This past weekend I celebrated my birthday and in the process I remembered that I had totally forgotten to acknowledge Picture to Ponder’s 7th Birthday. The first issue was delivered on December 9, 2004. [click to continue…]
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Journaling
Pictures to Ponder: Inspired Journaling – Flowers Book 1 is now available on iBooks for download on iPads and iPhones. I got notification of this from Lulu Books just after I made the commitment to create and publish another book on Kindle by July 30th. Amazing synchronicity!
The book consists of flower photos from early issues of Picture to Ponder, plus Self-Reflecting Queries, with spaces to journal on each, if you so wish. The photos are larger than you see them in the ezine and online, giving you more of an opportunity for a fuller experience with each. For more details and links for the iBooks and/or the PDF on Lulu, see BOOK.
Now on to
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –
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This weekend a new subscriber came on board, noting that she found Picture to Ponder when Googling “Bottle Palm Tree” pictures. I was curious as to what she might have discovered and did my own search. I found the issue published three years ago, this week, on June 3, 2008. And the message is timeless.
In reviewing it, I was moved with the photos, what they brought up and the messages, so I’m reissuing it today with some modifications. Thank you, Justine, for opening this up for me, for us all.
In addition to the variations as we shift perspectives, the experience here is a reminder to those who love to write that we can be using Picture to Ponder photos for writing prompts.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photo
Horizontal view of the leaves, or frond, of a Bottle Palm Tree
As I was searching for a Picture to Ponder photo the drama of this one popped out at me. “Perfect for writing,” I thought, though I did not plan to write from it here. And then as I was putting together the issue, I wrote:
ODE TO A BOTTLE PALM TREE FROND [click to continue…]
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If you have been following Picture to Ponder for a while, you’ve undoubtedly realized that I consider my camera as one of my best friends. It and/or its predecessors have joined me and my family in celebrations and on trips;
1- it has shared in the joys and some of the sorrows in my life;
2-Â over a period of many years our similar yet different views with our cameras opened some exciting conversations with my beloved husband Sam and me;
3-and, many times its served as a form of meditation AND definitely a stress-reliever.
I make it a practice to ALWAYS have a camera with me and as you know, I encourage you to do the same as you develop the practice of photographing ANYTHING that catches your eye.
Other’s cameras and mine also serve as conversation openers, thus connectors, when out among other people. Today, as I was walking on the boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, I pointed out the reflections below to a woman who had paused to ask what I was photographing.
Reflections – Rhythms and patterns from the boardwalk [click to continue…]
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Today I am pretty much going to leave up to you the words for the Gerber Daisy photographs below. Each image has an expression of its own. I simply suggest that you be with each for a moment or two and experience the feelings. Then move to the Self-Reflecting Queries.
I also invite you to check out the information I have below on my mentor Julie Jordan Scott’s open, no fee writing program. Included is also a link to the “breathing of my heart” writing I did today.
Today’s Featured Photos –
Today’s Photos Story –
It’s been a while since I’ve been inspired to buy flowers to have in my home for enjoyment and/or photographing . Then with my holidays a couple of weeks ago, I made the shift and actually bought three bunches and combined them.
These small Gerber Daisies became the main subject/variety that I followed. I was surprised, then disappointed, that they did not last as long as the larger sized ones had in the past.
When it came to sharing them with you, I had quite an internal struggle over which to feature, if at all. Were they even “good enough”, “interesting enough,” and more, to publish – all those small, yet so large, “voices” with which we often barrage ourselves.
Finally, I selected the three above, planning to choose only one from the top two; then left my computer for several hours.
When I came back I was moved by all of them, each in a different way. Thus I am presenting all three for you also to appreciate in whatever way you will.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Did you respond to my invitation at the top to simply be with and feel each of the images individually? If so, what did you experience with each?
Where else in your life might you have had, or be having, similar experiences?
Also, in my story above, I indicated that when I finally let go of the attachment to being “right” or “perfect” (in my choice of photos to present) it all fell into place. Feelings of “freedom”, peace and satisfaction emerged.
Are there places in your life where you may be feeling a strong attachment to an outcome, where you’re sure you want something to be a certain way? If so, I invite you to attempt to let that go, be in the unknown, allowing whatever happens to be okay.
