Soul Songs: Your SoulCollage NewsletterSoul Songs
Your SoulCollage® Newsletter

Enabling us to sing the songs
we were born to sing
through the practice
of SoulCollage®
Issue #101  November 2013 Theme:  Community Suit: Fathers
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.

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Read back issues of Soul Songs on this KaleidoSoul page.

Soul Singing with Anne Marie
Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com
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.


Father Loves Best

I grew up extraordinarily blessed with the unconditional love of a father who was always there for me. My relationship with my mom, after I hit adolescence was awkward, fragmented and fraught with tension. Dad saw all of that and "ran interference" just with his very presence.

As a teenager, any questions I had about life or religion or politics- I brought them all to my dad. If he didn't know the answer, he told me so. He didn't have a college education, but he knew A LOT! He knew about how life worked; he knew what love was and I am the woman I am today because he loved me without reservation, without focusing on my shortcomings.

My dad has been gone for 20 years and 10 months, yet I can still recall his voice, his laugh, and the love-wrapped memories he gave to me, to our family. In large part, I owe this to the process of SoulCollage®. One of the first Community cards I made for my dad was this one (above). It took me a while to gather just the "right" photos (that's me as a baby, with him in the center right part of the card). I photocopied a letter he had written me in collage and used it for part of the background (bottom). I also photocopied a few pieces of his beautiful weavings and used those as part of the background (top).

Just seeing this card is a vivid visual reminder for me of my dad's presence and energy. I look at this card, hold it in my hands, and can once again hear his voice, his laughter, his joy in seeing me walk through the door. I love how the many precious memories of him are pulled together into one place on this 5x8 landscape of his Being. SoulCollage® gives me a way to honor and remember him that simply hanging photos does not.

I know that I am blessed. I know that everyone doesn't get a father like mine. Some fathers are absent; some are violent and abusive, some are neglectful of their responsibilities. Mine was present, loving, full of jokes, gentle, accepting of others' differences, and was a solid rock I knew I could always turn to. Whatever kind of father you have/had, I encourage you to find some images to honor him with a card.

If you didn't have a father growing up, who was there in your life (then or since then) who acted like a father towards you? This could be a stepfather, a foster father, a grandfather, special uncle or neighbor. How can you honor this person with a SoulCollage® card?

If your father was particularly challenging, you can still make a card for him. There are a couple of good examples of these kinds of "father" cards in the right column here, from our readers. Note that the messages from the I Am the One Who... journaling are just as powerful.

You might already have a card for your own dad in your SoulCollage® Deck. If so, spend some time this week journaling with these questions, allowing your father's energy/voice to answer:
  1. What are the gifts I've received from you?
  2. How do you see me growing and changing?
  3. What guidance can you offer me today?
Note: you can still journal with these questions, answering in the voice of your dad, even if you don't have a card for him yet. Just pull out a photo and use that instead!

 
Anne Marie Bennett is a writer, self-taught artist, website goddess, cancer survivor, and SoulCollage® Facilitator / Trainer who was mentored directly by Seena Frost. In 2005, she fell in love with SoulCollage® and was inspired to use her professional experience along with Internet technology as a means to serve the world by putting SoulCollage® "out there" in a really big way with KaleidoSoul. Anne Marie lives in eastern Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband, an elderly cat and one youthful dog who keeps them all young. You can read more about how SoulCollage® assisted her on her cancer journey on her website SOS Cancer Journeys.
 
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Guest Columnist:
Kat Kirby, M.Ed, ATR-BC


I'm Kat Kirby, Art Therapist and SoulCollage® Facilitator and Trainer from Prescott, AZ. I work with people in recovery from addictions and eating disorders, and share my passion for SoulCollage® wherever and whenever I can. I am excited to be writing for Soul Songs, and hope you find that my words inspire you to create a new card or two!


Fathers

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do

~ "Daughters," by John Mayer


How important is a girl's early relationship with her Father? VERY!

Our Fathers can help shape our lives, our personalities, and our preferences for men we choose for partners.

I feel very lucky and blessed that my own father was a truly wonderful man. He was strong, funny, solid, ethical, fair, gracious, giving, and loved our mother, even though she could be difficult. He taught us about philanthropy, hard work, giving back and striving. He actively demonstrated the concept of "unconditional love" and for that I am forever grateful.

If my siblings or I found ourselves on what turned out to be the wrong path, his lesson was that we could change it. No need to feel stuck. Just follow a new path.

And he taught us to see the funny silly side of things. As a young girl, when I had a birthday party in the basement of our house, it was often the best party of the year? Why? Not the food, not the games.... no, the best part about the party was when my Dad would sit at the table and let all the giggling girls rub mustard, ketchup and ice cream into his bald head. I don't think anyone else's dad allowed that sort of behavior at home, especially not at a birthday party!

My parents were married for 54 years before my Mom passed away, then my Dad followed her 2 years later. I treasure the time we spent together near the end of his life, when he would quote Yogi Berra: " I didn't really say everything I said," "You can observe a lot by watching," and "It ain't over 'til it's over."

I miss my Dad, and often feel his presence. Especially when I see a young family walking along, with a little girl's hand held by her father. There's nothing like it in the world!

