transition

The Truth is, I Didn’t Remember…But then a Pause Reminded Me.

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Truth is, I Didn't Remember...But then a Pause Reminded Me.

Perhaps it was because I woke with a sinus headache, fed the dogs and went back to bed this morning, which isn’t like me to do. But I honored what I felt I needed.

An hour later I was feeling much better and knew today was the day I would stop procrastinating and get the back cover text written for my book coming out this fall, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift. 

I planted my butt firmly in my writing chair and vowed to not leave it until I’d gotten a draft written. After three hours and may re-writes I was happy with what I’d written so off to my editor it went. Will see what she has to say.

One thing I have to remind myself to do is to take breaks and give myself small rewards for tasks accomplished. So being a beautiful day – suspended between summer and a hint of fall, I set out with Gidget in her stroller, for a walk around town.

As I walked through the senior assisted community complex, I noticed the sweetest, small leaf on the ground. When I looked up, I noted the tree is beginning to change.

red leaf

I enjoy savoring every bit of fall and decided to be on the lookout to create an altar from things found on my walk to place in my writing cottage when I got home.

tree

Small pine cones, two goose feathers, a stone, snippets of wheat grass, a yellow coneflower and two maple leaves were the items I collected as I walked.  Along with my collecting bits of nature on my path I paused to also take photos of things that made me smile. Little did I know it was going to lead me to remembering…

door

apple

bench

…and then I remembered…when I saw this wooden sign in a downtown retail shop…

bike

Today is three years since Joie passed away…and with it she left me the gift of what I would learn over the last three years…that pausing often in ones life is essential to well being…that the journey and purpose of life is to be happy.

I couldn’t help but feel a sweet joy well up inside me for the spiritual signposts I was rewarded with today. When I got home, I created the altar with a photo of Joie beside it, and have a battery operated candle lit in her memory.

And I’m reminded once again of the divine timing of her life with me…the gifts of transition…and the timing of the book I’ve written about her due out this fall…and trusting in what one can’t always see until it is time.

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Help Me Pick the Cover for My New Book: “Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift”

Posted by Barbara Techel

07A-front  07B-front

UPDATE:  Thank you everyone! Between the comments here, Facebook, and emails from some of you, over 350 shared your choice.  Stay tuned as I’ll announce which book cover chosen soon!  Thank you again!!

It’s an exciting time having finally finished the editing portion of my new book and now onto putting it all together!

I’ve been working with Caryn of Lantern Glow Design and have narrowed a book cover down to the two choices above.  You will note there isn’t much difference – the only difference being the backgrounds – either floral or sky. While I realize the ultimate choice is mine, I’d sure love your input!

Please let me know by leaving a comment below which you like better- the one on the top, #1 or the one on the bottom, #2.  Thank you!

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The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for “Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift” is Done!

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Marking of Another Passage. My Manuscript for "Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift" is Done!

I just had to take a moment, dear friends to share with you that at 1:20pm today, Tuesday, July 12th, I completed the writing and major editing of my new book, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift.

What a ride this has been – a bit bumpy at times – but oh, how I’m reminded again as I typed the last word on the last page the JOY that comes from persevering and following through on the creative process.

Now I shall let it rest for the remainder of the day and night. Tomorrow I will review the Afterword, written today, and then I will be sending my manuscript back to my editor for a final proofread.

This moment of completion of the writing and editing of a book always feels like a full circle moment to me. A passage that will not come again as each one is unique. Each time I come to this completion, which I think will never come, I’m also reminded of how it feels when you finally know this is it. It is done. I’m blissful, feeling complete, and spent all at the same time.

And this calls for celebration and date night out tonight!

But first, taking a moment to sit in a moment of gratitude and thank dear, little Joie, for without her, and the lessons she taught me — this book would have never come to be. I love you and miss you little one.

joie with flowers

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