I’m Fine Just the Way I Am

When a Book Hits Home. Soul Healing with Our Animal Companions.

I really can’t say enough good about this book I recently finished! I loved it so much that I did a video book review for it which I share below.

But as I wrote for a review on Amazon also, Soul Healing with Our Animal Companions – The Hidden Keys to a Deeper Animal-Human Connection by Tammy Billups, is a beautiful book on how animals sense our energy and emotional wounds and often reflect that back to us – all in an effort to help us heal – and then how it often helps our animal friends heal too.

Because animals don’t speak our language, Tammy identifies through her work and book, five core emotional wounds that our animals can experience – and then how this is often reflected in their behaviors, actions, and physical issues – and to add to this – these are emotional wounds we as humans experience also.

Having recently gone through my own deep emotional healing with my dog Gidget who was the most profound reflection of what I needed to heal, I can attest to so much of what Tammy shares in her book.

I easily identified two core emotional wounds through her book that my dog worked diligently to help me heal, and I’m happy to say I did the inner work to do just that. But what was the most profound proof for me of my healing was that I was able to be witness to a beautiful and calm shift in Gidget as she healed too.

My favorite paragraph in the book is this one:

“A (human) congested energy field can affect all aspects of one’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Consequently, this knowledge can significantly influence the choices you make about your animals’ care. Knowing how sensitive they are to your emotions is also motivation for you to do your own energetic housekeeping.”

This, to me, is one of the keys to the book. When I was in my own dark night of the soul and realized I needed support and then began to heal, I wanted to do my work not only for myself but for Gidget too. I wanted her to live out the remaining of her life with more harmony and peace.

While I wish I’d had Tammy’s book when I was going through such a difficult time the last few years, reading her book now is just more validation and confirmation of what I experienced.

After reading Tammy’s book and having had to say goodbye to Gidget in May of 2019 I can say that I believe what Tammy shares in her book needs to be read by everyone who shares their life with a pet.

And I wholeheartedly concur with the last line on the back cover and that our “pets higher purpose is to help people understand themselves.”

Tammy’s book has been such a gift and another layer of confirmation for me and what I experienced in my healing journey which is what I’ll be sharing in my upcoming memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

This is the video review and in it, I share more passages from the book that really hit home for me.

XO,

Barbara

Thanking the Animals on this My 56th Birthday

Today, my 56th birthday, I took some time in quiet reflection.

Some animal friends came to mind that have been pivotal in my life’s journey the past few years. I’ll be sharing how each of them helped me in my upcoming memoir I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

I couldn’t help but create this little altar of them after I did an oracle reading for myself for my new year ahead.

Onward and forward with gratitude in my heart for each of their blessings and profound teachings…

XO,

Barbara

Subscribe here to receive my bi-monthly newsletter which includes a digest of my blog posts, oracle readings, wisdom from the animal kingdom, first to know special offers and more

and/or

Subscribe here to receive my blog posts as they are published.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Gidget. Guess What? “I’m Fine Just the Way I Am” Book Update.

Yesterday afternoon the emotions stirred as I took another pivotal step in getting closer to publishing my latest memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. There is no denying it. I’m one sentimental gal. 

Early this spring three beta readers read my manuscript and last week I finished implementing their feedback. I also tweaked the afterword until it felt right. I then decided to let it rest over the weekend. I wanted to be sure I was ready for the next stage of the book writing process – handing my manuscript over to an editor.

Things progressed smoothly yesterday morning as I reached out to Dana who was my editor for my first two memoirs. She was happy to hear from me and said she is available to edit my latest book. Yay!

I’m really starting to think of all three of my memoirs as a trilogy now. Each one includes what I learned from each of my disabled dachshunds. I also think it shows a culmination of personal growth and transformation I’ve gone through since publishing my first book, Through Frankie’s Eyes in 2013 to Wisdom Found in the Pause in 2017, to this latest memoir.

After I sent my manuscript via e-mail to Dana I immediately thought of Gidget. I talk to her often and usually when I’m on my morning walks or before I go to sleep at night. Today was no different as I picked up the photo of her and said, Hey Gidget. Guess what? We did it! 

It’s because of her that I’m enjoying a new space of acceptance of myself. Because of her that I’ve done some really deep inner work. Because of her that I feel forever indebted to her. And this, of course, after all these months and all that she and I went through, is what prompted tears to fill my eyes.

I couldn’t have done this without her. And even though I’d have preferred the book to end differently than it did, I understand the gift in it in many ways. 

And I celebrate with Gidget in spirit just as if she was here with me physically. 

I’m also appreciating the timing of this stage of the process as it will be a 4-week turnaround for Dana to do the editing. Perfect timing as July is my birthday month. The perfect time to take some breaks and enjoy some just being time.

Though this morning as I came out to my writing cottage I’m feeling a void I’ve felt before when finished with the writing process of a book. It feels empty but fulfilling all at the same time. But another great reminder to honor it all.

XO,

Barbara

Subscribe here to receive my bi-monthly newsletter which includes a digest of my blog posts, oracle readings, wisdom from the animal kingdom, first to know special offers and more

and/or

Subscribe here to receive my blog posts as they are published.