My card above is called "A Father's Love for His Daughter." It says to me: I Am One Who plays with you, shows you the world, and loves you with all my heart. You are the light of my life, and I am with you on your journey into adulthood and beyond. Come on, let's jump in the water!


Kat Kirby is a Registered Art Therapist, SoulCollage® Facilitator and Trainer. She leads creative workshops and retreats throughout the US and abroad. Kat has been working with SoulCollage® since 2006 and believes strongly in the healing power of the arts. For more information about Kat's SoulCollage® workshops, trainings, and retreats, please visit her website, 2 Kat Studios.
 

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The Calendars Are Coming!
The Calendars Are Coming!


What's bright and colorful and wise all over?
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KaleidoSoul Creations
As promised, we are featuring SoulCollage® cards from our readers in each issue.

Each card below is a card that represents Fathers from one SoulCollager's Deck.




My Dad and I
Community Suit
Jyotimitra
Australia

We are ones who are bound by blood and family history in the luminous web of life. We are ones who have shared many memorable times together. We are ones who have also had our difficulties and differences! We are ones who let love overcome it all. We are father and daughter - together blessed by this sacred bond. In loving memory of my father, Tasman Albert Lewis 1923-2013




Nostalgia
Community Suit
Sue
California

I Am One Who needs to return to the simplicity of happiness.




John the Judge
Community Suit
Carrie
Wisconsin

I am the one who made it to the bench. I plotted my course and although it didn't play out exactly how I envisioned I accomplished my goal. I love the Law. It was a code from which to live life. It provides a successful living. I am the one who had something to prove to my family. It was important that I follow in the footsteps of those who went before me. Even though my beginnings were humble I reached beyond and succeeded.




Legacy
Community Suit
Nancy
California


I am one who tends your birthing I am one whose heart fills with joy I am one whose legacy is love




Daddy
Community Suit
Dot
Pennsylvania


I am your father, and I really like it when you call me, "Daddy." I am the one who used to carry you on my shoulders when you were a child so you could see. I am the one who sang bass and shared my love of singing and music, especially hymns. I am the one who taught you be an outgoing, gregarious person who can easily meet others and find humor in almost all situations. I am the one who raised you in the church, giving you a strong faith. I am the one who -- hand-in-hand with your mother -- showed you how to love and trust being in the world because we raised you in a family of loving support.

 
 

Ashley
Community Suit
Cynthia
New York


I am one who judges who is angry who needs to be watched out for who immobilizes innocent victims




Vegas Bob (My Stepdad)
Community Suit
Lisa
USA


I am the one who has a twinkle in my eye and a sense of humor, whether i have a good hand, or a bad one, in cards and in life. I am the one who will make sure i tell you in some way that you are special every time I see you. I am the one who sings out loud. I am the one who is playing cards right now from the beyond, with your grandma and grandpa and we are all smiling down on you!! I am the one who has to go now, it's my turn and I have a royal flush........or do I???? 


 


Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a future issue by sending a reply email to this newsletter.

Future themes include:

December: Compassion
January: Balance

 

KaleidoSoul Notes
KaleidoSoul Notes

Noteworthy resources for anyone interested in SoulCollage®

Facilitator TrainingsFacilitator Trainings: Information about content and dates/locations of upcoming trainings of SoulCollage® Facilitators.


SoulCollage websiteSoulCollage 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®!

CONTACT US

Upcoming SoulCollage® Retreats

PENNSYLVANIA

Sacred Visioning: The Art of Exploring the Mythic Self
Bangor, PA
May 1-4, 2014
Facilitators: Cat Caracelo MA and Catherine Anderson


Step into a transformative 'art & life' journey with Cat and Catherine! On Beltaine and May Day, a potent time of welcoming a new season of growth, gather with us for a powerful four-day journey where you will explore your deep mythic rivers, stories of your life and connecting to your mythic self; surrounded by the energies, symbols and sacred landscape of the Celtic traditions, we will journey with labyrinth, tarn, stones and circles. This is an all-inclusive retreat, with single or shared on-site accommodations and all meals. You will explore and create with individual and group process, experiential creative and instructional breakout sessions, exploration using SoulCollage®, mixed media, photography and more. Early Bird Pricing & Easy Pay Plan

Visit this page for registration information.


MASSACHUSETTS

Journey to Wholeness: 9th Annual SoulCollage® Retreat
Westfield MA
June 19-22, 2014
Facilitators: Anne Marie Bennett, Anne Boedecker, Jeanne Marie Merkel


Join us for an unforgettable weekend experience combining the magic of SoulCollage® with the creative art of altered books. The card making tables and the altered art tables will be set up round the clock all three days, so you can make SoulCollage® cards AND/OR work on your mask(s) while breakout sessions are going on, in the middle of the night, and in your jammies by the light of the moon if you want! The focus of this retreat will be on building a SoulCollage® deck that invite wholeness into our lives by exploring the four suits and transpersonal cards in more depth.

Visit this page for more information.
  


Soul Songs Back Issues - Read back issues of Soul Songs on this KaleidoSoul page.
Just look for whatever SoulCollage® topic you are interested in,
and read to your heart's content!


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 2013,
by Anne Marie Bennett and
Cat Caracelo, Imelda Maguire,
Kat Kirby, or Catherine Anderson.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.