Inspiring Oneself with New Vision – Cacti in Desert Botanical Gardens – Picture to Ponder – Vol 5- Issue 21

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 15, 2009

Cylindrical Cactus in Desert Botanical Gardens

Pink Cactus Flower in Desert Botanical Gardens

The other day, I scrolled through some of my photographs on my FlickR account and I fell in love with the two photos featured above. I actually took them nine months ago in the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale when I was visiting in Arizona. I recall, at the time, that I thought most of my photos were “ho-hum”, “okay”, nothing “spectacular,” thus never paid much attention to them for using in Picture to Ponder.

The only reason I posted them on FlickR was to test out and demonstrate a new, for me, no-fee uploading and editing software program that I could share with the participants in the last Through and From the Lens telecourse. This, naturally, has me think of the new June/July telecourse which is starting this Wednesday, June 17th.

I am excited by participants who have registered thus far and with the plans for it. We will be spending more time, than in the past, on relating each one’s photos to his or her life. Participants also will be developing their own self-reflecting queries, if they so wish. And, of course, all will excitedly be discovering things they’ve never before noticed.

Marifran Korb who, prior to working with me in the last course, left all the picture taking to her husband and daughter when they went on vacations. Now, after her recent trip to Ireland she proudly shared that her daughter’s photos were all long distance shots and most of hers were at closer range, focusing in on the most interesting part, for her, of each whole scene. She found herself looking at the beauty she states might have been lost without what she now calls her “new way of seeing” – the appealing angles, shapes, textures and colors that she most likely would have totally missed in the past.

Marifran states, “I now see photography as a metaphor for life. When I’m seeing with my camera the hidden beauty in the shapes, forms, colors and nooks and crannies, it has me discover things and examine my own life in greater detail.”

There is space for one or two more participants. It would thrill me if you were one of them wishing to join us on Wednesday to experience inspiring yourself and others with your new photography and theirs.

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
Cacti in, as I stated above, the Desert Botancial Garden in Scottsdale. I think it’s the overall composition, the direction of the angles, the lights and shadows in the top photo that keeps calling me into it and appeals to me most. Although the upcoming Expand Your Vision is not a highly technical course, we do touch on art elements and using your camera to its best advantage.

I love the lower photo for its delicacy and its color, also the unexpectedness of its being in the cactus family. A third photo, I’m including here for fun, is one we will discuss in the first session of the course, where we look at “faces” in my photos and other places where participants discover them.

Cactus Turtle of Fist

Is it a turtle face or a fist? Note the five fingers. How many other faces do you see here?

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
I started this issue of Picture to Ponder stating that my Arizona photographs were mostly ones I pretty much ignored. In reflecting on this now, I’m realizing that probably a lot of the experience and everything associated with it was tinged with sadness for me traveling like this without Sam (my deceased husband, for those of you who are new subscribers) at my side. And, I could dwell on it, look for all kinds of explanations and that furthers nothing in “being in the present.”

Bottom line, today I am excited with the visual and visceral pleasures I am now experiencing when looking at and sharing these photographs.

I invite you to now look into your own life. Have you had any experiences recently or in the past several months, where you were disappointed, where your expectations might not have been met.

If “yes”, I invite you to revisit it or them through photographs, in conversations and/or in writing. Bring “new eyes” to the situation(s). Is anything more exciting now opening up, or available, for you?

As always have fun with this AND, my last invitation….

If anything in today’s issue resonates with you in terms of wanting to expand your own experiences, no matter what your current level is, then come play with us. Join in the fun and register for Wednesday’s Through and From the Lens EXPAND YOUR VISION telecourse.

ANOTHER PROGRAM for creativity –
For those of you who do not have a digital camera or the time does not work and you are “itching” to be creative in hands-on activities, I recommend checking out Marney Makridakas’

Make Change with Your Muse: Mixed Media Art Projects to Attract Prosperity and Change in Your Life This is “Self-paced e-course + Authentic Art Supply Kit sent to you via U.S. mail. Your first lesson can begin whenever you choose.”

I have done many courses with Marney and she is by far one of the MOST creative people I know. You can see more of her programs checking the links on her Artella Land home page.

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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

Green Cay Sunset

Window Reflections

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 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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Gratitude and Celebration – AOS Botanical Gardens – Picture to Ponder – v5 – issue 19

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 5, 2009

Voodoo Lily

Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder is about Celebration and Gratitude. For me, the first photo, above, expresses sensuous wonder, Wonder also being a part of today’s message.

Several months ago the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach announced that due to lack of funds it would be closing the Gardens to the public at the end of May. The AOS gardens and greenhouse have played a significant role in my life in the past six and a half years, as well as in your lives, given so many of the Picture to Ponder photos have been from there.

