Issue #222 - December 2023 |
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Greetings, and welcome to Soul Songs, the official KaleidoSoul Newsletter, focusing on SoulCollage® ideas, resources and cards. Our intention is to fill each issue (and your life) with inspiration, soul-solace and delight.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, colleagues, or family members who will enjoy it.
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Hi! I'm Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com, and a SoulCollage® Facilitator in Massachusetts and worldwide online. |
We chose this theme purposely for December because it’s a month when many of us it might feel like “rest” is something that will have to wait until January. If you’ve been thinking thoughts like this, please STOP . . . and read on. I hope that you’ll be able to incorporate the affirmation “I have permission to rest” (and the actions that go with it) into your experience this month.
When I made the card shown here, it was meant to honor the part of me that is sometimes lazy. Do you have a Neter like that? Is there a part of you who likes to just lie around and ignore the to-do lists occasionally? Well, when I made this card, I was feeling a laziness that was getting out of control, and I thought it might be helpful to give this Neter a voice and a name.
Now, I could have labeled it “Laziness” in my mind, dropped it into my deck and every time I drew it from that day forward, I would have assumed it was about my lazy ol’ self. Instead, I did what Seena Frost always encouraged us to do- sit down and journal with the card. Of course, there are many other ways to work with a card. For me, journaling is the most basic way and I usually start with the basic four questions and see where that leads me.
Still thinking that this card was all about Laziness (with a capital L!), I began:
Who are you?
I am the one who enjoys laying around, doing nothing. I am the one who enjoys resting. I am the one who knows when to rest. I am the one who can sit for hours and do nothing. I am the one who rests with abandon. I am the one who enjoys the pleasures of rest.
Imagine my surprise as all of this flowed from my pen! Say what? This Neter seemed to be telling me something different than what I’d originally intended. I LOVE it when this happens! So I continued on:
What do you have to give me?
I give you the knowledge that resting is okay. I give you time and wisdom to know when to rest. I give you pleasure when you rest. I give you permission to rest.
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What do you want from me?
I want you to rest when you’re tired, and to enjoy resting. I want you to not feel bad or guilty when you choose to rest. I want you to take pleasure in resting, in doing nothing. I want you to know it’s a blessing to rest, a necessity, a blessed necessity. I want you to stop thinking that you have to always be DOING something and focus instead on BEING.
Whoa! Wait a minute. I was being told that sitting around and doing nothing was OKAY. I was being given PERMISSION to rest, to simply BE with myself instead of always having to be DOING something. I felt like jumping up and dancing with delight!
And then I asked one more question, a question specifically designed to bring the gifts of a Neter into the here and now of my personal life. I always stress the word “today” when I ask this question because the wisdom becomes more specific, more relevant.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to me TODAY?
Yes. I want to remind you to sit on the front porch once in a while and watch the clouds go by. Or let Sasha-girl sit on your lap tonight while you read a book. There are many ways of resting. How many can you name?
See how specific my Neter got with me? It’s one thing to be going on and on about how lovely it is to rest, and another thing entirely to start relating that to my own daily life.
Also, in looking at this card and working with this Neter, I could see very clearly that Laziness and Permission to Rest are two sides of the same coin. This card is also a perfect example of the concept of “positive intent” and “negative potential.”
The positive intent of this part of me is to give my body, mind, and spirit a rest from my to-do lists and immense need to create and complete creative (and other) projects.
But it also has a negative potential, which simply means that there is too much or not enough of a Neter’s energy activated in one’s life. So for this particular Neter... when I have too much “Permission to Rest” going on, then all I’m doing is resting, and nothing is getting done. When I have too little “Permission to Rest” going on, then I’m never taking breaks, and spinning my proverbial wheels until I collapse from illness or fatigue.
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The secret is being so in touch with this Neter (with any Neter) that I can sense when it’s getting out of balance, and then seek out ways to bring it back to balance.
Now... I’m done writing this column and it’s time for me to rest!
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1. What happens in your mind and body when you say, “I’m giving myself permission to rest now?” Journal with this. How does it make you feel? Are you resistant in any way? Is there the voice of another Neter who speaks up in protest? Just be curious about your relationship with the idea of resting. And let whatever comes up for you be okay
2. Make a SoulCollage® card for the part of you that enjoys resting and/or the lazy part of you.
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Resources for Giving Yourself Rest |
Anne Marie Bennett is a SoulCollage® Facilitator / Trainer, published author, website goddess, and two-time cancer survivor who was mentored directly by Seena Frost.Anne Marie lives in eastern Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband, one adolescent feline, and a treasury of birds, squirrels and chipmunks who keep them hopping. Her books about SoulCollage® are available here.
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Remembering Our Loved Ones
90-minute SoulCollage® Zoom with SoulCollage® Facilitator Marti Beddoe from Illinois
Date: Wednesday, December 13
Time: 4pm Eastern
FR*EE for our
Only $10 for non-members
Easily Accessible from Anywhere in the World!
