synchronicity

Gratitude, Amazing Grace, and Synchroncity

Posted by Barbara Techel

Gratitude, Amazing Grace, and Synchroncity

Last night I was feeling low about a few things—and was having a good inner talkin’ with myself.

While I believe in being positive and looking for the lesson in each challenge, I am human, and have my moments of own personal struggles.

At first I wasn’t being very nice and beating myself up internally for things I should have said or done, and didn’t.

But I know better that this won’t get me anywhere, yet, I needed to just be in that place for a while.

I decided to watch the replay of Super Soul Sunday from this past week in which Oprah interviewed Whintley Phipps, who is a minister and has the most beautiful singing voice.

His wisdom was what I needed to hear to stand in my truth and to forgive myself when I lose my way, just as I was feeling last night.

And out of the blue, Whintley burst out singing “Amazing Grace.” A song that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. What is it about that song that is so cleansing for the soul? I was grateful to hear him sing it and instantly felt uplifted.

This morning, after feeding the dogs, I went out to my Zen writing cottage to meditate for a few moments. I brought Gidget with me and thought perhaps she’d want to snuggle in her bed. But instead, she came over to the chair where I was getting ready to settle in. She was looking up at me as if she wanted to take in some meditation too.

I picked her up and she made herself comfortable next to me, where we sat in Zen for 15-minutes listening to some morning meditation music on Pandora.

I’d been meditating faithfully, but then stopped for awhile. But when I was done today I realized how I missed it and how much better I felt. I promised myself to build this back into my day again — even if on some days I can only fit in 5-minutes. It felt so good to be reminded of how it makes me feel better. I think perhaps Miss Gidget enjoyed it too.

After my meditation I read the days entry from a book I enjoy called “Journey to the Heart” by Melody Beattie.

And the passage for the day she talked about how the song “Amazing Grace” had been following her throughout her travels. But it was at one point along her traveling to different states when she heard the song yet again, thinking “Amazing Grace” was following her. But then she said,  that “No, grace had found me.”

And she wrote about how the power of gratitude never wanes and how we should say it when we believe it and when we don’t… and soon again you will hear the music too – “this song of grace will touch you with its haunting melody.”

And this I knew, that even though I was feeling down and out last night, I’d come back to the surface again and find my way back to joy. No one ever promised that the journey to your deepest hearts desires was going to be easy.

But hearing Whintley sing this soul moving song last night, then reading it in Melody’s book, then lunch with a friend who told me about a ritual she shares with her girls of a cheer they do each morning about being happy – and how sometimes even when we aren’t, we have to believe we will be again.

The synchronicity of how this all unfolded for me within less than a 24-hour span leaves me feeling grateful for how the universe does indeed support us if we allow ourselves to move through what we are feeling, and if we are willing to do the work to get to where we want to be.

Amazing, amazing grace….indeed.

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Connecting with Artists, the Earth, and Something Bigger Than Myself

Posted by Barbara Techel

wearable earth jewelryWearable Earth Jewelry by artist, Kathleen Nohe

I love supporting artists. My heart just soars when I get the opportunity to do so. Maybe being a writer and others supporting me reading my work, and purchasing my books, might have something to do with it—I know how our hearts and souls go into our work. And I know how vulnerable that can be to put ourselves “out there.”

But it is something bigger for me too. Recently I saw a stone necklace that an artist, Maria Wulf was featuring on her site for another artist, Kathleen Nohe of Wearable Earth Jewelry – that alone I think, is so cool how so many artists support each other in this way.

I knew I had to have one of these necklaces. The fact that she uses different stones that are connected with different energies was intriguing to me. The longer I am alive, the more and more I want to connect with nature, the earth and animals as often as possible.

Having a custom made necklace by Kathleen (Hi Kathleen!) was something that called out to me. So I contacted her through her Etsy shop and told her what colors I’d like.

I was so thrilled my necklace arrived today (with a set of matching earrings!). I had no idea what energy this stone represented, but got goosebumps when I read Kathleen’s note she included:  “The stone you picked is Sodalite – it’s energy properties are to help unite logic with intuition.” Oh my gosh, that is me right now – working on more of my intuition and following it’s guidance. It couldn’t be more perfect.

To top it off, I just “happened” to be wearing the beautiful knit vest today, my dear friend Victoria, made for me – notice the colors? Could they match any better to my necklace?  I don’t know about you, but when synchronicity like this happens, my whole insides light up. Talk about feeling the energy!

The other part I love is that Kathleen took the time to include a personal note. We had connected via email when I ordered the necklace and also found out how we both love special needs animals, which was so cool. But she also said in her note that she feels like she made a new friend. I feel the same way and am grateful.

Our world so big in many ways, but yet when connections like these are made, you can’t help but just know there is something way bigger at work here. Way bigger.

The Significance of February and Frankie

Posted by Barbara Techel

calendar

Today I turned my therapy dog calendar to February. It all hit me… the significance of it all.

You see, this calendar was the last project Frankie participated in, which was a calendar done of local therapy dogs.  I had orginanlly asked that Frankie be the feature for August (since August was her birthday). But there was some confusion as to someone else wanting that month.  I didn’t make a fuss about it, as it really did’n’t matter, I was just glad to have Frankie part of the project that helped raise money for a local cancer care fund.  I thought she was going to be the dog for January but when I got my copy late last year I saw she was February. Again, I didn’t think too much of it.

As I flipped the calendar today and saw my sweet girl for February so many things came flooding back to me. First to see her there on the calendar made me so proud of all she accomplished in her almost thirteen years. Second, this is the month I will launch my book Through Frankie’s Eyes.  The special edition will be released on Feb. 14th. The day I launched my first children’s book about Frankie was on Feb. 24th, 2008.  My book launch for my new book is Feb. 28th.

I don’t know about you, but I love being open to what may seem like coincidences, but really I think it is truly synchronicity. Because when you live from your heart center, life has a way of working out just as it should. This is exactly what February and Frankie is telling me– reaffirming for me that I’m traveling down the right path. And I also believe it we are open to signs from our loved ones from the other side, that they are there… Frankie is very much alive within me as I sit in awe and thanks for something as simple as turning the calendar to February. Oh sweet girl, you are so amazing!  Thank you for stopping by to say hello again and cheer me on into the next leg of my journey.

PS:  Another great thing about February?  A fantastic review and write up was done by editor, Jerry of Dachshund Delights for my new book.  Check it out!