Picture to Ponder

Orchids, Magnolias and Intuition – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 6

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 25, 2009

Magenta orchids in AOS greenhouse

Magnolias in Dallas Arboretum

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Orchids from the American Orchid Society greenhouse and Magnolias from the Dallas Arboretum

The Story
Life has been rich and full with amazing, transformational courses and, even more importantly, with visits and time spent with family and friends.

The top orchid photo was taken when I was sharing my beloved AOS gardens and greenhouse with cousins from NJ and their two sons, one of whom lives in San Francisco and the other, in Vienna. What a delight it was to spend the day with them sharing my local Nature paradises.

Back to the orchids – I had been drawn to the image, not sure why, when I downloaded it into my computer. I was “testing” it out for use in Picture to Ponder and set it aside. Then yesterday, it popped up on my MacIntosh monitor, seemingly out of nowhere, while I was working on my Windows laptop. So, I’m trusting that there is a reason it wants to be with you.

The lower photo, magnolias, opening and reaching out, was taken in the Dallas Museum during a tour with Rebecca, my wonderful and generous hostess and friend. The flowers themselves seem to happily be welcoming Spring, officially here in three weeks and a couple of days.

Both photos work together compositionally in colors and opposing directions of the linear patterns.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Recently, I have been coming more aware of my intuition, a somewhat alien field for me since I’ve always said I wasn’t very intuitive. Despite that, throughout the years of publishing Picture to Ponder and selecting photos for it, I’ve often said that particular photos “wanted to be with you,” a form of intuition, I’m sure.

Experience and hearing from you has me know that a photo or photos, and sometimes the writing, in each issue will have a profound impact on at least one of you. So I started trusting that if something “pops” out at me, it is meant to be here for you. I therefore am especially curious if today’s orchid photo has a elicited a particular response in any of you.

In querying myself, I decided to print out the photo, to move away from the computer and use it as a journaling, writing prompt. I invite you to do the same. I will point out that, for me, the experience of the photo was quite different when printed out, so I wrote also from memory.

Not wanting to “color” your response, should you choose to take on the journaling exercise, I will not discuss the photo further and should you wish to blog on it, I’d be glad to share some of my writing experience in follow up comments.

All of this is evidently coming from my intuition. Are you tuned into yours? If you think not, I invite you to pause from time-to-time today in whatever you are doing and notice if your thoughts suggest a particular action… could be something very small, such as pick up something, move across the room, or any one of hundreds of things. If so, pay attention in a way you might not have done before and have fun with it.

Moving on to, perhaps, a totally different conversation – In the last issue I mentioned “gratitude.” Once again I am very present to it, after a week away consisting of two days with like-minded businesswomen and five days with friends and family, then visits with more who have traveled here to Florida.

I invite you to express gratitude for that for which you are currently most appreciative. Sometimes it may not always be so easy. If for some reason you are in that space, I invite you to look around you, find a color, a shape, something which attracts your eye. Be with that for a minute or two and find the gratitude that you can pull from it.

As always, when you’re finished, I invite you to share your experience in the COMMENTS section of this blog. And, remember to have fun, or if this got “heavy” at the end, to find peace.

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Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 5: February Roses in Ringling Museum Gardens Create Self-Awareness

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 10, 2009

Close up of a peachy yellow rose in Mable Ringling Rose Garden

Yellow orange rose in Mable Ringling Rose garden on the Ringling Museum grounds

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sunlit Roses in Ringling Museum Rose Garden in Sarasota, Florida

Last week, the day before the coldest day in six years in Sarasota, roses were in full bloom in Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden. I include them here to bring sunshine and brightness to you wherever you reside, whatever your weather conditions are.

The top photo, close-up view, gives us the opportunity to explore more of the rhythm of the inner beauty of this particular rose. The bottom one greets us with its full blown richness. Unfortunately, the strong, mid-day light, creates somewhat of a “fight” for attention between the bright background and the flower.

The Story
Once again, I’m on the move. This time, it’s a trip to Dallas, TX for a workshop and then to visit friends and family. I expect that during my visit with one of my friends, I will get some tips that would have me better to control lighting in situations such as the one in the lower photo, using Photoshop and/or settings on my camera, preferably the latter.

