healing

St. Francis of Assisi. The Favorite Spot in My Garden.

“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
― St. Francis of Assisi

I’m always struck by the beauty of my gardens this time of year. Especially the section I love the most where a statue of St. Francis resides. I was looking out my window this morning and his energy pulled me outside to just be with him for a few moments. He is under my limelight hydrangea tree that is now heavy with blooms and looks as if they are bending in grace toward him. I was honored to join in what felt like a divine moment I was invited to.

St. Francis overlooks Gidget’s memorial marker that is just a few feet away. It is truly such a sacred spot. It always fills me with so much hope and love.

Perusing quotes from St. Francis when I read the one above it pulled at my heart. It feels so appropriate for the times we are in.

There are many of us, including myself, doing our best to hold the light in these dark times. I was reminded recently that the darker it gets just means the more light that is being shed on the darkness. The light can only shine brilliantly through when we face the darkness.

This is how we heal. How we come together and how we move forward together. I felt this so strongly being with St. Francis and this quote for a few moments this morning and why I wanted to pass this on to you. Much peace and love to each of you.

XO

Barb

                  

Video Book Excerpt Series: Animals, Oracles, Healing & Love

When I look into the eyes of an animal I don’t see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I see a soul. ~A.D. Williams

Today, May 11th marks the two-year anniversary of Gidget’s soul passing on to greater adventures.

As a tribute to Gidget, my desire to help others understand how animals are these incredible, noble beings of light guiding us, and along with my desire to continue to encourage and inspire others to walk their own healing journey, I’ve put together a series of videos with an excerpt from each chapter of my book, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Healing Emotional Pain through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles.

The gift of this tiny dog with the heart of a Buddha walked ever-so-lovingly and patiently beside me on a self-healing pilgrimage during the time we were together. This continues to be one of my greatest treasures and stays with me as one of the most profound and positive impacts on my life.

Each day I’ll release a new video until the afterword conclusion has been reached (though disregard I’ve stated in the earlier videos I’d be releasing them weekly. A girl has a right to change her mind!)  🙂

You can follow along with the daily excerpt videos right here on my YouTube channel (by subscribing and clicking on the bell you’ll be automatically notified when a new video goes live).

Other social media areas I’ll be posting a link to the videos are:
Instagram
Facebook

We are never alone on our journeys though at times it can feel that way. So again, I hope the sharing of the healing journey Gidget and I walked, shared in these bite-size pieces will be of value and benefit and encourage anyone who needs these messages…

and that we may all begin to really know and trust that we are all fine just the way we are.

So without further ado click here or on the graphic to the preview kick-off to my book excerpt series:

XO

Barb

The Women’s Well – A Transformational Podcast for Women

Today I’m sharing with you a new podcast hosted by my friend—an ordinary extraordinary woman herself as she calls her guests—Lisa Morris Miller. It’s called The Women’s Well.

As she shares on her website she says, “Each has a story of perseverance, and in the telling, they shine a light on others.”

What I first noticed about Lisa when I met her online after reading her book, The Heart of Leadership for Women – Cultivating a Sacred Spaceis that she has this exquisite talent for shining a light on others. She knows how to bring women together and truly sees the beauty, inside and out, of each woman that crosses her path. 

She understands well that when one woman transforms and others are witness to this, it gives them permission to do the same – and thus we can all be transformed and live the meaningful lives we are meant to live.

The Women’s Well features leaders, artists, writers, humanitarians, teachers, and community builders.

I’m honored to share that Lisa and I sat down a few months ago to record the conversation we had together. Our theme and mutual love — animals — and how they’ve helped us in a myriad of ways become who we are. It will air on March 20th. I’ll be sure to let you know on my blog again when it is available.

In the meantime, you don’t want to miss Lisa’s first guest and how she describes her:

Colleen Haggerty is the extraordinary bad-ass inspirer featured in episode 1 of the Women’s Well. I never use “bad-ass” without meaning it fully.
 
If you want to feel uplifted, and good, and motivated today, listen.
 
If you want to feel the strength of your own story—even though your details are different—listen.

Below is a list of links to listen to via audio, plus a video clip of their conversation.

But first, here’s what I had to share on Lisa’s Facebook page after hearing Colleen:

I listened to you and Colleen this morning – wow – what a way to come out the gate! I identified with so much of what Colleen shared. That pain and vulnerability part and trauma – indeed – those two things we all share in common no matter our trauma. And the grief – yes – I found myself tearing up over that as I remember when I finally faced my own trauma and how I was taken aback – almost dumbfounded really, at the fact I had to grieve what I’d lost as a little girl. That had never occurred to me until I dug into the healing work. Thank you, for such a raw, beautiful, and deeply impactful wisdom shared on this your first episode! 

P.S. And Colleen had me swirling with emotion when she talked about accepting our aging bodies… and how I admire a woman who can speak the truth of how challenging this can feel at times…but being honest about it sure is a welcome thing to hear.

So onto the links where you can listen and/or watch:

Apple Podcast site for I-phone users:
 
Google Podcast site for non I-phone, non I-Pad users:
 
Finally, here’s my website where a brief video clip will be posted each week (so you can actually see the featured guests) alongside the Podcast listening link:
 
Here’s us on YouTube:
 
Enjoy!
 
XO
Barb