Picture to Ponder

Spider Web adds “Meaning” and Affirmation to Full Life – Picture to Ponder – V5 – Issue 17

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 21, 2009

In the last mailing of Picture to Ponder, I used a format where the photograph was further down the page and wound up receiving some unsolicited appreciation of the layout. Given I’m doing a whole reevaluation of Picture to Ponder, I decided to thus experiment with presentation in addition to some other ideas.

If there are areas you would like me to cover, please send me an e-mail. In the meantime, I’m considering adding TIPS AND REFERRALS as a regular feature. Thus:

1. I discovered belatedly that May is National Photography Month and there are are many celebrative links on the web. Samsung states they are offering 31 tips on their blog, though as of the 20th they are only up to 15. Tips cover parts of your camera as well as suggestions and guidelines for good picture-taking.

2. My friend Nachhi Randhawa is conducting a F*R*E*E “Prosperity & Consciousness” Teleclass on Monday, May 25th. She asks, “Are you interested in building your relationship with money and other forms of prosperity by practicing new ways of thinking about prosperity?” Is so, see Prosperity Class.

3. I was on an interesting call today, and am considering participating myself in The Artist’s Way Virtual Summer Camp for Adults. You can check out the information and listen to the teleclass introduction on Summer Camp.

4. “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust –

June 8th starts the next session of my Expand Your Vision – Explode Your Creativity – Through and From the Lens telecourse which opens participants up to much broader views and out-of-the box thinking and acting and provides abundant resources.

COMMENTS from participants in the April-May session:

“Lots of amazing ideas and so much information and stimulus.” Rosemary Graham

“Learning to perceive more of what is right in front of me. Now I see the same things in new ways, making me more creative.
No longer do I assume objects can have one view. Everything is multi-dimensional.” Marifran Korb

All of which are a great lead-in to:

TODAY’S PHOTOS
a Spider Web outside my office window, with an insert of another spider to show it’s top side – The lower photo is of a Spider Web attached to a Banana Tree.

Spider Web with Red Spider insert

Spider Web in Banana Tree

Although not “beautiful” photographs, as such, I am including them out of my fascination with the abundance of full spider webs being created from the leaves of my hibiscus bushes to the drain gutters under the roof, along the house next door to me. The upper photo does not show quite as many anchor threads as some of the webs.

Yesterday, for the first time, I saw the front, or “topside” of the spider and was charmed by its “face”. I thus included it as an insert in the upper photograph. I also had the opportunity to observe the latter “spinning” the web and was surprised to see that he/she was creating it from the outside, rapidly connecting and moving inward. For some reason, I always assumed they went from the center out.

I’ve included the one in the banana tree mainly to add some color here.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
Wonder at the abundance of almost “perfect” webs that were, and have remained, right outside my window and beyond, has given me to opportunity to add “meaning” to them and my life.

Without checking out the mythology, or other stories/explanations, of spider webs. I decided that these are an affirmation that all my different endeavors are being firmly held together as a cohesive whole.

Is there anything that has been consistently showing up in your life? If so, are you paying attention, or simply ignoring it/them?

What, if any, symbols do you have, that are affirmations, or reassurances, for you?

As always, remember to have fun with the queries. I might even start doodling some spider webs again, like the ones I drew as a child, even teenager. Did you ever do the same?

REMINDER –
Light Up Your Summer with Photography  You won’t Believe is Yours
Nourish Your Soul
Appreciate, in new ways, the People You Meet

All in the JUNE Expand Your Vision Telecourse –

Inspirationally,

Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com

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Abstract Photography – Banana Leaf Cells in Picture to Ponder – vol. 5-issue 16

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 13, 2009

Cells of a cut leaf from a banana tree surrounded by other leaves and the tree trunk

TODAY’S PHOTO –
Close-up view of Portion of the Trunk of a Banana Tree, which is actually an herb.

To me, this photograph feels almost like a painting. I love the resultant abstract quality of the image.

