Sunsets

Dried Roses and New Growth on Stems – Winter into Spring

by Sheila Finkelstein on March 9, 2010

Three plus weeks ago, these six roses were part of a dozen that were an integral part of a large mixture of flowers my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren gave me on Valentine’s Day. They were acknowledging the sadness I felt, missing my husband who has been gone for more than two years. I wrote about the experience on Writing for Healing.

Then two days later published the first of the rose photos and wrote about the experience here on Photography and Transformation. A week after that, impressed with the longevity and beauty of six of the roses, eight days after my original writing, I once again photographed and posted a photo of Beauty in an Aged Rose.

I thought that both the roses and I were finished with the photo journaling. And then, lo and behold, the other day I noticed new growth – green leaves – on the stems of these flowers that have been off the plant for who-knows-how-long.

In a virtual writing retreat, or “camp”, as Julie Jordan Scott refers to it, Julie has been speaking of relating our experiences to those of coming out of Winter into Spring. These now dead roses with the new growth seem to be such a metaphor for that I felt the necessity of once again photographing and sharing this “miracle.”

All kinds of stories come to my mind. Seems I think in stories much of my life. A friend says that these roses are Sam talking to me. And, putting all of that aside, I am attempting to cut down on my words. So I leave you today with mainly the photos and the opportunity for you to share your own stories, if you so wish, in the COMMENTS section just below.

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The Wonder of Discovery – Green Cay Sunset and Window Reflections – Picture to Ponder – v5 issue 20

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 10, 2009

sunset greencay 60909 475 The Wonder of Discovery Green Cay Sunset and Window Reflections Picture to Ponder v5 issue 20

window reflection cropped 475 The Wonder of Discovery Green Cay Sunset and Window Reflections Picture to Ponder v5 issue 20

Last night was a beautiful sunset night, one which I might have even missed had I kept my head straight ahead looking at the plants and birds in Green Cay Wetlands, not lifting my head.

When I did I look up, I got totally absorbed in the WONDER of the sunset. This morning I was sitting and writing in my backyard and happened to glance over at the very high windows above the windows and screens that enclose my patio. See Rooftop and Window Reflections.

Again, there was the feeling of wonder for me, as I looked at and then photographed the wavy reflections in the plastic glass. I then started thinking about the parallels between the two experiences.

Both were ones I would have missed without my “eyes” and “being” open to them. I was reminded of the “wonder” I find in making discoveries such as these and then the joy that I and others experience when they, too, open up to the visual wonders in their worlds during and after my EXPAND YOUR VISION – Through and From the Lens telecourse.

TODAY’S PHOTOS -
The top is a photo, as I stated above, of a sunset in Green Cay Wetlands, with a portion of the boardwalk and the Nature Center building leading you into the sun and reflections. As I completed my walk the sunset became even more fiery.

sunset2 fixed cropped The Wonder of Discovery Green Cay Sunset and Window Reflections Picture to Ponder v5 issue 20

The lower of the top two featured photographs is a segment of the reflections in one of the windows. Because of the slant, I separated it out from the full photo of the window and put it on a plain background. You can get the feel of what I saw initially in Windows and Rooftop.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
What is it that excites you when you look around you? Are there images and scenes you enjoy spending time with and in?

Do you remain aware of the places which give you the most sustenance, or do you need to make a list to remind yourself?

I invite you to spend some time this week looking for the new in what may seem routine and not worthy of note in your environment.

As always, have fun with this.

EXCITING PROGRAM for growth and expansion -
Before leaving for Georgia two weeks ago, I registered for the Spiritual Marketing Telesummit, that was held last week, knowing that I would be able to listen to the recordings of the calls. I was able to listen “live” to three of them and since have heard the recordings of several more.

All were high energy and, in fact, fit the theme of “Energy Shifting.” Geared toward people in business, I started finding more clarity in my soul purpose, expanded even further as I listened to those beyond the live ones.

Though the site was scheduled to come down when the calls were over, it will be up until this Friday, June 12th. Later in the year a, perhaps more costly, product package is expected to come out. In the meantime, I strongly recommend your checking out Spiritual Marketing to see if the content in the recordings will answer something for you in your life.

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

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

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on February 5, 2009

sunlitreeds 109 Wakodahatchee Light Warmth in the Cold Picture to Ponder Vol. 5 Issue 4

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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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 waterfalls 1208 Sunset and Sunrise at Wakodahatchee Wetlands cast light on the Holidays Picture to Ponder: vol 4 I ssue 48

wakosunrise1 122208 Sunset and Sunrise at Wakodahatchee Wetlands cast light on the Holidays Picture to Ponder: vol 4 I ssue 48

wakosunrise2 122208 Sunset and Sunrise at Wakodahatchee Wetlands cast light on the Holidays Picture to Ponder: vol 4 I ssue 48

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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Haiku – Sunset and Peace – Green Cay Sunset – 10-28-08

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 31, 2008

reflectedpinksunset Haiku Sunset and Peace Green Cay Sunset 10 28 08

Quiet Cloudless night
All is peaceful as I walk
In Green Cay Wetlands

Looking to the left
A gentle pink permeates
Some clouds after all

Soft in the distance
As ducks feed, radiating
Circles in water.
[Click on link for 16 second video of diving ducks.]

