writing cottage

Spring at My Writing Cottage

Posted by Barbara Techel

Spring at My Writing Cottage

Spring has arrived at my little sanctuary in the backyard that I call my writing cottage. Though I’m seriously giving thought to renaming it my writing and creativity cottage as I do so much more these days than just do my writing here.

Soon I’ll be playing in, and exploring the world of, art journaling. I’ve gotten most of the supplies, but have yet been able to experiment with this due to my sprained back and only being able to sit for short periods of time. But I’m looking forward to my first dive into this creative process soon!

At any rate, this is my little hub of a haven. It may sound odd, but this space of my own has been instrumental in developing a space of my own within my heart that I grow more proud of everyday. This being “middle-aged” has its perks that I’m definitely enjoying.

New this year to my landscaping along the side of my cottage in this photo, I’m going to try and grow ranunculous. It is my all time favorite, favorite, favorite (did I mention it’s my favorite?) flower! I prepped the area early this morning as it is expected to be in the upper 80s today (where did spring go?). After the bulbs soak for the day, I’ll pop them in place early evening or early tomorrow morning. I can hardly stand the anticipation to see them grow!

But this flower I think such a favorite of mine because it reminds me of the beauty of being a woman and the many layers we have. Opening layer by layer of who we are in our own due time, appreciating each layer for all it’s gifts, even when it may feel challenging, reveals the intricate and uniqueness of each of us. I also love how it appears like a spiral in ways and how important it is to continue to move inward when need be, and then back out again.

Thanks for stopping by!

XO,

Barbara

On the Importance of A Sense of Place

Posted by Barbara Techel

While I’ve put my book writing on hold as I’ve been exploring and facilitating workshops, I do believe there is at least one more book in me. Though I’m not sure when I will write another one, but trust that when the time is right it will happen.

It doesn’t mean that thoughts aren’t tickling my brain about it. A title I had in mind is ‘A Sense of Place.’ In doing a search on Amazon recently, I see that title is taken. But perhaps I can have a different sub-title. See? Told you I’ve been having thoughts tickling my brain!

This morning I was up early to beat the heat of the day and get sections of our landscape watered, as well as get in my Yoga practice and meditation in inside my writing cottage. While I have air conditioning in my cottage, it’s noisy so I try to hold off as long as I can before firing it up.

Early morning is probably my most favorite time out here in my special space. And it was really singing to my heart his morning as the sprinkler sent cascades of water down the west windows, the birds were chirping, and a little breeze blew through the east windows.

The shades drawn on the east side to keep the sun out and help keep it cool always makes me feel as if I’m nesting. I love the sounds of summer as I’m tucked quietly within. As I sat in meditation I couldn’t help but be so grateful for this sense of place that grounds me and makes my heart feel home.

This sense of place that has allowed my dreams to expand because coming to this space each day I feel safe to explore my hopes and dreams.

While I know not everyone may be able to have a ten by twelve space such as mine that resides quaintly off the end of my deck, I believe with every fiber of my being that it is vital to find a sense of place to call your very own – a place where you can go to just be, dream, hope, connect, nest, renew and reflect.

Some have done this through pilgrimages or sitting by the sea, or walks in nature. There is no right or wrong way. It’s just finding what feels right to your soul and then finding time to just be within this space as often as possible.

It’s in this sense of place within my writing cottage that I’ve come to appreciate and value myself for who I am. 

And so again, this is the tickling of thoughts going through my mind of late, and wondering how this can turn into a book someday. So I’ll continue to dream about it and see where it may lead.

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On Tuesday, June 13th I’ll be taking part in a Fire Circle Call and you are invited! Join me, author Kaya Singer, and other inspiring women who live from their own sense of place within and use those gifts in their work to help others. It’s a free call and we’d love you to join us via Zoom video at noon cst.  Click here to sign up and learn more. 

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Cheerful and Deep. Thank You, Kathryn.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Cheerful and Deep. Thank You, Kathryn.
My writing cottage – the space that supports my heart.

It occurred to me today as I began writing this post that I’ve been blogging for ten years now, having started in 2007.

When I first started, while I enjoy writing, there were times, I’ll be honest, it felt like a chore. I’d come to realize the reason for that was that I bought into the template of what I should do shared by those in the industry that set a specific standard for building an author platform. While that may work for some I often resisted, but was too afraid to follow my own inner guidance for fear no one would read my blog.

Oh, how I’ve grown!  The moment I let go of the should and surrendered to my own process, I’ve come to love coming to this place to share my thoughts, hopes and dreams. And I say a deeply, grateful thank you to each of you for having stayed with me on this journey.

I was reminded of all of this because of a lovely comment yesterday from reader, Kathryn who shared with me that she loves reading my blog and finds it “cheerful and deep.” It brought tears to my eyes and made my heart soar! Thank you, Kathryn!

I loved it and feel it truly represented what I hope my blog is for others — part of my mission is to be a positive face in the world while at the same time the more I come to understand about tuning in and listening to our hearts, I love sharing that deeper wisdom with you, too.

So thank you again, Kathryn. And thank you to all of you who are here. It means so much to me.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.