My focus was on the cellular structure of the spot from which a dead leaf was removed. The blue colors are simply a result of the lighting. Interestingly when I went back to check what it was I photographed, I had to look for a minute or two. The cells looked so prominent here, I was surprised to see how tiny that segment was.

For a view a little further back to see it more of the cells in context with the trunk, see TRUNK.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
Once again, through the lens of the camera, I zoomed in and focused on a particular structure that intrigued me. This created a whole different identity from what the subject was. Stepping back, once again gave me the full picture.

I invite you to consider a situation in your own life, one on which you are very closely focused. Look at all the elements and then step back.

Where is the juice for you? Which view gives you more information that will empower you? What can you take from each perspective to as you powerfully move forward?

And, some of you might wish to use today’s photograph to wander through, explore and see what comes up for you in your own life.

As, always have fun with this and please do share some of your responses on the blog.

Correction on Last Week’s Issue
I identified last week’s photograph as a rock. One of our dear subscribers wrote, “That is a piece of coral – a piece of bone, not a rock.” Thank you, D.

Expand Your Seeing – Opening up to Your Best Summer Ever
Participants are having so many exciting, rewarding and “eye-opening” experiences with their cameras and the photographs they are taking that I decided to open up another four-week course in June.

Current participants, in addition to discovering new worlds for themselves are, especially enjoy seeing and sharing what other participants are doing also.

It was most gratifying for me to have one participant share at the end of Session 2, that she knew when she signed up she was very busy and she figured if she got two or three things out of the course, it would be worth it. She stated that this had already been achieved for her.

Suzanne Holman (www.FamilyAlz.com. ) wrote: “I am loving revisiting creative photography with you and the group! I was concerned about becoming involved in another class right now …and what I’ve found is that it is a wonderful dimension to add to my life right now with playing and creating.“

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Palm Tree Trunk Cells and Changing Perspectives – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 15

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 28, 2009

Palm tree trunk cells

Palm Tree Trunk Cells panoramaTODAY’S PHOTOS –
segment of the trunk of a Palm Tree

I am assuming that some portions of the trunk were removed, thus exposing the cells. I was so caught up in the intrigue of exploring sections of the trunk with my camera that I did not think about the cause and effect of what I was seeing.

Once viewing the photos, on my monitor I fell in love with what I saw/see as the beauty in browns contrasted with the green and a bit of the blue sky, along with the contrast and repetition in the shapes and lines.

To get “more to appreciate,” I started playing with the photograph in Photoshop Elements. Although I did not alter anything in colors or filters I did resize, rotate and flip the photo to create the panoramic image.

As I view the lower photo I notice an unplanned face in the center of the panorama. Actually it’s more like “ET.” The two horizontal prints could be flipped in the opposite direction and a whole new image be created.

THE STORY –
The content of this issue is actually verbatim, with a single question added to the Queries, for Issue 208, published at the end of the first year of Picture to Ponder.

I was going through photo archives in preparation for the Through and from the Lens COURSE and these two cells photos kept coming up for me. Given my practice of follow my instincts when it comes to photo selection here, I decided to also use them as the featured photos for today. After all, most of you were not subscribers then and, if you were, are you likely to remember these two photographs?

On the other hand I find it interesting to see how similar the queries are to what I have been putting forth, even in recent times – three and a half years later. It’s good to take note of the consistencies in our lives and be reminded of our strengths.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
Once again our photo is an example of the possibilities in looking at something – an object, thing, person or situation – from more than one point of view.

As I have in past issues of Picture to Ponder, I invite to look around you and find an item in your environment, or a space in which you are passing through, to look at from several different angles. Are you seeing anything newly?

There may also be areas in your life – relationships or other situations – in which you might spur surprising results by viewing them from more than one perspective . Keep in mind, as in the photo combinations above, there may be even more possibilities than the one you choose as your answer.

Play and have fun with this.

