Soul Treasures
Discovering the depths of our precious inner beauty through SoulCollage®
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KaleidoSoul's Members-Only Weekly Newsletter
Issue #15- July 10, 2006
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Quotation of the Week
You can have anything you want if you want it desperately enough. You must want it with an inner exuberance that erupts through the skin and joins the energy that created the world. ---Sheila Graham
Inner Journeys
Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life
Asking For What You Want
 One of my all-time favorite movie scenes is in the 1988 flick, When Harry Met Sally. Meg Ryan's somewhat-uptight, preppy Sally is sitting in a diner with Billy Crystal's laid-back live-and-let-live Harry, who orders the #3 Special. Sally's order, however, is not so simple. She asks for the chef salad with oil and vinegar on the side, along with apple pie a la mode. BUT she wants the pie heated, with the ice cream on the side, not on top. And she wants strawberry ice cream instead of vanilla, but if they don't have strawberry, she wants no ice cream at all, just whipped cream. However, if the whipped cream is from a can, she'll just have the pie only, and unheated.
Everyone always laughs at Sally in this scene, but from the very first time I watched this movie, I secretly applauded her for knowing exactly what she wanted and not being afraid to ask for it.
I don't know about you, but I wasn't brought up that way. When my family went out to dinner, we ordered something from the menu, and that was how we ate it. It never occurred to me to ask for anything different, until I met my husband, who is not afraid to ask for extra blue cheese chunks in his dressing, a second vegetable in place of mashed potatoes, or a Western omelet even if omelettes aren't on the menu. The first time he did something like this and I looked at him in surprise, he simply smiled and said, "Well, that's what I want. The worst they can say is no." And do you know what? In all of our fifteen years together, I can only remember one waitress ever telling him that he couldn't have what he wanted.
I also learned a bit about this issue from my beloved Scooter (I hope you're not sick of hearing about him, because I'm not through writing about him yet!). When our other cats want to go outside, they politely hang out near a door until someone opens it. Not Scooter. When he was ready to go out, he boldly walked up to us and meowed loudly until we got the message.
When the other cats are hungry, they stand by their food bowls until someone remembers to feed them. Not Scooter. When he was hungry, he clearly let me know about it, sometimes vocally, and sometimes with the gentlest tap of his paws on my face. He was polite and loving in his own Scooter-way, but when it came to asking for what he wanted, he simply spoke up and never once apologized.
I have been thinking about this asking-for-what-I-want issue all week. A few days ago I read Jennifer Louden's weekly newsletter and I thought to myself, "Gee, I'd love for her to put a link to KaleidoSoul in this." It was a whole day before it occurred to me that I could send her an email and actually ask her to do this. You'll be happy to know that I did it (still awaiting a reply, will keep you posted)!
Another example of how this works is also fairly simple. I've cooked a lovely chicken dinner with veggies and applesauce on the side. But when I sit down to eat it, I notice that what my body really wants is just a tall glass of water and half of an apple. So that is what I give myself. I can have the chicken and vegetables later if my body gets really hungry.
It's a matter of tuning in to what my body, mind, or spirit is wanting, and then finding the courage and inner bravado to ask for it- either from someone else, or from myself.
Reflection activity of the week: Do you know what you really, really want, and are you aware that it's okay to ask for it? Make a list of some foods that you like along with how you like them prepared. Resolve that the next time you're in a restaurant you'll order something "special" just the way you like it. Then make a list of some things you would like to receive this week (a back rub, a raise, some help in the kitchen, an hour of peace and quiet after supper...etc). Resolve to ask for one of these things this week (or more if you dare!). Notice what happens when you ask for what you want clearly and without apology. Notice how this feels. Is there a SoulCollage card in your deck for this part of you who clearly articulates wants and needs?
SoulCollage Expressions
Idea of the Week
A favorite thing that I like to have with me when cardmaking is a set of watercolor pencils. I use the appropriate color to blend in along cut or torn edges that show (especially if the image is dark, and the paper edge is light). Also if a spot of pigment gets nicked off the paper by stray glue or whatever, then you can color it in. And use a little water to blend it in if need be. --from Emily in California
We'd love to hear from you!
