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)
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.