Coaching

Perfections, Imperfections, Counting Blessings as seen in Roses – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 7

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 17, 2010

Today’s Picture to Ponder message relates to perfections and imperfections and finding the blessings in our lives.

On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, in the United States, I found myself feeling sad, missing Sam more than I usually do. It was interesting for me to observe this since he and I never really celebrated Valentine’s Day. I handled it by taking constructive action, for me writing, making a phone call and posting insights on my Writing for Healing blog. Bottom line I ended up being invited to dinner at my son’s home, which resulted in, among other things, receiving a beautiful bunch of flowers.

Once home I took an abundance of photographs, for some unidentified reason, focusing on the numerous roses that were part of the grouping. I experimented with different backgrounds and lighting with this issue’s roses being a small sampling. You can find more in the Rose Set in my FlickR account.

Before continuing, I do want to remind you of the SPIRIT AUTHORS Grand Opening on Monday Feb. 22.  I consists of  5 FREE webcasts with 18 leading publishing experts. See  SPIRIT AUTHORS.

Today’s Photos –

Orange rose

orange rose close up

close of up dying pink rose

pink rose opening bud at angle

Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today’s photos are, obviously, of roses, none of which are perfect. I was initially caught up in their beauty in color and/or patterns and shapes.

Then I saw the “imperfections”, the first pink one almost at the end of its time. This led me to querying, and inviting you do the same, “When you see something or someone, is your first response to see the imperfections or the beauty and positives?” If you miss, the imperfections at first glance, or two, are you able to accept them and stay with the beauty of that at which you are looking, or is something marred, with negative in the space? If the latter, do you stay with the negative, or are you able to create a shift for yourself? If so, how?

As I conclude, I realize that seeing the roses’ imperfections and choices we make are somewhat analogous to my Valentine’s sadness experience, staying in it or finding a way to see the positives.

For me, if you read the blog post, you’ll see, I ultimately chose to see the blessings in my life and wound up with even more than I expected – the flowers and the riches of that.

How about you? Are you able to see the blessings in your life?

As always, have fun with this.

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Creative DNA as Pointed Out by a Flower Photo Close-Up – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue6

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 11, 2010

In Session 2 of the current Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, I introduced the concept of Creative DNA and referenced my discussion to issues of Picture to Ponder five years ago.

When participant Deb Mallett commented on then-featured photo and imagery she had difficulty finding, I decided the article and photo were worth revisiting.

Thus Today’s Photo – (See below for a description of the imagery which I saw at that time.)

cropped pink bromeliad
An unidentified tropical flower from a local nursery

In 2005, I wrote: As I prepare the curriculum for the upcoming teleclasses, I’ve been reading THE CREATIVE HABIT: LEARN IT AND USE IT FOR LIFE by Twyla Tharp, dancer/choreographer. In it she speaks of “Creative DNA” which we may think of as our “creative hard-wiring or personality.”

She goes on to say, “When I apply a critic’s temperament to myself, to see if I’m being true to my DNA, I often think in terms of focal length, like that of a camera lens.

All of us find comfort in seeing the world either from a great distance, at arm’s length, or in close-up. We don’t consciously make that choice. Our DNA does, and we generally don’t waver from it. Rare is the painter who is equally adept at miniatures and epic series, or the writer who is at home in both historical sagas and finely observed short stories.”

After reading this I had a “flash.” People have been asking me how I see and take photos the way I do. In attempting to find answers, I’m noticing that the pictures subscribers seem to be most responsive to are those where I’ve zoomed in and on some where I’ve gotten even closer by cropping.

My creative DNA IS that close-up focus. So I became “true to my DNA”, pulled up the picture and cropped it. I’m thinking you get the strongest response to my work when I am being “truest” to myself.

tropical pink flower

The long view of the above photo which I cropped

Puzzling Imagery –

In 2005, I stated wrote: “I see a woman [top photo] with her head at a 3/4 angle toward the right cradled and protected by the petals, one of which caps her head. There is also a bulging-eyed, pink frog on the left protecting her, where her knees would be. I could continue with the some of the other petals and didn’t. I suspect that some of you will now probably start seeing images also.”

