dawn brunke

Coming Home to Our Inner Leader

I think St. Francis embodied the value of the inner journey and inner leader… 

For most of my life, I feared the word leadership because I didn’t feel like a leader and it conjured up ideas of materialism and doing what you had to do at all costs to reach the ‘top of the ladder.’ Quite opposite of the simple life I truly love.

During the recent Animal Wisdom World Summit host, Dr. Cara Gubbins asked each speaker their thoughts on being a leader and what it is we need in terms of leadership for our world today.

It’s definitely a subject that conjures up many of us things we wish to see changed. But it’s also a call to look at ways in which we can become our own leader within. 

Some thoughts that came from some of the speakers about leadership were:

  • Embrace our own inner leader and remember we aren’t alone. ~Tammy Billups
  • There are different kinds of leaders and this is what we need, along with understanding that not all leaders need to be human. ~Nancy Windheart
  • We need to embrace nature as part of our team. ~Maia Kincaid

I was especially touched by Nancy sharing that not all leaders need to be human. In my life, it’s been dogs and animals in the wild that have been some of my greatest teachers encouraging me to trust my inner leader.

Being a leader can indeed at times feel like we are alone because when we begin to step into who we are others may not like it.

But I’ve found that the more I embrace my inner leader, the more like-minded souls come into my world. This strengthens my well-being and gives me the courage to keep being who I am.

I enjoyed Maia sharing that we need to embrace nature as part of our team. Nature is such a perfect example of leadership that does not force but follows the rhythm of natural laws and a way of being that is kinder and gentler to body, mind, and spirit.

During my interview with Cara, she asked me if I saw myself as a leader. It took me a few moments to answer because many emotions overcame me.

It took me until 55 years old to finally see myself in this way, which was only two short years ago. At times it can still feel fresh and surreal as I continue to embody this way of being. 

But I know now that being a leader is about being who I authentically am. Whether in a ‘big’ or ‘small’  way it’s about living from my true self for the sake of being that vibration in a world that so desperately needs for each of us to truly embrace who we are.

I paused before answering Cara’s question as I thought about all those that still don’t yet feel worthy and those that doubt their own inner leader. I know how painful and vulnerable this can feel. It was with great joy to declare that I AM a leader!

Despite any wounding from our past which can keep us stuck in believing we can’t be a leader, I hope I was able to instill in others through my voice and story, that they are worthy and can indeed live by the beat of their own drum.

Can you imagine the world if we all embraced our inner leader? It sends chill bumps up and down my spine just thinking about it. What a beautiful world it would be! This time we are going through, on our way to a New Earth, is one in which I hope we can continue to build upon the fact that we now more than ever is the time to embrace your inner leader.

So how do we begin to do this? 

I believe it’s by doing the inner work, just as I’ve so often shared over the years here in my letters, my blog, and in my memoirs.

I believe it’s about understanding our pain and opening to the gifts in what we’ve gone through as that which has given us a strength we’d not possibly have had.

It’s about reaching out for support in working through those things we feel fear around so we can rest in a more peaceful space within ourselves.

The more I continue to do my own inner work, the more I’m able to stay rooted in who I know I am. The more I do this the more I have compassion for myself and for those around me. The more I love and respect myself, the more I want to continue to be the leader of my life.

I also believe that being the leader of our lives is about feeling all of life – even when it’s hard. Do I do this 100% all the time? No, I don’t. But being a leader I believe,  also means not judging ourselves and trusting we will take what we’ve learned and do better next time.

And as speaker Dawn Brunke shared, “Everything is going to be okay. This is about evolution.”

Evolution individually, and as a collective, for a more peaceful world.

xo,

Barbara 

Want to receive notifications when I post a new blog? Subscribe here.

Hitting Milestones with Signs of Support from the Universe

Snow heart I discovered on a walk

Part of my day on Tuesday was preparing and addressing envelopes to send out complimentary copies of my new memoir to all the wonderful people who supported me along the way. 

