From the category archives:

Picture to Ponder

Leaves as Moons, Moving Boldly into the Future – Picture to Ponder – vol 6 – issue 32

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 11, 2010

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“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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Flow of Life: Sunrise, Sandpipers and Surf – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 31

by Sheila Finkelstein on August 4, 2010

Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder is about offering a brief respite at the beach. View the two 30 and 40 second videos and/or simply be with the top photos.

Then, if you might be interested in experiencing the possibility of using your camera and photography to empower you in your life, please check out my complimentary offer described below, after the SRQs.

Today’s Photos -

sunrise at Boynton Beach, FL - 7-31-10

Sandpipers on Boynton Beach sunrise at the surfClick on image to watch video on YouTube

The top photo is of the sky and ocean at Boynton Beach at approximately 6:20 AM, approximately 25 minutes before the sun actually came up over the horizon.

The middle photo is a screen shot from the video of sandpipers. They were scurrying around so quickly still shots seemed out of the question. Click on the image itself or the video link to observe the sand pipers and hear the ocean. You’ll note at the end, I’ve reversed titled it “The Flow of Life”.

The bottom video is simply of the gently rolling surf to give you the experience of being there as you listen to and watch the rhythm of the gentle waves.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
As you “be with” the radiance of the emanating rays of the pre-dawn sun in the top photo, I invite to to reflect on your own brilliance. What rays of color and light are you projecting out into your world?

Next, as you observe the sandpipers peacefully scurrying away from the waves gently rolling onto the shore and then quickly back again, as the birds search for food, I invite you to reflect on the following:

Are there things in your life from which you typically run away, perhaps viewing them as “threats?” If so, how quickly do YOU get back in the game? Can you relate in anyway to the behavior of the lone sandpiper on whom I’ve focused at the end?

Lastly, should any of these images have an empowering impact on you, I invite you to “grab on to them to hold in your memory bank to call upon when desired.

As always have fun playing with these photos queries. Then please share your experiences with us in the COMMENTS section below.

For Individuals desiring a creative way for Getting Past Stuckness -
For the next two weeks I am offering 20-minute complimentary consultations for those interested in exploring , using photographs and/or your camera to help you see alternatives and shift perspectives in areas where you might feel confronted.

To experience how this might work for you, send me an email, sheila[at]sheilafinkelstein.com, with Photo/Coaching in the subject line. I will reply with a simple exercise and we’ll set up a mutually convenient phone time for self-empowerment follow through.

For Business Owners for whom Blogging is still a mystery -
There is still to take advantage of Bea Fields 3-week Become a Blogging Maniac Jumpstart program, plus the complete 12-week program which starts in September. I have participated in the course twice and from my perspective there is no one on the Internet who offers as much valuable content for an investment of less than $100 (a little more if you add the Jumpstart program). See Become a Blogging Maniac Scroll down past the option links for full details of what’s included with each.

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Perceptions in Contrasts and Similarities – Wood Knot Face and Hibiscus – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 30

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 28, 2010

Before discussing today’s Picture to Ponder photos and queries, I want to give a quick “quick heads up” for the business builders among you – Last week I told you about my coach Mollys Gordon’s program for finding your “Just Right Clients” and included a link to her complimentary MP3 download, chock full of information and useful tools. Scroll down below the SRQs for a link to the download page. There is a special offer which expires 7/31

Also, for the aspiring writers considering the possibilities of having a book published, my friend Lynn Serafinn did a webinar interview last week which is available for complimentary download. She is doing another webcast tomorrow, 7/29, where you can have your questions answered. More information is down below the Goldilock’s information.

Also, for the aspiring writers considering the possibilities of having a book published, my friend Lynn Serafinn had a webinar interview last week – available for complimentary download, and is doing another webinar tomorrow, 7/29, where you can have your questions answered. More information is below the Goldilock’s information.

Now on to Today’s Photos -

wood knot in Green Cay with slanted face no eyesMasked wood knot face on side panel of boardwalk railing
at Green Cay Wetlands

hibiscus in shadows at nightHibiscus at night, lit by a full moon and poolside lights

Today’s Photos Story -
I haven’t taken many pictures the past few weeks, so I was trusting that the “perfect” featured photos for today would “show up” in a search through my photo folders.