In response to this Deb Mallett wrote:
“It took me a long time to see the woman’s face and the bulging-eyed, pink frog in that flower, but I stared and stared and all of a sudden they both were there. And it’s not an abstract woman’s face, it’s actually quite realistic. Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t understand how I didn’t see it before.”

Now, five years later, I immediately see the frog and have yet to see the “realistic woman’s face.” I’ve marked the “frog” in the photo on FlickR (scroll over the PICTURE there and a box will pop up) and may or may not have identified the woman by the time you click on the picture link.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
I invite you to become aware of your creative DNA. As a pattern, are you looking at the world, people, situations, “from a great distance, at arm’s length, or in close-up?”

If you find yourself in challenging situations, are you in the true mode for you? If not, would shifting it make a difference to you and to the people with whom you are interacting?

Does it help to be aware that a person with whom you are attempting communication may have a different creative DNA when viewing projects?

Also, in relation to looking for the “face” and the “frog”, if you “played” the game and could not find one or both of the images, how did you handle your possible frustrations? My first inclination is to attempt to figure it out myself and then walk away if I can’t find the answer. Ultimately, I might ask for help and I am getting better at it. What about you?

Lastly, if you’ve read all of the above, are pondering it and, then, find that what I’ve related has some impact for you, I’d appreciate your sharing that in the comments below. It doesn’t have to be the “what” or the “why.” Simply knowing a difference has been made would be helpful and sufficient for me. Thank you.

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Prickly Situations or Enlightenment from a Cactus Flower – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 5

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 4, 2010

Today’s Photo –

pink cactus flower
Cactus flower in the Desert Botanical Garden in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As part of the focus and sensory expansion exercises we do in the Point and Shoot Through and From the Lens photo course, participants “place” themselves into a photo of an alstromeria flower and explore it from within and/or from the outside. As a follow up, there is a choice of two other photos with which to do this exercise between sessions.

When looking at the photo page the other day, before sending participants the Photos for Exploration link, the shiny light within the above cactus flower popped out at me. It called out to, once again, be a featured photo in Picture to Ponder.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
Although the “spiny” needles surrounding the flower may be prickly, in the photo they appear to be soft and gentle. The light feels strong and bright, yet there is an overall sense of softness, conveyed in part by the pinks.

I invite you to do the exercise mentioned above, putting yourself into the photo, exploring the flower, the setting within which it resides, covering it from all angles.

Observe – “What size are you?” “How does it feel?” “Would you want to be a permanent resident in this space?” Check your responses. “Why ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” Do they point to similarities in any aspects of your life?

I also invite you to look further into your own life. Are there areas where you are feeling “prickly” places, perhaps ones you wish to avoid? If so, can you look beyond and find a bright light beckoning you? What could you be saying to “soften” them up?

You may also want to use your camera to photograph images that catch your eye and then do the same exercise with one or more photos of your own.

As always, have fun with this.

Programs I recommend for:
Authors – Published or Inspired to be ones –

My friend, author of GARDEN OF THE SOUL, is launching a new program with an exciting FR*EE Grand Opening Event coming Feb 22-26. She is hosting 5 days of webcasts with 17 other leading names in the exciting world of mind-body-spirit writing and publishing.

Lynn is presenting an exciting NEW concept on the Internet, combining coaching, learning, community and business-building in a creative, spirit-based environment.

If you’re an experienced author, a brand new author, or someone who is dreaming of writing an inspirational book some day, you’ll want to register for this fr*ee event.

Using Social Media – Developing an Internet Business:
This weekend I was in Atlanta for the Niche Affiliate Marketing System (NAMS 3) program. It was a full, information-rich, people-connecting, inspiring weekend.

On Saturday, a recording, STRATEGIES 4 SOCIAL MARKETING, was made with a panel of 5 top Internet Marketing Experts sharing information and tips on effectively using social media for connecting AND building business. That hour session is now available in a downloadable MP3, with several bonuses, for only $17.

My friend Tomar Levine, not at the conference, wrote: “Thanks, Sheila. I bought it, listened to it, and took four pages of notes. Just what I needed to re-invigorate my social media, which I’ve backed away from of late. I got at least one brand-new piece of info which I will start using immediately.”