Walk away, literally or figuratively, if you can, and when you come back be open to the possibility of something refreshingly new.
As always, you are welcome to share your responses in the COMMENTS section below.
For those who enjoy writing –
This morning I was moved to join a call facilitated by Julie Jordan Scott, whom I’ve often mentioned here. The call was one in her current 49-day daily writing program, AND NOW, YOU WRITE.
I’ve been a participant in countless calls and programs that Julie has offered over the past eight or more years that I have known her. She is a truly authentic, loving, sharing, caring, generous human being. I consider her one of my mentors and know that always something will open up for me out of being in her presence.
If you are interested in writing and/or being comfortable in expressing yourself, I strongly recommend you check out Julie’s AND NOW, YOU WRITE Virtual Writing Camp.
The prompt for today was “I fill the paper with the breathing of my heart†and in the subsequent five minutes of free-flow writing time. You can read what I wrote on my WRITING FOR HEALING blog.
PHOTO in RESPONSE to COMMENTS below. See Julie Jordan Scott’s comment.
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Today’s photo, for me, has a beauty, power and majesty, in and of itself. Yesterday we used it for a writing prompt n the writers’ group of which I am a member. Unique and powerful writing developed in four minutes. The caption in the title here “Pungent Power” came out of one of the member’s writing.
In the Picture to Ponder mailing of this issue I did not include further words about the photo other than explain that it was garlic.
I thus wrote:
Today’s Featured Photo –
Probably obvious to you, two segments of a garlic bulb.
Today’s Photo Story –
Again, I do not want to affect your experience of the image, so I’m adding nothing here in the ezine regarding the photo, other than what’s above.
I am posting other views with comments on possibilities of differing responses to changes in perspectives. You can check that out on the BLOG. More photos are after the Queries.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
If this photo evoked a particular response or responses to you, I invite you to explore, in writing, whatever that was.
And, if you did notice something are there other places in your life where that shows up?
Does whatever you saw empower you?
If not, can you reframe it so it does?
OTHER VIEWS of the same image –
Very elegant and by “herself”, the “Garlic Lady”.
Seeming to be the Yin and the Yang of oneself, below are the same as the initial image shown from different angles.
Does this angle evoke a different response in you? If so, remember this at other times… the power of changing perspective.
The above is the original angle from which I shot the photo. I turned it to be vertical for the presentation I wanted to make. Does it have a different feel for you?
The garlic skin honors and applauds your participation The “feelings” were important here, so the fact that there is no “head” in this image, matters not.
As always, you are invited to share your responses in the COMMENTS section below.
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Usually the photograph dictates the writing in Picture to Ponder. It’s somewhat reversed today as you’ll see below. I invite you to simply experience the photo and then check the “story” of it and how it came to be
Today’s Featured Photo –
“Kaitlyn’s Moons”
Today’s Photo Story –
Today’s picture is symbolic of the nostalgia I’m feeling. Given it’s the start of a new school year, or approaching it, and/or for others nearing the end of Summer vacations (if you are in the United States) I suspect you, too, might be experiencing some emotional ups and downs.
My granddaughter Kaitlyn, a little over two years of age in the above photo, is now 18 and leaving for college this weekend. A very talented and special young woman, I’ve been reflecting and writing on some of her precious attributes to include in a card for her when she departs.
In the process of writing I went back through some old photos to trigger and reinforce memories. The above photo is on the cover of a book she asked me to create for her, when she was 3. I’ve always loved the photo and it seemed to call out to be featured today to represent the walking boldy into the future that so many of us and/or our children or other associates are doing.
The title “Kaitlyn’s Moons” evolved from the fact that Kaitlyn called the leaves “moons.” Those of you into astrology may have fun adding an interpretation to the moon shapes showing in the photo.
Note: If you do, please share this with us in the comments below.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
In addition to Kaitlyn’s starting college, her brother is starting high school next week. My older grandson in Georgia started last week. His younger brother started 5th grade, the end of his elementary school years.
A lot of movement and changes are taking place. I invite you to now reflect on your own life. Where are the changes happening? They may not be major ones and I’m sure you can find some?
What is your response to changes? Are you enlivened? Fearful? Do you go forward confidently or waver and perhaps withdraw? Are there patterns that you can identify?