I could hypothesize why these two became the photos of choice, share the “stories” they may be telling and, for today, I think I’ll leave the “stories” for you to create, if you so wish.

In addition to each of the photos individually, and what they might be expressing, you might wonder why I’ve chosen to feature two such very different images in the same issue. I’ll let you create a “story” of commonality around that also.

Suffice it to say, on my end, I see the two working together aesthetically in terms of artistic composition. I see/feel definite similarities in textures, despite one being a delicate, soft-petaled flower and the other hard, rough wood. There is also repetition of some of the linear patterns in both pictures and even colors that are similar.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
I have, obviously, combined two very different subjects as a unit for this issue of Picture to Ponder. In reflecting on that:

I wonder, are there people in your life who are so different you would never think to be interacting with them at the same time, or in the same room? If one or more persons flash into your mind, I invite you to look further to see where there might be some common ground, or complementary characteristics.

Do you see anything? If so, are there empowering opportunities for everyone that might develop from that, if you put them/you all together?

And are there other elements in your life – any projects – to which you could apply the same, or similar, criteria?

As always have fun playing with these photos queries. Then please share your experiences with us in the COMMENTS section below . I’d also love to read any of the “stories” you made up about the images.

For Business Owners interested in Getting More Clients -

Molly Gordon, my personal coach, did an outstanding teleclass call recently to introduce her new Goldilocks Strategy for Getting Clients that Fit Just-Right. She is offering a 33% discount on the already very reasonable program. This special expires on July 31st.

On the fr*ee call which she entitled “5 Proven Steps to Getting More Clients Even if You’re Allergic to Biz” she went into depth on 5 strategies for doing just that. Chock full of suggestions and details on implementing these steps, you can get an Instant-No-Obligation Download of the MP3 recording of the call at Goldilocks Preview. I highly recommend listening to this call if you are looking to expand your business.

For Writers and Those Who Dream of Writing a Book -

My friend Lynn Serafinn from Spirit Authors would like to know: “What is YOUR burning question about taking your writing or book project forward?”

She will be answering YOUR questions on WEBCAST 2 on Thursday, July 29th, at 3 PM EDT which you can ask when you sign up for the FR*EE webcasts for writers and authors, aimed at answering your questions about writing, publishing, book promotion and beyond.

WEBCAST 1 was last week. Lynn’s very special guest on the first was the “Get a Book Deal Coach”, Stephanie Gunning. Steph talked about how to “Transform Your Spiritual Wisdom into Marketable Books.”

There is still time to participate “Live” on tomorrow’s webcast and/or get the replay as well as a fr*ee download of WEBCAST 1.

To read more about these fr*ee webcasts, and to register your place, see BOOK WRITING.

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Obstacles as Gifts as seen in Phalaenopsis Orchids – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 28

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 14, 2010

I’ve been busy organizing and planning today’s call for moms in deepening connections and communication with their young children. I was once again moved to tears and smiles when Tracy, one of the interviewees, responded to an email mentioning the “STRONG heart connection” with her and her daughter.

Also, though the call is not about using the camera, I asked Tracy if she and her daughter are still using the camera. She replied:

“I would definitely bring up the camera thing because we do it all the time. We also look at your Pictures to Ponder and we each share what we see and feel from the pictures…..she also takes pictures when we are out and she will say every other day….”I need the camera…I need to get a picture……”

Tracy’s comments led me to wondering, “Are there people in your life whom you engage in interaction with your experiences to the photos and/or queries here in Picture to Ponder?”

If you are interested in being on the call, today, Wednesday, July 14th at 2:30 PM PDT/5:30 PD EDT we will be “meeting” by phone (Skype is possible also). If you can’t make the call, it will be recorded and you can get the MP3 download later. See Child Connections to request information.

Lastly, my good friend, Julie Gabrielli, Mom and Architect, www.goforchange.com, will also be joining Tracy and me. You may recall I wrote about Julie and her son, featuring his tulip photos a couple of months ago.