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Contrasts – Courses and Rusty Lamppost and Dendrobium – Picture to Ponder – vol.5 – issue 13

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 14, 2009

rusty lamppost

magenta colored dendrobium orchid

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
The upper photo – Nighttime photo of the bottom of a rusty lamppost in a parking lot
The lower photo- A Dendrobium Orchid from the American Orchid Society gardens.

Once again, a seemingly odd combination of photos and both kept cropping up on my computer monitor as I was looking for photos for another project. So here they are.

The Story
As I was leaving an art opening, a couple of weeks ago, the rusty lamppost lamppost in parking lot at night caught my attention. In part, I’m sure, it was more noticeable to me because that night in the show, I had been particularly attracted to paintings, collages and sculptures in the show that were predominately earth tones.

In addition, I think a little of my “competitive” spirit also kicked in. A couple of days before, Joe Gemignani, our interviewee on April 20th, had posted on Facebook the shadow photo (shown on my “Invitation to the Call” page) . He did not describe the photo and I was still puzzling over parts of it a couple of days later. Thus, as I photographed the lamppost, I think I became intent on zooming in myself for some “mystery” photos.

As I was viewing the lamppost photo today, I thought, “What a great writing prompt, it would be.” A very strong, bold photo… is that an “eye.” If so, what might it be revealing, or hiding? If you are so moved, I invite you to write from it.

On the other hand, in contrast to the boldness of the top image, the orchid photo is one of quiet, simplicity and beauty. It also embodies the full cycle of life, with a open flowers, a bud and a flower that’s past its prime.

Contrasts
As the photos today are examples of contrasts, so are the programs being offered, those to which I am referring in today’s Picture to Ponder. All three are related to “seeing” in different ways.

Each of us who will be on the calls have slightly different approaches in the way we view our worlds AND we each have developed the confidence and self-belief to stand for our passions, expressing them in different ways.

It is my intent with these calls, and with the Through and From the Lens telecourse series to offer you opportunities for expanded access to discovering and living in your own voice.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Given I’ve been writing about “Contrasts,” I invite you to look into your life and your behaviors.

When you come across situations or people that are opposites, do you choose one over the other, or can you find ways to make them both work? Or, do you simply withdraw?

In addition, are there places in your life now, where you could be taking some bold actions and you are holding back? If so, I invite you to take a least one bold action this week.

As, always, remember to bring fun into the queries and actions.

Expanding Vision Opportunities
1 – A preview of YOUR ECO-BLUE PRINT teleclass series Julie will be leading in May, get Information on the f*r*e*e call on “Cultivating a Sense of Awe and Wonder” Friday, 4/17 at 2:00 PM EDT- See FRIDAY’S CALL. Register to get the Recording if you cannot be on the call.

2 – Expanded Seeing – Details take on a new meaning – Interview with Award-Winning Photographer, Joe Gemignani, on Monday, 4/20 at 1:30 PM EDT See MONDAY’S CALL for examples of Joe’s work and to register f*r*ee to call in and/or get the MP3 recording of it.

3 – reflected little blue heron
Experience Life through the Lens of Your Inner Artist

We all have an artist within. You may agree with this or be skeptical. In either case, THROUGH AND FROM THE LENS teleclasses could be for you. Through the use of your camera, group interaction with participants and some suggested writing, classes provide the opportunity for you to start seeing your worlds, both inner and outer, in new and different ways, leading to increased creativity, self-confidence and much more.

Classes take place on a telephone conference call line and by email in a 4 week series – Your choice days – Mondays at 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT, starting April 27th or nights – Wednesdays from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT, starting April 29th – (See WORLD TIME to match the times in your geographic location)

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Celebrating – Lilies, Egret Feathers, Self – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 12

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 7, 2009

Egret with feather spread

Orange lily and chrysanthemums

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
The upper photo – A White Egret spreading his Mating Feathers in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach FL – In addition to the delicate feathers, note the intensified color in the beak of the Egret.

The lower photo- A Lily with White and Orange Chrysanthemums behind it – I particularly like the lighting here. Note the shadows of the stamen on the petal on the left.

