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Mailer 02

Soul Songs
Your SoulCollage Newsletter

Enabling us to sing the songs
we were born to sing
through the practice
of SoulCollage®




Issue #26            August, 2007


Welcome!
Greetings, and welcome to Soul Songs, the official KaleidoSoul Newsletter, and the only monthly newsletter that focuses exclusively on SoulCollage ideas, resources and artists.

Our intention is to fill each issue (and your life) with inspiration, soul-solace and delight.  Whether you are new to SoulCollage, or already immersed in the creation of your deck,
Soul Songs is for you. 

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, colleagues, or family members who will enjoy it.

View this newsletter as a web page with complete color and graphics.


Soul Singing with Anne Marie

Hi!  I'm Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com, and a SoulCollage®  facilitator in Massachusetts.  If you're just starting to sing your song with SoulCollage, this column is especially for you.

Suggestions for newcomers to SoulCollage:
 
  • Find a SoulCollage Facilitator near you.
  • Download the Getting Started with SoulCollage
    Workshop in a Box
    .
  • Visit KaleidoSoul and click on What is SoulCollage, SoulCollage Deck, and Making the Cards on the left menu.
  • Seena Frost is the one who created SoulCollage®. Visit Seena's website and see what four cards come up for you in the automatic reading, then read some of Seena's articles.
  • Read Seena's book, SoulCollage. 
  • Listen to Seena's CD, Introduction to SoulCollage. 
  • Don't forget to take it easy and always, always trust the process!

    Meet Ethel, My Inner Critic

    I made a card for my Inner Critic early on in my SoulCollage journey.  You can see her and read what she has to say on my Inner Surprises Blog.

    I don't know why I named her Ethel. I don't know any "Ethel's" in my life, but when I made the card and looked at it, "Ethel" seemed exactly right!

    Now whenever I hear that nagging you're-never-gonna-get-it-right voice inside of me, I say to myself, "Oh, that's Ethel!"  For me, that's an important distinction.  It's only one little voice inside of me. It is NOT me.  It is NOT who I am.

    Simply being aware of Ethel, my inner critic, has lessened her power over me immensely!  Once I realized that she is separate from me, I am now free to
    choose to believe what she is telling me, or not.

    Suggested Reading:

    Embracing Your Inner Critic
    , by Hal & Sidra Stone. Subtitled: Turning Self-Criticism Into A Creative Asset, this book lives up to its title and more. I found the ideas here profound yet simple.  It really is the best guide I've found on making peace with my own Inner Critic.


    Anne Marie Bennett is a freelance writer, self- taught artist and SoulCollage® facilitator who trained with Seena Frost. Her background is elementary education, computer software training, writing, and mixed media art. She lives, laughs, writes, and sings (and makes her own SoulCollage® cards!) in Beverly, MA. More of Anne Marie's cards/interpretations are available on her blog, Inner Surprises.

    Please read more about upcoming workshops/retreats with Anne Marie.


Soul Symphonies with Karen
My name is Karen Mann and I'm a SoulCollage® facilitator from Melbourne, Australia. This column is for those of you who have already made some cards & are ready to discover the symphony of voices inside of you and around you.

Inner Critic: Runs With Cronies


As I prepare to present a workshop at the first ever SoulCollage Conference next week, I have an absolute gaggle of voices in my head.  The conversations go something a little like this: 

Inner Critic (see left): "You better get your hair done and buy some new clothes so that people aren't looking at you as you present, picking on your bad haircut or ill-fitting old clothes.  Hurry up and go shopping!  They'll all be looking at you and judging you." 

Perfectionist ( see below): "Not only do you have nothing nice enough to wear, but your presentation needs lots more work.  You haven't spent nearly enough time in preparation.  Get to work now!!!...Or I'll beat you up ...and then I'll tie you to your desk until you get it right!  And then go shopping too!  You need to look perfect as well as have a perfect presentation.  Everything needs to be perfect or I won't let you rest!"

 

Do Your Best: "You need to make this presentation so good that you get praised by others.  How awful would it be if no-one likes what you have to say? Hurry up and get to work so it "knocks their socks off"!  There are people you really need to impress at this conference. Get to work!" 

Little Girl who is Out of her Depth: "Yes hurry up and get to work.  What if you don't do a presentation that is good enough and they all find out you really are a fraud?  How awful would it be if everyone realized that you really don't know what you are talking about after all???" 

The One Who Leaves Things to the Last Minute: "Hang on, what's the hurry? We have plenty of time yet.  If you leave writing your presentation to the last minute you can relieve your self of some of the pressure of the need to get things just 'right', because all you'll have time to do will have to be 'good enough'.  Maybe you better go shopping for some clothes and get your hair done... Then at least you'll look great- especially if you are tired after pulling an 'all-nighter' to finish your presentation."
 

I know that deep down all these voices have my best interests at heart, but gee it is tiring!  ( I wonder if any sound familiar to you at all?)  I know they want to protect me from being harshly judged by others, from not doing well or being properly prepared, they like me to get praised by others (so then I know, beyond a doubt that I did a good job) and they want me to hide my insecurities and put on a brave face and pretend I'm confident and together.  