I am still querying these myself, noticing the spaces where I allow myself to be held back?
Rather than attempt to put forth any answers here today, I’ll leave you with the queries and invite you to post in this issue’s COMMENTS section below.
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One thing I’ve neglected to mention in the past two postings, in relation to Parkinson’s Awareness Month, all profits from sales off products with Tulip images in my Nature Art Gift Shop will be donated to the April Walk-A-Thon fund – 100% for research. See TULIPS The top three folders contain tulip products.
Today’s Photos –
Amaryllis in the American Orchid Society greenhouse in Delray
Beach, FL
Today’s Photos’ Story –
As I was enjoying viewing and photographing Phalaenopsis orchids on a recent visit to the AOS gardens, I glanced ahead and over to my left and was immediately captivated by these flowers. They were larger than any of the surrounding orchids and it was the first time that I had seen Amaryllis there, either in the greenhouse or on the grounds.
I’ve been in conflict on which of the many photographs I took that day to share here. I finally decided to go with the sequence above. Many of you who answered the survey made note of having become more tuned in to looking at things and images from different perspectives, the recurring theme in many issues of Picture to Ponder.
Insofar as my own responses, I love the top photo for the dramatic (“Come look at me,” from the front flower) and the joyful (“Let’s play together in a circle”) feeling I get from the “landscape” view.
By the time I get down to the third flower, not surprisingly, I see a “face” two, almost squinting eyes, anyway. I get lost in the fourth photo, not sure I want to be there. It’s almost a relief to get back up to the first photo.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
For today, I invite you to take time with each of the Amaryllis photographs, individually. Make note, perhaps in writing, of what comes up for you, as you VIEW each image.
I then invite you to compare your responses with my observations.
I suggest this as opportunity for you to be directly aware of probable differences of experience and the okay-ness of each.
Were there differences? Did you prefer the full view, intermediate or close-up? And, there might not be a preference at all since each response might have been unique for you.
For fun, you might share these photos and queries with someone else and compare responses, yours, theirs and mine. This is, of course, one more way of tuning into and ACCEPTING that all perceptions and perspectives have value.
As always, have fun with this and please post your comments below.
Note: As I was doing my final edit, the word “confront” popped into my mind. I wonder if that was the experience for me with the last photo.
What about you? Did you find it all confrontational? If so,
how do you respond when confronted? Obviously, I withdraw, since I went back to the “happy” photo.
Reminders –
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April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month – As mentioned above, this month I am donating all profits from my Tulip enhanced products (clocks, tiles, boxes, calendars, note cards and more) to the Walk-A-Thon fund – 100% to Research.
See TULIPS. |
Programs I recommend:
For Artists and/or Entrepreneurs –
My mentor and friend Julie Jordan Scott is offering another Product Bookcamp.
She describes it as “an intense day of product creation in a Virtual Camp setting followed by a week-long promotion intensive camp where we tweak and polish our product and begin to put ourpromotional plan into place.”
It’s very inexpensive and promises to be fun. Check it out on CAMP PRODUCT, her name for the program. Even if it’s not for you, you might know someone else who would appreciate learning about it.
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Today’s Picture to Ponder message relates to perfections and imperfections and finding the blessings in our lives.
On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, in the United States, I found myself feeling sad, missing Sam more than I usually do. It was interesting for me to observe this since he and I never really celebrated Valentine’s Day. I handled it by taking constructive action, for me writing, making a phone call and posting insights on my Writing for Healing blog. Bottom line I ended up being invited to dinner at my son’s home, which resulted in, among other things, receiving a beautiful bunch of flowers.
Once home I took an abundance of photographs, for some unidentified reason, focusing on the numerous roses that were part of the grouping. I experimented with different backgrounds and lighting with this issue’s roses being a small sampling. You can find more in the Rose Set in my FlickR account.
Before continuing, I do want to remind you of the SPIRIT AUTHORS Grand Opening on Monday Feb. 22. I consists of 5 FREE webcasts with 18 leading publishing experts. See SPIRIT AUTHORS.
Today’s Photos –
Self-Reflecting Queries –
Today’s photos are, obviously, of roses, none of which are perfect. I was initially caught up in their beauty in color and/or patterns and shapes.
