When you have such a memorable four days away and it’s oh-so-hard to leave…this was Miss Gidget peeking out the camper as we were packing things up this morning.
Our little jaunt took us to Door County, two hours from home for a little shopping, mini-golf, good eats, enjoying the sights, naps, campfires, but most of all lots of laughs, reflections, and love. It was so relaxing and now my soul is full up with more memories.
And without further ado…the winner of the 2019 Dachshund calendar giveaway….
Dawn McCandless! Congratulations! Look for an email from me, Dawn so I can get the calendar to you.
Just this morning I found out I was chosen to be a mentor for Oracle School this fall! I’m so thrilled!
Committed to my own personal growth and those of others this is an honor as this is the school where I recently finished a twelve month intensive of Personal Mastery, The Invision Process and Shared Wisdom, studying with Colette Baron-Reid, earning my new hat and service as an Oracle Guide.
About an hour later the mail arrived with a special package. I didn’t recognize the return label and wondered who it could possibly be from. Even more, what was inside?!
When I opened it there was a note from Brook who said she thought I might enjoy the two enclosed 2019 dachshund tabletop calendars. She said, “Make sure to check out July 22nd!!”
Now in full out curious mode, I quickly flipped the pages and found my dear, sweet Frankie, the star of July 22nd. I was overcome with tears. It was a photo Brook took of Frankie oh-so-many moons ago during a shoot for publicity photos for my first upcoming children’s book I’d be releasing in 2008, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog.
I knew the emotions I felt were from Spirit as a message that this was no coincidence. Having just learned of being chosen as a mentor for Oracle School, something not even on my radar over a year ago, but then felt called to want to volunteer when the opportunity arose. I trusted if it was meant to be it would happen as not everyone is chosen.
But more than that, as I continue to share here via my blog and newsletters, it’s been about my expanding into helping other women, not always sure of how that would look – a vision I had of myself when I began my work and mission with Frankie over eleven years ago.
It’s been about my struggle to let go of an identity I held onto so tightly that at times I suffered because of it. It wasn’t an easy journey, but then again, that is what life is about – these moments when you feel the rewards so deeply in your heart you know you’d do it all over again.
And such is today, in that golden hour of learning of my added role of being a volunteer mentor to be of service to help others grow into who they are meant to be…and the calendar with Frankie’s photo…a message she sent, through Brook, to let me know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I love you sweet girl!
Now it’s time to pay it forward!
While I’m keeping one of the calendars (of course!), I’m giving away the other to one lucky person! All you have to do is leave a comment below. That’s it. Nothing complicated. Whatever you wish to say. This will enter you in for a chance to win the calendar.
Please do so by 5:00pm cst Thursday, September 6th. Open to US residents only due to shipping costs.
I’ll choose a winner and announce early next week (I’m heading out of town so hence the reason for not announcing until next week).
So stay tuned and make sure I have a way in which I can contact you if you are the winner!
I’ve had a vision inside my heart for quite some time now—a vision of how I was going to evolve and expand from the many wonderful teachings I’ve received from the dog’s in my life: Cassie Jo, Frankie, Joie, Kylie and Gidget.
Each one instrumental in bringing me to this space I stand in today – standing tall in the woman I now am – proud of who I am, what I’ve accomplished and excited about where I am heading.
First let me say that Joyful Paws will always be a big piece of who I am and I have no intentions of leaving behind the sharing of what I continue to learn from my dogs. But here are the ways in which I want to expand and explore:
Sharing the wisdom of allanimals.
Sharing the beauty of nature and how it helps to ground and center us.
Encouraging others to find their authentic voices by opening to their intuition.
Encouraging others to find what is meaningful and what will bring more joy to their everyday lives.
And lastly, I leave some white space….as a way to honor new exploration and bring what I learn here to my blog in hopes of more inspiration and encouragement for others.
While I believe my blog/website has been doing just that, writing about the many different topics I’ve written about the last few years, the look to my website, especially my banner, didn’t really reflect that. While I love sharing photos of my dear, sweet dogs (as my old banner reflected), it’s because of everything I’ve learned from them, that I’m now much more confident and comfortable in my own skin (woo hoo!).
As many of you know, my Zen writing cottage is an extension of who I am also (as seen in my new banner!) – my sacred space that wraps its loving walls around me each morning when I enter through the old fashioned screen door. I knew I had to have that part of my banner as it is the place I continue to test my wings when they want to expand and try new things.
It’s the place I come to, to pause often, listen deeply, and capture what matters most to me… and what is my greatest wish in helping others to do the same.
I still have some “behind the scenes” tweaking to my website, but it was the banner I wanted to share with you today. I hope you will like it as much as I do! A very special thank you to my web gal, Caryn Newton of Lantern Glow Design for helping me put this together.
And one last thing, I’m also excited about is that my website is now mobile friendly and you can read my posts very easy from your phone. Me thinks I’m finally “with it!”
And now to celebrate with a giveaway, because I love to give gifts!
Win a copy of my new book (plus a customized journal)! If you’ve already purchased a copy(and thank you if you have!) you can still enter and give it as a gift or donate to your local library. That would be cool! Just leave a comment in the comment section below and your name will be entered for a chance to win. (open to US residents only). Entries must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 27th at midnight cst. I’ll notify winner on Friday, Oct. 28th.
Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.