Seemingly an odd combination of photos, these both represent this season of Spring and its upcoming holidays.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Basically, as I ponder it, the essence of today’s Picture to Ponder has become about CELEBRATION – celebrating a book launch, holidays, Nature and life and opportunities for celebrating ourselves.

In choosing to once again lead Through and From the Lens Teleclasses, I’m realizing it’s an opportunity for you to celebrate yourself – perhaps a part of you heretofore unknown to you – AND I’m actually honoring myself by doing this.

When she read my announcement, past participant Blaise Allen wrote, “I’m so happy you are doing this again! You were meant to teach this course.”

I now invite you to take a few minutes to reflect on, “What is it about yourself that you can celebrate?” Perhaps in your relationship with yourself, with others, your talents….You fill in the blanks. What would you like to celebrate? Are there people in your life whom you would also like to celebrate?

What is it that you are meant to be doing? Are you doing it?

And, after answering these questions for yourself, what actions, if any, are you willing to take? And, though it may sound “heavy” in my writing, be sure you include fun in whatever comes up for you.

Lastly, as always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience with today’s photos and writing on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

Happy Holidays to all of you who are celebrating one in the next week.

Experience Life through the Lens of Your Inner Artist
We all have an artist within. You may agree with this or be skeptical. In either case, THROUGH AND FROM THE LENS teleclasses could be for you. Through the use of your camera, group interaction with participants and some suggested writing, classes provide the opportunity for you to start seeing your worlds, both inner and outer, in new and different ways, leading to increased creativity, self-confidence and much more.

Classes take place on a telephone conference call line and by email in a 4 week series – Your choice days – Mondays at 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT, starting April 27th or nights – Wednesdays from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT, starting April 29th – (See WORLD TIME to match the times in your geographic location)

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Video Transition Photographs: Rose, Great Blue Herons, Sunset – Picture to Ponder- vol 5 – issue 11

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 1, 2009

rose and sunset video transition

Castera rose and Great Blue Heron video transition photo

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Two of the 44 of my photographs that are the background for Lynn Serafinn’s Video Reading of “Song of the Rose” from her book “GARDEN OF THE SOUL: lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self.” It’s now available on Amazon.

The top photo is a screen shot grabbed at the point the Yellow Rose photograph is transitioning to a Sunset photo. In the second photo Great Blue Herons in Nest transition into a picture of Castera Roses.

“I finally had time to go listen to the Song of the Rose – It’s exquisite – I love the words, the Lynn’s voice, your images, her sequencing of them – the whole thing is a gem! I feel very inspired.” Tomar Levine, Picture to Ponder subscriber

Take a breather, relax, listen and see for yourself “Song of the Rose” and please leave a comment. – (5 minute video on YouTube)

The Story – GARDEN OF THE SOUL Book
According to Lynn Serafinn, Author, “The book, which is a substantial work of over 400 pages, is a collection of inspirational personal narratives, stories and life lessons as taught by four flowers, the Rose, the Iris, the Daffodil, and the Lily, who teach us four spiritual principles: Give, Receive, Become and Be. Each section of the book focuses on one particular principle, and each begins with a poem or “song” sung by one of the four flowers.

“Song of the Rose” opens the section of the book called “The Principle of Giving”. In the book, the Rose teaches us that giving is not just about giving of things or time. It tells us that “Giving” is the process of anything that comes from within you, and expands outwards into the world.

It is your voice, your self-expression, empowerment, vitality, action, drive and energy. Most of all, it is passion, generosity of spirit and claiming one’s life purpose. The Rose teaches us how important it is not to deprive ourselves from giving of our true, authentic selves to the world, for without this giving, we feel useless, purposeless, and passionless.

Again, the book is now on sale at Amazon. I am excitedly awaiting my order being delivered, while holding the receipt to claim the added bonuses that will be available on April 7th.

The Story – Photography and Support
It’s been an exciting week for me.

