writing

Little Did We Know…It was All Aligned in the Stars

ernie

It was already in the making, aligned in the stars, this moment of serendipity that would take a few years before it made itself known.

Walking alone in the vast, vacant cement parking structure, I realized I was sweating even though it was chilly for March. It was a cold, nervous sweat.

I don’t like to travel alone or stay in a hotel by myself for that matter. Somewhat of a homebody, I feel better tucked into my own surroundings.

But this was important to me. I had to be here, even if it meant going by myself again and not knowing anyone.

As I made my way closer to the door I saw another lone solider heading in the same direction.

We smiled at each other.

She said, “Are you by chance going to the writer’s conference?”

“I am.” I said.

“Do you mind if I walk with you? I’m not sure where to go.”

“That would be great. I was here last year, but still get nervous coming to these things by myself,” I said.

I was relieved and excited all at the same time to have a writing kindred spirit beside me as we navigated our way through the large building.

“My name is Abby.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Abby. My name is Barbara.”

One thing led to another as we talked about, well, what else? Writing!

Having just published my first children’s book two months prior, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, I shared with Abby that it was about my dachshund who was in a wheelchair.

Her face lit up and she said, “I have a dachshund named Ernie!”

Before I knew it all my nervous energy fell away.

Any chance to talk with a fellow lover of the the short-legged, oftentimes comical, loyal and lovable breed of doxie’s is a joyous occasion. And to combine it with talking about writing, well, I was floating on a cloud.

We could have talked doxie’s and writing through the whole 3-day conference, missing out on all the classes.

But we were both eager to learn all we could about writing and publishing so we contained ourselves the best we could and not getting too carried away.

Abby would end up asking me for a signed copy of my book, which I just happened  to have a few copies with me. She said she was excited to share Frankie’s story with her kids.

We parted ways after the conference, promising to keep in touch. Lucky for us, Facebook was really beginning to be the trend for staying connected and we promised to “look each other up.”

It would be two years later when I got an email from Abby.

Ernie wasn’t able to move his back legs. While Abby feared it was Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) she was also relieved to know she could reach out to me for advice.

Having been through this with Frankie in 2006, I was able to provide her with helpful information and options.

But what most people want when their beloved pet becomes paralyzed, is to know there is hope.

I could give her that and reassure her.

And that serendipitous moment came flashing into my mind when we met two years before, walking through the cold and damp, cold parking garage.

It was serendipity that brought us together, but I also happen to believe that Spirit aligned it all perfectly…

All perfectly put in place to help Abby, and her kids who could go on loving and having fun with their beloved Ernie.

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And for me to give back in a way that to this day gives me much joy when I can give hope to someone whose dog is diagnosed with IVDD.

And best of all, Ernie just celebrated his 11th birthday with this message Abby tagged me on via her Facebook page:

Happy 11th birthday to Ernie Dog! We’re so glad we’ve been able to give him 5 more years of happy life after his injury (and probably several more, with his stubborn streak!), thanks to a serendipitous meeting with Barbara Techel before it happened, who showed us what wheelie dogs are capable of!

Happy, Happy Birthday dear Ernie! Warms my heart to be a part of your beautiful journey. Keep on rolling!

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frankie wheelchair fund logo

A Writer’s Life is Not Always Sweet

IMG_2239Rainbow Tree artwork done by my friend, Shannon

I think there is sometimes this misconception that writers have it easy. They live happily in their little quiet world, and words just flow out of them, making their way out into the world, and having a positive impact.

I can say this as I’ve found myself, at times, envious of the life of other writers as I perceive them to be in my own mind—that their life is gloriously beautiful and they never struggle to write.

But I’ve realized something big for me lately. When I’m in the flow of writing, my life feels incredibly delicious. It is where I am right now, and the sweetness of this place is somewhere I wish I could live forever.

I can hardly wait to jump out of bed and get to my keyboard lately. Words flying around in my head, waiting to be spilled out through the end of my fingers. They come so fast, I don’t know how I will catch them all.

In fact, as I brushed my teeth this morning, this post was doing laps around my brain. I knew what I wanted to write about in my journal today. I thought about abandoning brushing my teeth – but luckily my toothbrush won the battle.

