Institute for Philosophy & the Arts'
Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life

[Photography by Nathaniel Taylor]

THE SALON ON THE SPIRITUALLY CREATIVE LIFE

Our 29th Year Commences
... still on Zoom!

Please join Carol Soucek King virtually on
Sunday, February 9, 2025 Via Zoom
To discuss one of God's essential aspects
illuminated throughout her book
Under the Bridges at Arroyo del Rey

Growth

With Main Presentation

Nicolette Peji
Social-Impact-Focused Graphic Designer

"Using Design to Grow Our Understanding of Each Other"
Introduced by Interfaith Leader Ruth Broyde Sharone

Scroll Down for:
Morning's Agenda
Speaker's Bio
Zoom Info
Today's Meditation, Lyrics & Poems
2025 Salon Dates/Themes

9:30 am Pacific Standard Time
Zoom Room Arrivals and
Himalayan Singing Bowls by Healing Arts Practitioner
Janet Martorello
 

10 am until noon – Program

Meditation on Stability
with
Nan Rae
Artist/Teacher/Author

Nan Rae's latest published book - now available on Amazon --
Walk with Me... In the Garden of Our Friendship
includes many of Nan’s Meditations for
The Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life.
And launching early 2025,
Inspired Thoughts on Love, by Nan Rae. Published by
Laughing Elephant Books

Opening Song

"A Triumph of the Soul"
Music and Lyrics by Dean LeGrand Carlston
Dean LeGrand Carlston, DDS
Composer/Singer/Instrumentalist

[I think this true story is fitting for growth since few people grow to the point where they are able and willing to take on the responsibilities this story talks about. Also in the month of Valentine's Day... it seems appropriate. – Dean]

Dean welcomes us to listen to and download his music at no charge by accessing his personal website: deancarlston.com

Salute to February Birthdays
with
Graham Lance Richardson
Retired Westside Realtor after 35 years.
Licensed Plumber & Gas Fitter.
Certified Welder to 100%.

Main Presentation:

Growth

Nicolette Peji is a social-impact-focused Graphic Designer by trade and passion -- ever exploring how various forms of creativity can be used to bring people together. In her presentation titled “Using Design to Grow Our Understanding of Each Other,” Nicolette “Nico” will talk about how designers use design to spread positivity and build empathy. Additionally, she will offer techniques on how non-designers might use design techniques to form deeper connections with their communities. As Nico says, “I am excited to share various examples of projects on which I have worked and from which I have learned. I hope this talk also will serve as a message of hope by showcasing my generation’s ability to form strong and meaningful connections that help make the world a kinder and more understanding place.”

Music Interlude
by
Douglas Decker
Recording Engineer/Musician/Composer
"Oh What a Dance"
by Douglas Decker / Maureen O’Connor

Poetry Reading
with
Patricia Ferber
Sculptor/Painter/Educator/Curator/Poet
"Growth"
&
"Reflecting Upon an Orange Moon"
Two poems written in January 2025
during the devastating fires and winds

Followed by Discussion

Opening the Discussion will be
Nino Wong, designer/business leader/Volunteer
Chairman of the Chinese Garden Docents,
Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.

Ruth Broyde Sharone, Interfaith leader/author/composer, about the first of her new book series written with her sister Leah Abrahams, 11 Things to Celebrate Before Breakfast,

Sandy Bleifer, artist/community activist, on the successful launch in California of Venice Heritage Museum.

Pauline Field, author/retirement counselor, on her forthcoming series offered on Zoom.

All are invited to continue sharing thoughts on
Growth.

until noontime

Finale
"Smile"
by Charlie Chaplin & John Turner Phillips 1936
Susie Katharine Shaw
Actress/Vocalist

To conclude Susie will lead us in Richard King's favorite
Native American Prayer

Love Faith and Joy - Carol Soucek King, MFA, PhD, Founder
Please respond if attending:
kingcarol@aol.com or 626/449-1238

About Our Speaker
Nicolette Peji

Nicolette Peji is a Mexican & Filipina designer from San Diego, CA, U.S.A and a graduate of the USC Roski School of Art + Design. She also serves as an AIGA San Diego Tijuana Board Member. As a tri-national designer, she is passionate about sharing untold stories. Her projects focus on finding a deeper “why” and are informed by the genuine experiences of the communities they serve. She is passionate about using design as a tool to make the world a kinder and more inclusive place. For this reason, she has been drawn to projects such as designing the “MLK in LA” exhibition at the USC Fisher Museum of Art to honor the legacy of the most iconic advocate for change in our nation’s history. She is a recipient of the AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship, the Farber Grant for Student Excellence, the BBB Ethical Business Award, and the Bezos Family Foundation Scholarship.

website: nicopeji.com
email: peji.nicolette@gmail.com

For the time being, the Salon will continue to meet on Zoom. When appropriate, we will meet in person once again at Arroyo del Rey.

For access to the Salon on Zoom:

This meeting is being hosted by Zoom.
There is no charge to use this service.

Before the Salon on Sunday:
You will need to either go to the Zoom website, www.zoom.us, and register for a free account to access this meeting through your web browser or download and install the Zoom application on your device.

If you download the application to your device, you do NOT need to register for a free account. To download the Zoom application, click on this link... https://zoom.us/download

For any questions or assistance,
email Curtis McElhinney at Curtis@curtisvision.com

Meditation, Three Songs, Two Poems

Meditation on Growth
by Nan Rae

Wabi Sabi is an essential Japanese principle that means “There is beauty in decay.” That’s hard for us in the West to understand, but actually, it’s necessary for growth, and I wonder if growth is even possible without decay or loss of the old.