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I’m Linda Woolfson, MA, PhD, SoulCollage® Trainer & Facilitator, Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator, writer, translator and creativity catalyst. As a practitioner of SoulCollage® and as a Facilitator, I love bearing witness to how personal and unique our relationship with the Trans-personal cards can become. |
Linda Woolfson, our guest Facilitator this month, was dealing with Covid in her family at the time this needed to go to press, so we wish her good health and much needed rest. We’ll be hearing from her again in 2024, not to worry! |
Linda Woolfson, MA, PhD is a SoulCollage® Facilitator and Trainer, Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator, writer, translator and creativity catalyst. She trained with Seena Frost as a SoulCollage® Facilitator in 2010 and has been a SoulCollage® Trainer since 2014. To find out more about Linda’s workshops, SoulCollage® Facilitator Trainings and retreats visit her website.
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The Great Big SoulCollage®
Companions Suit Celebration of 2024
A magical, informative, experiential deep dive
into the mysterious realm of Animal energies + our physical energies
via the SoulCollage® Companions Suit,
aka “The Suit of Many Colors”
7 Months * 7 Facilitators *
** Many Animal Companions*
This all-new, totally-unique SoulCollage® Zoom series is for you if . . .
. . . you want to meet one or more of your own Animal Companions
. . . you’ve already met some/all of your Animal Companions because you’ll be guided to get to know them more fully
. . . you are ready to explore and deepen your understanding of this “suit of many colors”
. . . you want to connect with the international SoulCollage® community
. . . you would like some good ideas for workshops if you’re a Facilitator
You can pay in full or make 7 small monthly pays.
Scholarships available!
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Here are some of our readers' Rest cards: |
Cozy Comfort
Committee Suit
Teresa
Pennsylvania
I am one who needs to retreat with a good book and cozy sweater when the weather turns cold. I am one who loves a winter nap.
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Nature is a Haven
Committee Suit
Teresa
Pennsylvania
I am one who retreats to sit in the grass when I need to rest. I let myself be surrounded with natural beauty and take comfort in the creatures.
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Rest
Committee Suit
Nanoya
Australia
I am one who lies back and enjoys life, who loves being pampered. I am one who is open to receiving blessings in all forms, knowing that I deserve the best life has to offer. I practice self-care, so I can be the best me I can be. It’s ok to have good things in life, to be pampered and treated well. When you need to rest and just be, give yourself permission to do so.
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Hanging Out
Council Suit
Linda
U.K.
I am one who surrenders to rest. I give over in every fiber of my body – down to the very tip of my tail, into every hair-follicle of each paw. Ahhh . . . rest . . . how I love you. I am one who savors every second of blissful down-time, not looking to the results, just reveling in the delicious experience of rest.
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All the Time in the World
Committee Suit
Susan
Florida
I am one who basks in the trees. My gift for you is eternity. There is plenty of time to rest, to relax, to be, to thrive, to grow, to change, to enjoy all that life has to offer. I want you to relax and look up. Bask in the beauty all around you. You are loved. Rest easy in the knowledge that all is well. Stop looking at the clock. All is unfolding in Divine timing.
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Surrender
Council Suit
Jeffy
Colorado
I Am Surrender. I am the one who lets go of doubt and exhaustion and reaps the harvest of rest. I Am One Who blossoms under a tapestry of silky fabrics while I turn off inner chatter.
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Sleeper
Committee Suit
Christy
Ohio
I am one who sleeps, naps and rests to restore my body, mind and spirit. I am one who dreams. I enjoy snuggling under covers on cold winter nights. I am a Sleeper.
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Simple Pleasures
Committee
Michele
California
I am one who takes refuge in a bubble bath for serious relaxation. A rubber duckie is the perfect companion for such adventures!
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Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a future issue by sending a reply email to this newsletter.
Future themes include:
January: Indra’s Net / Connections
February: Favorite Hobbies / Pleasurable Past-times
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Noteworthy resources for anyone interested in SoulCollage®
KaleidoSoul - Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty through SoulCollage®.
Membership- Worldwide connections with SoulCollagers, plus 24/7 inspiration and ideas for card making and working with your cards!
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Discover Your Word of the Year for 2024
Saturday January 6, 2024
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eastern
Start a new tradition of self-discovery and growth, using the power of SoulCollage®, expressive writing, and other creative activities. More than just a resolution, a Word for the Year is a single word that encapsulates your intentions, aspirations, and the essence of what you want to experience in the coming year. You’ll tap into your inner self to find a word that resonates with your deepest intentions and values for the year ahead, then create a plan to incorporate this meaningful word into your life, making it a catalyst for positive change. Registration includes the workshop, a beautiful personalized wooden card with your word (sent to you from Etsy after the workshop), as well as quarterly email check-ins.
SoulCollage® Zoom Workshop. Use your special coupon code!
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ENGLAND
Return to Avalon Goddess Retreat and Pilgrimage
Glastonbury, England
May 9-17, 2024
Facilitator: Cat Caracelo
Travel to the place of myth and memories, where the landscape is a mirror of the Soul. Glastonbury, the ancient isle of Avalon is rich with sacred and ancient sites. Explore the earth-based, mystic energies; honor the Goddess in the bounty of Spring. Make inspired art with SoulCollage® and more as you deepen your story in this all-inclusive women's retreat! We will celebrate the lingering Spring with Beltane Energies still influencing our hearts. This is a special season that evokes soul growth and beauty.
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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®,
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.
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All articles in SOUL SONGS are copyrighted 2023,
by Anne Marie Bennett, Cat Caracelo, Linda Woolfson,
Michaela Daystar, or Michele Manos.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.
Image of singing birds Copyright: Kudryashka from Deposit Photos.
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