compassion fatigue

My Memoir I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Now Available as E-Book!

I want to first take a moment to thank those who hung in there and ordered a paperback copy of my new memoir even though the shipping time was longer than usual or perhaps you are still waiting for your copy to arrive. Thank you, thank you, and thanks so much for your patience! 

I’m happy to share that my memoir is now also available as an e-book through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

A recent review…thank you, Cynthia!

This is a courageous story of a woman’s deepening into her soul’s truth. While it’s very specific, it’s also a universal story. How do we find the courage to be our true selves? How do we love another without sacrificing our well-being? How do we find our way from our spiritual center and not from the ego?

Barb tells the story of her dog, Gidget, and the tough decisions she had to make in their life together. She pulls on resources she knew were available and discovered new support systems.

An easy to read, inspiring story that gives a sense of what’s possible when we connect with what’s true within us.

~Cynthia Morris, Writer’s Coach and author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book

Thank you again for your support of my writing and work. It means so much!

xo,

Barbara

My New Book, “I’m Fine Just the Way I Am” is Now Available to Order with Bonus Gifts (limited time)

I’m so excited to share with you that my new memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Healing Emotional Pain through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles is now available to order! 
 
The official launch date is April 22, 2020, but I’m offering this limited window of opportunity between now and then for you to order a copy of my book which includes bonus gifts (ordering and details below).
 
The thought to write another book happened one morning two years ago driving down a country road. It flashed quite quickly across my mind but then as quickly I tucked it away.
 
At the time, I was deep in the muck of going through a dark time and finding it difficult to cope with taking care of my special needs dog, Gidget.
 
I had no idea at that point how things were going to unfold, but somewhere in the deepest part of my heart, I thought maybe, just maybe, my story could help other women.
 
A few weeks later during an animal reading with friend and animal communicator, Dawn Brunke, I’d learn that Gidget was fine just as she was despite her health issues even though I was feeling challenged by it all. Her invitation to me was to see subtle perspectives I wasn’t considering and to see life sideways.
 
She also encouraged me to understand inner focus and details and how she really wanted me to get this. She said it was her final teaching to me.
 
While I didn’t at first fully grasp what she meant by seeing life sideways, I was open to exploring what insight this could bring me.
 
During that reading, Dawn also mentioned that perhaps I’d write a book about this someday even though she hadn’t known I’d just had that thought two weeks before.
 
She said that maybe a great title would be I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.
 
I still recall how my hand immediately flew to rest upon my heart. It struck a chord deep within me. Though, I wouldn’t know the full extent of its meaning until I embarked on the deep inner work that I was being called to do.

Little did I know I’d be taken on a journey to explore a significant and painful recurring vision that has plagued me for over two decades.
 
I wanted more than anything to be the best I could be for Gidget and also for myself. I was so very tired of suffering and the endless inward berating I’d done to myself for years.
 
After that reading with Gidget, I’d embark on an inward journey and employ a myriad of tools — each serving as a building block to self-knowledge and healing. 

  • I learned to trust my intuition and trust in the process.
  • I learned to dance with the wisdom of not only my dog, Gidget, but with a snake, a wolf and a horse. Each had a poignant message to help me heal different parts of myself.
  • I gained insight I’d not have considered by incorporating oracle cards and identified patterns that no longer served me. I also discovered ways in which I could course-correct when I fell into old patterning and repeated my never-ending story.
  • I paid attention to my dreams and worked with a dream analyst to understand how my dreams were guiding me to believe in the wounded little girl within me.
  • I incorporated the power of forgiveness and ceremonial work.
  • I accepted help from others who were beacons of light guiding me to listen to those parts of myself that felt shame and guilt.
  • I took part in life-enhancing breath work that took me to feeling the core of my wounding and healed me on a level of understanding that I was never alone, always loved, and most importantly, that I was worthy.

I’d come to understand that the turmoil in my life wasn’t happening to me, but rather for me.
 