Each time I hit a milestone like this I feel a whoosh of love run through my heart – and I know it’s Gidget. While she may not be here physically, I have felt her presence every step of the way, and I’m so grateful.

The books are now in the mail and on their way to the recipients. While writing is such a solitary endeavor it truly takes a team to bring a book into the world.

Writing a memoir for me has also meant that I have to first live my experiences before I share them. And then re-live them again as I write them. There is so much personal growth involved in the process for me.

In many ways, I’m welcoming this new phase as it is more linear, left-brain thinking as I am in preparation mode of getting ready to release it. And just an FYI that pre-ordering my new book, along with some bonus gifts is coming soon. 🙂 I hope you’ll stay tuned!

I also appreciate how the universe supports us with confirmation nudges along the way. Just recently I shared here on my blog about my story and an encounter with a snake that is included in a new book by my friend, Dawn Brunke, called Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake.

Reading Dawn’s book I learned about another author, Tera Thomas, who wrote a book called, Opening My Wings to Fly: What Animals Have Taught Me.

I read it in two days. It was hard to put down! Tera’s book is about how animals in the physical and non-physical have been some of her greatest teachers. She also shares her many experiences in communing with them, whether in dreams, meditative journeys, or in real life and how they have helped her become a better human being and live in harmony with them.

At times in my own life, I’ve thought I was losing my mind with how animals were showing up and trying to guide me – especially snake! It’s not something society often talks about and honestly not something many are even open to – this way of communing with animals that bring us messages we most need to hear and understand.  Reading Tera’s book, on the cusp of releasing mine, felt like connecting with yet another kindred spirit.

I’ve worked through much darkness to get to this point. Discovering other’s who have walked similar paths and their encounters with animals have been welcome validations. So to all the other authors (and animals!) who have walked before me, I say a big thank you! Just another welcome reminder that we never walk alone.

xo,

Barbara

 

 

2018 Animal Wisdom World Summit On-Line Event. You Are Invited!

2018 Animal Wisdom World Summit On-Line Event. You Are Invited!

You, my friends, are invited to this free event!

I’m super excited to be one of the speakers for the 2018 Animal Wisdom World Summit. It runs from August 27th-31st.  And the great thing is you don’t have to leave home to learn from so many wonderful experts because it’s all happening on-line.

Author, Intuitive, and Coach, Dr. Cara Gubbins is the host of this event. My interview will be on Wednesday, August 29th at 2:00pm cst/noon pst/1:00pm est.  

Please note, when you register, which you can do here, you will see a line-up of the speakers here and the day/time you can catch them which are listed as PST.  

All interviews will be live for 24-hours. Be sure to listen to Dr. Cara’s video after you register, in the event you wish to purchase all the interviews after they have aired. She has made it very affordable to do so.

I’m truly honored to be among many of my friends who will also be sharing their expertise, such as Dawn Brunke, animal communicator, Joe Dwyer, animal advocate, and Pam Kachelmeier, Equine Assisted Coach.  And having just completed my studies in Oracle School and receiving my Oracle Guide certification, I’m excited that founder of Oracle School, Colette Baron-Reid is among the speakers too!

Other speakers include:

Dr. Steven Farmer

John Holland

Joan Ranquet

Danielle MacKinnon

And many more…

On a personal note, this has been one of my wishes and intentions to be part of an online summit such as this. What makes it special for me, among many other things, is that it was one of those things that just landed in my lap. It was proof to me once again that  following one’s heart, and not pushing so hard (which I can have a tendency to do, but am continual unlearning this), that if it is meant to be it will happen…and it did! So it makes me extra tickled pink and feels like such a perfect fit.

I’ll be offering a special discount rate for my Intuitive Oracle Guidance sessions which you will learn about during my interview, so be sure to check it out then if you’d like to take advantage of that. I’d be honored to support you in your journey if this resonates for you.

Again, here is the link to register today at no cost to you: Animal Wisdom World Summit!

And feel free to share with your animal loving and spiritual seeking friends…

I can’t wait to “see you” there!

XO,

Barbara