Sunset -
Cloudless Sky
Looked Left -

Soft Pinks and Mauve find clouds,
Reflect unseen sun,
Bathe the sky and water

Serenity and Peace.

The walk inspired the top Haiku thinking/writing. Then to share the photo on Twitter twitpic, I narrowed the experience down to 140 characters, using leftover phrases.

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Sunset and Reflections in Green Cay Wetlands – 10-19-08

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 19, 2008

Sometimes it works to simply let the photos speak for themselves. Good night.

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Sedona Sunset used as a Writing Prompt – Expressing Grief and Joy

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 15, 2008

In addition to my camera, writing is one of the tools I have found most helpful for freeing me up and expanding on my creativity. To support that I meet weekly, by phone, with a few other women interested in writing. We usually do four minute, free-flow writing, prompted by various quotations selected by group members.

Last week, before we started, Morgine and Marifran were expressing their enthrallment with the Sedona Sunset photos in the issue of Picture to Ponder they had received the previous day. I suggested using the photos for our “prompts” for the day. They both stated that I “should” publish what I wrote. I thought their writing was also noteworthy and thus, with permission, I am including their pieces here also.
Sedona sunset1 300 Sedona Sunset used as a Writing Prompt Expressing Grief and Joy Separating myself from the experience in Sedona, I’ll look at the photo now…. a tiny shimmering light in the mountains of what I know is a strip of clouds and they could be mountains in a distance by the water.

A pearl, a diamond, a jewel – That actually is what the sun is in our lives. How many recognize it as such? I’m enthralled with the richness of color, especially the “copper” color of the section of the sky, looking like a smooth lake.

Where is the smoothness and silkiness in my life? Is it in my skin, no longer to be touched and caressed by my Sam? I gave away all his clothes without thinking of something of his to wrap around me, embrace me, caress me.

Morgine writes:

The sun sets and I don’t know where. Its glow is receding behind the clouds and I could be sad the darkness is coming. Yet there is beauty in the darkness, the nighttime, the moon and stars. The whole world changes.

Yet again I am reminded of the illusions with which we live. In reality the sun never stops shining and glowing and radiating its beauty. Somewhere else in the world someone is rising to its resonant beauty. Someone else is rising to till the soil, carry the water, enjoy their day! The sun never really sets except in the illusion in front of my eyes.

It makes me wonder, this beautiful photo, how many other things are always present in my life, if only I can change my point of view. What is ever really gone or missing? Perhaps nothing at all. Maybe all I ever want or need or desire resides within my own space and I only need change my glasses in order to find them. Shift my perspective and zing it comes back into view.

Marifran writes:

This may be sunrise, and I see it as a sunset. The dark clouds are hugging the center of the sun’s image and light radiates down to the earth. Above the sun’s center, the light radiates up as well giving light more space.

The dying of the light seems to say it is not going quietly. It makes a spectacular sky circus to squeeze out the last drop of beauty, as if to emphasize its message of triumph before the finale is over. ©2008 Marifran Korb

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Sedona Red Rock Sunset – Reflections – Picture to Ponder: Vol 4 – Issue 37

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 6, 2008

Sedona sunset1 Sedona Red Rock Sunset Reflections Picture to Ponder: Vol 4 Issue 37

Sedona sunset rocks2 Sedona Red Rock Sunset Reflections Picture to Ponder: Vol 4 Issue 37

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sunset in Sedona, Arizona

As I observed the setting sun in scene shown in the top photo, I felt like I could be observing one of our Florida sunsets. The mountains in the distance became indistinguishable as such, especially since the distant trees here in Florida, at sunset, often look like mountains.

The full experience of Sedona’s sunset can be felt in the lower photo, where we experience the awe of the setting sun reflecting on the rocks. The majesty of the Sedona Red Rocks is accentuated by the bright end-of-the-day light, reflecting on the rocks, as contrasted with the pink reflections of clouds in the water here in Florida that I’ve shared with you in the past.

You can see more Sedona sunset photographs on my FlickR pages.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I’m observing, as I write the photo descriptions above, how much of what I’m sharing is about making comparisons.

For some time, I’ve heard countless people exuberantly talking about Sedona and thanks to an invitation from my good friend Shellie, Zumba Gold Queen (among other roles), I got to experience the Scottsdale/Sedona area of Arizona for almost the first time. When I was 15 years old, I did take the mule train ride down Grand Canyon (more than 50 years – a half a century – ago!)

