Soulution
by Soul Places | Diane Ludeking
Avatar-esque Tree in Frisco. Copyright Diane Ludeking 2010
I had a dream last week that ended with a former boss reprimanding me for using the wrong tool for a task. The tool she wanted me to use was very similar to the one I had used but would have been more cumbersome and less efficient. Confused by the accusation, I was about to ask her for clarity when the dream suddenly stopped. I began to stir and wake when the word soulution popped into my head, deliberately spelled with the word soul.
“How cool is that? I’m playing with words in my dreams!” I thought as I lay in bed wondering what the peculiar spelling could mean.
Solution – noun – the act of solving a problem, question, etc.
Using the dictionary term to look at this dream, I found the question before me to solve was who’s right? Clearly I was in the right because I chose the correct tool for the job, but I am familiar with these “conversations” and where they end – Blameville.
By looking at the unique spelling of this word, an obvious message for me and my soul work, I took myself deeper.
Soul – noun – the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect.
Looking for a definition of a word that does not exist, I was able to flex my soul muscle and come up with:
Soulution – noun (maybe it’s actually a verb) – the act of solving a problem using my spiritual practices and the seat of the soul, compassion.
This process also reminded me of my vow, a Plato quote: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
Can you come up with another definition of soulution? Leave it in the comments so I can continue to expand my own definition. I think the work here is not done and I need your input. Thanks.
Soul Places 
I noticed where your dream stopped – exactly when “Confused by the accusation, I was about to ask her for clarity”. A perfect soulution it seems to me, cuz the one who doesn’t question simply accepts her ticket to Blameville. For the one who does….dream over!
Hmm…Thanks for your insight Rebecca. More food for thought!
What an interesting dream. When I have dreams, I like to look at the people in those dreams as aspects of myself and not the person who they are in real life. I mean your mind/subconscious/unconscious self is trying to work something out for you… not between you and the other person, right? So, first look at what aspect of you would be represented by your former boss. Then find out:
How would you feel when that former boss reprimanded you in real life and what aspect of yourself was activated there?
What was the tool and how different were to two tools?
Why was the tool you used the wrong tool in her mind?
Was it truly the wrong tool and you just figured out a good way to use it for that purpose or was she just plain wrong about the proper use of the tool?
I know this isn’t actually answering your question but I think it’s important to know what the tool was and what you were doing. This dream isn’t just about the fact that you were getting reprimanded for doing something your boss didn’t like. You were doing something in a way that was more efficient than how she would have done it and you were confused by her reaction because you KNEW you were doing it better than she could have.
And that something you were doing is important, too I think. There is a part of you telling your “boss self” that you know a better way to do something and you’re ready to try it even if the “boss self” doesn’t think you’re using the right “tools”. “Boss self” isn’t going to want to give up that control either, that aspect of yourself still wants some control of what you’re doing.
I also find it interesting that you woke up right when you were asking for clarity. Good catch Rebecca.
Thanks Suzanne. I will be rereading this comment many times and journaling the thoughts and questions you’ve raised in me.
Diane,
Soul Places is a beautiful blog, and this is a most intriguing post. And the comments! Wow, what readers you have.
N. “Solution” V. “Solve”
N. “Soul-ution.” and verb? “soul-ute” ?
That is a lot like “Salute”–which an honoring and acknowledging.
I bow to you and your soul journey as you continue to “soul-ute.”
Janet
Thanks Janet. I agree – I have awesome readers! And what another great word soulute is!?! I may borrow that.
I so appreciate your soulful journey and words. Keep them coming.
Thanks Julie!
soulution: solving a problem that supports the soul of all involved people.
Liese! It’s perfect – thanks for sharing your brilliance.
Diane, You rock. Soulution…I love it!
Thanks Mary!
Wonderful words and thoughts!
Thanks Robert.
I REALLY like Soul-ution. So… yahoo answers says tion as a suffix means way or state of being. So, I’ll propose that the difference between solution and soulution is like the difference between to label and to name. Solutions or labels seek a pragmatic definition… how to fix, or what’s inside in ingredients. One can’t label a human person, but name. What’s most important in life can’t be subject to solutions… only approached by a soulfull (!) way of being that is humble before mystery! My two cents! 😉
In-Spirited,
Wow! I really appreciate the research and thoughtfulness you put into this comment. And I love the distinction you made between labeling and naming – it’s so intuitive the way you put it. Brilliant!
My pleasure. Images and words are fun and important! And it’s Joanne. You commented on my blog earlier today on closed doors.
Hi Joanne. I looked further at your blog and websites searching for how you came up with “In-Spirited” and couldn’t find anything. I am curious about the name if you’d like to share. Blessings.
I’d love to… am on the run this minute, but I promise to respond later tonight or tomorrow! And both websites need work… hopefully in the next month!
Hi again, Diane. This might be a longer email conversation… but basically to In-Spirit is to encourage, invite life, bring/offer vitality. I see the work I do as that, and so the name In-Spirited. I came up with it back in late 2009 – and it was one of those recognition/gift moments! Subsequently it became the name of my LLC! Thanks for asking… Joanne
Hi there, Diane!
The only thing I would change about your definition, is “the act of meeting a challenge” instead of solving a problem. Meeting, as opposed to solving – means that you are facing the issue, and leaves it open to several “solutions.” Saying “challenge,” rather than “problem,” creates the perception that one can rise up to and overcome. We can’t always solve a problem, but we CAN ALWAYS meet a challenge. This affords us to be allowed to put forth our best effort and know that we did the best we could.
Your pal, Michelle
I see where you’re going with this and it is brilliant! I’m gonna revised my original working definition with these new insights in mind. Thanks, Michelle!
Soulution ~ love it. Deep and insightful.
Thank you!