With all that’s been happening, I’m feeling quite blessed and thankful for the loving and supportive people in my life.

Given what I’ve yet to do in preparation, I had the thought to simply skip this week’s Picture to Ponder. Then I reminded myself of my commitment to myself and to you to publish an issue a week, so I am striving for brevity and efficiency.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Is there a place in your life right now where everything is so full, as with the lower rose, that you’re not sure where you want to start? If so, I invite you to pause and look closely at certain segments of your life and your activities.

Spend time individually with the components. Perhaps use the framing of the rose in the top photo as a guide. As a warmup, you might use the second rose. Create a small opening in a piece of paper or index card and slowly move around the photo on your computer monitor. Make note of anything new that shows up. Do the same for your own life segments.

Then, given I mentioned, above, gratitude for my family, friends and travel, I invite you to express gratitude for that for which you are currently most appreciative.

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

And, remember to have fun.

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Wakodahatchee Light – Warmth in the Cold – Picture to Ponder – Vol. 5 – Issue 4

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 5, 2009

sunlit reeds in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photo
Late afternoon Sunlight on Reeds in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

The Story
There is not much of a story today. As I was looking through photos of the day downloaded last week, this one caught my eye. It called to me to be a featured photo and when I found it again today, I agreed.

I’ve just returned from a three-day trip to the west coast of Florida to visit visiting friends from New Jersey. It was very cold for us Floridians, the “coldest night in six years.” It was very cold for us Floridians, the “coldest night in six years.” Below freezing; how easy to get spoiled after 6 years. I am originally from the Northeast in the USA and should be used to cold weather!

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Sun Light and Supports at Sea – Picture to Ponder: Vol 5 – Issue 3

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 27, 2009

sunrise in the Caribbean Sea on board an MSC Cruise ship

sunrise from the deck on board MSC Cruise ship in the Caribbean

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sunrise from the top deck of the ship on which I was cruising two weeks ago in the Western Caribbean – En route to the Dominican Republic

The top photo shows clearly the sun and its reflections in the sea centered between the clear protective panels. The large angular element is one of the structural components of the boat. I like the strong dimension it adds to the photograph.
The dark corners are, I think, from my lens hood protector, creating an interesting framing effect.

The light pole on the left is actually a reflection from the location behind me, with, I think, some other technological elements that might be reflected from the ceiling. Those who wish to puzzle it out from other photos taken of that portion of the ship from two decks below, can click on TOP DECK 1 and TOP DECK 4

The lower photo is reflecting sunspots, or lens glare. I find it quite fitting for the upcoming Self-Reflecting Queries. I also like the colors and the angles.

The Story
Subscribers have been asking to see cruise photos. I stated that they were mainly sunrises and a couple of sunsets and not very high quality or all that different to me. And, looking to accommodate the requests I went through the photos again. The top one caught my eye and then the second. Following my practice of trusting that to which I am attracted, these two photos have become the featured ones for today’s Picture to Ponder.

As stated in the description, I found it especially interesting that there was so much going on in each of the images. I’m intrigued with the fact that the objects behind me, not visible to my eye as I look through the camera, are such an integral part of the photograph and its composition.

In the second photo the “bombardment” of activity of the “hot spots” reminds me of all that I have going on right now, especially as I continue to catch up on programs and calls I missed while I was away.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
1. As I reflect on how important the “unseen” in the first photograph becomes so critical to the composition, I ponder my own life and all the unidentified going on in the background of my mind.

Then I look at the sun in the photo and see how it centers the photo and me, reminding me that there is always a quiet place on which to center and get “grounded” even “at sea.”

I invite you to look an your life, reflect on and identify your quiet and centering spaces. Are they places you need to visit, or can you recall and be in them simply through visualization?

2. I discuss “bombardment” in the lower photo. As I spend time with this scene I feel anchored by the strong dark colors and shapes of the translucent panels that are protecting me, keeping me safely on board. The view between is soft, warm and comforting and everything seems to hold together and move in a forward direction.

I invite you to, once again, reflect on your life. Can you see your direction? What are the strengths in your life? Your supports?