It is also possible, until Monday when the price increases, to purchase the recordings from the past three NAMS conferences, including this past weekend, for only $97 total. The above-mentioned Social Marketing recording is part of the weekend recordings, so you wouldn’t need both.

See NAMS for details and to purchase the full series, should it fit for you.

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Being Safe and Authenticity – Azaleas, Ferns and Iguana in Morikami – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 3

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 22, 2010

Before introducing today’s photos, I want to put out a reminder for those of you whom might be looking for a creativity boost, in an “eye-opening” way, you can experience this in the upcoming Point and Shoot Photo Course. The official start date was moved to this upcoming Tuesday, January 26th.

Our pre-class revealed an exciting, excited group of participants. The call was on How to Use Flickr for communicating and sharing photographs. It was recorded and will be made available for participants. There is still time to join us. See COURSE for information and your subscriber’s savings.

Today’s Photos –

azalea at the Morikami Gardens

Today’s photos are from a recent walk through the Morikami Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, with visiting friends from New Jersey. I had several choices for photos to select for today. Then concern set in on the photo I originally thought I might use. I decided some might find it “disturbing.” I will include a separate link below for the latter.

Because my friend loves azaleas, my attention was brought to one above on our walk through Morikami Gardens

Posts and ferns in Morikami Gardens

Most appealing to me was this close-up of ferns and the posts from a dam-like “wall”. (See broader view.) For some unidentified reason, I get a peaceful feeling from the above picture, a sense of “aliveness’, perhaps from the bright lights and contrast.

The most dramatic photograph from the outing was a yellow (golden) iguana – beautiful colors and patterns. This is the one I hesitated to feature here in Picture to Ponder.

Firstly, some of you could possibly find it repulsive-looking, despite what I see; and, secondly, in South Florida iguanas are becoming a serious nuisance, invading residential areas, eating prized plants and more. So “honoring” it might be offensive to some. You can see the photo by clicking on iguana.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
My “story” today is a demonstration of how we often allow our actions to be governed by our expectations of what others may think and feel. And, it’s not always even the reality of the situation.

I invite you to look into your own life.

Are there places now where you are stifling your own thoughts and feelings because you don’t think they will be accepted by others?

If so, do you take the time, sometimes the courage, to actually check in with the ones upon whose presumed thoughts you are taking, or not, action?

As you ponder these queries, I invite you also to look to see, “Can you identify some areas in your life where you do allow yourself to be truly open/authentic and others where your don’t?”

What would it take to be totally free and open? Is that even something you want for yourself? from others?

Last Call –
Although none of the above was meant to lead into one last reminder of the upcoming Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, 4 weeks, starting Tuesday evening, January 26th at 8:30 PM, I would be remiss in not making one more mention here.

The course does provide a fun, experiential platform where, with your camera, you can start more freely, playfully, identifying the most meaningful areas of your life.

For specifics and registration see Through and From the Lens Course.

More Upcoming Important Events in which I am participating. You can too.

1 – My friend, amazing Adela Rubio is continuing her teleclass series: Conscious Business Summit: Mastering the Inner Game a global network of Conscious Business Experts(TM) ready to power up your potential in just 11 days.

Adela states: “Launch a Powerful and Profitable 2010 by Mastering Your Inner Game. Tap Into Your Creative Genius and Unleash Your Built In Greatness to Create an Abundant, Authentic and Conscious Business powered by YOU. . .”

These calls are F*ree, with a 24-hour window to listen in if you can’t make the live call. Check out Mastering the Inner Game.

Adela is one of the best interviewers I encountered and TOTALLY authentic and open, inspiring her guests to be the same.

2 – Ordered at Amazon, and already delivered, Allison Maslan’s book – Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams Into Reality is waiting for me to dive into it . There are several bonuses, still available for anyone who orders the book by January 31st. See Blast Off!

I am offering a wonderful REFLECTIONS bonus for this launch, including 30 Reflections Photos in a PDF slide show, plus a separate PDF with thumbnails and Queries for writing prompts. By agreement, you will be given permission to use any of the photos for you web activities. Again, see Blast Off!

