I was teaching speech at St. Petersburg College in the spring of 2003 when several students told me I needed to take my message of encouragement to the public.  My students’ suggestion resonated with me.  I acted on their advice and created my company, Encouraging Words in April of that year.

Renee Duane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from East Stroudsburg University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Arts from the Wm. Paterson College of New Jersey.  As an educator with 35 years experience, Renee most recently has served as an adjunct instructor for 12 years in Speech communications at St. Petersburg College in Florida where she co-authored the interpersonal communications course curriculum.   Additionally, Renee was a volunteer healer for 5 years at The Pilgrimage Institute of Integrative Healing in Clearwater, Florida.  Her success as a motivational speaker includes state and regional level conferences, business groups and small group seminars.

Currently Renee lives in Safety Harbor, Florida with her loving husband and lifetime partner.   Along with their individual commitments to their personal growth, they enjoy each other, growing together and sharing their spiritual journey.  For many, they model what is possible in being true to one’s self in a marriage and at the same time honoring the divine in each other. They have a talented adult son who assisted in the editing of Renee’s book.

In her journey to reclaim her inherent joy, Renee found the stresses of life disconnected her from source.  As a consequence, when she felt alone, she felt dis-empowered and prey to all the fears society readily offered.   After some years of seeking, she discovered her mind/body/spirit connection.   The answer to her questions was inside.  Renee shares this expanded consciousness in her talks and seminars.  She assists individuals in gaining a better understanding of self through awareness.  Using Renee’s discovery sheets the unconscious behaviors (the repeated stuck, old patterns) we use to self-sabotage are brought to light.  We gain awareness that equips us to make different choices, better choices in the future.  When we find our sense of purpose in life, it is self-empowering.  When we consciously create the script for our lives, joy naturally flows through us.  It is Renee’s deep desire that each of you reclaim your inherent joy.