But then there is the part of me that likes to leave things to the last minute and who absolutely bristled when someone from work asked me "But haven't you known for months that you had to write a presentation?  Why have you left it to the last week?"  This part is trying to protect myself from all those other inner voices and pointing fingers by leaving things till it is too late.  When I leave things to that last minute then I don't have time to listen to all those other voices!  It is a self-protection mechanism, saving me from myself.  But do you think I was going to tell that to the guy in accounts from work?  Lucky I have you to share this with, hey? 

So now I'm off to breathe, meditate, shop, get my hair done and write my presentation (earlier than the night before)... and hopefully find some time to sleep.  I'll let you know how it all goes.



Karen Mann is an artist, art teacher, Lifestyle Coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and SoulCollage® facilitator. Karen has been working with SoulCollage cards for more than two years and facilitates a variety of SoulCollage Groups. She also works with individuals. Karen is based in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, or to contact Karen, please visit her website,
Flying Colours Creativity
.




Kaleido-Deal
of the Month

August 2007


Save 20% on our newest SoulCollage e-course,
Wise and Wonderful: A Guided Exploration of the SoulCollage Animal Companions Suit
.

Have you been wondering which animal totems are calling YOUR name? 

Are you hesitant about creating cards for the Companions Suit of your own deck because you don't quite "get" it?

Then, this is the best place to start, guaranteed!

You'll receive 6 detailed lessons that will walk you through the process of understanding your animal totems step by step. This e-course also guides you through a simple understanding of how the Animals fit in with your chakras.

Also included with this e-course is access to a special Yahoo Group set up just for SoulCollagers who are working on this suit, so you'll be receiving individual feedback and assistance along the way.

There's more information on this KaleidoSoul page.




  KaleidoSoul Creations
As promised, we are featuring four SoulCollage® cards from our readers in each issue. Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a future issue by sending a reply email to this newsletter.

In keeping with this month's theme, each card below represents one SoulCollager's Inner Critic.
 
Inner Critic
Suit: Committee
Artist: Emily


I am one who is
deadly serious.
I am one who looks at you with angry eyes, my arms folded, my body closed,
to tell you there will be no
further discussion!
I am one who is focused on watches and the importance of using time wisely.
I am one who will never smile or laugh with you,
who only knows how to
smirk with disdain.
I am one who cuts you deeply, like a knife.


 
Inner Critic
Suit: Committee
Artist: Cynthia
Location: New York


I am the One who...
is not enough

never does enough

is always lacking

is always in the wrong
about something
who is faceless

filled with dryness

is hopeless and sad

feels she doesn't
deserve more

lives in a colorless world



Killing  Me Softly
Suit:Committee
Artist: Cheryl
Location: IL

I am the one who nags at you...that you coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I am the one who rides your back and is killing you softly, whispering...
"You are not enough.''

I was born from your self-criticism, which gave me more power.

I am the one who's had this job too long and wants to retire. I want you to stand up & let me slide off your back into retirement.




Inner Critic
Suit: Committee
Artist: Lorraine
Location: British Columbia

I am the one who says NO.

I am the one who is ready to pounce on fresh ideas.

I am the one who keeps you from feeling free.

I am the one who says: too old, too young, not ready.

I am the one who holds you in contempt.

I am the one who refuses to see that the nest is ready to hatch.


 


 

KaleidoSoul Notes

Noteworthy resources for anyone interested in SoulCollage

 
SoulCollage website- Seena Frost created the process of SoulCollage, and this is her website.
 
KaleidoSoul- Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty through SoulCollage.

Kindred Spirits- Join our fast-growing worldwide membership of people who put the "soul" in SoulCollage! Receive a weekly newsletter all about SoulCollage, advance notice of new SoulCollage materials, half- price discounts on all e-courses and e-books in the KaleidoSoul Shop. And more!

Tele-Playshops- These are fun, interactive tele-classes that are easily accessed from anywhere in the world. Topics range from SoulCollage card making to various suits to dreamwork to how to do readings with your cards. There's more information about this month's tele-playshop on this KaleidoSoul page.

Facilitator Trainings- Information about content and dates/locations of upcoming trainings of SoulCollage Facilitators. NOTE: Seena is coming to the EAST COAST this fall to train facilitators. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from the woman who started it all (if you don't want to travel to California)!





SoulCollage® is a trademarked process created by Seena B. Frost.  For more information about Seena and the origins of SoulCollage, please visit her website.

SoulCollage® cards are made either from one's own art or from images found in materials which have been bought by or given to the SoulCollage card maker. These collaged cards are used only for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the cardmakers own use) as is stated in the "Principles of SoulCollage®." Where SoulCollage cards are available to be seen by others, it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage process or of sharing the cardmakers' inner process in the context of community. SoulCollage® is grateful to the artists and photographers who make this deep awakening process possible and in all ways SoulCollage® seeks to be respectful of their rights.

All articles in SOUL SONGS are copyrighted, 2007, 
by Anne Marie Bennett and Karen Mann.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.