kaya singer

What Does it Mean to Be Wiser & Wilder?

Posted by Barbara Techel

What Does it Mean to Be Wiser and Wilder?

What wilder meant to me when I was younger, means something entirely different these days. Wilder when I was in my 20s and 30s, when I look back, often felt disjointed. I was trying to find my way of what it was that mattered, but often found myself getting caught up in how I was supposed to be according to society’s beliefs.

Ack! I’m so glad I know better these days. Though, this being human still can have its moments of forgetting and falling back into old patterns. But here’s where the wiser part kicks in and the work I’ve done to date, and continue to do on my inner world, is what supports me in knowing that the only way to be in this crazy, oftentimes complex world, is to be who I am.

During the month of May I’m honored to be one of five women interviewed for the one year book celebration written by Kaya Singer, “Wiser and Wilder, A Soulful Path for Visionary Women Entrepreneurs”. When I read Kaya’s book a few months ago I felt like someone finally understood me. Her wise words had, and continue to, have a positive impact on me – guiding me to continue to be who I am in the world – one small or large step at a time.

cover1 (1)

Just looking at the cover of Kaya’s book, which is a painting she did, I LOVE what it conveys to me – that growing older does not have to be negative or that you no longer have value – but that it can be glorious in so many ways! It also makes me think about indigenous cultures and how they have always valued the elderly and their wisdom.

And something I’d wished I’d understood when younger, and Kaya writes about beautifully in her book, is weaving into our life and work all the aspects that make us women – whether we are in the maiden, mother or crone stage of our lives. But that tapping into each of these energies can serve us in living our best lives.

So how am I wilder these days? I don’t worry so much what others think of me and my choices – I lean more and more into living by the beat of my own drum…and it’s what I believe wilder is all about.

To join in with all the wiser and wilder women during the one year birthday celebration, come visit Kaya’s special celebration page here.  My interview will be on Monday, May 8th and where you can catch all the interviews. Also, on May 31st there will be a Fire Circle Call where we will all be gathered and you are invited to come share your story!

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

A Reminder of the Gift of Pausing Often

Posted by Barbara Techel

A Reminder of the Gift of Pausing Often

One of my heart centered intentions for this year is to pause and meditate ten minutes in my writing cottage before I open my computer for the day.

In the past, I’d meditate right after my yoga practice, then eat breakfast, and get ready for the day. Oftentimes that left me losing the feeling of what I’d gained during my practice and I’d rush right into my work. 

While recently listening to a podcast with Kaya Singer, who interviews wise and wilder women, it was Shamanic Medicine Healer, Susan Jenkins who offered this ritual as one that she does. I loved how it sounded and a resonating, warm feeling washed through me.

I started this ritual last week. So far, I really love it. Though I’ll admit there are some days, like today, with exciting projects on my plate, that I had lots of anxious butterflies flying around in my stomach. I didn’t know if I could sit for ten minutes.  So I chose a word as my mantra. 

I chose center and in my minds eye I slowly wrote out each letter, over and over, until the butterflies disappeared. I think this is the thing with meditation – it’s not going to be perfect – but one that if you can find a way to sit through those times you are anxious, you will be greatly rewarded.

And I was reminded just a few days ago of another way in which to pause when I was deep in my work on the computer, and felt something tugging at me to stop and look.

As I stopped, looked over to my right to my oversized wicker chair, that I saw Gidget looking at me in such a sweet way, which I captured in the photo above. Another way in which I honored the gift of the pause and just sat in silence and stillness with her for a few moments.

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Pretty Versus Beautiful

Posted by Barbara Techel
Pretty Versus Beautiful
Photo credit: Shiloh Sophia

Recently I finished reading a book called, Wiser & Wilder – A Soulful Path to Visionary Women entrepreneurs by Kaya Singer. While this sounds like it may not have anything to do with my title post, Pretty Versus Beautiful, hang with me here. This is how my mind tends to loop.  🙂

Since discovering Kaya’s book I also found out about her podcasts. I’ve been listening to some pretty amazing and inspiring women. Listening to these women living from what is right and true for them has given my wings quite the magical lift.

Book cover artwork by Kaya Singer

My intention for the New Year is to hold more workshops for women to encourage them to pause more often, listen deeply to their soul, and capture what it is that their soul wants them to know. It’s my hope that Joyful Pause studio will be that safe space where they can open to their intuition, simmer in its wisdom and use that awareness to live a more meaningful life.

As I listened to Kaya interview Michelle Grace Lessiard, a shamanic teacher and healer, her departing words of wisdom had my eyes filling with tears. Michelle in part said that woman have to start honoring their intuitive guidance. And that women who are willing to stand up and listen to, and honor their intuition will heal this world.

Earlier in the interview she also talked about how women need to start being kinder to each other. And I believe this to be true also as we women can be awfully tough and judgmental about each other — though I will say, I have felt it is changing for the better.

This leads me to how my thoughts looped to pretty versus beautiful.  Thanks for hanging with me! When I think about a woman who is beautiful, it has nothing to do with her looks. Beautiful to me, is a woman who is clearly comfortable in her own skin, no matter what size, color, or shape she is. She is someone who exudes an inner peace and has done the work, and continues to do so. That is reflected as a beautiful light that shines from the inside to the outside.

There are many pretty women in the world, as society defines pretty, but sometimes it is only on the surface. And please know this isn’t about being catty or jealous, because that isn’t what I’m trying to convey. But there are women who aren’t pretty as culture deems so, but yet they are beautiful. 

One such person that comes to mind right away for me is Lizzie Velasquez, born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight. She has endured some mighty painful bullying online and off. But she has taken that and turned it into a way to spread a positive message and is described as a Brave Heart. 

As I type this thinking about her, my eyes fill with tears… she is a Beautiful. Brave. Heart. She is truly one the most exquisite examples of what beautiful is to me. She stands tall in who she is. No. Matter. What. has been thrown at her.

And as I loop back to the conversation between Michelle and Kaya on the podcast, they are what I call two beautiful women also – for listening to, and following their intuition, even when it has felt scary. They are heeding the call to stand in what they believe they are here to do…to help heal this world.

While fear may rear its ugly head at times, I ask that my creator place before me more beautiful women — they are the inspiration that lifts me and feeds my soul to keep following my own intuition and do what it is I feel called to do.

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