Since I posted those collages I've been busy with other projects - primarily a book I published in November 2011. (The Transgender Guidebook: Keys to a Successful Transition, available on Amazon.) Now I'm turning my attention back to developing Art Heals the Soul and another project: Moments of Sacred Encounter. I'm working on integrating my spiritual life, my work and my art into a more holistic enterprise. I've begun the process of becoming an interfaith spiritual director as another way of working with people. This past fall I led a Spirituality and Art class called Making Connections: Expressive Art for Spiritual Formation and I'm planning on a sequel in the spring.

Several people have asked me about doing an on-line class, but I resisted the idea until now. It seemed like a lot of work to prepare one, and the on-line market is flooded with great-sounding classes. I wasn't sure what I could offer that was any different.

But the other morning an idea for a class arose fully formed from the depths of my morning meditation. A few years ago I picked up a book randomly that my husband had been assigned for a seminary class: Release: Healing from the Wounds of Family, Church and Community, by Flora Slossom Wuellner. The title intrigued me, of course, and once I started it I couldn't put it down. I had to sift through some traditional Christian theology/language, but her central idea of empowered vulnerability totally resonated. Empowered vulnerability acknowledges our deep caring for the world and the people in our lives and our sensitivity to their influence and provides meaningful ways to care for ourselves to continue our work in the world. It inspired this series of affirmation collages that I created and bound into a book.

These affirmations will be the basis for this 15-week on-line class: Empowered Vulnerability: Survival Skills for Caregivers. Each week you will receive:

1) a powerful affirmation

2) a picture of the collage inspired by that affirmation

3) a teaching reflection

4) a quote from a wisdom teacher

5) questions and challenges to prompt your reflections on the topic

You'll get all this for only $89 - that's less than $6 a week. For $149 you can email me your reflections each week and receive individualized feedback and suggestions for further work, and for $199 you can have a half hour phone session of spiritual direction each week.

This class would be valuable for caregivers of all kinds: therapists, teachers, clergy, health professionals, mothers, spouses/partners, and anyone who is sensitive to the needs of those around them. It will show you how to care for others without becoming codependent or sacrificing your own well-being. Your work and your relationships will benefit.

You can start this course any time. Just email me at ALBPHD@aol.com for directions on how to enroll. For more information visit www.arthealsthesoul.com.

Empowered Vulnerability

This is a series of collages based on a concept from the book Release: Healing the Wounds of Family, Church and Community, by Flora Slosson Wuellner. I picked up the book randomly, from a pile of assigned readings for my husband's summer class. I was struggling with some serious burnout, at several levels. This book helped me find my way out of the paper bag! I decided to write some of her statements as affirmations, and then collage each one. Here are the affirmations:

I am sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. I care about their well-being.

I also care about my own well-being.

I am aware of what I really feel, and can speak my truth.

I recognize and accept my needs and limitations, without fear or guilt.

I take time and space for physical, emotional and spiritual renewal.

I seek out and accept support from others. I choose friends wisely.

I understand and accept the need for spiritual protection and support.

I maintain a deep spiritual practice.

I pay attention to the signs of emotional invasion and bondage.

I am able to see the source and name the problem, without external validation.

I allow myself the freedom to explore options and alternatives. I am increasingly free in my choices.

I can engage in appropriate confrontation with love and firmness.

I can say no, and I can say good-bye.

I can therefore be free and spontaneous in my loving and giving.

If you're a sensitive introvert, like I am, or in any type of codependent relationship, read these over and over again to yourself, out loud if possible. Write them on note cards, and/or in your journal. Draw, paint, or collage your interpretation of htem. Take them to heart.

Ok, I'm starting a new blog here because I can't find the old one. I'm going to post some of my latest expressive art projects, and try to explain the process a bit. I'll start with (hopefully) posting the Vision Board that just seemed to "hatch" whole one morning.