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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Picture to Ponder 5 Year Birthday – Images in Nature – Vol 5 – Issue 45

by Sheila Finkelstein on December 9, 2009

REMINDER _  I will be interviewed on Blog Talk Radio by Amethyst Wyldfyre this Friday, December 11th at 4 PM Eastern US time. Amethyst has entitled the program “The Gifted Hand, The Gifted Eye – Fine Arts for the Holidays: Interview with Sheila Finkelstein” I’d love for you to join us. Please bookmark SHOW. You can listen on the web, call in and/or download the call after the show, if the time does not work for you.

Birthday Acknowledgment and History –
My other big news is that today we are celebrating the 5th anniversary of Picture to Ponder, which was launched on December 9, 2004.

I did a count the other day and saw that today marks the 476th issue. Starting out with simply a photo, discussed in the next issue, four times a week, we shifted eventually to the current one issue per week with both photos and self-reflecting queries. The latter evolved and became “official” after about six months.

In Issue 1, as I described what I planned, I stated:
MISSION –
It is my desire to inspire you to discover and expand your own greatness of seeing, imagining and/or creating.

From comments I’ve gotten over the years I think I am fulfilling on this.

Today’s Photos –

hobo in the first issue of Picture to Ponder

The above is the first first photo I featured. As described in Issue 2

“YESTERDAY’S IMAGE –
the remains of a tree damaged by the Florida hurricane, then cut.

THE IMAGERY –
for my husband – the HOBO in the center of the trunk
for me – a cat’s face. with whiskers, seen for the first time yesterday, after I sent this off, and for you??”

Since that time, I recall this as the “Hobo Photo.” I’d even forgotten the “cat.” As I look at it now, I think the cat part appears when we disregard the black portion and look at the whole space surrounding it.

As most of you know, Sam is no longer here to share interpretations with me, so for the most part the added dimension comes when you add your experience or interpretations on the blog.

I was fortunate, the other night. I shared a photo in my camera viewfinder with a couple  in Green Cay Wetlands, as they, too, were exiting. In the distance,

duckweed and image in Green Cay Wetlands

I had seen a stumpy man with a green cap and sunglasses, so I zoomed in.

image of a man with sunglasses in nature

I thought I would use it here and simply label it as “Unidentified Object”, after sharing my interpretation. I really had no idea of what I was looking at. Fortunately, for my curious mind, I shared this with the couple mentioned above. How delighted I was that I did.

“It’s a turtle,” one said. I looked at it and, of course, it became quite obvious once it was pointed out. As a matter of fact, all they had to do was say “turtle” and I saw it immediately. The “sunglasses” were part of the turtle’s body, the “nose”, his head. The “green cap” was duckweed on the turtle’s shell.

None of us, though, could determine what it was sitting on, so we decided to leave it labeled as an imaginary wolf.

Ever curious, I did go back a little earlier the next day for a clearer view. With the duckweed in the water having moved on also, it became quite obvious that it was a log, now looking more like a resting dog.

log that looks like a dog in the water at Green Cay Wetlands

A close up brings our attention more to the full experience of both the “face” and its reflection, and there might be yet another interpretation. I’ll leave that one to you.

close up of the log dog in Green Cay water

If you have an interpretation to share, please post it below.

As an aside, if you are interested in surfing through some of the issues over the years you can check the eZezine Archives for issues from Issue 4 up through October 2008. Please tell anyone you might share this with NOT use the subscribe button on the eZezine archive pages. We are now at aWeber and you can see the archives from October 2008 to now at aWeber PTP Archives.

I also have all of the issues on eteletours.com. Starting with Issue 1 – http://www.eteletours.com/issue1.html you can scroll through all of the issues by using the arrows at the bottom of each issue or by changing the number in the URL.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
I started out stating that today’s issue is a celebration. I’m certainly not “jumping up and down”… the image that the word “celebrate” pulls up for me… and I am acknowledging the pleasure, satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment at ongoingly fulfilling on a mission declared five years ago.

What is your view of “celebration” and how do you celebrate yourself? I invite you to find one or more things for which you would like to acknowledge yourself. Certainly feel welcomed to post them on the blog.

Also, the main theme of the photos revolves around “interpretations” and expanding ourselves when we are open to others’ interpretations and points of view. I invite you to find something that may be intriguing you… a visual image, or a happening… and get in conversation with another about it. Before sharing your interpretation(s), invite them to share theirs. Is it different? the same? and/or do new possibilities open up for you?

You might even use today’s photos as the ones to open up dialogue. If you do, please post your experience on the blog.

As always, have fun with this.