It was the first time taking a major tourist-type vacation without my beloved Sam, whom most of you know passed away in November. On some level, throughout the journey, I kept silently comparing what I was seeing with what we both had shared in our East Coast travels over the years. I’m continuing to process the trip on many levels.

In the meantime, I have over 1,000 photos to sort through and a Picture to Ponder to deliver. So, taking one step at a time, I’m starting with mid-week and a sunset.

Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself endlessly comparing one thing to another, one person to another or to your own expectations?

2. If “yes,” to any of the above, can you see where this might be holding you back from possibly fully experiencing the joy and presence of what is?

3. Are there places where, once you become aware of the “chatter”, you can shift to being present for yourself?

4. Lastly, once again “reflections” were part of the featured photos; albeit the reflections on rocks being a variation on those we’ve shown in the past.

Are there places in your life where you are casting reflections of yourself? If so, are they ones of bright light, perhaps even in a smile that lights up another, or are they more passive, such as the ones in the mirror?

Given, I’ve chosen to be more proactive this week, I think I’ll pick up on the former, looking for ways I can cast a bright light. How about you?

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Combining Patterns – Full Moon and Saturn Peach – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 34

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 16, 2008

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13+ teleconference sessions, plus 85 page workbook and much more. See WHERE WOMEN PROSPER I’ve been to all of Heidi Richard’s WECAI events, content rich and fun. Kick off tonight – 9/16 – then 9/18 -20 and 9/23.

greencay moon1 cr Combining Patterns Full Moon and Saturn Peach Picture to Ponder Vol 4 Issue 34

peachabstract1 Combining Patterns Full Moon and Saturn Peach Picture to Ponder Vol 4 Issue 34

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
The upper photo is a very bright Full Moon, early in the evening, adorned with clouds and framed by trees in Green Cay Wetlands.

The lower is a cut Saturn, also known as Donut, Peach in a Ceramic Dish

These two may likely seem to be a strange combination of photographs. “What might be the theme?” you could be asking. The lower peach photo is part of a series I describe on the Photography and Transformation blog, per my intention to post fruit photos daily for a week.

My attraction to the peach photo here has nothing to do with the peach itself. When I view the image, I’m caught up in the almost abstract quality of it, when I don’t think about what the main object is. For me then, it’s simply the play and repetition of lines and textures, as well as, very subtly, colors.

The moon photo also has an abstract quality and feeling and given the colors and shapes are somewhat similar to those in the lower photo, I thought it would be interesting to put them together on one “wall”, our Picture to Ponder page.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. where there may be situations, projects, people that you keep totally separate and distinct – compartmentalized.

2. Is anything, or anyone, standing out, as you look at this here?

3. What elements are there that brings this/these to mind now?

4. Is there any commonality with/among what you are noticing? If so, do you see a way in which putting them together might empower you, them or the situation?

5. If “yes”, I invite you to have fun creating something new.

My Story of the Day leading to these queries:
There is really not much of a story today beyond the photos that caught my attention. As usual, the queries evolve as I wrote.

Actually the full moon photo was an unexpected one in that it was very late and almost dark when I started my Green Cay Wetlands walk. I almost left my camera in the car thinking it would be too dark to photograph. Then that voice in me that reminds me to ALWAYS take make camera, “You never know what will show up,” had me bring it along.

I was so glad I paid attention, for shortly after I started walking, I had one of the “on-rare-occasions” magical sighting, at least for me!

Have you ever experienced glancing up at the moon and seeing it as a HUGE globular, ball of light, which doesn’t last for very long? Although not huge this time, I did, as I was walking, see an extra large and very orange light beyond the trees.

I scurried to catch it, with my thankful-I-had-it camera, and “grabbed” what I could in photographs, mildly chastising myself for not having started walking from the opposite direction, where I would have seen more of the moon show earlier than I did.

Once again, I could dwell on possible missed opportunities or, more powerfully, be with those that did develop.

I’m sure additional queries could come from this for you. If that happens, certainly, be with and expand on whatever it is that comes up.

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Next Entries →

Sunsets

Dried Roses and New Growth on Stems – Winter into Spring

The Wonder of Discovery – Green Cay Sunset and Window Reflections – Picture to Ponder – v5 issue 20

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

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

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

Haiku – Sunset and Peace – Green Cay Sunset – 10-28-08

Sunset and Reflections in Green Cay Wetlands – 10-19-08

Sedona Sunset used as a Writing Prompt – Expressing Grief and Joy

Sedona Red Rock Sunset – Reflections – Picture to Ponder: Vol 4 – Issue 37

Combining Patterns – Full Moon and Saturn Peach – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4 – Issue 34

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