spiritual

Embracing Ourselves as Unfinished. It’s a Gift and We Need to Pass it On.

Posted May 14, 2014 by Barbara Techel

“It seems to me that the task of the unfinished woman is to acknowledge her life as a work in progress, allowing each passage, evolution, experience to offer wisdom for her soul.” This passage is from Joan Anderson’s bestselling book, A Year by the Sea.

Joan’s books changed me. They continue to change me. I’ve returned to them again and again. I’m returning to A Year by the Sea once again, beginning today. It’s why I’m writing this post today also, in celebration of Joan’s books having the opportunity to become a motion picture—to inspire and help millions to embrace themselves as unfinished. But she will need our help, so stay tuned to the end of my post and how you can help.

I’ve come to understand more with each passing year, embracing myself as unfinished is a gift. This means there are new opportunities for me to explore and dig further into the soul of who I am. To also truly accept this process is so important too.

While initially, which began in about 2004 for me, this was one of the scariest excavations I’d ever went on, I am so thankful I found the courage to do so. For me, it began with the “ache” of which Joan refers to. I wondered why I was here. What was the reason for my purpose here on earth?

It led me to reaching out to a life coach in 2005. Something I’d never even knew existed until a friend recommended someone she knew who helped people look at these unanswered questions. This is how I found life coach, Diane (now someone I call friend).

The call I made that day is still so clear in my mind. My hands were shaking as I dialed her number. I was scared to look deep into my soul. To know that I had to sit still and listen to the whispers of my heart, because they were getting louder. But the risk to not do so, felt larger to me. I had to take the chance.

I was scared to think about what I might discover. I was scared my marriage might end wondering about the “what if’s.” I was scared that I couldn’t do the inner work that needed to be done.

But that call to Diane changed my life for the better. Shortly after, I discovered Joan’s books which helped me move deeper into understanding the woman that I am, and most importantly, that I was not alone in my feelings.

I’ve also come to really get that we are never finished. We are never complete. This is why we are here. To keep excavating. To continue to awaken each step of the way. To live in awareness of our soul speaking to us. To move deeper inside and capture the true essence of who we are. This is our purpose. Our purpose is not outside of us. It is in us. This is what we must radiate out into the world. This is what makes a difference. This is what gives others permission to do the same.

As I continue working on my book, Joie’s Gift- Finding Purpose in the Pause I am understanding more and more why I had to pause once again when I took my sabbatical last fall. Joie was the gift that helped me see this. In many ways I still consider myself in this pausing and reflecting state as I write the book and live my everyday life.

It didn’t end with my sabbatical. It is a daily journey for me. And I’m often times reminding myself to enjoy the process of being in this inner place of work instead of thinking I have to find a purpose outside of myself. This is my purpose today, tomorrow, and always. Every time I lose my way thinking I should be more and do more, I go back to one of my favorite quotes from Joan in her book, “The Second Journey.”

“Nothing happens overnight. Developing a relationship with the unknown takes time. In doing so the seeker is granted the greatest gift of all—clarity. I have come full circle yet again. I must be willing to journey forward—spiral into the center and then back out again. Then and only then will I be whole, in touch with all that I am.”

I truly can’t say enough good about Joan and her willingness to be vulnerable and share her journey with us. But in doing so, she has helped so many women (and men too) accept themselves for who they are. Those inner soul explorers, by doing so, have encouraged others to do the same, whether they know it or not. And those beacons of lights of courage are radiating out into the world with each one of us that find the courage to live from the very soul of who we are.

So here is how you can help Joan’s books become a motion picture in Hollywood!

Stop by her Facebook page, A Year by the Sea and give it a “like.” Then share the page and video with 10 of your friends.

If you’ve not read her books, I’d encourage you to do so. Here is her website and A Year by the Sea website.

Update on My Sabbatical. Being Open to Signs–Especially from Our Animal Friends

Posted September 26, 2013 by Barbara Techel

Walks with my girl Kylie are sweet spots of joy during my sabbatical

Let me first start by saying that I miss each of you. Thank you also for the many kind and thoughtful notes when I shared at the end of August that I’d be taking this sabbatical. It’s hard to believe almost a whole month has gone by!

The honest answer to my update is that I’m still what I am now calling, “marinating.” Many of you in writing to me and comments you left on my Facebook page shared your concern about my finding peace from the passing of Joie. I want you to know that I do have peace around that. In fact, I had a very special sign from Joie that had me in complete awe. I share that story below which you can read or listen to as a recording. I hope it will make your heart tingle like it did mine.

Three things I still know for sure:
·       I want to continue writing via my blog and newsletter. Writing about dogs and animals, and living a meaningful, simple, authentic, joyful life.
·       I want to adopt another IVDD dachshund. I’ll begin my search when I return from vacation at the end of October.
·       I want to be an advocate for dogs diagnosed with IVDD, helping others when they come to me for guidance and hope.

With that said, I’ve decided to continue my sabbatical through the end of October. A part of me feels nervous about this because each of you and your loyalty is important to me. I don’t want to lose that. But I continue to feel the need to “fill the well.” In doing so, I hope to share what I’ve learned and in turn offer you inspiration to live the meaningful life you want.

So without further ado, I share with you today the story of my special moment with Joie in spirit. I continue to feel so very blessed that the signs I receive along the highway of life come from my connection with my dogs. I hope it brings you goose bumps and looking for signs of guidance in your own lives… until we meet again in November.