Friday was the Blog Talk Radio interview in which Katherine Rescke interviewed me and two other professionals on money blocks. You can listen to the Podcast at PASSIONS THAT PAY.

On the weekend I had a couple of Skype conversations with Lynn Serafinn and several emails, as she selected photos from the Picture to Ponder archives to use in the first of four that she’s creating to promote her new book. I love what she did with it AND creating a video was a first for her!

It was wonderful experiencing being appreciated and acknowledged through the act of collaboration. Then there is the thrill of seeing my work used in a different dimension.

In addition I have been receiving wonderful support from past participants in my PHOTO CREAVITY teleclasses, renamed as THROUGH AND FROM THE LENS, as I’ve been developing the information and registration page for the upcoming course.

Julie Ann Turner, creator and facilitator of the CREATORS GUIDE program in which I’ve been participating, has provided invaluable suggestions and support in my fully experiencing and expressing what it is that I have to contribute to the world. Two others of the participants have also been most helpful.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I’ve covered a lot of ground this week, as you’ve been reading in my sharing in today’s issue of Picture to Ponder.

While pondering the Self-Reflecting Queries for today, “Acknowledgment” once again seems to be the underlying message. There is also the principle of “Giving” as mentioned earlier in relation to Garden of the Soul.

I am so very appreciative of my friends and associates in programs in which I am participating. Knowing I could call or write and count on them for ideas and/or simply for reminders of my own worth has given me the ongoing boosts I’ve needed to move forward with intention and purpose.

I invite you to look in your life and see where you have been, or are, facing challenges. Do you know what it is you can, or will do, in those situations? Who are the people, if any, you have been able to, and can, count on for support and recognition? Have you recently expressed your appreciation for that to them?

How do you show appreciation for others? For yourself? Also look at your own strengths in supporting others? How do you position yourself AND do you acknowledge yourself for what you give in this arena? If not, I invite you to find some way to do so.

For me, I’ve been gradually recognizing more and more my strengths as I’m finally putting myself out there, once again, offering teleclasses. When I think of the “screen shots” and my other technological mini-expertise, I realize how much I do offer even beyond the “basic” curriculum of looking at our worlds in new and different ways.

Please check out the information below, or go directly to the Through and From the Lens page for subscribers.

Lastly, as always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience with today’s photos and writing on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

And do have fun with this today.

Experience Life through the Lens of Your Inner Artist We all have an artist within. In either case, whether you know that or are skeptical, THROUGH AND FROM THE LENS teleclasses may be for you. Through the use of your camera, group interaction with participants and some suggested writing, classes provide the opportunity for you to start seeing your worlds, both inner and outer, in new and different ways, leading to increased creativity, self-confidence and much more.

Classes take place on a telephone conference call line and by email in a 4 week series – Your choice days – Mondays at 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT, starting April 29th or nights – Tuesdays from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT – (See WORLD TIME to match the times in your geographic location)

$30 savings for Picture to Ponder Subscribers. Read FULL description, details, bonuses, testimonials and more on APRIL CLASSES.

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Velvety Red-Orange Parrot Tulips and Asking – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 10

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 25, 2009

Parrot Tulip bud - velvety

opening tulip bud

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Parrot Tulips in different stages of opening

The sensory experiences are so strong from these two images that I invite you to simply be with them, without further descriptive words from me.

The APDA and Walk Story
The TULIP, a pink-edged one, is the symbol used for Parkinson’s Disease. Thus in March/April, for the fourth year now, I have been purchasing tulip plants and photographing them.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and each year, the American Parkinson’s Disease fund-raising walks are held throughout the United States. All MONEYS raised goes to RESEARCH for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

Thus, though not always the “correct” one, I have featured two to four photos in Picture to Ponder and created special Tulips pages with more. Starting with 2006, TULIPS 2006 you can follow links to the issue that year. Links for Tulips 2007 and 2008 can be found at the bottom of that page.

