self discovery

Following My Curiosity – Sharing My New Adventure with You.

Posted by Barbara Techel

soulcollage eQuite a few weeks ago I shared with you that I am looking into a new adventure. But I wasn’t quite ready to share exactly what it is at that time. You may recall that I shared that I’ve put my book I was working on, on hold –my heart being called in a new direction.

I wasn’t ready to share yet in part because I had to work through my own process of trying to understand why this is something I’m being called to explore.

The old feelings crept back in of why is it that I find myself drawn to so many things, but can’t seem to “settle” on just one thing that I like to do. Sometimes society can look at this as a negative and at times I can tend to let that drown out what my heart is trying to tell me to follow.

A big part of me likes that I’m an explorer, a seeker, a thinker and one who wishes to continue to evolve. But the little girl in me can sometimes feel scared to try something new. The questions, “What if this is a mistake?” “What if I spend this chunk of money and it’s not for me?” “Will others think I’m too woo-woo?”

And then I heard author Elizabeth Gilbert’s short video on following ones curiosity and how that in itself can be such a beautiful life. It really resonates with me. Then the Universe sent me another message as I heard about Barbara Sher’s book, “Refuse to Choose.” I’ve not read the book yet, but she talks about those who are scanners – who love to do many things.

As I’ve taken my “think tank” time and worked through each step of my process, I know that this is something I want to do — no matter what the outcome. I’m not sure where it will take me, but that is okay. I’m open to all the possibilities…and honestly, I think there will be many. But I also want to let it unfold as it is meant to be.

So today I made the final payment for this adventure I’m about to embark on.

The above photo is a hint. You will see a a 5 x 8 collage of two images I put together representing a part of who I am — the woman who loves yoga, trees, nature, and animals (look closely to see the duck in the far left of image)–representing the part of me that relishes in this practice that centers me. This process, created by psychologist, Seena M. Frost, after studying with one of the founding founders of the Human Potential Movement, Jean Houston, is called SoulCollage.

The definition from the website is, “a creative and satisfying collage process. You make your own deck of cards – each collage card representing one aspect of your personality or Soul. Use the cards intuitively to answer life’s questions and participate in self-discovery. Joyfully deepen your understanding of the relationships between your personality parts, you and your family/community/world, and you and your dreams, symbols, and Spirit.”

November 7-9, I will be taking the facilitator training for this process. It is my hope to use the gifts I already have and incorporated with the SoulCollage process, to offer workshops online and locally. I hope it will also serve as another springboard for my writing and last but not least, to serve as discovering and embracing all the parts of who I am.

So part of the next step of this journey for me is “putting it out there” and sharing with you, the faithful readers of my blog.  Stay tuned and thank you for being a part of my life as I continue to explore and evolve.

Journey of the Heart.

Posted by Barbara Techel

2014-02-12 10.10.24For the past five weeks I’ve been taking part in a class called, “Unwrapping the True Self.” We have one more week to go. Another six weeks will start up again in April.

Yesterday when we got to class one of the ladies of the group had arrived early. Laying across the counter were different pretty little journals she had made. We each got to choose one. What a lovely gesture, I thought!

My eye immediately was drawn to this journal of splashes of orange, pinks, yellows, and a bit of lavender.  I found that interesting as my eye usually goes straight for more blues and purples of which there were some journals in those colors as well.

I wanted to second guess myself. But remembering my promise to myself a few weeks earlier, to follow more of my impulses,  I chose the one my eye was first drawn to. At the time I also couldn’t see the writing on the cover of the journal because the ribbon was partially covering it.

After choosing my journal, I sat down, this sweet little treasure in my hands, and untied the tawny, tulle ribbon to reveal what it said: Journey of the Heart.

I smiled. It was perfect.

Our class has been a reminder to me of what is important to me. How I want to live from my true self. Even though I began this journey of authenticity and following my heart over ten years ago, I appreciate and need the little signs that are presented to me to keep going on this path of self discovery.

To go back to not being me is not a place I ever want to be again. Though it has gotten easier over the years to stand stronger in who I am, I am a work in progress—I always will be.

For awhile I thought that once I “arrived” the work would be done. But I remind myself that I am not perfect, but that my heart is my guide.  Being open to what speaks to my heart is the way in which I want to continue this journey.

This adorable little journal will now sit on my desktop as a sweet reminder of how far I’ve come, and how living from the inside out, is a beautiful way in which to be.