Today’s Photos -
Phalaenopsis orchids at the American Orchid Society Gardens. The middle and lower photograph are obviously the same. The lower one had a minor adjustment. See (Today’s Photo Story below.)

White phalaenopsis at American Orchid Society

phalaenopsis darker background
phalaenopsis - background lightened

Today’s Photos Story -
When I opened these downloaded photos the first photo I saw was the middle/bottom one. Though the flowers were beautiful, I felt confronted and briefly thought of this as a theme for an upcoming Picture to Ponder. Then I let it go.

A couple of days later the top photo “spoke” to me, the flowers presenting almost a wall, keeping me out. Then I noticed the single flower in the lower right protected by its own wall, the root.

Is it protection or is it a barrier? There is also the one flower on the far left that we could put the interpretation of “look-out guard” or might it be protector in the whole scene?

As I mentioned above the middle and bottom photos are the same, with a simple “fix” or Photoshop Elements enhancement on the bottom that lightened the background, softened and lighted the white of the flowers and now has a slightly more “welcoming” feeling. Just that one very minor click, made, for me, a huge shift in the response the photo evokes.

Now, scrolling back up to the first photo, the small flower on the lower right brings a smile to my face. I could continue to make up all kinds of “stories” about her – the hugs she might want or the “gift” she might be.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
As you might have guessed, today’s “stories” to the photos are partially a reflection of “stuff” I was going through. They even look different today, less “threatening.”

Once again, I realize, I’m demonstrating life and the “stories” we often make up about things. Sometimes they help. More often than not they exacerbate, for us, a situation we “think” we might be in, or a “challenge” we may be facing. It could be “real” or our “interpretation.”

Looking into your life right now are there situations for which you are making up “stories”, possibly even living into those stories, sharing them with others, making them more “real” for you. If so, I invite you to step back and bring new eyes to the situation. As in the third photo above, is there a simple adjustment you can make to the “story” to shed a different light on it?

And, sometimes, no matter what we “do” certain things may not change, at least not so long as we have an attachment to their being “different.” The peace is in the “letting go.” Is there anything going on for you right now that you are willing to release?

Yesterday, in the Mastermind Group with Molly Gordon in which I’m a participant, we spoke of “problems/challenges” often getting stored as baggage. One participant said she’ll often take a problem she may have and metaphorically puts it in a small box, wraps the latter, ties it up with a pretty ribbon and places it in a drawer. When the problem comes up again in the future (don’t they always?), she’ll take the box out of the drawer to open up and find the GIFT within!

I had a further conversation with my friend Marifran Korb who is BRILLIANT in finding the “gift” in anything. She has a new BlogTalkRadio show where she’s had, and will have shows, including the “Gift of Having ADHD”, the “Gift of Depression” and her own book in the works, “Breaking through Concrete: The Gift of Having Mentally-Ill Parents. All sound “heavy” and how much easier our lives are when we find the openings.

I invite you to again look in your life. What are the gifts in it? Make note of them for reminders. Be sure to include on it the gift of yourself and what you bring to yourself and the others.

I’m going save the singular flower in the top photo! She’s full of wonder and the desire for discovery.

As always have fun with these queries and looking/seeing. Also, please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

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Roseate Spoonbills in Green Cay and Intentionality – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 27

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 7, 2010

Last week I mentioned having spent time looking for Roseate Spoonbill photos for you and then went with a different subject. The result of my delaying is that I’ve every time I’ve gone for a sunset walk at Green Cay Wetlands this week I had the pleasure of enjoying the Spoonbills even more. I now have new photos for you.

Last week, I also mentioned my expanding into coaching moms in deepening connections and communication with their young children while having the same freedom of “play” with them that the grandparents have. The date has been set for an introductory open phone call with two moms with whom I’ve worked. We will be “meeting” by phone (Skype is possible also) next Wednesday, July 14th at 2:30 PM PDT/5:30 PD EDT. I will be interviewing Sus and Tracy and there will be time for spot coaching with a few people on the call. For more details and place to get a reminder, plus the call recording, see Child Connections.