I also used Picture to Ponder and the above-mentioned pages, to offer subscribers to make a Walk donation to Research through an Amazon page. Given that my husband Sam (see Remembering Sam) had Parkinson’s Disease, I remain active in support groups, so intended to offer you the same opportunity this year and I learned that the service offered before is no longer available

I therefore invite anyone interested in supporting research for Stamping out Parkinson’s Disease and the walk to go directly to the South Florida “Make a Donation” page. Simply type “WALK” in the “Person’s Name” space, and or in the “Special Instructions” box, before your final payment submission.

The South Florida Walk will take place in Lake Ida Park in Delray Beach on Saturday, April 18th. Registration starts at 9:30 AM, the walk at 11 AM.

I invite you also the check for scheduled walks in your area in the United States and certainly feel free to make a donation to your local chapter, should you be interested in getting involved and that be your preference. Scroll down the APDA national site page for locations and more information.

Today’s Photos Story
Back to today’s Picture to Ponder photographs. I was thrilled with how these photographs turned out and simply want to take some time to luxuriate in them. Then last night, so you could see more of this year’s tulip photos, and more, I uploaded them onto my Flickr pages. See TULIPS set

Almost immediately I received an email inviting me to add each of them to the Parrot Tulips Group on FlickR. I went to the group and was in awe of many of the photos. I had never before paid attention to the beauty of this particular variety of tulips, though I’ve photographed them in the past.

In writing to the administrator, thanking her, we also gained a new subscriber to our Picture to Ponder community and I’ve made a new friend.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Part of putting together today’s issue had me looking at my own issues around money, asking for it for my services and asking for it for someone else, or for a charity to which I’m committed in supporting. I would assume that there are many of you out there who have neither of these issues around “asking” or “inviting.”

And, as I write, I’m reminded that the same emotional issues are not even always about money. I’m recalling times that I did not invite someone to do attend a party I might be giving, go with me someplace, or into a myriad of other situations. I make the prejudgment that they would not be interested in my invitation, so I don’t put myself out, take a chance on a refusal. The bottom line result is that ultimately neither of us benefit as I stay stuck in my “fear of rejection.”

I invite you to look and see if you find yourself anywhere in the above scenario. If so, I invite you to take one small action forward in possibly a new direction. To do this, what might you have to give up?

Keep in mind, the action may be something as simple, or perhaps for you not so simple, as saying “Hi” to, or smiling at, a stranger.

I also invite all of you to take a few moments to acknowledge yourselves for strides you’ve taken in your life where none of the above fits for you, or where once some of it did and you’ve moved past those strangleholds.

For what accomplishments can you, or will you choose to, acknowledge yourself today?

As always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience with today’s photos and writing on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

And do have fun with this today.

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Self-Expression as seen in Orchid Interpretations – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 9

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 18, 2009

yellow cattleya orchid

close up of yellow cattleya orchid

Orchids in jewelry and Japanese Woodblock pring

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Peachy Yellow and Rose-colored Cattleya Orchid from American Orchid Society greenhouse – first two photographs

Th top orchid represents fun, for me, in the lyrical, curvaceous lines of the edges and the linear patterns of the orchids behind. The middle photo draws us in with the lushness of color and smooth, almost silky textures of the orchid. And for those who like to find faces and other images in orchid photos, there are some here also.

The bottom is a composite of three photographs showing amber and silver Jewelry Orchid Jewelry by Dr. Sumner Silverman, a clinical psychologist and artist, and a Japanese Woodblock Print by Carol Brown, playfully entitled “.Japig”

The Story
In recent weeks I’ve visited the AOS gardens and greenhouse a few times, two of them for workshop demonstrations as part of the March Exhibition – “Four Fine Arts in the Garden – A unique opportunity to view art techniques revolving around the beauty of orchids,” as described on the AOS site.

During both the jewelry-making demonstration and the Japanese Woodblock one, thought I knew not exactly what, I was photographing with the thought of sharing something with you in Picture to Ponder.

