joyful paws

I Gave Up Shopping Years Ago. You won’t Find Me at the Mall On Black Friday.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I love this sweet little tree and nest that I walk by in the woods with Kylie

Okay, so I have not given up shopping completely. But I do look at it quite differently than I did years ago. If I’m very honest with myself, shopping filled me up- filled a void. Though it only lasted a short time. Then the wonderful feeling was gone and I’d be left with the guilt of what I bought that I really didn’t need.

Part of my wanting to live a simpler life means I really have to give thought to things I buy.  My income is not what it was when I worked outside the home because I have chosen a different path. But the pay I get from following my heart has been quite rewarding. It really is quite intriguing to me that as I began following my heart and making  different choices, shopping seemed to fade away from what was important to me.

I also worked in retail for twelve years. I worked at Kohl’s Department Store and was the visual merchandiser.  This meant I was the person decorating and putting all the Christmas trees out in the store in mid October. Believe me, I heard a few choice words from customers now and then. Though it was not my “rule” they be put out so early- it was what headquarters dictated.

I loved my job as visual merchandiser, but the day after Christmas always made me sad. I always had to help at the return desk and the stuff that came back was unbelievable. Bins and bins and bins would be overflowing with all the things people returned.  Two days after Christmas I’d have to take down all the holiday decorations. It was depressing to have spent two months gearing up and what seemed like it all ended so abruptly.

The day I left Kohl’s I knew the last place I’d want to be was at the mall.  I did try it once or twice, but it left me feeling exhausted and empty. So you won’t find me at the mall this Friday.  Instead I plan on walking my dogs.  I’ll walk Kylie through the woods past the sweet little tree with the bird nest.  I’ll walk Joie and watch her fly in her wheels, happy as can be. I’ll take down my fall decorations in my house and relish in putting up a few favorite Christmas decorations. I’ll cut down two big tree branches to make a fun, different Christmas tree idea I saw in a magazine.  I’ll give thought to all that I am grateful for. I’ll snuggle with Joie on the sofa and peruse my favorite cottage magazines. I’ll look forward to playing Yahtzee in the evening with John, and lighting all the candles in our cozy little cottage.  Yup, this is what I shall do. It never gets tiring to me, but rather fills me up with pure bliss.

What’s In a Name? What Does Your Name Mean to You?

Posted by Barbara Techel

For nearly forty years I never felt like a Barbara. I felt like Barb, but not Barbara.  Nor did I like being called Barbie.  Barbara conjured up in my mind this graceful, beautiful, elegant lady.  I didn’t feel confident in that picture in my mind and applying it to me.  Barbie conjured up, well, the image of the Barbie Doll as that is what I grew up, what I was to inspire to be, right?

When I was born my mom wanted to name me Roberta. My dad wanted to name me Barbara. It’s no secret to my mom that I am glad my dad won. Though I wasn’t comfortable with being called Barbara for most of my life. But in all fairness, my mom wanted in part to name me Roberta so my nickname would be Bobbie.  Ironically enough, when my oldest niece was young she couldn’t pronounce her R’s very well, so auntie Barbie sounded like Auntie Bobbie… and it stuck. I love it and loved being called Bobbie by my nieces. Still do to this day.  So my mom’s wish, in a way, came true.

So back to Barbara.  Barbara Gail is my full name. You don’t come across the combination too often.  As I went through life coaching back in 2005 I began to grow as a person spiritually, though had been exploring that for four years previous to that. I wondered why I felt different and not all that into religion and being boxed into a label of what religion choices can mean. I wanted to be free to be me and my own way of thinking that brought me peace.  As I went through my life coaching experience I discovered many things about myself. Many things I liked and finally felt good about in myself.

As I began exploring what was important to me and started living into that  it seemed as all of a sudden I felt like a Barbara. Was she there all along, buried underneath a sea of doubts and lack of self confidence?  Yes, indeed, that was the case.  While I realize a name is a just a name, I can’t help but think of how many people struggle with liking their name and what it means for them personally.  How we put images or conjure up thoughts of what that name is meant to be. But who we are really is not in our name.

But with all that said, I’m happy to say I fully love my name now, which to me means I accept and love me for me.  Not easy some days, but happy to say most days I feel so much more comfortable in my skin than I’ve ever felt. It is a good place to be.

I. AM. Barbara Gail.

Joie Test Drive’s Her Eddie’s Wheels Wheelchair

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie’s wheelchair has given a whole new life to our new bundle of  joy,  Joie.  After seeing the specialist this past Thursday I felt comfortable in adjusting what was Frankie’s wheelchair so Joie could explore a whole new world. After a few adjustments by John, Joie pretty much took to the wheels.  Oh, how my heart sings seeing her mobile and happy to explore all that is around her.  Come see!