0324

Inner

Journeys

withAnne Marie

Bennett

Integratingthe Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily

Life

Imperfectly Beautiful

There's an amazing new television show that made waves hererecently inAmerica. It was called How to Look Good Naked. Yes,that's right! The host is CarsonKressley, a quirky and compassionate man whose main quest is to change womens'perceptions about their bodies and their spirits.

In the first show, he was working with a 32 year old woman named Layla, who wasabout 30 pounds overweight and struggling with self-esteem. He stood her in front of several full-lengthmirrors and asked her to tell him what she saw. Predictably enough, she talked about her flaws: her arms were flabby;she hated her thighs; her legs were too short... You know the drill.

And then he told her what hesaw. He described her beautiful skin,her luscious cleavage, her curves in just the right places. Then he stood behind her with his hands onher shoulders and asked her to see herself the way he saw her. "Here's Layla," he said, looking into the mirrorwith her. "Is she perfect? No. Is she beautiful? Yes."

Reflection Questions/Activities: Stand in front of a full-length mirror thisweek and make note of what you see. Ifyou're like Layla, you'll probably list yourimperfections first. That's fine. But then pause. Invite your own version ofCarson Kressley to stand beside you at themirror. This person can be real orimaginary. Allow this being to describethe beautiful parts that they see. Andaffirm to yourself (many times during the week) "I'm not perfect but I ambeautiful."

Soul

Friends

TheVoice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each

Week

Marilynne Garrison
Los Angeles, California

In September of 2006, I enrolled in a weekly Rumi poetryclass. Our instructor encouraged us tofind our own medium for creative expression. When I was younger, I had always enjoyed collage, so I started surfingthe internet for ideas and inspiration. I stumbled on the SoulCollage website, and from the moment my eyeslanded on the home page, I knew I was on a path that would take me on thejourney I so eagerly sought.

Within a few days of this discovery, I also uncovered the KaleidoSoul website,and literally spent hours absorbed by the creativity held there. The following day, I took the instructions foundon the website to craft my first SoulCollage card. I was hooked!

Since that faithful day, I have created close to thirty cards. They are my treasures... they are me.

I most enjoy the mystery that my cards reveal to me. Images choose me, and I listen for thestories they beg me to share. It hasbecome an opportunity for me to get to know myself on a deeper, richer level.

SoulCollage has provided for me an outlet to retreatto. Through the pleasure of this purecreative process, I have come to appreciate aspects of myself, which I have neverdared to explore. Giving is in mynature, but SoulCollage allows me to give time to myself, by granting myselfthe permission to freely express.

As a result of my personal experience with SoulCollage, Inow share the process with teens. Thishas been extremely successful, and the youth have come to know this as their "SoulCollage SoulSister Circle." As a Licensed Therapist and theirFacilitator, I am helping to improve their self-esteem, and set them on an enjoyablecourse of self-discovery.

I also want to share a bit about my card makingprocess. Before I start, I light acandle and say a prayer. This helps setthe intention for a beautiful creative process. I have amassed a collection of magazines like you wouldn't believe! I don't limit myself to any particular type,knowing that each holds images that resonate with me. Sometimes I simply search and snip, while onother occasions I create cards as well. Music is my constant companion on this sweet journey, as it provides abeautiful melodic backdrop that spurs on my creative juices. I simply love my creations, and whenever I createa new card, I display it proudly on my altar along with my other sacredtreasures.

For anyone else practicing SoulCollage, I would say to notbe afraid to share your cards with others. You may fear that they will judge/critique you, but I have found thatsharing cards creates a connection between you and others. Sometimes it's easier to collage your truthsrather than speak them. Also, others maypoint out to you things you may not have noticed before.

I have no website or blog, but please feel free to email me:
Moon2mar-at-aol.com

Hereare

two of Marilynne's favorite SoulCollage cards:

Daydreamer
Committee Suit

I am one who sits alone, content by light and lovelieness.
I am one divinely protected, knowing unseen forces make my dreams take flight.
I am one who knows the power of my own thoughts to create.

Inner Music

Committee Suit

I am one who dances in accordance with the rhythm I feel.

I am one who welcomes the mysterious journey.

I am one who treads the path less taken, guided by spirit and the sound of my inner music.

SoulCollage

Expressions

Idea of the Week

Think Big

Try making larger SoulCollages in an art journal or juston a large piece of card stock. Thenshrink them down using a color copier or scanner so they fit a 5x8 mat board.

KindredSpirits Member News

Making the

Most of Your KaleidoSoul Membership

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Spirits Home Page.

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Upcoming Tele-Classes

March

Did you miss last week's tele-class Dancing With Your Inner Child? We (and our inner children!) missed you too, but don't worry... we recorded it for you, and now you can listen to it anytime in your Members Only Audio Library.

