Transformation

Finding the Openings in the Fog – Picture to Ponder- v6-issue4 – Clear Spot in the Window

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 27, 2010

Yesterday morning, in relatively warm Florida, as I was writing my “Morning Pages” – (Julia Cameron, THE ARTIST’S WAY) – I looked out onto my patio and noticed almost complete fog on the upper windows above the sliding ones that comprise my outside “wall.” And then I saw the one bright opening.

Given it was the first night of my Through and From the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, where we will be spending four weeks taking photos of whatever catches our eye, I naturally went for my camera when I finished writing.

Today’s Photos –

patio fog

Close-up of the open space, where moisture had cleared.

fogged patio window with opening

Broader view of above.

fogged windows

From a different point of view the opening was not quite as bright.

The very top, “header” photo was a closer-up of the above photo.
I included it here because I like the “mystical” feel of it.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
Are there places in your life where things appear misty, fogged up?

If so, will you look to find the bright spot(s)? How will you recognize them?

What happens when you shift your perspective? Does evening out, leveling the density, create a different feeling? If so, how does this empower you?

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Following Assumptions with Clarifying – Personified by a Lion in a Wood Knot – Picture to Ponder, vol 6 – issue 1

by Sheila Finkelstein on January 6, 2010

Today’s issue of PICTURE TO PONDER is about making assumptions – being told something, assuming we know what the person is saying, thus not requesting any further information.

Last month, in one of the issues of Picture to Ponder, I described a walk in Wakodahatchee Wetlands and included photographs of dewdrops on the boardwalk railing plus wood knots on path. When I showed a passerby the bird in the photo below, she acknowledged

Wood knot with the neck of a bird extended

it, pointed out another and then proceeded to tell me that there is a “lion” on the boardwalk in a section of Green Cay Wetlands. She assured me that it is quite obvious and gave me an idea of the approximate location. Though I’d walked at Green Cay countless times, I had never seen it.

About a week later, I finally got to go looking for the “lion” in Green Cay. I went in the direction I had been told and as I started getting frustrated with not finding it, I realized I had never questioned/asked for any other guidelines or parameters other than location. “It can’t be missed,” she said. So I ASSUMED, “lion equals LARGE” and went looking for a wood knot that spanned several boards, a “large lion”.

After walking beyond the point were I assumed it was, from the directions I had been given, I gave myself the choice – “Give up and go back (it was cold and I was jacketless) or start paying attention to other knots that might be catch your eye.

I chose the latter, thus Today’s Photos –

wood knot Viking image

The first wood knot to catch my eye is in the photo above. Once it caught my eye and I stopped, I saw the profile of a Viking-type image (orange face, full-furry collar and large white mitten on this right hand). Looking at it later, the “face” looks more like an animal face.

wood knot with a face, not lion in Green Cay Wetlands

Then I was stopped by the scrunched up face I saw, above – around the eyes, no mouth – arrows point to the “face”. Then I observed a different face when I looked at it from the side. Rather than relying on digital transformation, I moved my body to photograph it from a different perspective as shown below.

I continued on, found a “dragonfly” in another wood plank knot and today, going through my photos, noticed an ET figure, which brought a smile to my face.

ET in a wood knot

I hope it, or whatever you see in the knot above, has you smile also.

The bottom line to the walk story is that I continued on to the exit, not having found the lion, but quite satisfied, after all, with my “finds.”

When someone stopped me with the comment that I must be cold without a jacket, I told her that my involvement with the wood knots had kept me focused and warm. I then told her and her family my lion story and proceeded to share the wood knot photos I had taken.

As I was clicking through the photos, I suddenly heard, excitedly, “There it is!!!” I paused to look and, after a few seconds, I, too, saw the “Lion”, reminding me of the “Cowardly Lion” in “The Wizard of Oz.” (shown in the two photos above “ET”)

Self-Reflecting Queries –
I started today’s issue of Picture to Ponder writing about operating out of our immediate assumptions, never pausing the check them out. On a different level this has been a “Queries” theme in many past issues of Picture to Ponder. Mostly, they’ve been similar to:

“Where in your life have you assumed a particular meaning to what someone spoke, based all your future interactions around that, never having bothered to check it out?” I invite you to once again look at that question.

