jean houston

Following My Curiosity – Sharing My New Adventure with You.

Posted by Barbara Techel

soulcollage eQuite a few weeks ago I shared with you that I am looking into a new adventure. But I wasn’t quite ready to share exactly what it is at that time. You may recall that I shared that I’ve put my book I was working on, on hold –my heart being called in a new direction.

I wasn’t ready to share yet in part because I had to work through my own process of trying to understand why this is something I’m being called to explore.

The old feelings crept back in of why is it that I find myself drawn to so many things, but can’t seem to “settle” on just one thing that I like to do. Sometimes society can look at this as a negative and at times I can tend to let that drown out what my heart is trying to tell me to follow.

A big part of me likes that I’m an explorer, a seeker, a thinker and one who wishes to continue to evolve. But the little girl in me can sometimes feel scared to try something new. The questions, “What if this is a mistake?” “What if I spend this chunk of money and it’s not for me?” “Will others think I’m too woo-woo?”

And then I heard author Elizabeth Gilbert’s short video on following ones curiosity and how that in itself can be such a beautiful life. It really resonates with me. Then the Universe sent me another message as I heard about Barbara Sher’s book, “Refuse to Choose.” I’ve not read the book yet, but she talks about those who are scanners – who love to do many things.

As I’ve taken my “think tank” time and worked through each step of my process, I know that this is something I want to do — no matter what the outcome. I’m not sure where it will take me, but that is okay. I’m open to all the possibilities…and honestly, I think there will be many. But I also want to let it unfold as it is meant to be.

So today I made the final payment for this adventure I’m about to embark on.

The above photo is a hint. You will see a a 5 x 8 collage of two images I put together representing a part of who I am — the woman who loves yoga, trees, nature, and animals (look closely to see the duck in the far left of image)–representing the part of me that relishes in this practice that centers me. This process, created by psychologist, Seena M. Frost, after studying with one of the founding founders of the Human Potential Movement, Jean Houston, is called SoulCollage.

The definition from the website is, “a creative and satisfying collage process. You make your own deck of cards – each collage card representing one aspect of your personality or Soul. Use the cards intuitively to answer life’s questions and participate in self-discovery. Joyfully deepen your understanding of the relationships between your personality parts, you and your family/community/world, and you and your dreams, symbols, and Spirit.”

November 7-9, I will be taking the facilitator training for this process. It is my hope to use the gifts I already have and incorporated with the SoulCollage process, to offer workshops online and locally. I hope it will also serve as another springboard for my writing and last but not least, to serve as discovering and embracing all the parts of who I am.

So part of the next step of this journey for me is “putting it out there” and sharing with you, the faithful readers of my blog.  Stay tuned and thank you for being a part of my life as I continue to explore and evolve.

Joyful Paws Give-Away

Posted by Barbara Techel

Are you the winner?  Listen to find out!  Winner, please email me your mailing address so I can send you the dog journal (barb@joyfulpaws.com)

 

 

  

 

My dogs really do keep me grounded.  Even when I lose my way, they patiently wait, sending me little clues that maybe, just maybe, I am a bit out of balance once again.

Frankie did that for me when we were wrestling with three bladder infections in a row this fall.  I didn't handle my stress level well through all of this, but I sure did learn alot about myself once I slowed down to think everything through.  In my slowing down, think tank time, I was given a gift, and that gift  reminded me of the many joys I love in life, but had set aside the past three years, as Frankie and I pursued our mission of bringing a positive face to animals with disabilities.

I had every worse case scenario flying through my mind with Frankie's back- to- back infections, thinking about "what if's," and thinking my life, as I had come to love it, was now going to change once again.  But one day driving down the highway I felt this peace wash over me… it was all going to be ok.  So life needs to change once again- ok- let's see what it will bring me.

As I gave into acceptance, I realized how I wanted room for other things in my life, but was so driven doing what I do with Frankie I could not figure out a way to slow down to do these other things– like writing more– keeping up with my blogs– time with friends and my Mom– time to putter around my home– new projects– reading.

Frankie's infections made me stop and think (though as usually happens to me, it takes a good three times of hitting me over the head till I see clearly!), and I realized I wanted more sudden joys back again.  

And how amazing I come full circle to what this blog is all about:  Joyful Paws.  It is because of my dogs, that 5-years ago I did "paws" long enough in my life to define what is important to me, discover what brings me bliss, and found the courage to live more authentically. 

So as Jean Houston's quote says, "they rest us deeply" and I feel more at peace again with the direction of my life.

GIVE-AWAY

How have your pets helped you rest more deeply and find sudden joys?  Share with me in a comment section below. Next week Tuesday I will randomly pick from your comments a winner of the dog book journal.  Be sure to check back to this blog post next week to see if you won!  Good luck!

Here is the quote for those of you who wish to write it down:

I think we turn so much to our pets because they remind us of our deeper nature, of what is truly important. And also in a strange way of what we can be. They rest us deeply and give us sudden joys that we have forgotten.  ~Jean Houston