As always have fun with this, and why not share in the COMMENTS section following this post on the blog.

More Cruise Photos – Sculpture in Key West
In the last issue when I mentioned J Seward Johnson’s ICONS OF HISTORY sculpture exhibit in the Custom House in Key, I promised you more photos. You can see them now in the SCULPTURE SET on my FlickR pages.

Upcoming Programs
Speaking of reflecting on inner selves and outer selves, my dear friend Adela Rubio is launching the Self Care Mastery Revolution teleseminar series featuring 15 experts over a 15 week period. You can claim your spot now in this f*r*e*e* program – See SELF-CARE

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Inner You – Woman in a Tree Knot – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5 – Issue 2

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 22, 2009

Wood knot in a tree in Key West with a hidden lady image

Image enlarged of a lady in a tree in Key West

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Lady in a Wood Knot in a tree along a sidewalk in Key West, FL

The upper photo shows the image in the wood knot; the lower, a close-up of the woman I saw, with her full face looking to the side, a bow in her hair, a white chemise and bare arms.

The Story
I had forgotten that I featured wood in the last issue of Picture to Ponder when I decided to use today’s image as the featured photo(s). Returning from a cruise last week, I am still catching up, so I’ll not “worry” about “duplication” though the images are quite different. Last week’s tree trunk was the “whole”, or the external parts that were signficant. In this week’s photo, it’s the internal segment that’s most important.

Not surprisingly, for those of you who know me, one of the highlights for me of the whole trip was the discovery of the woman in the tree above. “She” caught my eye as I was walking down one of the the streets in Key West after seeing an exciting show of Seward Johnson’s ICONS OF HISTORY at the Key West Art and Historical Society’s Custom House Museum.

I tell you about the exhibit because I’m thinking that, in part, I might have been even more open to immediately seeing the woman in the wood knot, possibly having been influenced by the art I had just seen.

I was already familiar with Seward Johnson’s work from the Grounds for Sculpture in Trenton, NJ and found some of the work here in the Key West show even more intriguing. Perhaps because some of it was more contemporary. Johnson replicates famous paintings and photographs, creating them into life-size sculptures which include the environments that were in the paintings. (Click on the Grounds for Sculpture link to see some examples. To fully appreciate the scope of the sizes of the pieces be sure to read the small print describing the dimensions.)

I will get some photos up from the Key West exhibit and share them next week, probably on my FlickR site.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
1. Given the discovery of the “hidden” woman, it seems fitting to invite you to take a few minutes to explore the, possibly “hidden,” parts of you within, both the masculine and the feminine. Are they trying to tell you something?

2. I invite you to take a moment or two to reflect on and honor what most excites you in your life. Perhaps there is an action or two you might like to take. For me it’s making discoveries and then sharing them with others.

I found it interesting that at breakfast a few days after our trolley car return to the boarding area of the ship, two of the women sitting behind me then remembered me and the photos I had excitedly shared.

3. Are you aware of what you would like people to think after first meeing you? I invite you to consider an encounter or two and reflect on what you think their perceptions might be. Are these aligned with how you would like to be viewed?

4. For what is it that you would like most to be known?

As always have fun with this, and why not share in the Comments following this post on the blog.

Upcoming Programs
Speaking of reflecting on inner selves and outer selves, my dear friend Adela Rubio is launching the Self Care Mastery Revolution teleseminar series featuring 15 experts over a 15 week period. You can claim your spot now in this f*r*e*e* program – See SELF-CARE – or watch for further details from me in a mailing tomorrow.

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Sunset and Sunrise at Wakodahatchee Wetlands cast light on the Holidays – Picture to Ponder: vol 4 -I ssue 48

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 23, 2008

Sunset at Wakodahatchee - looks like ski slpes

 

sunrise opening at Wakodahatchee Wetlands

 

sunrise scene at Wakodahatchee Wetlaands - Delray Beach, FL

 

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sunset and Sunrise in Wakodahtachee Wetlands

The top photo was taken at sunset. As I looked at the screen, after I snapped the first picture, it looked to me like the sun was setting behind a ski slope. In Sunset Rays you can see the rays of the sun coming through behind thick layers of clouds.