Also, based on my “story” today, I invite you to see if there are, or have been, directions in your life you are taking, or have, taken where you assumed you completely understood them when spoken, and never asked for further expansion or clarification.

If so, has it always worked for you? Can you see any kind of pattern? If not, are there simple measures you can put in place for yourself to remind you of questions you might want to ask?

Perhaps it is as simple as remembering this “lion” story.

And, as always, I’d love for you to post your comments on the blog. Did you immediately see the lion? What other images did you see in any of the photos?

Lastly, if you’ve been enjoying my “playing” with images, I invite you to join us in the upcoming

Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, 4 weeks, starting Tuesday evening, January 19th, or Wednesday morning, January 20th.

In this course you will be opening and expanding communication as you start seeing things you’ve never before noticed in your own world; get to make and share your own unique discoveries; learn to use your digital camera so it becomes your best friend, producing photos you’re proud to share.

For more information see Through and From the Lens Course.

More on Assumptions -Synchrnonistically, my friend Adela Rubio yesterday wrote about assumptions and giving steps to check them out on her blog – See Shift Your Assumptions.

AND, a GREAT way to start the day, for 20 more days, is Adela’s morning Conscious Energy Shifts Energizing call… fr*e*e to participate in or listen to for 24 hours before the next is posted.

Three More Upcoming Important Events in which I am participating –

1 – For those of you looking to start, expand and/or understand your blog better, I am reviewing Bea Fields 12-week Become a Blogging Maniac Course and highly recommend it for the completeness of both presentation and content.

2 – I am anxiously awaiting January 19th for the launch of my new friend Allison Maslan’s book – Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams Into Reality.  Her contest has been extended to Jan 10. Grand Prize: 1-on-1 Life & Business Coaching Program worth $5,000! See Blast Off!

I am offering a REFLECTIONS bonus for this launch, including 30 Reflections Photos in a PDF slide show, plus a separate PDF with thumbnails and Queries for writing prompts.

To get a sense of what Allison offers you can read her thought-provoking, tip-filled article, Turn Your Passion into Prosperity. See Allison Article.

3 – Lastly for the Passionate Coaches, Healers, Consultants, Authors, and Service Professionals among you, on Monday, night January 12th, Suzanne Evans is offering a chock full of information call on “How I Stopped Traditional Salesy Marketing and Made Over Half a Million Dollars: Make 2010 Your Year to Stop Selling and Start Sharing”.

I have gotten value from both of her calls that I was on and have excitedly committed to attend her 3-day live BE THE CHANGE EVENT in Fort Lauderdale, FL in February. It’s not often that live courses are available for me in practically in my “backyard”.

Listen in on Monday night, January 12th, at no cost, as Suzanne shares her big “ah-ha” that took her from struggling to 6 figures. See Suzanne Evans Call.

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

IMPORTANT: If today’s photos inspire writing or anything else that has you share it and the photos, please be certain to credit the source, including the URL of this issue, http://www.eteletours.com/v6-issue1.html

DISCLOSURE:From time to time, in Picture to Ponder, I include information on products and programs for which I may derive a small commission. This is what helps defray my publishing costs. I will only promote products and services of people with whom I’m familiar and in whose programs I’ve participated.

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Stories and Limiting Beliefs – Rain Drops and Wood Knots – Picture to Ponder v5-46.

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 18, 2009

Earlier this week, when I put together the mailing on Nature Art Gifts, I stated that I would follow up with the story on ease and synchronicity. It’s really a simple story. Yet the “weight” of writing “the right thing,” and the other “stories” I’ve been creating during this week, have resulted in a huge delay. I am now sending this issue of Picture to Ponder out now, simply because I said I would.