April

SoulCollage and the
Law of Attraction
presented by Lisa Poole,
SoulCollage Facilitator in Virginia

"TheSecret" has introduced more of us to the Law of Attraction than everbefore. However, there is much more to the Law of Attraction thanyou've seen or heard in "The Secret."

In thisSoulCollage tele-class, we will address the possibility of combiningtheSoulCollage process with the process of visualization in order toattract into our lives that which is for our highest, brightest good.

Lisa will talk about how she has done this in several areas of herown life. She will also share with us a new suit she has created forher own SoulCollage deck- the Vision Suit.

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2008

Time:
7:00 pm Eastern, 6:00 pm Central, 5:00 pm Mountain,
4:00 pm Pacific, 2:00 pm Hawaiian,
Tuesday midnight. in London,
Tuesday 1 a.m. in Rome, Thursday 11 a.m. in Australia
and Thursday 1 p.m. in New Zealand

Save the date now. All of our tele-classes are FR*EE for members, always! And remember, don't worry if you can't attend... we'll be recordingthem and you can listen to them anytime in your
Member's Only Audio Library.

Upcoming SoulCollage Retreats
with Anne Marie Bennett

All Things Bright & Beautiful-
April 10-13, 2008 in Essex, MA

Avery special weekend retreat focusing on the SoulCollageAnimalCompanions Suit. Facilitated by Anne Marie Bennett and AnneBoedecker. If you're longing to bring the wisdom of the Animalsand theChakras into your life in a creative way within the personalsafety ofSoulCollage.... please join us!

Allteaching sessions are optional, and you can use the time to createcards for all suits of your Deck, not just the Companions Suit.

Ifyou've been thinking about experiencing the joy of SoulCollage for afull weekend, why not just go ahead and give yourself this very specialgift right now...

New England SoulCollage Facilitator Training- August 8-10, 2008 in western
Massachusetts. This training is now full. But you can still check out the page forinformation and to sign up for the waiting list.

SoulNourishment

Resourcesto support your inner work
as you dive deeper

into your beautiful soul

Books:

TheKnitting Circle,by Ann Hood. Another novel aboutknitting... I know! But this one is justas good as the one I mentioned a few weeks ago. A true testament to the idea of community and how we bring comfort toone another just by listening to our stories. A quote on the back cover says it better than I can: "It is brilliantand brave and extraordinary. It does what the very best novels do- it takes atragedy and finds the heart of the pain and turns it into shimmering art." I haven't knit anything in about 25 years butthis incredible novel really touched my soul.

Gardening at theDragon's Gate, by Wendy Johnson. The author is "hands-on, on-her-knees gardener," and she shares with usa wealth of practical knowledge and fascinating garden lore. She is also a lover of the "untamed andweedy" and because of this she evokes through her exquisite prose an abidingappreciation for the earth. Forgardeners and non-gardeners alike!

The Pathway,by Laurel Mellin. I've been dipping into and out of this book for amonth now and am seeing real changes in how I'm listening to andtalking with all of my inner voices, particularly my inner child andinner mother. The Pathway is about giving ourselves ahealthy mixture of self-nurturing and limits. The skills are easy tolearn. If you're struggling with excess (ie: smoking, overeating, spending too much, putting up walls, workaholism, rescuing others...etc), you will find The Pathway very helpful.

The VelveteenPrinciples: A Guide to Becoming Real, by Toni Raiten-D'Antonio. Through the simple wisdom of the children'sclassic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, the author invites us to strip off thetrappings of the culture we live in and remember the things that make usunique, happy, and worthy of love. A wise and wonderful little book...excellentgift for someone special, or for YOU!

Movies:

Alice,featuring Mia Farrow, William Hurt, Joe Montegna, Cybill Shepard, AlecBaldwin. Seeking a cure for back pains,Alice sees an acupuncturist who soon realizes that the pains are really inAlice's heart. The doctor's magicalherbs bringAliceout of her romantic rut and back into her self where she belongs. If you'relooking for a witty, laugh-out-loud funny film with several bits of zaninessand imaginary hoopla thrown in, look no further. I loved this movie for all ofthose reasons (plus the stellar cast) but also because it has a subtle messageabout being who we are no matter what people around us are saying.

Websites:

Mindful- Read one of Mary Oliver's most beautiful poems.

Spirtual Cinema Circle- Movies that will warm your heart, expand your mind, and stir your soul.

Symbolic Art Gallery- Inspiring art from Belgium artist Magda Francot.

Cowgirls: Ride the Trail of Truth- A fun game for women 18 and up. The one and only game by women, about women and for women. I personally haven't played it yet, but it looks intriguing for women who are exploring their inner worlds.