control over it. My only job is to keep the faith and be open for the signs that are there and to know that each step and each phase is necessary to the process.

It’s in this acceptance of these stages that then, and only then, can the gift be revealed.

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I Imagine A World Someday with Art as the Way

Posted May 17, 2016 by Barbara Techel

The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art. -Junot Diaz

Last night I started reading, Art as a Way by Frederick Franck – A Return to the Spiritual Roots.

He talks about how it wasn’t that long ago that an artist did not rate high on the crew-cut scale of American values. That they were seen as long-haired hippie types and you needed to protect your daughter from them.

And I still see this in the world at times. Though I try to only surround myself with those that are striving toward the heart of their art.

I imagine a world someday where art is the way. No longer will it be considered something one may do on the “side” or thoughts that someone couldn’t get a “real” job so they took up art instead.

I imagine it as weaved into the very core of who we are, integrated into every aspect of our lives.

I imagine that others will value it greatly and want in on it, too.

When creativity is a big part of my days its as if minutes and hours don’t exist. I never see or feel them tick by. I am just in the flow. Rather like nature – just being as I’m meant to be. Like I am right now writing this post, eager to talk about something I’m passionate about.

Though, in our culture I sometimes feel as if I’m swimming against the tide, not keeping up with the materialistic world. But wanting less so it does not weigh me down and yearning for more authentic experiences that light up my soul.

But I keep at it. Making choices that are right for me. Pushing away the naysayers and silently blessing them with peace.

And the thing is, art comes in so many forms. My husband, John, is a carpenter and a very good one at that, if I might add. But it is truly his art because it is weaved into the very nature of who he is. Most days he can hardly wait to get to his job site. This is a garden shed he built which is almost complete.

This morning I saw a photo that someone posted on a Facebook group I belong to called, Creative Group at Bedlam Farm. It is a group of people living creative lives with a wide range of artistic talents.

Justin Lynch, from the group, shared these pies he baked. Check out the decor on these! Now that is art!

And fiber artist, Maria Wulf from the group received a bag full of someone’s dresses and skirts they no longer want, and she is turning them into beautiful scarves.

When I see photos of someone’s art or listen to my husband talk about his art in the construction business, there is an undeniable feeling of joy that comes from the pictures and the thoughts being shared.

They are living from that place inside where peace and happiness reside – they are at the heart of their art.

And I imagine a world someday where more find that sweet, spiritual spot of existence and live from it so that it creates a wave of peace that washes over our world.

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