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Window Reflections – Shifting Perspectives- Picture to Ponder- Vol 5 – Issue 44

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 4, 2009

Before discussing the photos in today’s Picture to Ponder, I’d like to invite you to mark your calendar for the interview Amethyst Wyldfyre will be doing with me on her Blazing Forth the Light, Blog Talk Radio Show, next Friday, December 11th at 4 PM US Eastern Time. Amethyst has kindly entitled the show The Gifted Hand, The Gifted Eye – Fine Art for the Holidays with Sheila Finkelstein. Part of what I will be covering will be the Art and Gift of you and our other readers and gifts you can be creating. See SHOW for details

Now to Today’s Photos – I mentioned last week that I had recently been attracted to window reflections and mentally was planning a whole “lesson” in seeing – expectations – and shifts. On Sunday, after a weekend art show, I glanced across the park into windows above a shop and was captivated by the reflections.

I won’t know until I start writing here today, what the “lessons”, if any, will be. Let’s simply start with the photographs.

reflections in patio windos

In this first photo, I was on an early afternoon conference call sitting at one end of my patio. When I looked across, to the left of my kitchen doors, I became intrigued by what appeared to be an extension of my house on the “outside”, as well as the wavy images in the door, seen on the left.

I did, of course, after the call, take more close-up photos of the patterned reflections, then went outside to double check that, in fact, my house does end with the glass windows, no other extensions. I include the full-view photo here to simply give a sense of the scene and its possibilities.

The next two photographs are among those which I took of assorted reflections in the upper story windows across from the park last weekend.

reflections in window in building in Delray Beach #2

Outside, inside, does it matter which?
Diagonal lines, curved, straight
Vertical, horizontal, one or the other
Does it make a difference?

Which, if any, have more appeal?

reflections in windows of a building in Delray Beach #1

For me, the most artistic of the three is the center photo – flowing shapes in the reflections, with faint, straight, diagonal lines. All are anchored by the bold lines of the window frame.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
The main point of these reflections photographs, is to invite you to also look at reflections that might be showing up in windows through which you frequently look. If you do not immediately see anything reflected, change your position. And, whether you do or don’t see reflections the first time, I invite you to also check the same windows a few times during the same day and evening.

You will probably be surprised to note that you may be seeing reflections and images that are quite different each time you look.
If you start noticing anything new or different in this way, I invite you to look at one or more situations, or relationships, in your life. Does it, do they, change when you move, shift perspectives, alter the time of day or night, when you are studying it/them?

In the above photos, there are many dimensions which we could spend a lot of time attempting to figure out what belongs where. What is actually being reflected? Which of the images are reflections? Which are actually there in the exact position in which we see them?

We can ask ourselves all these questions, find the answers, and then what? Is is sometimes sufficient to simply enjoy and be with what is? Might the enjoyment be even greater at times if we remain in a state of appreciation, rather than dissection?

What comes up for me is to remind myself, as much as I love inquiry and discovery, that I often have peaceful times when I allow myself to simply be and appreciate.

How about you? As always, have fun with this.

Have you asked anyone lately how they perceive you? If not, I invite you to do so. I often experience a greater sense of myself when I see myself reflected in another’s words. You might be pleasantly surprised. Why not treat yourself and another the opportunity to “gift” you their vision of you.

A recent example for me, relates to the upcoming radio show mentioned earlier and Amethyst Wyldfyre’s description of me, on her main Blog Talk Radio page. Under upcoming interviews, she refers to me as a “prolific photographer and brilliant artist” who “…is also an inspiring teacher and has brought many of her students to the gifts of creative self expression.” Thank you, Amethyst.

Do please bookmark the site and join us. If the time does not work for you, you will be able to download the call at a later time.

I also invite you to check out some of what Amethyst is up to with her work with Energy Mastery for the Evolving Entrepreneur on her Energy Journey.com site. You can also learn more about her and her shamanic work and Crystal Bowl Sound Healing on AmethystWyldfyre.com.

Lastly, if you are ready to move into your own creative mode, I invite you to check out some of what’s available on the site of my friend, wildly creative Marney Makridakis:

Programs for Your Own Creative Mode –

A Special Gift Marney has offered Picture to Ponder Subscribers –

A F*R*EE copy of the Artella eBook, Artella’s Step-by-Step Vintage Holiday Cards, an eBook featuring 10 beautiful handmade cards, complete with photos and descriptive “how-to” instructions, showcasing a variety of techniques such as rubber stamping, collage, and innovative paper and mixed media arts.
 Download your copy here!