We see this principle in nature, but it’s also a life principle.

Crustaceans shed their exoskeleton, and this molting is a natural part of their growth process. Their soft new shell then hardens, but it’s during this process that they are the most vulnerable. Without this shedding, they would die from expanding into a shell that no longer accommodates them. In the same way, hermit crabs find new shells to inhabit as they grow.

Any gardener knows that their roses must be pruned back drastically to obtain beautiful new growth, and the list of examples of pruning in nature is far too long for this meditation.

And, of course, the fascinating metamorphosis of the butterfly who emerges from his chrysalis in what we would consider quite a struggle in the magnificent journey of growth and transformation.

What a powerful metaphor for man who must willingly shed old habits and ways that no longer serve him.

If we want to grow, we must release whatever prevents new growth and not be afraid to let it die.

If we can accept that “All things work for good for those who love the Lord,” then we can watch for the good to rise and cherish what remains as we grow in favor with God and man.

Nan Rae Studio
e. nanrae@nanraestudio.com
p. 818-842-6489
f. 818-846-7201
nanraestudio.com

"A Triumph of the Soul"
Dean LeGrand Carlston

[I think this true story is fitting for growth since few people grow to the point where they are able and willing to take on the responsibilities this story talks about. Also in the month of Valentine's Day... . it seems appropriate. – Dean]

The ad in the personals said
“I’m looking, for a gentle man of any race
I’m interested in your heart and mind,
walks on the beach talks by the fireplace”
She had been searching for that special one
Love had come and gone before
But deep within her heart she knew that love
would return if she didn’t close the door

He was searching through the ads that day,
heart half filled, soon to be whole
Little did he know the journey ahead would
mark a triumph of the soul
They met for coffee in a small café,
then came walks by moonlight in the park
Cards and letters planted feelings,
as love blossomed and left its mark

How strong is love untested?
What keeps love alive?
It seems when tragedy comes to call,
only the purest love survives

Legs that once had known the marathon,
now require a chair with wheels
But once two hearts have met and souls have touched
Love can replace what fate would steal
Pure love sees beyond the physical,
reason and logic don’t apply
In many ways his body won’t respond;
but the spirit and mind can always fly!

Day by day they fight the battle,
to heal his body make it whole
And today they share their marriage vows,
marking a triumph of the soul
Their life together won’t be easy,
but true love can conquer all
Today we witness the beginning to a triumph of the soul

"Oh What a Dance"
by Douglas Decker/Maureen O'Connor

He arrives, finds her sleeping, she gradually awakes

Hey Baby...
Oh What a Dance with you Honey
The way we move, you put me in a trance
The way we groove, and when you smile, Oh ...Oh
Oh What a Dance with you

And Oh What a Life, the way it moves us
We're all in our personal life groove
The way it sends us, swings us back and forth
We feel the swerve as we live life force Oh .. Oh
Oh what a life with you honey and Oh what a Dance you do

So Let me help you feel so good tonight
While the stars are in our eyes
and while we live we can realize
The way we feel when you're close to me
The way we love, our specialty
Let me help you feel so good tonight 'cause Baby
Oh what a life we've had and
Oh What a Dance with you

You put me in my love space
Just the thought of your embrace
It's such a beautiful part of being in the human race
The way you move when you come close to me
And when we love, so openly
I love how you feel and the way your feeling
So.. Let me help you feel so good tonight

You put me in my Love Space
Let me help you feel so Good tonight... My Love

"Oh you're awake... you don't feel well?..
Is there anything I can do for you?"
She sings

Think of Me kindly with these eyes
While I say Grace and while you cry
I gave my name an incantation
Heaven is internal when it is given
{hummm...}
Passion of One incarnation
Being Affirmation Embracement
Occurring Creation Being That One

"Smile"
By Charlie Chaplin & John Turner Phillips 1936

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

"Growth"
A Poem by Patricia Ferber

A sapling was planted when the mother gave birth.
The child and the tree grew through the years of time.
As the cycle of life claimed the elder,
the tree dropped a seed that eventually sprouted.
Continuing the evolution of life eternal.

"Reflecting Upon an
Orange Moon"
A Poem by Patricia Ferber

How does one erase a lifetime?
when memories are all that remain.

A shard, a twisted piece of metal,
remnants of once a fireplace,
standing guard as a piece on a chessboard.

In time, a new canvas will be painted.
With the selection of elements filling one’s palette,
along with colors of hope, dreams, and faith.

All 2025 Salon dates and themes

STABILITY
Sunday, January 12, 2025

GROWTH
Sunday, February 9, 2025

POSSIBILITY
Sunday, March 9, 2025

FAITH
Sunday, April 13, 2025

GRATITUDE
Sunday, May 11, 2025

HUMOR
Sunday, June 8, 2025

UNDERSTANDING
Sunday, July 13, 2025

KINDNESS
Sunday, August 10, 2025

HARMONY
Sunday, September 14, 2025

LOVE
Sunday, October 12, 2025

HEALING
Sunday, November 9, 2025

SPIRITUALITY
Sunday, December 14, 2025

Please let us know which salons you can attend by replying to KingCarol@aol.com or (626) 449-1238.

With all loving thoughts and hoping to see you soon!

Carol Soucek King, M.F.A., Ph. D.
Email: KingCarol@aol.com  
 

CAROL SOUCEK KING MFA, PhD © 2002-2022 All rights reserved