The bottom two photos are of a sunrise at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. In the first of the two, I especially appreciate the full opening up, fanning out, of the light of the sun.

I include the lower of the two sunrises to gift the feeling of serenity and warmth, particularly to those of you around the country and the world experiencing the harshness of winter’s cold and raging snowfalls.

The Story
There is definitely not a long “story” today.

Simply, as I continued to look for the “right” photos, I reminded myself to be easy on me and go with what I had mentally bookmarked, a couple of weeks ago, to feature in Picture to Ponder, the sunset that reminded me of photos of ski slopes.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
In invite you to look into your life. Are there recurring areas where you continue to spend a lot of time and belabor doing “THE RIGHT thing”, making “THE RIGHT choice”?

For me it is, of course, far more than selecting photos for Picture to Ponder. This week a lot of energy went on “THE RIGHT gift” and “THE RIGHT amounts of money” on a gift cards. A friend of mine reminded me that more important is the consideration for the person, rather than the gift itself, that is important. At other times, it’s “the RIGHT thing” to wear, “the RIGHT thing” to eat and much more. I’m sure that you can add to the list from your own life.

If any of this fits for you, I invite you to take one thing on which you are currently dwelling and simply choose, letting the chatter go. If there is nothing that occurs right now, as you read, I invite you to take note of any thing that might pop up during the next few days. Choose to simplify and release the angst of choosing at least one “RIGHT” thing.

Remember to have fun with this.

To All, who are celeberating a holiday in the next few days, may it be a joyful, happy one, filled with peace and love. May each and everyone have days filled with the latter.

Whether or not you are celebrating a holiday, please remember to celebrate yourself. Love to all.

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Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 47 – Round Cactus – Shedding and New Growth

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 18, 2008

cactus1 - 2005

Cactus 1 - 2008 close up

wide view of cactus 2 - 2008

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
a Round Cactus first featured in Picture to Ponder in February 2005

The top photo is the one featured in Issue 39 and discussed in Issue 40 . In 2005 the plant at that point resided on a table on my patio. It now resides on a ledge in my bathroom, lighted by that coming through a glass block window.

The middle photo of the plant currently attempts to replicate the view in the 2005 shot. For those interested in comparing the different time frames, I took a picture of the plant today on the same table in the patio so the lighting would be the similar to the first time, the bottom photo.

When observing the view of the whole plant, you can see how curled up the older leaves have gotten and yet the new growth in the center is still vibrant and full.

The Story
There’s not much more to the story today, other than what’s stated above.

Recently every time I see this cactus plant, my inner voice tells me to photograph and feature it again in Picture to Ponder. I finally took the new photographs today. Then, when sorting through the others I downloaded with them, two additional themes, vying for attention, emerged.

I finally stopped the inner chatter and chose to stick with what I planned. I’m not even sure what it is about the plant that’s having it be “the one” for today.

As I look at the plant and reflect on it, I’m thinking that it can be symbollic for the new year and for the birthdays I just celebrated, Picture to Ponder’s and my own. Most of the plant looks like it’s dying off, at least withering away and yet, when looking at the core, the vibrancy of new growth is rich and full.

Perhaps it’s bringing us the message that we can look at the past year and see the things that we are ready to shed, perhaps even casting off some fears, knowing that what’s ahead is bright and green.

And, as I’m completing the last sentence, I’m marveling at the relevant thoughts and ideas that showed up. There are several opportunities I want to share with you today and the above unexpectedly leads to two of them! – my friend Debbie Friedman’s offer of her complimentary FREEDOM FROM FEAR audio and Sandy Grason’s exciting LIVE FABULOUS NOW five week program in which I am participating.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Accepting that the message of the photos is about shedding and growth, I invite you to look into your life and at the past year to see what you might have already let go.

Can you see the new growth waiting to burst through? Perhaps it already has. Are your celebrating?

Look again at the 2008 plant photos above. Note the beauty in the curves of the leaves that are still there reminding us of what still is.

Now check. Are there accomplishments for which you have yet to acknowledge yourself? If so, please take some time to do so now.