For year-round creative ideas and activities, check out the 55% off savings on Holiday Gift Memberships on Artella’s Creativity (virtual) Cruise Ship.

And, if you are a coach, or want some creative ideas for art activities geared toward transformation and growth, check out “Creativity, Intuition, and Choice” in ARTbundance Coach Training Sample Class on Tuesday night December 8th.

truck clockFinally, a reminder – If you are doing holiday shopping I invite you to remember to check out my GIFT SHOP I especially love the pillows and keepsake tiles boxes and decorating with the clocks

December 7th – 9th – Free economy shipping on orders of $50 or more with coupon code: HOLIDAYSHIPS

Reader’s Comments are welcome.
Click on the small word “Comment” at the end of the post. A window will open, asking for your name, email address that will NOT be published, a URL if you have – Your name will be linked to that – and a box with space for you to “Leave a Reply” will be there to type in your response. Then remember to click on “Submit.”

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Close-up and Distance Perspectives – Picture to Ponder – Vol. 5 – Issue 41 – Spatterdock

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 12, 2009

Today’s photos turned into a theme of the different perspectives from which we can view our life. I did not realize, as I selected photos, that the spatterdock root was featured two issues ago. Rather than make a time-consuming switch, I am going with the flow.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
As I was completing a recent walk in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, my eye was drawn to these spatterdock roots spreading out all over.

Meandering roots
Don’t seem to offer much.
What, then, is the pull?
Moved forward a bit on the boardwalk.

Zoomed in
Got really close
Saw a nice bridge
Almost a circle with reflections.

And then on computer monitor
Found it almost confronting
An opening and seemingly
No place to go.

So glad I have a
Third photo to share

(Plus a fourth – not roots –
After the queries.)

Now there are some choices
A few directions and some greens
More appreciable from further back.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
Now I invite you to look into your life at an area or an issue with which you may seem to be wandering all over the place. Then move in and take a really close look at it, almost as if you have it under a magnifying glass. Now step back from it slightly, giving you a third perspective.

From which of the positions do you get the most understanding and perspectives? Afar? Really close? Or a midway point of view? Does looking through a different lens empower you?

Lastly, I did promise there would be one more photo to complete the day.

Attracted by the wood knot itself, atop a boardwalk railing, it became even more interested when viewed on my computer monitor. As the SRQs were forming in my head, I saw a face, lying down, angled slightly looking at us. She seems to have a wink or a smirk.

She might be saying, “What IS all this pondering about anyway? Are you making issues bigger than they really are? ”

Perhaps you see something entirely different in the wood knot picture. That’s the fun of appreciating and being human? What images do you see?

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Lost in a crowd – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5- issue 40 – Mushrooms in AOS Gardens

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 4, 2009

Based on positive feedback I received, appreciating integrating “Today’s Photos” with “Self-Reflecting Queries,” I am continuing that format today. So be sure to scroll through the whole of today’s Picture to Ponder.

Tonight (Wednesday, November 4th) I will be interviewing camera expert, Ingrid Owens of Camera Shy. She will be sharing answers to questions she’s asked on buying and using the digital camera.

She will also be sharing the one quick tip she has for improving your photographs before even taking them. There is still time to register for the call and/or get the MP3 recording if you can’t be on the call. See Point and Shoot Photo Courses – Camera Shy. Moving on to TODAY’S PHOTOS and QUERIES –

I promised I would be featuring unusual mushroom photos from my Sunday walk in the American Orchid Society Gardens. While opening the folder in which I placed the pictures, this backlit leaf, kept calling to me. I LOVE the colors, the boldness and strength and at the same time, the rhythm of the very faint and delicate lines of the veins of the leaf. The faint vertical lines from another plant serve to ground the main image.

Back lit leaf in AOS Gardens

Where in your life are there strong contrasts of strength and delicacy? Do they add up to balance? If one is more prominent than another, is there a shift you might like to make?

Moving on from those questions, I invite you to consider the following.