All of this was integral in helping me transform my pain and accept it both as a gift and the path I was meant to walk in order to finally understand that I’m worthy just as I am
 
Bonus gifts included with pre-orders (until 4/21/20): 

  • Animals as Oracles – Oracle cards and messages from four of the animals I write about in the book that helped guide me in profound and powerful ways. This is a PDF that you can print and cut out the photo of each animal and use them as oracle cards if you wish. Plus pages to journal your thoughts on what each animal is personally offering to you to help guide you.
  • An inspirational 5 x 7 graphic to encourage you to embrace your worthiness and know that you too, are fine just the way you are. This is a PDF you can print, cut out, and put in a favorite frame. Place it where you will see it every day to remind you that you are worthy just as you are…and that you matter.
  • Coupon with a special discount toward one oracle reading and guidance session with me.
  • Special drawing: Your name will be entered in for a chance to win one of five oracle reading and guidance sessions I’ll be giving away.

**After you’ve placed your book order send an email to Imfinebookgifts@gmail.com with your name and order # for your bonus gifts.

Please note that bonus gifts will be emailed on or around April 22, 2020, along with notification of winners of the five oracle reading giveaways.

In closing… to my Gidge girl, I can never thank you enough for being you and walking so lovingly beside me. I miss you. But I’m so honored to carry you in my heart and the beautiful teaching you instilled within me.

xo,

Barbara

P.S. The e-book version will be available sometime in May.

Happy New Year – Come Hear Gidget’s Theme Song

Happy New Year - Come Hear Gidget's Theme Song
Happy New Year from Gidget and Me!

When I heard the song the other night, it struck a chord in my heart and tears filled my eyes. I’ve heard this song often as I have the album downloaded to my ipad(do they still say album?!) 😉 But before this, I’d not heard it like I did that night. I just knew then that this song represents what Gidget has brought to my life….especially this last year.

2018 is a happy ending, even though it almost wasn’t. Holding onto an old story and pain from long ago, I almost missed the opportunity to be celebrating the New Year with Gidget at my side. I had convinced myself earlier this year that due to her chronic issues, she was suffering and I almost made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep. I really believed at the time it was the right thing to do. It has taken me until today to be okay with sharing this as the guilt and shame was overwhelming.

But with time, support, and lot of inner personal work, I’m in a better place today. Should judgement come my way from sharing this, I’m strong enough now to know that no judgement from other’s could hurt me as much as the verbal and emotional pain I inflicted upon myself through such a trying time earlier this year.

As I’ve mentioned a few times now here on my blog, I’m working on a new book to share more about this journey with Gidget. The working title of my book, which I hope to publish sometime in 2019 is, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

I’ve learned so much over the last twelve months and also discovered that what I experienced, I wasn’t alone. One resource I was able to find through all this was this website, Pet Caregiver Burden. Pet caregiver burden research continues with the initial discovery that those caring for sick animals or animals with chronic issues can suffer with similar feelings and emotions as one experiences taking care of a person with Dementia. The site has many helpful articles.

Also, my friend, Joe Dwyer, who was on my support team this last year, began Noble Strength Sanctuary which is all about being of support for people and animals, after he saw more and more the compassion fatigue that those in rescue often suffer from. You can become a member at no cost and receive a copy of his ebook about his dog, Shelby who graces his life in some pretty special ways.

And so I share this song as a tribute to dear Gidget who helped me see life in a new way! Lyrics are below the video with my favorite verse as: 

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue

SOMETHING BLUE

I came with a little bit of sorrow
Was maybe a bit too sad
But one day rolled into tomorrow
And you gave me the best you had
That’s how we started together
And how together we’re gonna stay
 
You taught me a little ’bout good times
I fought through a little bit of rain
You brought me a part of your sunshine
You took in the heart of my pain
It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue
 
You came and you found me wanting
And I’m saying that I’m in your debt
Some days were a little bit daunting
Some days I’d rather forget
You changed my life for the better
And I know I’d better be good to you
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
So long to my little bit of something blue
It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad.
Now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue
Farewell to my little bit of something blue.
 
Songwriters: Neil Diamond
Something Blue lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

XO,

Barb