First story – Once I decided to create the one-stop-shopping page, I needed a header with an expressive picture. I went to the folder that has the almost 1,500 plus photos used in Picture to Ponder during the past five years and the Feral Parrot, featured 3 1/2 years ago, seemed to open itself out of nowhere. He seemed to be representing inquiry and appreciation. So I went with the photo, extending the background to fill the desired space for the banner.

Next, I decide I wanted to use a different font and I clicked on the first one that caught my eye. Never used by me before, it was perfect!

The bottom line – a simple story of what can happen when we let go of needing to know how something is going to look.

Further “stories” that occupied my week revolved in large part around my 70th birthday being on Thursday. I had been making the number mean, I am “old” despite my looking younger and feeling a lot younger than my internal, past-based conversations of what “70” is/would be.

Then because I was open, as a result of the morning walk discussed below,  I could hear who I am reflected by coach Sue Stebbins in a teleclass call yesterday. I was able to accept and start owning that my experience, creativity and youthfulness are all strengths with which I can position myself.

Also, underlying my earlier expectations of what my day was going to be like was the fact that Sam is no longer here to celebrate this milestone. I was certain I was going to be “tearing-up” throughout the day.  When I woke up in the morning, I decided a shift in routine might help; so I went a morning walk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

Today’s Photos constitute the story of the walk that did result in a dramatic energy shift, setting up a great celebratory day.

Shortly into my walk at Wakodahatchee, I noticed remnants of raindrops hanging down from the boardwalk railing. “Oh, my tears,” thought I. So I pulled the camera out of my bag and started photographing.

Further along my walk it started drizzling and the camera went back into the bag. Once under a covered area on the boardwalk I got under my umbrella, took the camera out and used the movie setting to record the “tears” creating ripples in the water. Listen closely and you can hear the sounds of birds.

It stopped raining and I continued my walk, going right passed something that caught my eye on one of the boards underneath. Then I heard my inner voice, “Stop. Go back. Whenever something catches their eyes, you teach people to pause and photograph it.” So the camera came out again and I turned around.

I took several photos along the board, getting particularly excited with the one above that looks like a soaring bird with neck stuck way out.

Going to the other side of the plank, the same image now looks like a snake coming at me. Or, perhaps it’s a turtle swimming toward us.

Yesterday’s photographing ended with my pointing out the images in the wood knots to a passing couple. They immediately saw what I saw and more and proceeded to tell me that there is a “lion” that can’t me missed on the boardwalk in a section of Green Cay Wetlands. I was assured that it is quite obvious.

Though I’ve walked at Green Cay countless times, I have not seen the lion. It’s now on my list to seek out, once the weather clears.

I am grateful that I live so close to these wonderful Nature walks and in the weather to enjoy them year round. I am also grateful to my family and friends. Having set it up with my walk to be such, it turned out to be a great day of celebrating going into my 8th decade!!

Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today’s issue is really a demonstration of “limiting beliefs” and choices that can be made to stay in negative spaces or create shifts beyond.

As you know, I use my camera and encourage you to do the same. If you have not seen, or read it for a while, you can find “7 Tips for Getting Out of a Funk” on eZine Articles.

I invite you to find, and make note of, the tools you use to get unstuck. Are there situations now around which you are “spinning” negative stories? Things you are reluctant to do? Or face? If so, I invite you to find the actions that will create shifts for you.

Holidays are very difficult for many of us. Should you be in that situation, I wish you an easy, happy way to make a change in that state for you.

As always, have fun with this. Stories can be lots of fun, especially when we create happy endings.

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The Cat in the Trunk – Responding to Hobo post

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 10, 2009

In a comment to yesterday’s Picture to Ponder posted here on Photography and Transformation (scroll down one post), Barbara said she could not see the cat that I said I had seen in the cut trunk.

It’s five years later and I, of course, don’t remember exactly what I saw then.  I looking for it now, I am assuming I saw it as I’ve outlined below.

 The black “hobo” is irrelevant in this view.  Many more “whiskers” are in the whispy grey at the bottom.