Enjoy your voyage of Exploration and Discovery and please check the programs below, all of which have the potential to enhance and propel your journey.

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Special Offers – Must See’s

Debbie Friedman, Cleaning out the Closet of Your Mind, in her Share the Freedom movement Program is offering her Gaining Freedom From Fear, relaxation and transformation audio at No Charge to as many people as possible, “everyone everywhere so that each individual can take their power back and live the life they love to live.”

Click on SHARE THE FREEDOM Movement for more information and to get your gift Freedom from Fear audio.

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ARTELLA, one of the most creative sites, I know is offering 55% off of both memberships and Gift Certificates. They have a wonderful variety of special gifts from artists and crafts people on this site. See ARTELLA GIFTS.

Also, if you missed it three issues ago, ARTELLA is gifting you complimentary ebooks, including ExerSIGHS: A Self-Esteem Workbook for Writers and Artists

Another that I’ve also downloaded and am still looking forward to reading is MoneyMorphosis: Ten Things Butterflies Can Teach Us About Money. The description states that it invites us to transform the way we think about money by following 10 metaphorical fables in which butterflies teach us about true prosperity.

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LIVE FABULOUS NOW is a program in which I am currently enrolled and participating with Sandy Grason who usually charges a substantial fee for her coaching and courses. She is doing a very special, relatively inexpensive, transformative five week program all about how to Live Fabulous Now, being all you can be right now! Being authentic and living full out as we enter the New Year 2009.

Though the class has already started, you can still catch up with the MP3s. There are no classes next week, so getting up to date will be easier. I’m already feeling the impact in how I’m managing my tasks and staying more focused on my priorities. Sandy is giving us small easy to use tools in many areas of our lives.

Delightfully high in energy Sandy also emphasizes intentional CELEBRATION, something that will be a major breakthrough for me. For more information and to enroll, LIVE FABULOUS NOW

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For the Artists among you – smARTist 2009 telesummit is coming up in January. This is the third year I will be attending and I am excited. You can listen to the recording of the panel of 11 experts sharing some of what they will be speaking about. There is also a recording of Ariane Goodwin interviewing Allyson Stanfield on the 10 Qualities needed to promote your art as well as market it. You can also register to hear Mari Smith speak on how to use Facebook to “ramp up your art career”. Go to PRE-EVENTS.

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Picture to Ponder 4th Birthday – Celebrating with Bougainvillea – Vol 4 – Issue 46

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 10, 2008

Happy 4th Birthday Picture to Ponder and subscribers.
Special thanks to those of you have been with us since
Issue 1 – December 9, 2004. Click on the link to see what my mission was.
I think you’ll agree that together we’ve been
fulfilling on it. Much delight and joy to all as we enter our 5th Year!

bougainvillea 1

bougainvillea 2

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Bougainvillea from a bush outside our community in Boynton Beach, FL

In the upper photo the flower on the right looks like “lips” to me. Thus, I thought the picture would be great for sending kisses to us all as we celebrate Picture to Ponder’s birthday.

The lower photo shows the full range of colors and the subtle differences that attracted me.

The Story
The other night I was driving into the community where I live and from a distance the large plant in the front of a center island caught my eye. It looked to be a plant with multi-colored leaves. See photo 3 to view a fuller expanse of the leaves and flowers. “Fascinating,” thought ,I and, of course, I pulled in front of it and parked so that my camera and I could investigate. (Note – Photo 3 was taken in morning light. Thus a different feeling to it.)

What I thought were different kinds of leaves turned out to be the flowers colored by the many stages of their life cycle, from beginning to their “death.”

I had been pondering, off and on, for a couple of days as to what photos I might have, or would show up, to honor our Picture to Ponder birthday. Then the noticing of this bush showed up, offering both pictures and a theme.

The flowers in today’s featured bougainvillea represent, to me, the beauty of all the stages of our lives. The parts of the flower that are dying off are soft and lovely and, seemingly for a while, stay and show off their full range of beauty within each petal, rather than suddenly “dying off,” which seems to happen with many plants.

It therefore became fitting to use these photos for this issue to acknowledge all the pieces of our growth. The presentation of Picture to Ponder has mellowed and changed somewhat during these past four years and yet the parts remain an integral part of us.