Today’s Cattleya Orchid has been stating that it wanted to be with you, so I decided to combine the real orchid and the interpretations of other orchids. Very often in Picture to Ponder I speak of reality and interpretation in a metaphysical way, so it is interesting for me to have a different type of analogy. Actually the photographs are always interpretations in and of themselves, despite thinking that they are “real.”

If you check both sites – Dr. Sumner’s and Carol Brown’s, you’ll read that their individual art forms bring them to meditative states.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I speak above of reality and interpretations. I could invite you, once again, to look in your life at what you call “real” and where you “interpret.” And, as I reflect, I’m reminded that I have been looking at various forms of self-expression.

One of my missions in life is in supporting people in being freely, fully and authentically self-expressed. In addition to that, it is with both the camera and writing that I find myself most revealed, often pieces and parts of me of which I am not fully aware.

I invite you this week to pay attention and notice where you are most self-expressed. The examples above of today’s artists show examples of two different forms in the arts and yours may be totally unrelated to the arts.

I also invite to look and see if there is anyway in which you think I can support you into further recognizing and tapping into you own strengths. I have been considering reviving teleclasses again, perhaps incorporating photography and writing with coaching.

I had intended to put together a survey asking you to identify any interests you might have for my working with you. Should you have any thoughts, prior to my creating the survey, I’d appreciate an email with your feedback. Simply put SURVEY in the subject and address it to me, Sheila [at] picturetoponder.com (Note the link will work. I simply typed it this to forestall spamming.)

As always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience with today’s photos and writing on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

And do have fun with this today.

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Reverse Reflections – Baby Alligators in Picture to Ponder – Volume 5 – Issue 8

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 11, 2009

Reflections #1 of baby alligator in water at Green Cay Nature Center

Baby alligator photo #2 in water reflected in aquarium in Green Cay Nature Center

Baby alligator on rock in Aquarium at Green Cay Nature Senter

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Reflections of Baby Alligators in Water in an Aquarium in Green Cay Nature Center in Boynton Beach, FL and one out of the water.

I was, and am, captivated by the reflections I saw of the underwater alligators as I looked through the glass of this aquarium. Rather than the usual upside down image reflection to which I am accustomed in water, here the “reverse image is above, rather than below, the subject.

The added fascination for me is that in both the top and middle photos the alligator and reflection appear more as one unit rather than a separate segments. The colors and textures are about equal, very different from the reflection of the smaller alligator seen in the bottom photo.

Contributing to the aesthetic element are the structures within the aquarium created specifically for these alligators.

The Story
Green Cay Nature Center is devoted to education and preserving the environment. Thinking that some of you might have a concern for the alligators, before completing today’s issue of Picture to Ponder, I called and spoke to a Naturalist at the Center to get more information on the “babies”.

The alligators we see here have been brought in from an Alligator Farm. They are approximately one year old and will stay at Green Cay for another year or two until they get to large for that environment. They will then be sent back to the Alligator Farm where they will continue to be hand fed.

Usually my interest in Green Cay is walking on the boardwalk, luxuriating in visual discoveries, very often as found in the sunsets so many of you love when they are featured here.

I rarely go into the building unless it’s to take out-of-town visitors or attend a Palm Beach Poetry Festival’s “Bards of a Feather” quarterly poetry reading. So it was an added and exciting treat for me to make the discovery I share here in today’s photographs.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I stated above that ordinarily I don’t “bother” stopping into the Nature Center when I go to Green Cay. I assume I already “know” what’s there and I won’t find anything particularly new that will interest me. And, of course, as we’ve read above, when I went in and looked with “open eyes” I found something that got me quite excited. Perhaps, it will also result in new openings for you.

Today I invite you to look around you in your world at the places where you usually spend time at work or home. It could be en route to a customary location. It could even be the supermarket. Pause to find something you’ve never noticed before or something you can look at in a new way. Then spend a moment or two simply “being” with it.

