| 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.
The Joy Killer
I’ve been focusing a lot on the themes of Pleasure and Joy lately because one of my main intentions for 2019 is the actuality (not just the idea) of Feeling Good. Whenever I’m trying to bring more of a good thing into my life, I usually spend some dedicated time exploring whatever Neters might be stopping/blocking me from that good thing. I do this because I’ve found that working with, and showing compassion to, these insistent, shadowed Neters can calm them enough to let go of all that stopping/blocking!
 I made this card intuitively years ago because I was intensely drawn to the image in the background of the man with the hateful look on his face and the club raised in his hand, about to strike. Yes, he is ugly. Yes, he is scary. But by the time I found him, I knew enough not to shrug him away or fear what part of me he might represent. I was able to trust that he was an important part of my inner world.
I was able to not judge myself for being drawn to him.
When I found the woman in the bright red dress and put him next to her, it became clear to me that he was Killjoy, the one who doesn’t want me to have too much joy or pleasure. “Too much joy is dangerous,” he warns. And sometimes he tries to beat the joy right out of me with his limiting words and hurtful actions.
This card now has the power to increase my awareness of this part of me who sometimes takes over my inner landscape.
As my awareness of him has increased, so too has my understanding of his positive intent for me, which is only to protect me.
The key here is this: now that I am more aware of Killjoy’s presence in my life, I am able to be more conscious of his energy when he starts acting out. How do I know when Killjoy is becoming active?
- When I find myself stopping myself from doing things that obviously bring me joy or pleasure.
- When I hear myself telling myself, “I don’t have time to take a walk by the ocean,” or “Writing fiction is a waste of time.”
Becoming aware that I am acting in these ways is key to my ability to add more joy into my life. When I see what I’m doing, when I hear what I’m saying to myself, I am able to then acknowledge Killjoy and thank him for sharing. I can activate some inner curiosity and kindness, because I know he is trying to protect me because he is of the (old, outdated, no-longer-true) belief that joy is for special occasions, that too much joy will leave me hurt and disappointed when it goes away.
Sometimes I need to sit down and have an inner dialogue with Killjoy in order to help him feel seen and heard. I might do this in my journal, or I might close my eyes and speak with him in my imagination. If his energy is especially intense, I will do some EFT Tapping around the issue at hand in order to release these old beliefs which are still sometimes trapped in my physical being. Either way, the point is that I recognize his place in my inner world. The point is that I honor him and let him know he’s been seen and heard, and that I do value his place in my life as Protector.
The bottom line here is that even a card as “ugly” and “scary” as Killjoy can be respected and honored as part of the whole inner tribe. And when we can do this, joy and pleasure and all manner of good things have permission to come flooding into our lives.
 Here's one of my favorite novels of all time, by one of my favorite
authors. It’s about a 50-something woman, newly widowed, who embarks on a
remarkable journey of seeking and creating simple pleasures even in the midst of
her sorrow. Elizabeth Berg writes with luscious, vivid, sensory detail, and much
attention to the real quirks and minutiae of her characters.
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 dog and two adolescent felines who keep them all young. You
can read more about how SoulCollage® assisted her on her cancer
journey on her website SOS Cancer Journeys. Anne
Marie's newest book, Through the Eyes of
SoulCollage® is now available.
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| OUR NEXT VIDEO
CLASS |
Hanging Out with Nebulous Neters
60
minute SoulCollage® tele-class
with SoulCollage® Facilitator
Marcia Chadly from Colorado
Date:
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 @ 4pm EST
Easily Accessible from Anywhere in the
World!
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Guest Columnist: Michele Manos |
SoulCollage® and the Eight Pillars of Joy
When pondering joy, my mind goes immediately to the character “Joy” in Pixar’s animated film “Inside Out.” The moral of that story (and our SoulCollage® practice) is quite simply that each of our parts must be honored, and that they're most helpful as a collaborative team. Indeed, an emotionally balanced pursuit of happiness is a good thing.