EZezine, the publisher we used until recently, kindly still holds the ARCHIVES for people to visit at any time. (Though please do not use their subscribe or unsubscribe buttons. They do not link to our current publisher and list. If you are a visitor, use SUBSCRIBE at the end of this issue)

All Picture to Ponder issues can also be accessed by following the links at the bottom of any issue in the eteletours.com site or by simply changing the numbers in the URL. See this issue, as an example, http://www.eteletours.com/v4-issue46.html or Issue 1 mentioned to at the top of this page.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
So how does this all relate to us and our Self-Reflecting Queries? For me, it brings to mind many of the different facets of ourselves. Therefore, I invite you to look into your life and query,

“Are there pieces of me, in current or past experiences, that I have “cast off”, dismissed as dead and gone, perhaps useless?”

If “yes”, I invite you to take some time to reflect, see how they contributed to who you are today, to the beauty of you and the fabric of your life AND then CELEBRATRE ALL of  YOU!

Castera Rose on a Pillow in the Nature Art Gift shopCelebrate our Birthday with us. Gift yourself, or a loved one, with a pillow, clock, tile, mug, or one of our many other gift items enhanced with a Picture to Ponder Photograph. Go to Nature Art Gift Shop (first link on that page is by photo category, others are by product)

Coming to you with love and appreciation. Happy LifeDay, LifeYear.

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Wood Knots – Pondering Attracting What’s Next – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 45

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 2, 2008

Calendar cover for 2009 sunset calendar2009 – 12 month Calendars have been updated with several new sunsets in the Sunrise/Sunset Calendar and new flowers in the Flowers Calendar. See 2009 Calendars. Be sure also to check out the year-at-a-glance calendars. I keep one above my computer and one on my refrigerator.

Image in a Wood knot on railing in Green Cay Wetlands

Wood knot beauty on railing in Green Cay Wetlands

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Wood Knots on the Railing of the Boardwalk in Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL

In the upper photo, I, at first, enjoyed the feeling of looking at sky, though it was water, as I gazed at and beyond the railing. When I got ready to post it here, I suddenly noticed the “animal” with its head resting comfortably in the space seemingly cut out just for “him.” The dark area of the concave section of the railing could even be his tail. Might our imaginary creature be in the squirrel family?

Insofar as the lower image, once I separated it from the other photographs I had taken, I became aware of its aesthetic beauty. I love the coloring, the depth of the openings and the rhythm and movement of the lines and patterns in the wood.

The Story
There is not much of a story to today’s photographs. The thought of using one of the “scenic” railing images has been with me since I took the photographs about a month ago.

When I started looking through my files for featured photographs for today’s Picture to Ponder, I came across a glass sculpture that moved me. I spent time searching for, and did not find, the contact information for the sculptor, to get permission, and then went on to studying a new site on spiritual mandalas, considering how I could weave them both together for you today.

I then spent time searching my files for the full-size truck photo/drawings I need for putting together a 12-month Truck Art Calendar. I wanted that done before I published today’s issue of Picture to Ponder.

I finally paused in my scattered, yet focused activity, and accepted that the work involved was too time-consuming for immediate resolution and that delivering Picture to Ponder today was the priority.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
As you can tell from the above, I have been “all over the place.” This is descriptive of more than selecting photos for today’s issue. And, I’ve give myself permission to be peacefully in the query, resting, “pondering” like the “creature” in the top photo.

Is there any place in your life right now where it would forward you to take some space, to give yourself permission to simply “be” with what’s there, trusting that what’s meant to open up for you will?

If you see something, I invite you to take whatever action…. to trust…. to allow.

And, if you are actively looking for something to support you, Coco Fossland, with whom I’ve taken some powerful, empowering courses, is offering a 7 Day Manifestation Journey
as a gift, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3rd. If you are reading this after that date, you may still join in. Recordings of calls and print material will be available.

Coco states, in her introduction to the Manifestation Journey:

“This group is for people who want to embrace and use the Laws of Creation to manifest something desired in 7 days.

