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Inner Surprises Blog

SoulCollage Inspiration

By Anne Marie Bennett

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The Perfectionist

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Inner Perfectionist

Here she is… my annoying Inner Perfectionist. I call her Perfectionista!

She came up during one of my every-other-daily readings in the fall of 2021 as I was getting ready to dive into 5th draft revisions for my latest novel, Feathers in the Sand. Here is what she said when I asked “Who are you?” and “What message do you have for me today?”

I am the one who wants the gold stars of approval and who stays awake at night when I don’t get them. I am the one who wants everyone to love me and my work. I am the one who makes myself crazy when I don’t get accolades for my work. I am the one who seeks approval and who feels dizzy when I don’t get it.

My message for you today is this- Yes, I want people to like me, but mostly I want YOU to like me! I strive to be perfect and there is nothing wrong with that, but when that is my only goal, it becomes a problem.

So, as you sit down to work on/play with the 5th draft of your new novel, remember that you’re not striving for PERFECTION, just for IMPROVEMENT. I work best that way. That’s my original intention: improvement, not perfection.

This was SO helpful for me during my revision process! Take a moment to check in with your own Inner Family. Is there a Perfectionist who sometimes gets out of control? Trying bringing this part of you back into balance by reminding her that you’d like to strive for improvement rather than perfection.

 

Time in a Bottle

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Time in a Bottle

I made this card over a decade ago because I was captured by the images of those two bottles filled with clocks. They reminded me of that old Jim Croce song, Time in a Bottle. Remember that one? That song always made me sad, which is probably why I found some melancholy images to go with the bottles.

This Neter recently showed up in one of my every-other-daily readings recently and it had an important reminder for me:

I am the one who wants to keep time standing still so that nothing ever changes. I am the one who knows that I can’t do this but it doesn’t stop me from wanting it.

I am the one who is distressed and sad that time keeps marching on, meaning that all things must change, must die.

I am the one who tries so hard to keep time in a bottle, even knowing that it is futile

My message for you today is this- It is my energy that fuels your anxiety. You cannot keep Time in a bottle. Time is fluid, and so is life. Death is a fact of life- yours and everyone else’s. Begin to let go of your grasping, your holding on. Let it all go. Look ahead, look beyond. There is more to this Life you are living than the measuring of Time.

 

Old Laughing Woman

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This is one of my favorite newer cards! I found the image of the old woman and she seemed to be calling my name. I can just hear her laughing! After I combined two different backgrounds and moved her onto the card, I breathed a sigh of completion, then asked her “Who are you?” and “What is your message for me today?”

I am the one who is very, very old. I am the one who sits on my throne-like chair in my simple black shirt and flowered skirt and white shawl. I am the one who wears prayer beads around my neck continually. I am the one with bare feet.

I am the one who is laughing with delight. I am laughing, unrestrained.

I am the one who laughs in the face of aging.

I am the one whose hands are folded in prayer position.

I am the one whose throne is in front of an archway of barren trees and an autumn sunset. I am the one who laughs at the absurdity of life. My back is turned to the golden sunset in the west. I am the one who knows the sun is setting behind me and my end is coming soon, but I don’t care. I am intent on laughing and enjoying THIS moment.

My gift to you is the ability to laugh out loud whenever you want to. I want you to recognize the HOLINESS of laughter. The prayer in my heart is that you will always feel at ease in your body, and laughter will do that for you, every time!

My message for you today is this- I know you are worried about your aging body. The antidote to this worry is laughter. The antidote also is prayer. The answer is to spend more and more time simply resting in Spirit’s presence and allowing yourself to be held.

Heart Chakra- Breath, Clear Lungs

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I created this card intentionally a few years ago when COVID-19 started raising fears around the world. I wanted a card in my deck that reminded me of the power of conscious breathing to keep me grounded in the present, and also a reminder to affirm to my body how clear and healthy my lungs are. This is what this Neter says to me today:

I am the one who closescbreaths my eyes and focuses on my breathing. I am the one who is conscious of each inhale and exhale.

I am the one with clean, strong, healthy lungs.

I am the one who knows the power of slowing down and breathing intentionally.

My message for you today is this- SLOW DOWN! Breathe. Feel the presence of Spirit and all your beloveds with you.Ā  Each conscious moment of breathing in will remind you that you are loved, that you are not alone. It’s a mystery but it is a fact.

Three Wise Women

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I made this card intuitively, just feeling drawn to the facial expressions on these three women. They seemed to fit perfectly on this background of light shining through an expansive cave.

When I asked “Who are you?”
this is what they said:

We are the ones who keep you in touch with your own deep wisdom. We are the ones who are ALWAYS with you in your daily life. We are your Guides from Beyond. We are the ones who offer you wisdom and guidance moment to moment.

We are the ones who find you in the cave of your being, and who each you contemplation and joy and trust in your inner knowing.

Our message for you today is this… use this week to slow down, to really look within, to see the beautiful Light that is within you, and to offer yourself the love and compassion that you need, that you deserve.

Keep on standing in the light. It is never far away.