Because I was leaving for Macon, GA for the celebration of my grandson’s Bar Mitzvah**, I made it my business to stop in before I left, to pay my respects to the plants and express my gratitude for what they have meant in my life. Although my camera was with me, I did no got specifically with the intention to photograph and then I started discovering plants I had never seen before, despite my fairly regular visits. See “Once or Twice is Not Enough,” an article I wrote over six years ago.

Amongst the “first-time” (for me) plants I saw this time were the Rattle Box tree, an Ice Cream Bean plant, Princess Earrings and the Voodoo Plant. Too many to show here, I’ve created a separate Picture to Ponder Web page to share them with you. See Tropical Plants-509 which includes a video of one of the waterfalls.

I did spend time pausing and expressing my gratitude and then discovered, to my delight when I returned home, that on June 2nd the Board of Directors had unanimously voted to keep the Botanical Gardens open to the public.

**For those who may be unfamiliar with it, a Bar Mitzvah is when a 13-year old Jewish boy becomes an adult in the synagogue. My grandson Will led services in Hebrew both Friday night and Saturday. He did an amazing job and had us all very proud, truly an occasion to celebrate.

TODAY’S PHOTOS – continued

Curly Leae

Back-Lit Philodendren leaves

Although I found several of the photographs exciting that I included on the Tropical Plants Page I was moved, in particular, to feature these three for the lyrical flow of movement and peace I felt as I spent time with each.

Actually, the first, Voodoo plant, photo also takes on an unsettling quality for me, with certain imagery and contrasts that pop out for me as I go back to it. (If you query this on the blog, I will elaborate there.)

I do not know what the second plant is. The third is a back-lit philodendron leaf. I took several close-up, large leaf pictures so I could truly feel a part of the natural experience on what I thought might be my last visit at the Gardens for some time.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
I continue to be amazed at so often discovering new images in the “same old places” that I visit so frequently.

Are there visual or other discoveries that you enjoy making in your life in every day places? Do you take time to look newly? To what are you most open? For me it’s color and texture, then I suppose linear movement, as featured today.

Also, do you sense a unexpressed creative core within you that is wanting to burst forth? If so, how does this show up for you? What steps can you take to expand it?

Do you feel constraints? If “yes” or “possibly”, you might consider registering for the upcoming Expand Your Vision, Light Your Soul, Explode Your Creativity Course starting Wednesday afternoon, June 10th.

Within the past two weeks, I experienced joy in family celebrations, including being surrounded by those who came down to Georgia from Philadelphia, in discovering several new plants in the American Orchid Society Gardens and then in their remaining open to the public.

Where have you experienced gratitude and joy in your life during this time? What are you celebrating?

EXCITING PROGRAM for growth and expansion –
Before leaving for Georgia, I registered for the Spiritual Marketing Telesummit, that was held this week, knowing that I would be able to listen to the recordings of the calls. I listened “live” to three of them today.

All three were high energy and, in fact, fit the them of “Energy Shifting.” Geared toward people in business, I started finding more clarity in my soul purpose.

Though the site is scheduled to come down today, calls are over, it may stay up for another week. Later in the year a, perhaps more costly, product package is expected to come out. In the meantime, I strongly recommend your checking Spiritual Marketing to see if you can still register to listen to the MP3s and participate in the Forum.

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

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 21, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMMENTS from participants in the April-May session:

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

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

All of which are a great lead-in to:

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

Spider Web with Red Spider insert

Spider Web in Banana Tree

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All in the JUNE Expand Your Vision Telecourse –

Inspirationally,

Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com

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A Metaphor for Aging, as Personified with a Turnip

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 18, 2009

For the last session of the April Through and From the Lens Course (next one starts June 8th), I planned an experiential session using self-selected fruits or vegetables. The following turnip caught my eye in the supermarket last week and I bought it as my example for today’s class.

Turnip Top

Originally it was the circular brown lines that I believed most attracted me. It made me think of the wrinkles that are appearing on my skin.

By the time I got around to photographing it, the whole outside had “aged”, puckered and had many more wrinkles, reminding me that unless we pay attention to our health and well-being, it could deteriorate faster than we’d like.

On the other hand, when I immediately cut  the turnip in half, right into the center, the way I usually approach my life,

Turnip Inside

I saw a vibrant circular structure of the healthy cells remained in the center, radiating out.

Turnip Bottom and Quarters

When putting all the parts together, I noticed a wisp of “chin hair” (another sign of age) resting on one of the turnip quarters.  I also used this photograph, set-up, to demonstrate photographic balance. Perhaps it is also reflecting balance in our lives.

I invite you to choose a fruit or vegetable that catches your eye. Peel it. Cut it. Act in whatever way you are so moved. Then step back and away from it, looking/experiencing the action(s) you took. Is there anything in the experience that you see which relates to the way you are living your life.

