kathy pooler

How Vulnerability Can Be A Beautiful Gift in Memoir Writing– Plus Giveaway for a Copy of “Through Frankie’s Eyes”

Posted by Barbara Techel

Max, our Golden boy, reads about Frankie

Kathy’s dog, Max even thought he should perhaps read ” Through Frankie’s Eyes”

If someone would have told me years ago that being vulnerable is actually a beautiful thing, and not a weakness, I think I would have saved myself a lot of heartache.

This week on my Joyful Paws Jaunt blog tour Kathy Pooler hosts me on her memoir blog. Kathy is such a kind and open soul.  She cares deeply about helping others write their memoir’s as well as encouraging others to share their story.  We talked in early February about what might be best for a guest post for me to write for her blog.  Being scared to write ones story came up for me as I was soon launching my new book.  It was also relevant to Kathy as she is working on her memoir as well.

Vulnerability really struck a chord with each of us, as well as we believe for others, so the subject seemed a good one to write about.  So I invite you to click on over to Kathy’s blog and check out my guest post.  Please do leave a comment and you will have a chance to win a copy of “Though Frankie’s Eyes.”  Even if you have purchased a copy, still do leave a comment and if you win, giving my book might be a great gift for a friend.

There really seems to be much talk about vulnerability lately with Dr. Brene Brown sitting down recently to talk with Oprah about her book Daring Greatly after researching and studying vulnerability and shame for the past twelve years. If more of us embrace vulnerability and leave shame behind, imagine the possibilities!

**If you have read my book and would like to have your dog featured on my special board on Pinterest, please do email me (barb (at) joyfulpaws (dot) com) your dogs photo posing with my book!**

Vulnerability + Gratitude = Something Many of Us Seek.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1431Last night I happened across the interview Oprah did with Dr. Brene Brown for her Super Soul Sundays. Am I glad I ever did!  I had tears in my eyes for most of the interview.  I knew I’d want to write about this today. I  could hardly wait to get up and get to my computer.

I think Dr. Brene Brown hit it right on the head talking about vulnerability and how as a society we view at that as a negative thing. When in fact, it is a very good thing. It made so much sense to me. I especially have felt this as I released my book to the world the last few weeks. How vulnerable I felt sharing some of my deepest thoughts- but how I knew I just had to write my story. But you know what has come from that vulnerability? Just what Brene speaks about, which is joy.

I actually have a piece I wrote for Kathy Pooler’s memoir blog recently about vulnerability that will be featured on her blog next Monday as part of my Joyful Paws Jaunt tour. I write about how sharing your vulnerability can be a beautiful gift when writing memoir.  To hear Dr. Brene Brown talk about this very same subject last night, really blew me away. It made me feel connected deeper to my soul, but also that I am not alone in how vulnerability can feel. But also to be a part of those who have taken that chance and are experiencing joy from it.

I don’t want to give away all that I wrote for the piece coming up, but one thing that is occurring to me again is that I do feel that the more of us who lean into the gift of sharing our vulnerable selves, that we in turn, give others permission to do the same.

So where does gratitude come in?  Well, we must be grateful for all that we have.  To be vulnerable and grateful equals joy. Oprah reminded me of that last night. Not that I’m not grateful, for I am. In fact, I just had a conversation the other day with a dear friend where I thought perhaps I might be too grateful—meaning that I worry others may not think it real. But it is real for me and at times I feel I can’t even find the adequate words to express my gratefulness for so much in my life. But what Oprah reminded me of is that to write it down is important.

Writing it down brought me back to my gratitude journal which I’ve had on my nightstand for years, as this is nothing new—many of us have heard that keeping a gratitude journal can change our lives—change our thinking. I opened up to my last entry which was March 11, 2011. I’m not going to beat myself up for having let this habit fall to the side, but be grateful that I picked up my pen and wrote five things I am grateful for. Forward march to adding five more things each new day.

Vulnerability + Gratitude = Joy.

Catch the replay of Dr. Brene Brown’s interview here.

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. -Brene Brown