joyful paws

The Art of the Pause

Posted by Barbara Techel

Mid-summer I began dabbling in mixed media collage. It’s a whole new way for me to embrace pausing in yet a different way. Like writing, when I’m in the flow, nothing else can enter my brain. I’m finding when choosing different layers to collage (papers, paint, and images) I’m not really thinking of anything, but just being with what is.

Yesterday I finished this collage on canvas to support the fact I recently renamed my writing cottage to Joyful Pause Cottage. This 10 x 12 space — a ‘room of my own’ and separate from my house —sits off the southeast corner of our deck. It was built in 2009 as a labor of love by my hubby as a place I could come to as I began my journey of writing two children’s books, three memoirs, and I don’t know how many blog posts I’ve written to date. But let’s just say LOTS!

But it’s become so much more than where I write, that I had been feeling this inner nudge to change its name for quite some time. Joyful pause is also about the joyful paws that have been part of my tribe in helping me evolve over the years — especially three special needs dachshunds. And if you look at the bottom of the collage you’ll see a paw print image to represent each one of them — Frankie, Joie, and Gidget. All three of their sweet and loving spirits remain here in this space with me.

Joyful Pause is now the space in which I collage, write, provide oracle readings via Zoom with clients and for my Youtube channel, meditate, dream of possibilities, and take joyful pause moments to glance out my windows to be inspired by my gardens or connect with the birds, bunnies, turkey, deer, or squirrels that I’ve been blessed to see here in my yard often.

xo,

Barbara

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A New Website Look and A Chance to Win a Copy of My New Memoir “Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift”

Posted by Barbara Techel

A New Look and A Chance to Win a Copy of My New Memoir "Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift"

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 all animals.
  • 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.

I Wish I Had a Dollar for Every Time…

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I’ve been trying to get out for a bike ride around our small town as often as I can. I try for every day, around mid-day, but that does not always work out. But I do get an A for effort!

I really enjoy this time with Gidget – a special time for her and I to bond and be together. I love watching how curious she is.

Today as we cruised past the lake and a Dad, little girl, and pregnant Mom headed down to the beach, I heard, “Oh look, how cute! A little dog in the basket.”

The little girl squealed with delight.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard this. It always makes me smile and I do enjoy making others smile in this way, too.

But today I thought, “Gosh, if I had a dollar for every  time someone said this, I could….” and I began filling in the blank with different answers.

While money can’t buy happiness I did think it would be nice if one could earn a dollar for each time someone said this. But then again the reward is truly in knowing you made another person happy.

And as fast as I’d earn a dollar for every time someone said, “Oh look, how cute!” I realized I’d be losing that dollar just as quickly as I tend to say the same thing quite often myself!