Question of the Week
What do I do if I've made a Committee card and several months from now I find that it's not one of my "inner voices" anymore?
You can add an image on top of what you thought was a "completed" SoulCollage® card and thus change its meaning somewhat. You could set aside the card in an inactive pile, in case it becomes important for you to work with it again. You can even make a new card for that voice if you happen to find more appropriate images, or images that you like better.
Have a question about SoulCollage®
that you'd like answered?
Send your questions to members@KaleidoSoul.com.
We'll try to use your question
(along with an answer, of course!)
in an upcoming issue of Soul Treasures.
Soul Friends
The voice of a different Kindred Spirit each week!
Alia Calendar
Seattle, WA
My name is Alia Calendar and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest bioregion, in Seattle, Washington. I took my first classes in SoulCollage® in the spring of 2002, following up on a flyer that landed in my hands under very synchronistic circumstances (already SoulCollage was showing me its connection to the realm of inner guidance!).
I was drawn to the SoulCollage process on many levels, not least of which was its unique blend of creativity and spirituality. I've always been drawn to the interweaving of the two.
What I like best about SoulCollage is the way it engages my love of both archetype/symbolism and visual imagery, as reflections of heart and soul. I love how it gently challenges me to perceive and accept those images that call to me, that tug on my sleeve -- even when they're unsettling or I don't understand "why."
I love the accessibility of collage as a medium of self-expression, and have been involved in collage in various forms for many years. I love how SoulCollage brings me into the realm of dreams, while awake! And I love the way images will magnetize each other, draw together, without my trying to make anything happen.
The SoulCollage process has fostered a remarkable growth in me of self-trust and has helped me to articulate my inner life in a passionate, visual, hands-on way. Exciting! And it has given a whole new level of meaning to doing intuitive/divinatory "readings" -- with my own symbol world infusing the readings and mirroring my intuitive process.
SoulCollage has also given me a means to actualize something I'd been yearning to do for a very long time: find a way to help others develop/nurture their own ability to hone and honor their intuitive self-guidance by connecting with their creativity. Thus I've now been offering SoulCollage workshops and classes for the past 3 years. This has been a tremendous joy for me, and a momentous step in creating "Right Livelihood" for myself.
The advice I would give to others practicing SoulCollage is, above all, to trust your instincts! Be receptive to the tug of an image on your psyche, even if tempted to pass it by because it "doesn't make sense." Stay open to the messages that come through in your readings, even when resistance and your Inner Critic rear up. Trust your gut! This is a powerful process for learning how to do that. I've found that my true voice has been much strengthened over time as I've engaged with this process.
Also: in "making art," I struggle mightily with my attachments to both beauty and perfection. What comes through from the intuitive/archetypal realms isn't always beautiful, and my rendering of it is by no means perfect! So I encourage you, as I continually encourage myself, to breathe into those attachments when they reveal themselves, loosen them up, and be willing, by golly, to make "Ugly Art" and to do it "Wrong"! (Because, of course, there's really no such thing, on either count -- only our preconceptions!)
Regarding my creative process when I make my cards, I feel it's best summed up in this statement I wrote for my entry in a SoulCollage exhibition that was held a few years ago in Seattle: "When I'm making SoulCollage cards, sometimes I'll go 'image-hunting' with no specific theme or part-of-self in mind; just being receptive to whatever images call to me without knowing 'why.' I've even made a few complete cards whose meaning still eludes me. They are the 'wild cards' in my deck, embodying the Mystery. ALL the cards hold aspects of mystery. In doing a reading on a 'burning question,' I might draw a familiar, favorite card, and yet be caught off-guard by some new twist, some new teaching that the card holds for me in that moment. I love those moments!"
It is those moments, both in doing readings and in image-hunting and card-making, that hold the greatest magic for me in this process. And of course, as I said above, I'm often bedeviled by those attachments to beauty and perfection, but that's part of the work, after all. I tend to be a "slow" card-maker, as that's my natural rhythm; and I love the meditative flow I fall into when I give myself over to the whole process.
