inner wisdom

Tap into Your Inner Wisdom. Live a More Meaningful Life.

Posted by Barbara Techel


I’ve often talked about SoulCollage® here on my blog – a creative collage process that helps you tap into your inner wisdom.  I’ve found that when I really listen to my intuition it helps me live a more meaningful life.

One of the reasons I became a SoulCollage® facilitator is that I want to encourage others to tap into their own inner wisdom and discover how they too can lead a meaningful life.

I put together this short video explaining a little more about SoulCollage® and would love to have you join me for a workshop at my Joyful Pause Studio or online.

My next Introductory to SoulCollage® workshop is Saturday, April 9th at my home studio, Joyful Pause. Space is limited. Register early. Hope to see you!

Register here today.

A Weekend of Inspiration, Wisdom & Self-Discovery. I’m Now a Trained SoulCollage® Facilitator.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I spent this past weekend at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, WI. The perfect place for the SoulCollage(R) Facilitator training I attended. I’m happy to say I am now an officially trained facilitator!

For the first time in a long time, I feel some momentum in an expanded purpose and direction.

In one sense it is even hard for me to describe in words what this weekend was like. It was intense, but intense in a good and welcoming way. Diving deeper into all the different parts that make up who I am. While that may sound kind of deep in some ways, it was also a very fun process.

SoulCollage(R) is all about personal growth and self-discovery. Their motto:  Discover Your Wisdom, Change Your World.

As I move into 2015 I will be giving thought to ways in which I can teach workshops in my community and online with this process using the gifts I already have. I hope to use this process in getting in touch with our animal spirit guides, which is just one idea, of many, I have percolating right now.

But I’d like to share with you what Sunday was like — the day we received certification and the closing ceremony.

Twenty-two women from nine different states came together in this circle we formed. A circle of SoulCollage(R) cards each made over the weekend, as well as, over the last few months and years by some of the participants. Each card representing a part of ourselves that when formed together in this sacred circle celebrating that we are really all one in this big universe.

It was a silent ceremony with soft music in the background as we each took turns stepping into the circle to take in all the energy of those cards before us. Each woman now a part of each other — now changed in some way because of coming together.

As we each took our turn in the circle, we acknowledged each woman individually with eye contact – some placing their hands on their heart as they did this, or in prayer near their heart. It was very emotional — all in a beautiful and deep way.

This process is healing the planet one person at a time as people attend workshops and/or make SoulCollage(R) cards at their own pace — taking time to create from a place of wonder, discovery, fun, and open to what it can teach them to help them on their life’s journey.

I found it to be a deeply enriching and a truly intriguing process that I am looking forward to teaching others, as well as, expanding on for my own personal growth.

Once the ceremony was over we had the chance for a photo opportunity within the circle. I love this photo of me within this sacred circle — the profound feelings of this past weekend come rushing back to me and I feel changed forever in a new and beautiful way. So grateful for this process and for this opportunity to take part in this training.

In the next few days I’ll share a few more photos and more information about this, so stay tuned!

PS:  A super big thank you to my dear, sweet husband for doing an outstanding job of taking care of Gidget! Also to Candace of Agape Pet Service who stopped in a few times to help out as well. They gave me peace of mind to enjoy my training and time away!

Young or Old – We are all a Work in Progress – Horizons 4 Girls

Posted by Barbara Techel

1208780_10201783198614051_2718885650038954779_nAs I mentioned yesterday, I said I would be meeting with Horizons 4 Girls, a nonprofit group in our area mentoring young girls helping them with family life, peer pressure and education expectations, guiding them with personalized assistance in help with their studies and life decisions.

We were an intimate group of three young ladies, as well as the staff of four. This time of year seems to be a challenge with the 14 girls in the group trying to keep up with studies and books needing to be read so it was discussed to possibly have me come back this summer to meet the other girls.

But I enjoyed meeting these three young ladies, who were all unique and beautiful in their own individual ways. It was fascinating to me to find myself sharing my story with them, as if looking in a mirror at my younger self. All the same challenges still exist today, as they did for me when I was becoming a young woman.

At times my heart ached for some of their challenges, such as peer pressure and worrying what others say about them or think about them, or how people perceive them.

Interestingly enough, I had just come from my class I’ve been taking part in the last nine weeks called, “Unwrapping your True Self.” As I talked with the girls, I shared with them that I am in this class right now, continuing to work on who I am and to stand strong in my belief’s. My advice to them as I thought about that is that we never truly arrive, but that we are all a work in progress.

I hope by showing myself as an example of a woman who still needs to pay attention to working on herself often, they will see that none of us are perfect. But if we are willing to keep looking for the light in our own soul, it will lead us down the right paths in our lives.

We discussed everything from body image, worrying what others think of our choices, writing, judgement, following your heart, to Gidget and her disc disease.

As I drove home I found myself admiring these young ladies for having the courage  to be a part of this program, to be there for the help and guidance that will help them be the best that they can be. And as is my wish for all women, my hope is for these young ladies to continue to find the courage to let their inner light shine. They inspired me to keep doing the same.