Also, I gratefully recall Seena’s wisdom that we each create a Committee card to represent our Happy Child. That card serves as an important reminder that we each retain and can access a welcoming, innocent capacity for joy. While my Happy Child card is one of my most joyful, I have another that is my go-to for the energy of infinite joy.
 I share here my Committee card for Enthusiasm, which is special not only in its images (including me thrilled to be standing atop Mt. Kenya), but in its name. The word
enthusiasm is rooted in the Greek “God Within.” Joy truly is a sacred thing when experienced deeply.
When I’m feeling far from joyful, I’ll find a SoulCollage® card that represents how I’m feeling (Frustrated, for example) and place it face-to-face with my Enthusiasm card, tie a ribbon around the duo and put them in a special place. This provides some energetic balancing and always lightens my spirit to a happier place.
Several years ago, I discovered an
inspiring resource from His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
with Douglas Abrams: The Book of Joy:
Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. These two wise men define and offer insights into the “Eight Pillars of Joy.” These 8 foundations are sown in the mind and in the heart:
Mind: perspective, humility, humor, acceptance
Heart: forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, generosity
For me, the Pillars provide a structure from which to assess my emotional state, and, as needed, redirect myself back to a more joyful state. I have at least one Council or Committee card in my SoulCollage® deck that can represent each of these capacities. There are many ways to incorporate the Pillars into readings and other consultations of our cards. I’ll share two ideas with you here, based on a recent emotional struggle that I faced: a feeling of despair, defeat and disillusion.
My Committee card called “Hitting the Wall” perfectly reflected how I was feeling. So, I placed it on my table and proceeded to ask for help from the Eight Pillars. In my first spread (shown here), I looked through my Council and Committee cards to select one for each of the 8 pillar energies. I chose whichever jumped out first as appropriate for each. Desmond Tutu was a part of this exploration, as I chose my Great Father card to represent forgiveness. I placed the four mind-based pillars above my challenging Neter, and the heart-based below. I then asked each of the 8 cards to speak one sentence to guide me back to a joyful path. This was done with no expectation of any reference to the Pillar for which the card was chosen. Messages included: “Go for the juicy parts.” “Take pleasure in the absurd.” “Forgive yourself and then the rest.” “Lay down your cross.” “Give when no one’s watching.” Then, my Hitting the Wall Neter implored, “Actually, I just need to rest.” She was right; it was really quite simple.
In an alternative approach, I randomly chose 8 cards from my full deck, placing them face down, four above and four below my hurting card. I turned over the first card and asked it to speak a sentence specifically about
perspective (and, of course, it was my card called “New Perspectives”), then the second to speak about
humility, continuing until each Pillar had been addressed by a card.
I received such poignant advice from each card. About forgiveness I heard “Forgive the failures.” About humor, it was, “It’s rather funny for you to just be still.” And the wisdom of acceptance was “People can be monsters.” Then my Hitting the Wall Neter spoke: “Do not turn toward the dark tunnel or dwell in the void. Directions will be clear once you rest up and revive.” Yes, time to revive is an important part of cycling through life’s challenges and reclaiming joy!
May you find joy on whatever path you are forging. Perhaps the Eight Pillars will provide some inspiration.
Dr. Michele Manos lives near Tucson, AZ. She loves discovering and sharing new ways to work with her SoulCollage®
deck. Her next workshop is “Suit Your
Self,” available online March 15 – May
24.
Learn more at her website here.
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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 from one SoulCollager's Deck that
represents Joy and Pleasure.
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 KaleidoSoul Notes
Noteworthy resources for
anyone interested in SoulCollage®
 Facilitator
Trainings: Information about content and
dates/locations of upcoming trainings of SoulCollage®
Facilitators.
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®!
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Mat Boards for SoulCollage® Cards- 25% Off
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It's Your Lucky Day!
5x8 Mats on Sale at KaleidoSoul
for Your Card Making Pleasure
 Where? The KaleidoSoul Shop
Who? SoulCollagers like you who looooooove SoulCollage®!