But a writers life is not always that sweet. I’ve really taken notice lately the ease of how I’ve been able to write lately. I can’t get enough. It fills me up and makes me feel so alive.

But just last summer I abandoned the book I was working on and I did plenty of beating myself up inside about that. But the lesson I see clearly now is that I was forcing it. I also didn’t have the strength for it as my energy was directed in another avenue giving of my time and myself to help a friend.

The outcome of that didn’t end well. It felt like a death to me. I’ve been working through that. And each day I understand more and more why I had to go through what I did. I gave a huge part of my own sense of self away.

You know how hard that is to say that? Me, who is always encouraging others to take care of themselves first? I didn’t heed my own advice. But I also know the time and energy I spent in helping this friend was something I did from the very deepest part of my heart. I’d never change that.

And I’ve come out stronger on the other end. I’m making my way back to me — that inner self who loves to let her light shine. Because when I do, I am truly in the heart of who I am. My life flows and isn’t forced.

This has led me also to a better understanding of what “trust the process” means. This phrase was used often when I took my training to become a SoulCollage Facilitator this past November. Creator of this process, Seena Frost says, “SoulCollage® reminds us in many different ways to trust that everything is happening exactly as it should.”

Isn’t this what life is all about? And this is what I’m really “getting” as someone who loves to write, but isn’t always in the sweet flow of it, and then find myself scratching my head wondering why I can’t always write even though I love it. This. is. normal. I am normal, or whatever normal means. Because in reality I really don’t want to be normal. I want to be me!

It isn’t always going to be easy. How can it? If it was, how would we move to deeper depths to share more the view of our inner world and how we see the world around us? How would we grow?

So I feel like a butterfly lately, awakening from yet another cocoon, excited to spread my newly improved wings.

A writers life, just like life, isn’t always so sweet — but when we can find the blessings in looking back, then, I think, that is what makes life all the more sweeter.

And what a wonderful reminder to take in this lesson, store it in a safe place, and call upon it once again, when we come to a place where we must be patient, and trust the process to unfold yet again.

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post that I was interviewed by Nutschell of “The Writing Nut” blog (and yes, that really is her name!) I was her featured writer for her Wednesday Writers Workspace. Take a peek if you wish! It was a fun interview.

Early Morning Cottage View: This is What Surrendering Looks Like

IMG_2193 (The view outside my writing cottage at 6:15am this morning)

Okay, some of you committee members in my head need to go on vacation. I’ve had about all I need to hear from you for a good, long time. You’ve been heard. I acknowledge you. Now find yourself a peaceful place to reside.

As I closed my eyes last night, I asked those pestering and loud members that seem to reside on the left side of my brain to please take a break.

The members on the right side of my brain, where it is so much more peaceful, raised their white flags as a symbol to the left side that they have been heard. We surrender — meaning we don’t have the answers for you, but that we understand your role in the community.

The community and its committee members that make up the whole of who I am. Me, Barbara Techel. All these parts, the good and the bad, the frustrating and the peaceful, the happy and the sad, each member important to my evolution of growth.

But the committee members who want immediate answers to life’s challenges have been making way too much noise lately. So I surrender to them. I see you. I hear you. But now it is time for you to see and hear what the other members in the committee have to share.

And so I surrendered as I drifted off to sleep last night… to more peace, joy and honoring of self.

As I stepped out of my bedroom patio doors heading for my writing cottage this morning, I realized my prayers from the night before were heard.

“” See,” the right and creative side of my committee members said to the left side members, there is peace when you surrender.

The proof and the only answer you need is right before you. A new dawn.

When you surrender to not having to know all the answers, the answer reveals itself in the light and promise of  a new day — a new day to live in peace and joy, and the true whispers of your heart.

What’s that I hear from all my committee members? Ahhhh, silence. Welcome, and please stay a good long while.

As always, I welcome your comments…

PS:  The winner of Dawn’s book, Dreaming with Polar Bears is Catherine.  I’ve sent you an email Catherine, for your mailing address. Congratulations!  And thank you to everyone who left comments!