WHAT IF ….

  • you quickly saw the things others are missing?
  • you were a hotbed of recurring new ideas?
  • you had new openings for communication?
  • you had access to shifting moods in an instant?
  • you had a best friend available 24 hours/day?
  • this all were fun and easy?

It’s so SIMPLE. Amazing breakthroughs in the scenarios are what participants experience in my Point and Shoot Telecourses. The day session of the next 4-week course starts on Wednesday, November 11th; evening Monday, November 16th. See POINT AND SHOOT.

Mushrooms on a path in the AOS Gardens

I am always amazed. I have been visiting the American Orchid Society Gardens for six and a half years. EACH time I visit, I see something I’ve never seen before AND as you see in the above, it’s not always a carefully, placed orchid, or other, plant.

I invite you to look into your life at one or more situations or places where you are not paying attention. After all, they are “ordinary”, “everyday” … Now, that you’ve paused to look, what new can you find?

The mushrooms above were one of several groupings near the edge of a path. A couple groups were right in the middle of the walkway. As their colors blended with the environment from which they emerged, they were undoubtedly invisible to most people and thus got stepped on.

It’s the grouping and the flow I enjoy in the above photograph AND as I look at it now, I’m more cognizant of the groupings within – the couple, the threesome and the charming, delicate, flowerlike mushroom on the left, almost in the middle.

Are you blending in or standing out in your life? Are you more comfortable tightly grouped with one or more others in your circle(s)? Can you step back and recognize the beauty of the whole of your communities?

This second grouping of mushrooms was in a different section of the AOS gardens, a little more off the pathway. Here I like the curls and folds. What do you appreciate when you look at the image?

That’s it for the “deep” queries for today.

As always, have fun and look around you with playful eyes.

Upcoming Programs that Will Enhance Your Life
1 – In addition to my Telecourse answering What Ifs :

2 – For those in business, I invite you to check out my friend Adela Rubio’s Conscious Business Telesummit 3-week series of calls, a gathering of Conscious Business Leaders eager to share the models and methods of Conscious Business, including –

Make a 6-Figure Income with a 3-Figure List
Charge What you Deserve Now
Create Your Conscious Business Story and more…

Easy-to-listen to and keen herself, Adela is interviewing well-known, successful, conscious business owners ready to share their profitable business models and their expertise.

3 – For those who are caregivers, or who know, caregivers, my friend Suzanne Holman is co-facilitating Comfort for Caregivers Telesummit, also a 3-weeks series of calls. I’m in the midst of completing a packet with writing, caregiver tips and photography – ALWAYS LOVE – as one of the bonuses.

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Focus and Direction – Alligator, Wood Stork, Turtle and Spatterdock Root – Picture to Ponder: vol 5 – issue 39

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 29, 2009

For whatever reason, I’m moved to integrate Today’s Photos and Self-Reflecting Queries as one unit in this issue. Your feedback on the format would be appreciated.

When I downloaded and looked at my photos from a recent walk along the boardwalk in Green Cay Wetlands, I realized that it has been a while since I featured water photographs here in Picture to Ponder. Given the healing power of water, I wanted to bring some back.

So I started a search in my computer. Rather than spend an extensive amount of time on it, I decided to go with the first couple that appealed to me in the moment. (Be sure to scroll down to see all three photos.)

In line with my generally striving for perfectionism, I invite you to reflect on your life for a moment or two. Do you find yourself often spending an extensive amount of time looking for the “perfect” person, food, solution, picture….?

Alligator and Wood Stork in Green Cay Wetlands

Both are seemingly at peace. Although not a particularly great composition, this photo, for me, is symbollic of the heavy concentration of a lot of different things in one area of my life, with paths wandering into the unknown just beyond.

Where is your focus when you look at this photo? When you look at your life? Weighted in one area? Meandering? Balanced?

I wish I could share with you the photos I took of the little boy, ultimately on his father’s shoulders, excitedly pointing to and talking about the activities that had been in the scene in front of us with this alligator and the tri-colored heron “taunting” him.