And, for more revelations on how you can expand your “seeing” using your digital camera, I invite you to check out the June Through and From the Lens Telecourse.

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 13, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Many Faces in a Rock, in Life – Picture to Ponder- vol5 – Issue 16

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 7, 2009

stoneface1-3on1-475

TODAY’S PHOTOS –
one Beach Rock with many Faces photographed on three different backgrounds

THE STORY –
I was on a call today when Amethyst Wyldfyre offered to do some healing/releasing work with me around my business and my beloved husband Sam, who died almost one and a half years ago. (See Amethyst for “Exploring the World through the Eyes of the Shaman”)

As part of the process, she asked me to pick up a rock or other natural object. The above rock, which fit comfortably in my hand, is the one that called to me from a basket of rocks with faces that I collected years ago on Hollywood Beach in Florida.

In studying it later, totally independent of the exercise with Amethyst, I started noticing several faces. Given I write about “faces” a lot here in Picture to Ponder and we’ve been discussing them in the Through and From the Lens telecourse, I decided to feature it today.

I first photographed it on black. That seemed “too stark.” So, given the stone is an object of Nature I took it outside to photograph, first in the grass and then saw a portion of my landscape that is somewhat sandy. Since the rock was from the beach, I thought this would be a fitting background.

Then, given this week we are talking about color in the Through and From the Lens telecourse and observing the seeming change of the same color on different backgrounds, I decided to put all three together as on unit for you.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES –
The above photos offer opportunities for several different queries:

1 – Do you see faces in the rock? How many? Do they vary in changed backgrounds?

2 – Moving from that, I invite you to consider yourself. Do you have a multitude of faces that you put forth in varied situations?
Are you aware of them? Do you have control?

Years back when I was working in outside sales, two different prospects asked me, “Why are you angry?” I was confused. I wasn’t angry.

In an NLP workshop later that week I mentioned it to the leader. She pointed out that my face contorted somewhat as I went deep in thought. Not knowing how to interpret this, an onlooker might easily see it as “anger.”

Thus, should someone make a comment to you at some point, stating something that doesn’t seem to fit for you, I invite you to remember this example and ask them what they see on your face.

3 – Moving on to a totally different conversation from today’s photographs – Which of one of the three presentations most appeals to you – may not appeal – but causes some kind of reaction? Is it the environment in which they are placed? Does that change the feeling coming from the rock? Do you see the color changes?

4 – From the above, I again invite you to look into your life, and pull out a thing or a person with which or whom you have a challenge. What if you put them in a different context/”environment”? Do you notice a shift?

As always, I invite you to have fun with the photos and the queries. If you would like to see the face/faces on the reverse side of the rock, email me and I’ll put up a page with other views.

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

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 28, 2009

Palm tree trunk cells

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Play and have fun with this.

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Great Blue Herons in Nest and Rose Photo – Video Screen Capture

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 24, 2009

Great Blue Herons in Nest over Rose Photo

Great Blue Herons in Nest over Rose Photo

A screen capture of the video Lynn Serafinn created reading her “The Song of the Rose” from her beautiful and inspiring THE GARDEN OF THE SOUL book.  I love the stories, real and fictional, throughout the book, documenting in a unique way her personal transformation growth and develoment.  (More later)  and since the photograph is a beautiful image of love, I’ll continue with my friend Morgine Jurdan’s

Love Can Change Your Life!

My entire body tingled as I awoke, snuggled in crisp clean sheets, warmed by the sunlight kissing my skin. It was as if several hundred pounds of emotional excess has been released from my life these days! No more endless processes, books and courses attempting to change myself any more! I am free at last, bathing in the simplicity of Love!

Thinking I knew what love was, and having an intimate relationship with It, was life transforming for me. I liken it to being in love with my partner for over 10 years from afar, and finally having that first kiss! I could barely sleep for three days! Many mystics and scientists alike agree there is “an energy” everything emerges from and which creates all we experience here and beyond. I too, began to see this energy and call it Love.

It seems this Love is Infinite and without conditions, powerful and healing. Yet being everything, I also found it inside anger and war, inside cancer cells and toxic chemicals. There seemed to be no place Love does not call home and my entire perspective of life was altered! I released definitions which had so confined my life and now live outside that box.

I learned how to connect with my inner wisdom, at first usually when disaster struck. Then when I consulted it daily, fewer disasters would occur. Life became easier and easier. I only needed to ask, “What choice would Love make here?”

For me this Love lives through me, breathes me into existence, loves me endlessly just for the sheer joy loving brings. This Spirit fully embraces all It’s creations. Daily I am bathed in love from inside and also, outside in the form of Nature, animals, buildings, people, and so much more!!