How about you?  Do you see anything totally different from the hobo and the cat?

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 4, 2009

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

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

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

reflections in patio windos

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

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

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

reflections in window in building in Delray Beach #2

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

Which, if any, have more appeal?

reflections in windows of a building in Delray Beach #1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Programs for Your Own Creative Mode –

A Special Gift Marney has offered Picture to Ponder Subscribers –

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


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

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

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

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

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

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Flowing Lines – Openings or Confrontations – Picture to Ponder – Vol. 5 – Issue 42

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 18, 2009

Today’s Picture to Ponder writing will really be brief. Each issue seems to take a few hours and then I wonder why. So today I am going to practice brevity and allow most of the pondering and querying up to you.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –

I started searching past issues for “reflections” and then moved on to more recent unpublished photos. The following three very, different images popped out at me.

A fence reflected in a swimming pool,
Striped like a tiger or
Bars like a jail? Caging us in or
Keeping us out?

Yet the soft rhythm of the water –
Subtle…
And the lines…
The curve of the bottom/top of the fence
Looping and sharp, then solid,
Establishing direction

All balance into the imperfect
Perfection of life.

More vertical lines
Some very direct.
Contrasted with the water lines
These seem to make a wall,
Almost impenetrable.

Yet there are small openings and
The opportunity to marvel at Nature
Braiding the palm leaves as they
Hang toward the end of their life.


When life complete,
Dropped on the ground,
Wrapped in yet another way.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
I am not sure why I selected these photos today. Or, perhaps the question is, “Why did they select themselves to be the featured ones?”

I invite you to be with them and pay attention to whatever your responses are. Should it be to shrug off today’s photos, I suggest you query why. Are there other places in your life where you might have a similar response? If so, does this serve you?

I’m finding it interesting, that I am making the assumption that you may find the photos uninspiring… not worthy… and whatever other negative thoughts/judgments you might make. I can certainly track these feelings to other areas of my life. Do they forward me? No! What about you?

For me, in part, it is the intrigue in these photographs that capture my attention and the linear flow of the imagery.

Lastly, as I was “wrapping up” here, I glanced once more at the photographs and in each I found some humor. Once again there is another level of “story” I can make up.

What about you? Are you creating any stories pursuant to these photos? Do they support you?

If you’ve seen or created some stories, I’d love for you to share them on the blog.

As always, have fun with this.

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Shifting Perspectives – Roles in Life – Giraffe in Bark – Picture to Ponder – v5 – issue 37

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 16, 2009

The last issue of Picture to Ponder discussed autumn leaves and my “Missing Autumn” as I continue exploring my Florida environment. As I mentioned, I was excited about my trip to New York State, looking forward to autumn leaves.

What I found was that the leaves were not as colorful as I had hoped. Perhaps I was a week too early, or, I suspect, it was not the leaves I was missing when I did the collage, “Missing Autumn in New Jersey“. Rather it was the whole friends, family, neighborhood environments that had been part of my life for so many years.

After letting that go, I was able to enjoy the colors, pick leaves from the ground to bring back for a friend and make a unique discovery in one of them – an almost completely camouflaged moth on the underside of a brown leaf.

TODAY’S PHOTOS
Bark from a tree in Lake Bonaparte, NY.

As I was walking along a path, the peeling bark of the above tree caught my eye. When I got closer I immediately saw a face, which I photographed and share in the top photo. Then shifting my camera lens slightly around the loose bark, the “giraffe” head popped out at me – center photo. And, lo and behold, pulling back slightly I saw the full “giraffe” – bottom photo.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
DISAPPOINTMENTS
At the start of this issue, I mention my disappointment in the color of the Fall leaves. I’m reminded of conversations in the Landmark Forum on “unfulfilled expectations.”

I invite you to look into your life to see if, and where, recently you may have had things not turn out the way you expected or wanted them to be. How did your respond?

Did you dwell on what was missing, or were you able to shift to the upside of whatever the experience was?