BEING OPEN TO SIGNS FROM OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS

(if you listen to audio be sure to come back and scroll down to see actual picture of the sign I describe that I got from Joie)

When I think about time in the aspect of here on earth, my time with Joie seemed way too short. Ten months and nine days to be exact. We had just begun to deepen into our connection with each other. I found it hard to grasp that we were only allowed this blip in time to be together. It seemed so unfair.

It’s not the quantity, but the quality that matters, are words of comfort that were offered to me. I found peace in this thought from a fellow writer who experienced the loss of her own beloved dog way too soon also. Though my heart wrenched with pain, I began to see how blessed I was to have had the love of Joie.

The first few days after saying goodbye are always the hardest. It seems as if the vice grip on your heart will never find its way to opening to joy again. It was during those days that I had to trust I would find my way through grief yet again.

Joie’s passing brought to the forefront things I didn’t want to give thought to. The whole year before I was feeling at a loss of really where it was I wanted to go next. Though I was feeling like the work I had begun with Frankie visiting schools and making a difference in children’s lives was finished to some extent, I was hoping Joie would want to do it on a smaller scale.

Grief has a funny way of bringing up unresolved stuff. I knew I was being called to look deeper into what was working for me and what wasn’t any longer. As the days unfolded I found myself grieving the chapter in my life that I knew was time to close. I came to realize Joie was my mirror—it was time to say a deeply grateful thank you for all my work with children and visiting schools, and move on.

Letting go of something that was so profound and pivotal in my life wasn’t easy. But it helped shape me into who I am today, and I found myself giving thanks for all the blessings that amazing time in my life was.As acceptance of closing that chapter found a peaceful place in my mind, I find myself open to new possibilities. This has me re-reading books I read many years ago when I began my dive into living a more spiritual and meaningful life. The book I returned first to is, The Second Journey- the Road Back to Yourself by Joan Anderson.

As I re-read the pages, I felt my soul finding comfort in Joan’s words once again. I felt home in many ways and excited to be in this exploration stage yet again. Though I thought I had things all figured out years ago when I journeyed inward and how it lead me to where I am today. Here I was, having to yet again re-examine where I wanted to go next. How could that be? I wondered.About a week after Joie had been gone, I was sitting in my Adirondack chair on our deck, sipping a beverage, and enjoying the chiminea with John and my friend, Cassy. I was nearing the end of a chapter in Joan’s book so kept reading as John and Cassy talked.

What I read next really spoke to me so I wrote it in my journal and then asked John and Cassy if I could read it out loud to them. They nodded yes so I proceeded.

“Nothing happens overnight. Developing a relationship with the unknown takes time. In doing so the seeker is granted the greatest gift of all—clarity. I have come full circle yet again. I must always be willing to journey forward—spiral into the center and then back out again. Then and only then will I be whole, in touch with all that I am.”

I shared with them that this was so profound to me because it is exactly where I am. This made so much sense! I then took a sip from my drink and set it back down on the arm of my chair. The condensation from the glass had dripped, so I looked down to wipe away the water. Just as I glanced down to wipe it away, this is what I saw…

It was as if the sky opened up and cast down this brilliant, shining light!
Almost breathless I said to Cassy and John, “Oh my gosh! Look! It’s a sign from Joie!” They were as amazed as I was!

Each dog I’ve had has taught me something. In a short talk the night of Joie’s passing that I had with my friend, Dawn, an animal communicator, she had related to me that Joie and my guides had a message for me. It was time for me to rest, reflect , renew, and refill. Staring again in wonder at the water paw print, I just knew it was Joie reaffirming for me that I am exactly right where I should be.

Reflection of Sending My Story Out Into the World & Joyful Paws Jaunt Blog Tour Ends Today at Peggy’s Pet Place

Posted May 28, 2013 by Barbara Techel

It feels a bit surreal that here it is, the end of my blog tour, for “Through Frankie’s Eyes.” I invite you to check out my last stop which is over at Peggy’s Pet Place. Peggy is a pet columnist and author who has written about the animal-human bond for quite some time now. I really enjoyed her interview questions and I think you will too.

All the excitement, angst, ups and downs of releasing a book are beginning to fade a bit from my memory being this far along in my journey of having written, published, and now sharing it. I feel so grateful for all those who were willing to host me on their blogs and radio shows. So many of these wonderful people I’ve never even met in person, but they have generously supported my work. Pretty amazing, that we, as authors, have this at our fingertips these days to share our story. Also amazing is the fact I’ve been able to connect with so many of you, that I otherwise may not have been able to. One of the greatest rewards is hearing from many of you who have shared your thoughts with me in regards to my new book. It means more to me than you will ever know… thank you.

While at times I questioned if my story would touch others, I also knew that it would find its way to those that needed to hear what I had to share. It continues to find its way to others and it makes my day when I hear from those who say my story has helped them look at their life in a new (and better) way.

The publishing world continues to change rapidly, with authors taking their own fate in their hands with the tools available to us to get our message out into the world. It is not always easy, while at the same time, we have so many more opportunities now, so in a sense it is easier—though there is a lot of noise out there to compete with. But I remind myself how important my work is to me. I want to continue to help others through my words and stories, and plan to do just that.

So while my online tour officially ends, it truly is just the beginning. One is never done and I look forward to new avenues in which to share my story and my work. As always, I welcome your feedback. In the new world of authors and publishing, it also greatly helps if you would consider leaving a review for “Through Frankie’s Eyes.” A huge thank you to all those of you who already have. I’ve shed a few tears of joy at how my book has touched others. Nothing better than that knowing you touched a chord with another, so again, I say a deeply grateful thank you.