The Soulistry Blog

It's another day of cold darkness with teary-rain weather in many places.  It's another day of darkness and teary-memories as Americans today remember the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   But instead of his murder being a sign that things must change - racial...

It never ceases to amaze me how similar, rather than how different, people are. And each year at this time, I'm reminded of that truism because different cultures and religions welcome a similar image - a candle - as a meaningful symbol in their rituals, celebrations,...

My dear friends, Tonight,  December 21st, is the longest night of the year.  It's Winter Solstice, in the final week of Advent, just days before Christmas.  This is the time of the year when many are expecting to feel joy, be that because of their celebration of a...

There they were ... perched on a rock, surrounded by twigs and grasses.Seashells.A variety of seashells. What were they doing there?There was no ocean nearby.No sandy shore.And yet, there they were.Seashells and a little wooden star nestled on a path in the woods. I...

I've been playing with alcohol ink again lately. Alcohol inks are vibrant, fast-drying and a highly fluid colour. They work on just about any clean, oil-free surface, are moisture-resistance and once they dry, they're permanent. I had some small pieces of tile and...

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the Hanukkah festival.May it be blessed, happy and safe for all observing Hanukkah in these...

Wonky World. It's a wonky world these days.For some reason, those words wouldn't leave my thoughts last night as I worked on a lovely pumpkin design by Suzanne Crisafi. But for me, it wasn't working out to be 'lovely.' The Ecoline markers I had weren't the 'right'...

Have you ever created something only to have it *not* end up being what you imagined it would be ... a painting, a dinner, a handmade card, a Zentangle® tile, a quilt, a sweater ... likely, yes. And, when you discovered that it wasn't what you had hoped for, did the...

People of many cultures, traditions and religions around the world around this time of the year, use the symbol of light to bring the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance with the intention of driving away the physical...

November, welcome!   In this part of the world, you mark the end of the harvest and you mark the beginning of the season of Winter.  You bring wind.  You bring rain.  And politically this year, you bring ongoing devastation of war and great global uncertainty. Where I...

Fragility ... the quality of being broken, damaged, delicate, vulnerable, wounded, weak. Many want to live in a world that is healthy, durable, safe and strong.Not fragile. Many want to be perceived and perceive themselvesas healthy, durable, strong and resilient.Not...

As I drove through Shawnigan Lake, B.C. on Vancouver Island, I noticed this path. I stopped to take the photo because it caught my eye and gently reminded me that while the Fall/Autumn Season has arrived, if I look ahead, I will see the Light ... the Light of Spring...

There are no winners in war. Only... lives lost... lives destroyed... anger released for generationsMay there be שָׁלוֹם سلام peace,שָׁלוֹם سلام peace, שָׁלוֹם سلام peace.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~© June Maffinhttps://soulistry.com/blogwww.facebook.com/groupsPhoto: used with...

Something to think about? In the reality of ... rising homelessness, war refugees, addiction, climate refugees; increasing hatred at work, school board meetings, local community gatherings; escalating polarization among family members, religious communities, cities /...

It's October.  Here in the western hemisphere, we are in the Season of Fall/Autumn - a beautiful time of the year where I live. After taking this photo, I couldn't help myself. I took a break. I ran down the path, playing with the fallen leaves.  If only for a few...

Conversations seem to be happening more and more often around "Get your affairs in order ... just in case" as fires, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. cause devastation and people are faced with the seriousness and reality of their own mortality. I encourage...

There is something about 'learning' that not only touches the soul, but activates it --- opening our heart to new experiences, new feelings, new thoughts. I don't know how long I looked at this plant on the walk before I took its photo, or how long I looked at its...

Today is Canada Day in this country.  I honour and pay respect to the privilege and reality that I live on unceded aboriginal land, meaning that Aboriginal Title has neither been surrendered nor acquired by the government (Crown) and that our national anthem...

'Dislike' ... I understand. 'Disrespect' ... I understand. 'Anger and hatred' ... completely different because neither anger nor hatred - leave space for Love - leave space for Hope - leave space for Possibility. Remember the Story of the Two Wolves? A grandfather of...

My birthday was yesterday and it was one of those landmark birthdays.  One of those “Oh my gosh how did I get here?” birthdays. One of those “I’ve outlived my parents and my siblings!” birthdays. One of those “I’m holding fast to Mark Twain’s words: ‘Age is a...