journaling

Saying Goodbye to Joyful Paws “Blog”

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I was up early this morning and caught this photo of the moon as I looked out the west side of my writing cottage window. Two words on my brain lately are New Beginnings. Capturing this photo spoke that to me.

Speaking of new beginnings…I’m saying goodbye to Joyful Paws blog. Before you panic and think I’m leaving you, my dear readers, rest assured, that is not the case. I adore each of you for being a part of my life!

As I continue to evolve in my creativity, I recently came across an article that really spoke to me titled, “The Trouble with Blogging.” Writer, Esme, talks about how “blogging is something that, according to hundreds of self-proclaimed online experts, has definitive best practices.” She also mentions how it is also plays into SEO search results and achieving the goal of others signing up for your newsletters, buying your courses or services.

Ever since I began writing, first for my local paper, and then taking it online, and writing my books, it has always been about making a difference. I’ve been about encouraging and inspiring others. This is what matters to me. It also matters to me to leave a positive legacy behind.

While yes, I welcome those reading my thoughts to check out what else I have to offer, I also truly enjoy coming to my little spot right here on the wide world web several times a week to write. I don’t necessarily have a “set” schedule of days I will share something, but I can say, I look so forward to coming here often.

The past seven years my writing has been about how animals play a huge part in my life, helping me to become the person I am today. That remains and I have a pretty strong feeling it always will.  Animals are such an important part of my soul and who I am!

But I feel like I’ve evolved over time, incorporating writing about other ideas and thoughts that intrigue or inspire me, of which I’ve been sharing here on my website (with my built in blog) for awhile now.

I’ve also been giving thought to the fact that I don’t always like to go with the flow of how things “should” be, but rather, what feels right for me, and speaks to the heart of who I am.

I’ve learned so much from a mentor of mine and many on-line classes I’ve taken from him for the past three years. It also goes back to my being coached in 2005 and taking the time to give thought to how I want to play a part in this world.

Making a difference. Building Meaningful Relationships. Leaving a Legacy. This is what is so important to me.

Maybe this is a huge round about way of sharing something that might seem quite simple in regards to the change of a mere word, but for me it encompasses a lot of depth of how I want to continue to evolve in what is authentically me.

So I’m saying goodbye to the word blog.  I will now call this place of my own, with you my faithful readers who come to visit me, Joyful Paws Journal. Because I consider this a place to express my personal thoughts and encourage others to pause and listen to their inner voice, and embrace the wisdom of our animal friends to live a more meaningful life. I also especially love Esme’s definition of journal which is — A journal is something that permits, and often expects, experimentation.

And when I think of experimentation it brings up the words creativity and play for me. Writing is that for me and also how I can share freely what it is I wish to express.

So WELCOME to Joyful Paws Journal, those who have faithfully followed me for years, and those new here. I appreciate and value each and every one of you… and here’s to New Beginnings.

Please feel free to leave a comment…

Journey of the Heart.

Posted by Barbara Techel

2014-02-12 10.10.24For the past five weeks I’ve been taking part in a class called, “Unwrapping the True Self.” We have one more week to go. Another six weeks will start up again in April.

Yesterday when we got to class one of the ladies of the group had arrived early. Laying across the counter were different pretty little journals she had made. We each got to choose one. What a lovely gesture, I thought!

My eye immediately was drawn to this journal of splashes of orange, pinks, yellows, and a bit of lavender.  I found that interesting as my eye usually goes straight for more blues and purples of which there were some journals in those colors as well.

I wanted to second guess myself. But remembering my promise to myself a few weeks earlier, to follow more of my impulses,  I chose the one my eye was first drawn to. At the time I also couldn’t see the writing on the cover of the journal because the ribbon was partially covering it.

After choosing my journal, I sat down, this sweet little treasure in my hands, and untied the tawny, tulle ribbon to reveal what it said: Journey of the Heart.

I smiled. It was perfect.

Our class has been a reminder to me of what is important to me. How I want to live from my true self. Even though I began this journey of authenticity and following my heart over ten years ago, I appreciate and need the little signs that are presented to me to keep going on this path of self discovery.

To go back to not being me is not a place I ever want to be again. Though it has gotten easier over the years to stand stronger in who I am, I am a work in progress—I always will be.

For awhile I thought that once I “arrived” the work would be done. But I remind myself that I am not perfect, but that my heart is my guide.  Being open to what speaks to my heart is the way in which I want to continue this journey.

This adorable little journal will now sit on my desktop as a sweet reminder of how far I’ve come, and how living from the inside out, is a beautiful way in which to be.