I Am Launched - Again

Charlie

Charlie’s Wisdom is more than a story about how this amazing dog inspired me. When it was launched on November 13, 2013, I was excited to share with the world what Charlie and I learned together about growth, mystery, wisdom, authenticity, vulnerability, and living fully. Over seven years, I wrote 58 articles about how living fully helped change how I perceived myself and the world around me. 

On December 31, 2020, my heart shattered into a million pieces when Charlie unexpectedly died.  My inspiration was gone, and it became too painful to write without him.  Everything I wrote was either too raw and bitter or like dry toast.  It was better to stop posting articles and move inward to heal.

In addition to Charlie’s death, the past four years have been a series of big transitions. My mother and brother died within six months of each other.  My sister and I worked together to sell the ranch that defined our youth and had been in our family for 91 years.  My husband and I moved 2,000 miles across the country from the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota to the beautiful beaches of Vero Beach, Florida. 

Black Hills, South Dakota

Atlantic Ocean, Vero Beach, Florida

I have quietly refined my craft during this time and am ready to present it to the world again.  Revised and updated articles from the past will be mixed with new ones.  The focus will continue to be sharing soulful insights about living with the rhythm of life, cultivating authenticity, exploring vulnerability, and listening to and following the true heart’s desire. 

The article I posted when Charlie’s Wisdom was launched follows.

*****

I am launched!  After months of contemplating, I have finally taken the step to launch a blog.  While this appears to be an easy process, I know that I will make many mistakes along the way.  However, mistakes are the road to learning and becoming better at what one does, so I welcome the new experience.

I named Charlie’s Wisdom after my dog.  As with all of our animals, Charlie found us.  He was nosing around our neighbor's front yard one spring evening, and despite being skin and bone, he was full of energy and personality.  We took him in and had him scanned for a chip by the vet's office, checked at the Humane Society, plus canvassed the neighborhood to see if someone was missing him or knew where he belonged.  We only heard that this dog had been running loose in the neighborhood for weeks.

I could not bring myself to leave him at the Humane Society, but we already had three dogs and a cat.  It wasn't easy to fathom adding one more animal to an already busy household.  But Charlie turned on his charm, and Alex, our oldest son, convinced me he would be responsible for his care.  (Personally, I think Charlie scoped out our house and family, noticed we spoiled our animals, and made his play.)  He could not have found a happier, more loving home.  We have no regrets.

A year later, Alex, 20, ready for independence, moved out of the house.  However, Charlie was not an apartment dog.  He had enormous energy and required lots of love and attention.  I agreed to care for and watch over him.  The rest is history. 

Charlie followed me everywhere he could, traveled with me, had his memory foam bed next to my bed, got dried mango for treats, and joined us for long hikes in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota at least once a week.  We became best friends. 

I considered him a gift from the angels that taught me much about life.  When I could not quickly think of a domain name for this blog, Charlie laid his head on my lap with a big sigh.  Charlie's Wisdom was born.  Appropriately so, as his presence in my life inspired me to make healthy, positive changes and create the life I wanted to live.

As a licensed mental health therapist and professional speaker, I desired a bigger platform to share insights and thoughts.  I love my work and firmly believe that people have the power to dream big, take risks, and live their heart's desire.

Join Charlie and me as we journey into the blogging world. Experience our mistakes, insights into life, and the discoveries and wisdom we encounter. Perhaps there will be something to help you on your journey.