I ask for guidance all day long and allow this Spirit of Love to bring clarity to my life in the midst of chaos, returning me to a peace beyond words. I truly believe It desires what is best for me, allowing me the free will to listen or not. It guides me to fully living the brilliance I truly am! It sings endless songs of praise and encouragement, if only I remain open.

I am Love and I have always known everything I needed to know connecting with this inner wisdom. When I step into fear, struggle, pain or judgment, I am aware I am pretending I am alone and separate. Love is the Key. I am learning to trust it more and more every day and know it changes my life when I follow Love’s lead.

© Morgine Jurdan
4-21-2009

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Vegetables and Through and From the Lens Course as Treasure Chests – Picture to Ponder – vol 5 – issue 14

by Sheila Finkelstein on April 23, 2009

vegetables on a field of wheat

two green bean hearts in a pottery candle holder

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Upper photo – Mixed Vegetables that had been in a foil pan awaiting selection for cutting and being photographed in a Workshop, placed here on a field of wheat for background.

Lower photo – Cut Green Beans reveal Hearts, in a pottery candle holder I made.

Today’s photos are not so much about beautiful photographs.
Rather they are here as an introduction to what could be possible as we take things apart and look closely.

The lower photo needed “doctoring”, given it was slightly blurred, in part because of poor lighting, and my desire for you to also see the “hearts” became more important than a high quality photograph.

The Story
Given it was Earth Day when I started putting together today’s issue of Picture to Ponder, I was drawn to the vegetables as I sorted through my photos.

Then, even though I recycle aluminum foil pans, it somehow did not seem appropriate to highlight it on this day. I thus used Photoshop Elements to remove the assorted vegetables from the pan and placed them on a “natural”, more suitable background.

Heart in a green bean photo
The green bean photo above is a result of a Saturday discovery. I became fascinated when, at a fresh vegetable stand, I snapped open a green bean and saw a heart!
I propped the bean amongst tomatoes for a “photo shoot.”

None of the close-ups I took of Saturday’s “heart” were sharp. Nevertheless I wanted you to see one, thus the small picture just above and the set-up one featured here today.

One of my reasons for sharing these photos is my desire to point out that in the “Inspirational, Transformational” Through and from the Lens Telecourse, starting Monday (afternoon session) and/or Wednesday (night session), you will have the opportunity to open up to seeing things you may never have noticed before.

The grouping of vegetables in the upper photo is a “Treasure Chest” of discovery of colors, shapes, textures patterns, all awaiting your excitement when you open them up, cutting into them in traditional, and perhaps non-traditional, ways.

The Through and from the Lens course could be viewed as a treasure chest. As we cut into vegetables and fruits, should that be a path we choose, we open up to looking at other patterns and textures in our lives, within ourselves and among those with whom we interact. These openings result in increased self-confidence and joy in our lives.

Marifran Korb states now that she is taking pictures she feels she is honoring her world and feels more powerful seeing how much beauty there is and how much more interesting her world is. In a phone conversation, (Click here to listen in) she concluded with, “I love my life more!”l

The pattern of Self-Reflecting Queries I pose in Picture to Ponder become ones you create in new and, perhaps, even more meaningful ways for yourself in Through and from the Lens.

It all starts with a camera and your desire to discover yourself and the world around you in new ways. Many, who participate in this course, find their inner artist, one whom they never knew existed. Others find themselves paying much more attention to details in their lives, as well as in what they photograph.

I would LOVE to be taking that journey with you, experiencing your “Pictures to Ponder” and your “joys of discovery!”

If you have not yet checked out the Through and From the Lens page for Subscribers, with your special savings, I invite you to do that now. See COURSE and decide if you, too, would enjoy being on such a “journey.”

If you have been to the page, I invite you to pay another visit. I’ve modified it and made it easier to navigate and find the information for which you may be looking.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
For me today’s issue of Picture to Ponder, the photos and my message, became about my deeply caring about something and struggling with the “perfect” pictures and words to get this across.

Ultimately the only solution is taking action, be it in writing, photographing (for me), painting, meditating (for some) or simply communicating with another AND standing in, visualizing, the JOY OF COMPLETION, trusting ourselves and knowing that one- step-at-a time will bring us to the “perfect” results, whatever they are meant to me.

What actions provide clarity for you?

Is there any place in your life right now where you are feeling particularly stymied? feeling the need to be “perfect”? If so, do you know what you want as the outcome?

If “yes”, I invite you to:
1 – Let go of any attachment to the outcome
2 – Start taking some simple actions and
3 – Trust

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

Specifics on Through and From the Lens
Experience Life through the Lens of Your Inner Artist

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

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

Read FULL description, details, bonuses, testimonials and more on APRIL CLASSES.

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