This group is for people who want to embark on a 7 Day Manifestation Journey. This program is A GIFT TO YOU, from World Changing Business Founder, Coco Fossland…” For details go to 7 Day Journey.

If you are a member of FACEBOOK, you can also access, and participate in, the program by joining the World Changing Business Group. It’s the same, either choice you make.

Have a joyous and restful (if you so choose) week. Do remember to play.

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Heart in Nature Express Gratitude – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 44

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 25, 2008

Phalaenopsis orchid in American Orchid Society Gardens

Reed and reflection bent into shape of a heart in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
two seemingly incongruous photos, wishing you in the United States a Happy Thanksgiving and all of you Dear Readers a joyful time of Gratitude.

The top photo is a Phalaenopsis Orchid from the American Orchid Society Gardens in Delray Beach, FL and the lower photo is a Heart formed by the Reflection of a bent Reed in Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach

The Story of the Photographs
Usually I rely on the photos themselves to suggest a theme. Today, as I was thinking about Thanksgiving I, of course, thought of gratitude and how appropriate a “heart” photo from Nature might be. This led me to the lower photo which I love, and featured more than three years ago in a special issue of Picture to Ponder, “From My Heart to Yours” – Issue 130a.

In scanning more recent photographs for another “natural” heart image, the orchid called out to me. Although it’s a stretch to find a heart shape in it, the orchid seems to give the wide-open and bright feeling of an open heart. Looking closely we can see little arms that could be reaching out to embrace you.

My Gratitude as it Relates Here
As I think about “Gratitude”, particularly in relation to Picture to Ponder, three women, especially, stand out for me at this time. So much of the being of Picture to Ponder can be traced back to actions they took and programs in which I participated with them.

1. So many of you here became subscribers to Picture to Ponder after reading Stacey Robyn’s recommendation of my work on Day 28 of her Go Gratitude experiment – 42 days of Gratitude, three years ago. It was her intention to reach, globally, 1,000,000 people in gratitude during that time period. Stacey and her partner, Ken Herbert, are reintroducing another Wave of 42 days of Gratitude, beginning November 27th. If you have not seen the information, check out WORLD GRATITUDE.

2. eTeletours.com, as a website, the “parent” of Picture to Ponder, and then Picture to Ponder itself, was formed during the time I participated in the You University course created and facilitated by Marney Makridakis of Artellaland. Marney is one of the most creative people I know. She is ongoingly coming up with new ideas and products, many of which especially please people who enjoy creating in one art form or another.

After working on development for some time, she and her partner have launched an amazing new affiliate program, which includes my being able to offer some complimentary downloads to you. Included in the package of fr*e*e ebooks is ExerSIGHS: A Self-Esteem Workbook for Writers and Artists

Another that I’ve also downloaded and am looking forward to reading is MoneyMorphosis: Ten Things Butterflies Can Teach Us About Money. The description states that if invites us to transform the way we think about money by following 10 metaphorical fables in which butterflies teach us about true prosperity.

To see more fully what Marney offers, check out the home page of Artellaland.

3. And I would be totally remiss, were I not to mention Writer, Actor, Coach Julie Jordan Scott in this listing of three women to whom we all can express gratitude for the work I so freely bring to you. I took countless teleclasses and writing courses with her over a period of several years. In many ways, particularly in my authentic and public writing style, I consider Julie my mentor.

When I conduct teleclasses, much of my format style is based on what I picked up from Julie. Although she is not currently offering programs on the Web to which I can link, you can get a taste of her writing on her blog – Julie Unplugged.

You can see her photography, along with her comments, by going to Julie’s FlickR account. I’d like to think that the fact that she finally got into using a camera, long after our course associations, was partially, directly or indirectly, out of what she experienced through me in Picture to Ponder.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I invite you to look at your life, note some of the things, you have, do or be, that are important to you, and then reflect back on the origins of that which you discovered.

If there is someone, or ones, that were at the source, I invite you to take a few minutes to acknowledge and express gratitude to that person, or persons, face-to-face, on the phone and/or by writing.

Remember to also recognize yourself for actions you’ve taken. Be sure to acknowledge the courageous ones.

Have a joyous and peaceful week. Thank you for being in my life.

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