What is it you are seeing “newly” AND what is the feeling of that experience for you? Describe it to yourself. Perhaps you’d like to share it with another.

Then I invite you to look at one or more situations in your life that you have been taking for granted. Is there anything you’ve learned from the above that you can now transfer to the situation(s)?

As always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

And do have fun with this today.

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Wild Irises in Wakodahatchee – Comparisons and Connections – Picture to Ponder – Vol. 5 – Issue 7

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 3, 2009

center of a dying wild iris in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Centers of “fading” Wild Irises in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

I love the folds and textures in the top photo and the total mystery of it. Feeling like I’m looking at fabric, there is no way I would think, “iris.” The lower photo is a little more obvious, as a flower center. In the full image the two petals on the side at the top of the flower look like they are waving at you in full greeting.

See WILD IRISES for views of the complete flowers.

The Story
Last year was the first year I had the delightful surprise of happening on wild purple irises as I walked along the boardwalk in Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Heretofore my experience had only been with garden irises in the Northeast.

Last week, I was thrilled that there was once again a showcase of iris blooms. This time I had the pleasure of sharing them with my cousins. Since the battery on his camera had died, I lent my camera to Michael, one of our younger generation of cousins. I loved a couple of his iris photos, but “of course, I couldn’t use them.” (My rules and today I did resize one for you. See Michael Klein’s Iris.)

I went back a few days later, walking with a friend a little earlier in the day, and took several photos, two of which I used in the header I created for the GARDEN OF THE SOUL promo mailing I did last week. In her book, as I mentioned, Lynn refers to the iris as the symbol for “receiving.”

After I looked at my photos on the computer, I made the decision that Michael’s were better. Usually, when I compare and I come out (in my opinion) on the “lower” end, I’ll put the differences in cameras down as one of the factors that might have me “not measuring up.” This time it was MY camera on which the picure was recorded!

A few days later I made the decision that perhaps it was the difference in lighting. So I went back yesterday at what I thought was approximately the same time. What I neglected to do was check the actual time on the photo record on the computer. I realized as I was writing Picture to Ponder today, I was still one half hour off. I spent a lot of time in my head “working out” the time and never thought of the much simpler solution – simply check the records.

Finally, what I was faced with yesterday was that nine days later the flowers were past their prime, many dying off, or in the final stages, as was the iris featured in the upper photo today.

I am sharing this whole “story”, not for you to compare, reassure me, or agree that Michael’s IS better (smiling). It’s simply that I want to remind both you and me of the processes and stories we put ourselves through as we go through life.

By the way, there is still one more justification for why Michael’s photo might be better than mine. He is about a foot taller (maybe less) than me. He physcially brings an entirely different point of view, one there is no way I can replicate.

To conclude, as my friend Marifran pointed out when reading this, things change from moment to moment, person to person, and are never exactly the same.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
My story on the photographic experience discussed today went into much more detail than usual. Mainly I wanted to emphasize the humor, or the irony, of what we put ourselves through.

1 – I am inviting you today to look at your life. Is there a place where you have been doing a lot of comparing of yourself with another and, in your estimation, coming out on the “less-than” end of the picture? If so, I invite you to pause to reflect on your assets, your uniqueness, what you bring to the “picture.” I also invite you to write down YOUR attributes so that you remember what they are, especially at low times.

2 – One more quick story related to the Iris Walk and then a second self-reflecting query – Last week, when I went back for a Wakodahatchee walk with a friend, I paused to take some more iris photos. I sensed my friend’s restlessness and, after we moved on, she commented that sometimes she likes to walk without her camera so she can be fully with the walk.

Reminded about the exprience yesterday as I was walking in the same place, I realized that for me it’s the camera that at times is what aids me in being fully present with a situation, people, nature or myself. It often is my unconscious way of communicating with myself, my soul, as well as with what I am photographing.

I invite you to look at what methods you use for being fully connected with yourself. Are the people with whom you may be interacting at the time fully aware of what it is for you?

As always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience on the blog. See the instructions below if you need help.

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