Are you aware of methods you use to make your transformations? If so, do you practice this regularly?

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES
As suggested by today’s photographs, a wide variety of shifts can be experienced simply by, even slightly, shifting our viewpoints. Is there any place in your life now where you can benefit from looking at something from a slightly different perspective?

ROLES IN LIFE
In a totally different thread, as I was describing today’s “giraffe” photos, I was reminded of the blog comment one of our subscribers made to one of my onion photos. Maryanne wrote, “Sheila you are actually a ‘stand-up comic’ in photography.” I smile at this.

On the other hand, in the weekend in Jan Phillips’ wonderful Facilitator Training Workshop I was identified as the “Point and Shoot Photo Expert.” This became a “serious” label/role for me to consider owning as, “Yes, that’s me.”

What roles are you playing in life? Are they the same as the ones in which others see you in? With which is it easier for you to identify?

So often others see us as “bigger” than we see ourselves. Are there powerful roles out there waiting for you to step into them?

Lots of weekend queries coming out of what I thought was going to be a short issue.

Do remember to have fun with them.

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Healing Power of Nature and Echinacea – Picture to Ponder – v5-issue 35

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 22, 2009

TODAY’S PHOTOS
are Photo/Drawings of Echinacea Flowers – the first being “field” of them, the other three being different views from the same garden.

“Photo/drawings” is a term I created when I first developed this process using my photographs, new scanner and a pen with permanent ink to draw directly on the photos. They were the content that made up my original nature web site – Nature’s Playground stating,

“We believe that the world is a playground for personal growth and development; that natural environments – gardens, woods, beaches, rivers, streams – are sources for pleasure, creativity, play and self-discovery; that expanding sensory awareness of natural and man-made environments provides access to furthering creative thinking and appreciation.”

In an empowering interview my friend Adela Rubio did with Dean Shrock, last week, on “Why Love Heals”, he stated that “Nature is probably the purest form of love. Simply being out and appreciating natural beauty, we’ll experience love. Nature literally realigns the molecules of your body in a more harmonious manner, so that the body simply works better.” See SelfcareMastery.com for this quote and Adela’s full summary of the call.

For me, I got a dramatic “Aha” – that this can be the strong foundation on which to stand as I move forward with my work. Certainly the healing power of nature is the crux of Banana Sky DVD!

WHY THE ECHINACEA –
Interestingly, today in my writing group** one of the quotes from which we wrote was “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it is your world for the moment, ” Georgia O’Keefe.

Responding to this prompt, Susan Jones, group member, wrote: “Flowers have one of the highest natural vibrations. That’s why flower essences are so powerful, so healing. Georgia O’Keefe painted the effect of that vibration on her. An artist does not copy, she shares the soul of the moment. ”

This seemed like such a synchronistic statement for my newfound “stand” that I asked Susan if I could quote her.

In searching for flowers to feature, I decided that the ones I would use here today would be flowers that most of us are likely to know as “healing” flowers. I, at least, always use “echinacea” in capsules or tea form when I feel a cold coming on. In addition, the center echinacea photo/drawing featured here was very much admired by a dinner guest this past weekend. A large poster-size format of it hangs on my patio.

(**Note: Susan and three others of us all first connected in one of Julie Jordan Scott’s writing programs. For those open to it, Julie has a Writing Group starting tomorrow – Wednesday, September 23.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
For today, I invite you to look at the variations of the same subject, the Echinacea above, and make note of what stands out as differences for you. Then expand this observation into your own life.

Is there an issue, a challenge, or something which you really appreciate, where you might find empowering analogous differences by taking different points of view?

And, in a slightly different conversation, relating to my finding a position of strength I can claim for moving forward in my work, are you clear on the ground on which you are standing in your work? and then in your relationships – both personal and business?

Peace and fun.

