The Soulistry Blog

Difficult times.  These are difficult times. It's not unusual to feel "down" about the future of this world.  It's not unusual to not be able to feel joy.  It's not unusual to want to curl up with a book in bed or binge on tv shows that take one's mind away from war,...

Tomorrow, February 14th is going to be an unusual day for those who like to mark Valentine's Day and for whom Ash Wednesday is part of their faith. This year, they both occur on the same day!Around the world, people will gather to receive the ashes on their forehead...

A true story: He was about eight. She was about seven. They were talking about another child, a classmate who stuttered. When their mother said "She can't help it. Be kind," the two children laughed. "Why?" the boy asked. "You make fun of Mrs. Baker. You're not kind...

The month of February can be difficult for many. Social media and local stores focus on Valentine's Day to the hilt. Many have outlived their partners ... parents have outlived their children ... children have outlived their parents/siblings ... close friends have...

Why do we focus on that which separates?Why do we dwell on differences? Surely, regardless of,.. religion... ethnicity... gender... geographical location... sexual identity... financial status... language... birthing order... education... ability... sexual...

When I saw these images, I was reminded of words in the Old Testament: (we are) "fearfully and wonderfully made." <Psalm 139 verse 14>. In the context of Biblical times, the word 'fearfully' was not based on today's understanding of 'fear,' but based on the-then...

Last week, there were no daffodils beginning to grow and no cyclamen flower blooming. I knew they were there ... but they had been covered with snow. A lot of snow! The snow was on the streets, in driveways, in gardens, in parking lots. Over a foot of the white stuff...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...