This is a great time to stock up and save big at the same time.
How? Use Coupon Code STOCKUP on the checkout screen.
When? Until Thursday March 21, 2019
Our multi-colored mats are available in packs of 35 and 75.
NOTE: If you order from an international address,
we will send you a paypal invoice for the difference that you will owe in shipping.
Visit this aisle of the KaleidoSoul Shop
to check out our mat packages now.
NOTE: If you purchase more than 1 pack, we will reimburse you any overage in shipping.
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ONLINE TELE-CLASS SERIES
WITH ANNE MARIE
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Come As You Are:
Using SoulCollage® to Journey
from Body Criticism to
Body Compassion
STARTS SATURDAY MARCH 9
March 9 – April 13, 2019
Join Anne Marie and other SoulCollagers around the world for a four-week journey
from body criticism to body compassion.
You'll be supported and encouraged every step of the way AND you'll learn lots of new ways
to use the SoulCollage® process.
4 (90 minute) Tele-Classes
All classes recorded so you don’t have to participate “live.”
Visit this page for more info now.
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Online Workshop: Become a Creative
Depth Coach
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 Become a Creative Depth Coach
and develop a deeper connection to art as process
as you activate your work in the world!
Dive Deep + Expand Your Path -
Certification begins March 18th
Move more deeply into developing or augmenting your personal and
professional practice with the Creative Depth Coaching
Certification Training. This is a ten month program for teachers,
artists, guides, healers and facilitators offering Jungian based
depth psychology training through art as process, narrative
coaching and experiential practice.
The training begins in March 2019, where you will experience
monthly modules in a global classroom, ample flexibility to apply
the learning to your distinctive needs, as well as practice and
projects that are ready to be birthed. The program is offered over
three distinctive trimesters - Self as Client, Coach as Bridge and
Applied Process.
This advanced depth coach training is a powerful program for you as
a SoulCollage® artist, facilitator and professional, inviting you
to advance or shift the direction of your practice, build dynamic
coaching skills, expand the body of your work in the world and take
your personal and professional expression to the next level!
Lots more information here.
Schedule a courtesy call soon, to find out more!
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SoulCollage® Facilitator
Training
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COLORADO
SOULCOLLAGE® FACILITATOR TRAINING
Estes Park, Colorado
August 5-9, 2019
Trainer: Marcia Chadly
Assisted by: Laura Lyon
Majestic mountains and whispering cool mountain air are waiting for you at this special SoulCollage® Facilitator Training. You are invited to join us this August at the peaceful Dao House retreat center nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
Pay in full before April 1st and you’ll receive an early bird gift worth $90. Combining your Training with a vacation is a fabulous idea. Colorado is filled with beauty and great things to do. You are welcome to bring someone with you who is not part of the Training. Remember Facilitators who are retraining get fresh inspiration and a special discount!
Visit this page for more
information.
MASSACHUSETTS
SOULCOLLAGE® FACILITATOR TRAINING
Westfield, Massachusetts
November 6-10, 2019
Facilitator: Anne Marie Bennett
Assisted by: Jeanne Marie Merkel
Join us at the peaceful Genesis Spiritual Life Center in western MA
for a unique weekend experience of community, learning, laughter,
and professional training to spread the joy of the SoulCollage®
process in wider circles in your world.
No matter where or how you want to use SoulCollage® in the wider
world, this Training will leave you feeling prepared and ready to
go!
Payment plan available.
Lots more info
here.
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Upcoming SoulCollage®
Retreats
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BALI
SoulCollage® and Balinese Culture
Patas, Bali
April 29 -May 12, 2019
Facilitator: Erica Crawford
This two-week retreat will combine discovering and working with your Chakras with Balinese culture. We will be staying in a non-tourist small village with a Balinese family. We will have plenty of time to make cards, explore their message and learn about chakra energy. Don’t miss this chance to do SoulCollage in paradise. $1500 investment includes lodging and meals as well as the workshop (also transportation & airport pick-up and delivery).
