Saturday, October 11, 2008

Community Suit: Alyssa

I am the first born daughter of the first born daughter of the first born daughter of the first born daughter. I am the gift. I am one who changed you deep from within your soul. I am one who was unexpected but much needed. I am the interruptor, I took your life on a new course. I am the rays of sunshine that explodes through the dark clouds. I am one who loves you without question. I am one who yearns for your time.

My gift to you is in the simplest of forms. My gift is the warmth I give by a smile, a warmth that begins deep in your center and spreads throughout. I am a sassy toss of the head and the purety of all that is good. I bring a gentle breeze and soft touch. I bring the beauty of a dance and a radiant smile. My gift to you is in mirroring back the lessons you taught in mothering.
I want you to recognize the value you passed down from mother to mother and see the harvest which sprang from small seeds you planted. I want you to be freer in your choices and not hold back because of me. I want you to be spontaneous and dance across the room. I want you to hold sacred "family" and be the safety net.

1 comment:

Nadya said...

Hi, Debbie!
I had to check out the blog - & I have an Alyssa, too! My oldest granddaughter (first born daugher of a first born daughter of an only child (me) :)

She's 8, & created one of the polyvore images the other day (the colourful one, natch!! - there's a link on Vestella's Vale blog :)
Her little sis & she both enjoy collage, too :)

The process of SoulCollage®

When I first discovered the process of SoulCollage® , I was attending an annual women's retreat in Arizona. As a professional artist, the workshop description of a creative collage experience really piqued my interest, particularly as it was focused on exploring the self - something very familiar to me. I had never heard of SoulCollage® but within the few hours of the workshop, I knew it touched me deep within my soul and spoke to me in a way that was a natural, creative companion to my journaling, writing, and self-discovery work. Working with these small creations, I leave the behind the world of the rational mind, concrete logic and the need to strive for perfection and I step into imagination, poetry and imagery as the process takes wings.

SoulCollage® is a unique process developed by therapist Seena Frost over twenty-five years ago which takes symbols, images, spiritual practices and reflection on archetypes to create small artistic collages that illustrates one's story. Each card is very personal and represents portions of one's journey, yet is also creative and fun to do as a group with others. Quiet reflection combined with the intuitive process of creating these collages opens up yet another world of expression as one taps into an inner knowing and journal the words, prayers and inspiration that arise from this process.

With this process, a deck of artistic cards is created - small collages that represent your personal mythology and the many aspects of your very self, your soul, and all the guides and companions that walk your journey with you. Each "suit" represents one of the following facets of your life: a part of your personality, people who support you, an animal that has special significance to you or a mythical or religious figure which guides you. Anyone can make these cards and there is no artistic skill needed. By "paying attention" to your life, the images from various ordinary magazines and other published works will almost choose you.

This blog was created in order to share my collages with students, family and friends that are interested and eager in begining this collage and journalling process.


- Debbie Cannatella