Then I saw the “imperfections”, the first pink one almost at the end of its time. This led me to querying, and inviting you do the same, “When you see something or someone, is your first response to see the imperfections or the beauty and positives?” If you miss, the imperfections at first glance, or two, are you able to accept them and stay with the beauty of that at which you are looking, or is something marred, with negative in the space? If the latter, do you stay with the negative, or are you able to create a shift for yourself? If so, how?
As I conclude, I realize that seeing the roses’ imperfections and choices we make are somewhat analogous to my Valentine’s sadness experience, staying in it or finding a way to see the positives.
For me, if you read the blog post, you’ll see, I ultimately chose to see the blessings in my life and wound up with even more than I expected – the flowers and the riches of that.
How about you? Are you able to see the blessings in your life?
As always, have fun with this.
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In Session 2 of the current Through and from the Lens Point and Shoot Photo Course, I introduced the concept of Creative DNA and referenced my discussion to issues of Picture to Ponder five years ago.
When participant Deb Mallett commented on then-featured photo and imagery she had difficulty finding, I decided the article and photo were worth revisiting.
Thus Today’s Photo – (See below for a description of the imagery which I saw at that time.)
An unidentified tropical flower from a local nursery
In 2005, I wrote: As I prepare the curriculum for the upcoming teleclasses, I’ve been reading THE CREATIVE HABIT: LEARN IT AND USE IT FOR LIFE by Twyla Tharp, dancer/choreographer. In it she speaks of “Creative DNA” which we may think of as our “creative hard-wiring or personality.”
She goes on to say, “When I apply a critic’s temperament to myself, to see if I’m being true to my DNA, I often think in terms of focal length, like that of a camera lens.
All of us find comfort in seeing the world either from a great distance, at arm’s length, or in close-up. We don’t consciously make that choice. Our DNA does, and we generally don’t waver from it. Rare is the painter who is equally adept at miniatures and epic series, or the writer who is at home in both historical sagas and finely observed short stories.”
After reading this I had a “flash.” People have been asking me how I see and take photos the way I do. In attempting to find answers, I’m noticing that the pictures subscribers seem to be most responsive to are those where I’ve zoomed in and on some where I’ve gotten even closer by cropping.
My creative DNA IS that close-up focus. So I became “true to my DNA”, pulled up the picture and cropped it. I’m thinking you get the strongest response to my work when I am being “truest” to myself.
The long view of the above photo which I cropped
In 2005, I stated wrote: “I see a woman [top photo] with her head at a 3/4 angle toward the right cradled and protected by the petals, one of which caps her head. There is also a bulging-eyed, pink frog on the left protecting her, where her knees would be. I could continue with the some of the other petals and didn’t. I suspect that some of you will now probably start seeing images also.”
In response to this Deb Mallett wrote:
“It took me a long time to see the woman’s face and the bulging-eyed, pink frog in that flower, but I stared and stared and all of a sudden they both were there. And it’s not an abstract woman’s face, it’s actually quite realistic. Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t understand how I didn’t see it before.”
Now, five years later, I immediately see the frog and have yet to see the “realistic woman’s face.” I’ve marked the “frog” in the photo on FlickR (scroll over the PICTURE there and a box will pop up) and may or may not have identified the woman by the time you click on the picture link.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
I invite you to become aware of your creative DNA. As a pattern, are you looking at the world, people, situations, “from a great distance, at arm’s length, or in close-up?”
If you find yourself in challenging situations, are you in the true mode for you? If not, would shifting it make a difference to you and to the people with whom you are interacting?
Does it help to be aware that a person with whom you are attempting communication may have a different creative DNA when viewing projects?
Also, in relation to looking for the “face” and the “frog”, if you “played” the game and could not find one or both of the images, how did you handle your possible frustrations? My first inclination is to attempt to figure it out myself and then walk away if I can’t find the answer. Ultimately, I might ask for help and I am getting better at it. What about you?
Lastly, if you’ve read all of the above, are pondering it and, then, find that what I’ve related has some impact for you, I’d appreciate your sharing that in the comments below. It doesn’t have to be the “what” or the “why.” Simply knowing a difference has been made would be helpful and sufficient for me. Thank you.
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