memoir

We Are 1 In Spirit Interview: A Special Message about Grieving You May Find Refreshing

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On this weeks Joyful Paws Jaunt blog tour, I was interviewed by author and coach, Yvonne Perry on her podcast, We are One In Spirit

Click here to listen to the interview.

Introduction from Yvonne about my segment 

Do you remember when you first began exploring your spirituality? What inspired you to seek answers to life’s greatest questions? For Barbara Techel, it was her dogs that helped her to live more authentically and more joyfully.
After her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Barbara had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair that allowed her to be mobile in spite of being partially paralyzed. Barbara quickly realized the beautiful opportunity she had to spread a positive message that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if given a chance. This translated into also helping people see their challenges in a positive way. Today, she is a passionate advocate for special needs pets such as dogs in wheelchairs, and those in particular that are diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

From the inspiration she gained from her little wiener dog on wheels, Barbara has found her life’s purpose. She let go of her fears, and began doing hospice work with Frankie as a therapy dog team. She let go of her fear of death and began to appreciate each day of her life. She has a special connection with all her animals, but two of them have let her know they are still with her now that they have passed into the afterlife. In the audio below, she offers a special message about grieving that you may find refreshing.

Barbara is the award-winning author of the children’s book series Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog which are true, inspirational stories about her paralyzed dachshund. From 2008-2012, Barbara and Frankie made over 350 appearances to schools and libraries in Wisconsin, as well as many visits to classrooms across the US and Canada via Skype. They were also a therapy dog team visiting local facilities and logged over 250 visits spreading joy wherever they went.

In August 2012, she founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day in memory of Frankie and in honor of all dogs in wheelchairs. She also started the Frankie Wheelchair Fund, which helps families who can’t afford wheelchairs for their disabled dogs. To date, this fund has helped thirteen dogs, who may not otherwise had the opportunity, to get a wheelchair.

In her newest book, Through Frankie’s Eyes Barbara takes you on a journey that led her to live her own truth and live with more joy, all because of what Frankie taught her along the way. Enjoy this interview as Barbara shares her story with Yvonne Perry on We Are One in Spirit Podcast.

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For more intuitive and inspiring podcasts with Yvonne, I invite and encourage you the visit her website today.

Don’t forget!  You can win a copy of my new book through Goodreads!  I’m giving away two copies, but hurry as you must enter by midnight on Monday, March 25th!  Good luck!

Book Giveaway of “Through Frankie’s Eyes” – Enter today!

Now through March 25th you have a chance to win one of two copies of my new book I am giving away through Goodreads. Be sure to enter today!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Through Frankie's Eyes by Barbara Gail Techel

Through Frankie’s Eyes

by Barbara Gail Techel

Giveaway ends March 25, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Vulnerability + Gratitude = Something Many of Us Seek.

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