I did not think to get permission to make the photos public, so I will be content with the reinforcement I got, as I experienced progressively “better” photographs as Tyler became engaged in conversation and forgot the camera and posing for it. It is treasured moments like this, along with memorable photos, that are one of the things that will be available for Moms in the upcoming Point and Shoot Photo Telecourse for Moms. (If you are a mom with young children, or know one who is, please check out the link and forward the page information.)

Turtle on a Spatterdock Root in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

When I looked closely at this photo, I noticed that the turtle is looking away from us. Are you maintaining eye contact with people with whom you’re interacting? Or, are your eyes wandering, seemingly not paying attention, even if you are? And, back to projects, as mentioned above – Are you focused or distracted?

Those of you into NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), I’m sure, can expand on an answer based on the direction in which the turtle is looking.

Spatterdock Root and Leaves in Wakodahatchee Weltands

This root, with its strong angular direction, in this picture seems to want to move off the page. Yet the smaller green parts of it are freely flowing back. The vertical part and its reflection provide an anchor.

I like the overall flow and movement in the scene. Are you in tune with the flow and direction of your life? The rhythms? The anchors?

As I inserted the final photograph for today, I noticed that each of the images is moving on a diagonal from lower right, toward the upper left. I’m wondering if any of our readers have any thoughts on that… “meanings” you would like to add. If so, please post on the blog.

Upcoming Programs that Will Enhance Your Life
1 – In addition to my Telecourse for Moms:

2 – For those in business, I invite you to check out my friend Adela Rubio’s upcoming Conscious Business Telesummit, a gathering of Conscious Business Leaders eager to share the models and methods of Conscious Business, including –

  • Make a 6-Figure Income with a 3-Figure List
  • Charge What you Deserve Now
  • Create Your Conscious Business Story and more…

Adela will be interviewing well-known, successful, conscious business owners ready to share their profitable business models and their expertise.

If you are one who attends teleseminars and have not been to any where Adela is the facilitator, I highly recommend you check out this program now. The first call is Monday, November 2nd. Adela is one of the best interviewers that I experienced. And, there is no charge for attending any of the sessions.

3 – Lastly, my friend and mentor Julie Jordan Scott has resumed her very powerful, empowering Passion Activator Fridays – no fee – where the act of commiting to an action or actions and calling in every hour and reporting makes a huge difference in accomplishing desired goals throughout the day.

Julie also has launched a three option series – Dreams Do Come True. As I have stated in many issues of Picture to Ponder, much of what I am accomplishing today is a result of various courses and programs I’ve participated in under Julie’s leadership. As a matter of fact, the name “Picture to Ponder” for this ezine was suggested by Julie, whom I’ve known virtually now for at least 8 or 9 years. I am sure you will find value in anything you might choose to do with her.

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Life Cycles – Leaves, Queen Anne’s Lace and Us – Picture to Ponder – vol 5 – issue 38

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 22, 2009

– NEW -  4 – Week Telecourse Starts November 9th or 11th
Click on image above for details

I am excited. As you can see from the very top image, the header for the new Point and Shoot Photo Course for Moms, I am launching a new program. My earlier Photo/Creativity, then Through and From the Lens courses, will now be delivered under the umbrella of Point and Shoot Photo Courses. The material and philosophy is similar. Working with specific groups will further solidify the community experiences participants love, while enhancing learning and bonding with subject matter.

In terms of today’s Picture to Ponder, for whatever reason, I felt the need to feature autumn one more time. Though the fall season stays with us until December 21st, the visual aspect of it will soon be gone. When I speak of the visual, I refer to the assumed colors of autumn.

Neither of today’s featured photos is a “striking” photo. Yet each kept popping out at me as I was searching photo file folders. They did “seed” some interesting thoughts, turned queries, and compositionally the pictures do hold together.

TODAY’S PHOTOS
The upper photo is of Fallen Autumn Leaves blanketing gravel at the edge of a parking lot in Syracuse, NY. Given the overall feeling of Nature, the gravel appears as if it could almost be blueberries. I like the array of colors, representing the full range of the life cycles of the leaves we see.

The lower photo is a close up of a dried up Queen Anne’s Lace flower which, I discovered when I googled it to check spelling, is edible. Given that the developing theme today seems to be “Life Cycles”, I especially like the circular shape of the full flower and those at the end of each of the “spokes” radiating out from the center.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
Today’s photos are rich with contrasts and also represent the cycles of our seasons… both in the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, as well as our own life cycles… seen even in our individual projects and activities.