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Discovering Transformation – Sound and Art in Dried Onion Remains – Picture to Ponder – v5-Issue 33

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 10, 2009

INTRODUCTION –
As I was about to finally discard the dried up remains of red onion green sprouts featured here in July, I became captivated with the papery thin texture, the flexibility and the sounds of the pieces. I dearly wanted to convey these to you and could not determine how.

The following day I realized I might be able to capture some of the experience on video. I thus set up a series of videos. In the last one I start peeling a red onion I’ve been holding, also since July, for Onion Photo Story Number five. Once again, there are analogies to our lives.

Next I posted a couple of photos and one of the videos on my last blog  post – Parchment Sounds of Onion Greens Inspire Video. The first photo in the blog posting is the group of dried greens, a few of which became the art for this issue of Picture to Ponder.

To make it more convenient for you, and me, I later put all the videos from the “shoot” earlier this week on one ONION – GARLIC VIDEO page. One of the videos shows dried, cut garlic pieces slipping out of their “cells.”

Lastly, speaking of videos – In a totally different conversation, I had fun this same week videoing me opening a package of products I received from my Nature Art Gift shop You can see me excitely showing the products I had purchased – two tile boxes I love, plus tiles and note cards.

I also distinguish between my photo/drawing art and straight photography, showing examples of each. Even if you don’t watch the whole Nature Art Gifts video, I invite you to use the slider to see each of the products.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
As I was doing the videos of the onion remnants I also took many still photographs. The top two featured photos today are of some of the remnant dried up green sprouts. In the middle photo, the black “dust” is remnants of mold that had formed inside some of the stems.

The latter are the “facts” AND I have selected these photos today for their artistic appeal. Although not planned, or arranged as such, these two photographs exude the beauty and simplicity of calligraphic drawings. Each can stand alone on its own merit.

I invite you to spend a moment or two with each and breathe in their simplicity.

The bottom photo is the underside of several layers of the cut, dried top of the onion. Again, I’m sharing it here for its aesthetic value, as well as its totally different feeling from the first two.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
For those looking for self-reflecting queries, today’s photographs and stories cover a broad range of topics.

I could pull queries out from reflections on saving old things… clutter?… transformations from one stage to another… life… death… discovery… how we each, individually, explore the latter, fulfill on it.

And, for today, I am leaving the self-reflecting queries to you. If any of the categories mentioned above spark something in you, I invite you to reflect on what’s coming up. If you’ve had a “gut” response to any of the photos, or the videos, I then invite you to reflect on what you were experiencing.

Lastly, there is ALWAYS being in the moment and simply experiencing whatever is there.

Thank you for being in my life and allowing me to share these explorations with you.

As always, remember to have fun with this.

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Video inspired by Discovery of Parchment Sounds of Dried Onion Greens

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 7, 2009

About to finally discard the red onion greens photographed and written about here, “Looking at the Old Newly” as Inspired by a Red Onion (on July 2nd), I became attuned to the papery, parchment feel and sound. I dearly wanted to share it with you and I knew a simple photograph could not convey the experience. It then occurred to me that I could see what a video would do.

Of course, once I started with my Flip Mino video recorder, I finally began the process of discovery with Red Onion #5. The latter has been patiently waiting since June for attention, beyond the first photograph.
 

In the above video, you’ll note also that a drying garlic bulb, cut in July, is also ready to be discarded. Here, too, I am fascinated by the sounds, as well as the rock hard garlic cloves that now easily slip out of their cells.

I conclude the video with the start of peeling Red Onion #5. I’ve uploaded five separate videos of Day 1 of this new “story.” You can see all the uploads of my videos by going to InspirationalSheila. If this doesn’t show you a full list, click on SEE ALL underneath the bottom icon on the right. 
 
If you wish to view them all, no one longer than two minutes, start with Red Onion #5 – First peeling and Cut. 
 
The thread that you will find starting to develop is that as we clean whatever “gook” we think is in our lives there is a fresh and shiny interior. Let’s keep this in mind at all times.
 
If you are not familiar with it, you can get the RED ONION STORY #1 as a PDF download describing the peeling away process of both an onion and ourselves. 

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