While I don't have a website myself, I have a facilitator's bio on the main SoulCollage website (when prompted for a state, type in WA). I invite you to check it out sometime, or email me at LifeMuse@comcast.net. Soon I'll be posting my SoulCollage workshops, classes, and monthly "Muse Studios" for fall quarter on the site!
Here are 2 of my favorite SoulCollage® cards:
 Realm of Dreams
Suit-Council
I am One who listens receptively to the promptings of the inner realms, and surrenders to their wisdom. I trust the voice of my soul and receive its gifts.
Artist
Suit- Committee
I am One who stirs your curiosity, your desire to explore, take risks, create -- without worrying about 'outcome.' I am one who knows the healing power of Beauty in all its forms; who leads you to feel your connection to the Creator by following your own creative urges. I challenge you to face the 'terror of the blank page' (or blank project table) until the joy of creative play begins to move through you, easing your fears and reserve. I lead you from inertia and self-doubt into movement and expression -- in art-making and in all aspects of your life.
Want to share your SoulCollage story and cards with other
KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirits?
Send them to members@kaleidosoul.com.
We'd love to hear from YOU!
Kindred Spirits Member News
Making the most of your KaleidoSoul Membership
Keep track of all of your member benefits on the Kindred Spirits Home Page.
If you're having trouble viewing the Home Page in the above link, try this Text-Only Kindred Spirits
Home Page.
And remember, as a Kindred Spirit... everything in the Kindred Spirits Shop is 50% off!
The next Tele-Playshop
 is the day after tomorrow!
Meeting One Of Your Animal Guides
Wednesday, July 12.
7:30 pm Eastern, 6:30pm Central, 4:30 pm Pacific, 1:30 pm Hawaiian, Thursday 12:30 a.m.- Europe, Thursday 9:30 a.m.- Australia.
Phone # to call- 641-696-4444
Access Code- 62604
Regular phone charges apply, but shop around... there are some great long distance rates on certain phone cards and services!
This fun, insightful tele-playshop (not quite a class, not quite a workshop!) will put you in direct contact with at least one of your animal totems or guides. We'll talk about the importance of the Companions Suit in our SoulCollage decks, and the power of accessing animal energies in our lives today. Anne Marie will also lead an original guided visualization that will lead you to one of your animal guides and give you immediate insight into that animal's particular gift of wisdom for you.
 Soul Nourishment
Books, movies, music, & websites to support your inner work as you dive deeper into your soul....
Books:
The Aladdin Factor, by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Powerful book by the motivational team that brought us the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. It's about getting clear about what you want and finding the self-centeredness you need to ask for what you want. I learned as much from this book as I did from Jeff and Scooter!
Naturally Powerful, by Valerie Wells. 200 Simple Actions to Energize Body, Mind, Heart, and Spirit. Valerie is one of my very favorite self-help authors and you'll see why as soon as you read one of her books. Her ideas are very simple and easy to carry out. Plus I love the way she uses imagination and creativity! This book is packed with stimulating actions, meditations, exercises, healing rituals, energy activators, focusing techniques, affirmations, and visualizations... all with the single goal of awakening your true power.
Music:
Mountain in the Sky, by Randy Mead. This is one of my favorite cd's to journal and create with. It's perfect background music: unobtrusive yet uplifting and quiet.
Movies:
When Harry Met Sally, starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. This is the perfect "chick flick" so get out the popcorn and the kleenex! And don't forget to applaud Meg Ryan's character whenever she orders in a restaurant!
Websites:
Permission Cards- click on the bowl of cards and receive permission to..... Well, click and find out! Fun and meaningful. Random drawing.... or is it?
Art of the Song Creativity Radio- let your auditory senses be stimulated with this unique radio station! Who knows, you might get in touch with your inner Musician as well.
Erik Isakson Photography- You'll find some wonderful athlete and other people images here. Choose athletes or portraits and then use the arrows below the first image to scroll through the photographs. Does one resonate with you? Is one of these images representing an inner voice? Use it on a SoulCollage card to honor that voice!
Spinning the fragments of your world
into wholeness and beauty
through SoulCollage®
Published by KaleidoSoul.com
and Anne Marie Bennett.
Please do not reproduce or forward
this newsletter in any way.
Inner Journeys, copyright 2006,
Anne Marie Bennett
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