I invite you to consider the contrasts and cycles in your life. Are you able to easily be with the transitions? Or, are there challenges for you? Do you operate out of “being” with whatever stage you’re in at the moment?

If the latter is difficult at times, have you developed “coping” mechanisms? Are you aware of what they are so you can “call them in” on demand, when needed?

If “coping,” are you able to go beyond with “tools for transformation”?

Sometimes/oftentimes, it’s helpful to simply remember that whatever space we are in at any point of time, it is part of a cycle.

As you ponder and query today, be sure to identify the parts of the cycle that give you the most pleasure, provide the most fun.

CELEBRATION –
Two of my friends, Marifran Korb and Tomar Levine**, are among 36 other authors who have chapters in the “OVERCOMERS INC: True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration” book launched today, October 22nd.

Marifran and Tomar, having seen an advance copy say that it’s great. I trust them and what I’ve read about the book. I love people’s stories. If you do also, check it out at OVERCOMERS. If it is still the 22nd when you read this, there is time to take advantage of all the bonuses with purchase today.

** You also might be interested in checking out Tomar’s Creativity Support Group forming, first session November 3rd.

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Standing Alone in a Crowd – Find the Strength: Pansies in Picture to Ponder – v5-issue 31

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 26, 2009

Click on Above Image for Information and Testimonials

Excited with the re-launching of BANANA SKY DVD, I’ve been spending a lot of time on creating the “just right” web page for Banana Sky DVD to share the stress and anxiety relief benefits from the healing music and photography that makes up this video. As I’ve been working, I have been getting a lot of great feedback and support from the ELITE FORUM members in Lynn Self-Starters Weekly Tips Forum. I am deeply appreciative.

I am also on my own DAY 8 of a minimum of one-hour of work each day before opening any email, as recommended by Kathleen Gage in the recent Niche Affiliate Marketing System Seminar I attended. This was/is, for me, one of the both challenging and rewarding tips I got out of the weekend. A flash drive with all of the presentations, including Kathleen’s from this conference, plus one earlier in the year, is available on a Flash Drive (coupon code 200aug14) for only $97 as long as the limited number of available copies last.

With my focus being so directed on the best way of sharing BANANA SKY DVD, I have not been out doing much photographing. It was therefore delightful yesterday to simply travel through folders on my computer for this issue of Picture to Ponder, doing a sit-down “discovery walk.”

Today’s photos brought a smile and a feeling of lightness and simple pleasure when I found them.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
Pansies in the Dallas (Texas) Arboretum at the end of February.

I love the colors of the two pansies in the top photo and they have such a look of elegance.

The yellow and violet-colored pansies, in the middle photo, seem to be dancing freely and joyfully. The intensity of mid-day sunlight adds to the pleasure of the experience of this photo.

As I went back to the original size when saving the latter photo, I was drawn to the center of one of the flowers and decided to focus in and crop it. Suddenly it took on a stately and commanding presence, as if wanting our attention.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
In the almost five years that I have been publishing Picture to Ponder, this is the first time I’ve featured pansies. One reason, undoubtedly, is that pansies are not quite as common here in Florida as they seemed to be in the Northeast United States, where most of my life was spent.

As pretty as they are when I paid attention to them, they somehow seemed to get “lost” in their surroundings, no one flower really standing out from another. Did the fact that they were so “common” have an impact also, or is it simply that I’ve only gotten much more active with my camera in recent years?

The point to my above comments leads into today’s Self-Reflecting Queries. Once again, I invite you to look into your life.

Are there places where there are people, or objects, that are simply a part of a broad field for you and indistinct for their own attributes? Where you’ve simply been taking them for granted as background “noise”, perhaps?

If you find any of the above fits, I invite you to step more closely into the field at which you were looking. Study the individual components. Then, is there one, or more, that now stands out and has a new presence, as the single yellow pansy in the bottom photo? Or perhaps, you’ll find a pair, as in the top photo.

As always, have fun with this.

As always, remember to have fun with this.

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