Also, if you would like to experience the expansion of your own discovering and sharing of interpretations in the upcoming Telecourse for which I am in the process of setting up dates, you can put yourself on the “Be-Informed” list form at the bottom of the page on Point and Shoot Photo Courses.

Other Interpretations and Celebrations –
One of the things I have neglected to share here is that a few months ago I took the bold step of having professionally scanned several of my Fantasy Landscape water color series to make them available as giclee prints.

I recently set up the sales page at NATURE’S TREASURES INTERPRETED

Notecards of four of the images will also be available, for sale and holiday gift giving, by tomorrow.

set of 4 NTI notecards
NTI-002 note card
 NTI-001 note card
NTI-003 note card
#NTI 001
#NTI 002
#NTI 003
#NTI 004

Reader’s Comments are welcome.
To post them here, 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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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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Water Lilies Spread Thanksgiving Light and Cheer – Picture to Ponder- Vol 5 – issue 43

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 24, 2009

I was attracted to window reflections recently and mentally was planning a whole “lesson” in seeing – expectations – and shifts. Somehow it was falling flat for me, at least for now. Then, tonight I was surfing through my Cafe Press Gift shop, going over some items for a customer order. (Should you be interested, there are a couple of free shipping promos upcoming. See below.)

I was once again pulled in, and enlivened, by the purple tropical water lily, a Picture to Ponder favorite that I’ve used a few times.

purple tropical water lily

It seemed to be the perfect photo to use here now, as we approach Thanksgiving in the United States. I like the feeling of opening up, spreading light and joy. May there be an abundance of good for us all.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
As I was looking at the calendar page in the shop and at the above purple, tropical water lily on the year-at-a-glance calendar, I saw my photo/drawing version of the same flower.

tropical purple water lily photo/drawing

I share it here for you to experience the subtle differences. Lastly, as I was being with this water lily from a fountain pond in the American Orchid Society Gardens in Delray Beach, FL,  I was reminded of another beautiful pink water lily from the 4 Arts Gardens in Palm Beach.

pink tropical water lily

This last one, right now, espcially leaves me feeling serene and at peace. I wish the same for you as we enter what becomes for many a very hectic holiday season.

Self-Reflecting Queries –
I invite to be with the above photos and note your responses. Do any of them evoke feelings of abundance or peace in you?

Where in your life do you go, mentally or physically, when you wish to experience serenity? enlivenment?

Where is the strongest light in your life? And, for what are you most thankful?

For me it is family and friends, including you, that I am most grateful. I especially appreciate the support, knowing that there are people on whom I can count.

In addition, I am excited with the new people I’ve been meeting, as well as the new business connections I’ve been making.

I invite you to think of those in your life, acknowledge them, and certainly share with us on the blog, if you so desire.

Love and peace.

And as always, have fun.

Special Offers –

1 – I am excited to be trying out (free trial) my new friend, Allison Maslan’s BLASTATION program. It is an Interactive Life Coaching Web-Based Software – a completely unique do-it-all hub to help us key in on our life passions, become inspired, stay optimistic and get organized.

We will feel accomplished as Blastation keeps us on track and
on target with our large and small life visions. It breaks our large goals and projects into small steps so we know exactly what to do every single day to turn our dreams into reality!

You, too, can experience the fully interactive 30 day free trial. See, BLASTATION.

2 – I first “met” Allison when I was invited to participate in her BLAST OFF: The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality book launch on January 19th. It sounds like quite an exciting book. You can visit the Book Launch page to read about the special PDF Slide show, plus, that I am creating as one of the many exciting bonuses being offered for purchasers of the book. I will be allowing you, with permission to use the photos for your web activities.

Allison is also giving away a 1-on-1 Life and Business Coaching Program, worth thousands of dollars, as the first prize for a special contest. Check the Book Launch page for details on entering. While there you can also sign up to be reminded of the launch and the bonuses, as the launch date approaches.

3 – Lastly 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 –

Free Shipping November 30th (Cyber Monday) – Free economy shipping on orders of $60 or more with coupon code: MONDAYSHIP

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

Reader’s Comments are welcome.
To post them on the  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.”

If posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me. Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward, for me, of publishing Picture to Ponder.

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 12, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

So glad I have a
Third photo to share

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 4, 2009

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

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

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

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

Back lit leaf in AOS Gardens

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

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

WHAT IF ….

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

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

Mushrooms on a path in the AOS Gardens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 29, 2009

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

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

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

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

Alligator and Wood Stork in Green Cay Wetlands

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

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

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

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

Turtle on a Spatterdock Root in Wakodahatchee Wetlands

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

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

Spatterdock Root and Leaves in Wakodahatchee Weltands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 22, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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