Please email Erica for more information ericacrawford@mac.com or call her 831-596-1437
MASSACHUSETTS
Mining the Mother Lode with SoulCollage®
Westfield, Massachusetts
May 10-12, 2019
Facilitator: Anne Boedecker, Gail Byrnes
Mother’s Day offers us the opportunity to explore both the personal aspects of our relationships as mothers and/or daughters and the transpersonal archetype of the Mother. Using the myth of Demeter and Persephone we will delve into the archetypes of Maiden, Mother and Crone, examining their light and shadow sides. These will provide a container for investigating the nature of our own relationships with older and younger women. We’ll be using SoulCollage, film clips and shamanic journeying to deepen our understanding and expression of these elements. You’ll be able to share your cards and journaling in small groups in as much depth as you wish. This retreat is not for mothers only! It will be, however, a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day with (or without) your own mother, daughter, and/or granddaughter.
Visit this page for more information.
PORTUGAL
Portugal as
Portal to Presence
Cascais, Portugal
May 20-26, 2019
Facilitators: Linda Woolfson, Catherine Anderson
Join SoulCollage® Trainers Catherine Anderson and Linda Woolfson on
a pilgrimage of creative pleasure and discovery in Portugal next
spring! Our inspiring blend of photography, journaling, word-play,
poetry, SoulCollage® and labyrinth activities will encourage you to
access the full vibrancy of your creative soul as we explore the
wild and beautiful coastline, visit Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra, eat
fabulous food and connect with the real Portugal which most
tourists never experience. Book your place now!
USA SoulCollagers:
Visit this page for more information.
SoulCollagers Everyone Else: Visit this page for
more information.
ARIZONA
Creative Vision: Art Retreat
Tuscany, Italy
September 16-22, 2019
Facilitator: Kat Kirby
Are you wishing for some creative zest in your life but don’t know where to find it? Would you love to spend time in nature and recharge your batteries? Do you feel you might benefit from some “Me Time” with a bunch of art supplies and like-minded women? Then come join me in the red rock landscape of Sedona, and rediscover your creativity. Explore the area, explore art-making, and explore your Self.
This retreat is designed to invigorate your artistic senses and help you find new ways to relax and renew.
From art journal making, to stamp carving, to SoulCollage®, your imagination and “inner artist” will delight you!
Visit this page for more information.
ITALY
La Dolce Vita-
Goddess Retreat in Italy
Tuscany, Italy
September 15-25, 2019
Facilitator: Cat Caracelo
Join Cat for Fall in Tuscany where we will stay in a beautiful
villa with a small circle of amazing visionary, artistic and
wholehearted women! Dance with La Dolce Vita and seek the wisdom of
the Goddess: Diana, Minerva, Melusina, whose ancient Etruscan names
and energies are held in the heart of this land. We will work with
SoulCollage®, mixed media and layered process as we connect with
the expression of the divine feminine. We will visit sacred
springs, mythic gardens, inspired environments and sultry seas,
beautiful places in Tuscany, as well as Florence and Siena - where
we will explore alchemical energy, artistry and vision as reflected
in the dreamscapes of the ancient, renaissance and modern
artists.
Visit
this page for more information.
MEXICO
Day of the Dead SoulCollage® Retreat
Oaxaca, Mexico
October 30 – November 3, 2019
Facilitator: Nancy Clingan
Join other kindred SoulCollagers for card making around the theme of death and dying as perceived and celebrated in the Mexican tradition. We will visit with a Mexican family and spend the day with them in their pueblo cemetery. Food, lodging, materials, other tours, all activities and art projects are included, all for $750. Payment plan available too! Register soon - space is limited.
Please email Nancy for more information nenzi@sover.net or call her at 802-275-2798
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CONTACT US
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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 2019,
by Anne Marie Bennett,
Cat Caracelo, Linda Woolfson,
Marti Beddoe, or Michele Manos.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.
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Soul Songs