Lastly, for the artists among you interested in Proven Strategies To Set up A No-Stress, Successful Social Media Act for selling your art, Ariane Goodwin, creator and facilitator of smARTist Telesummit has a special offer, ending tomorrow night, for 50% off a social media bundle. See Using Social Media. The material is actually good for anyone here in business who wants to know more about using Social Media to expand.

On to Today’s Photos -

Roseate Spoonbills in a tree in Green Cay Wetlands

Roseate spoonbill shoveling

The top photo is of two Roseate Spoonbills, at dusk, on a tree skeleton in Green Cay Wetlands. I’ve included the photo below it to show the brilliance of the pink plumage and also give a sense of the rapid movement in the blur of its head.

Because the Spoonbills do not stay still, I decided to also share them with you in video format.

If you pay close attention to the above video, at approximately 15 seconds you’ll see a feather fly off to the left. Toward the end a Black-necked Stilt walks across the Spoonbill’s reflection.


Near the beginning of the above video you will see a couple of Spoonbills spread their wings showing their brilliant pink color. To see Spoonbills parading, click on Spoonbill Parade to bring you to my YouTube page. Sorting by “date added”, on the right, will show you the four most recent Spoonbill videos I did.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
I’m somewhat at a loss for “queries” as I start to write this section, so I’m thinking, “What lessons are we getting from the Spoonbills?” As I look up at the first photo, I see peace and quiet. Then I reflect on the almost, always-in motion, constantly sweeping bill, behavior of the Spoonbills.

I, thus, invite you to look in your life. Are there places where you are in constant motion? Is there a part of you that’s still while other parts of you are rapidly “moving”? What does it look like when you rest? How does it feel?

Then, thinking about the Spoonbills and how they went suddenly from a random group to an intentional line-up, moving in parade style, to an adjacent location, I’m moved to ask the following. Is there any place in your life now where you can line up parts of yourself, and perhaps, others to move with the same focused, single-minded determination that the Spoonbills had? Note, they did come right back, presumably with “mission accomplished.”

As always have fun with these queries and looking/seeing. Also, please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

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Smiles from a Hubcap and Iron Poles – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 25

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 24, 2010

While searching for today’s photos I felt an immediate smile break out as my eye quickly caught the photo below. I saw a grinning face winking. I decided to go for the humor, hoping you see it also.

Finding play and humor is part of what I am currently working on as I narrow down my coaching practice to supporting working Moms who are looking for creating deeper connections and communication with their young children (ages 4 to 5 to 10). At the same time they will be having expanded fun and joy during their togetherness times, with less or no guilt around the spaces when they cannot be with one another. One way of doing this is opening to the people, objects and scenes each party sees in different ways.

In addition I have also been meeting virtually with some other people doing exciting programs. See comments below on new programs. Also, should you be a Mom who might have an interest in learning about what I am developing, please email me, sheila [at] sheilafinkelstein.com, with subject: “Tell Me More about upcoming Moms’ Programs.”

Today’s Photos -

Smiling Face in a Hub cap

hub cap smile - grey colored

Iron bars locking wood gate at Green Cay

The top two photographs are of a hubcap, on a car or van, in the parking lot of Green Cay Wetlands. The top is an untouched photograph with the bluish cast coming from early evening light.

For me the top one is more the attention getter with a little more of the unknown in feeling and my focus stays more on the upper two eyes. I included the second, with a slight adjustment using Photoshop Elements to remove the bluishe cast, to show you how color can make a difference.

In the middle photo, we already “know” more quickly the subject of the photo in part from the information given us by the colors. There also are more bright spots scattering our attention throughout the photo. I’ve included the bottom photo, simply to show what had the hubcap be my final picture of the day. On that particular late afternoon in Green Cay, I found myself photographing light and shadows and moved onto nuts and bolts. The iron bars anchoring the boardwalk gate were among the items that caught my eye.

If you are one who “personifies” photo images along with me, you might see the faces here, or simply view the bars as “guards”, or “soldiers,” or something totally different.

RE Art and Composition:
Holding the three photographs together in one presentation are the blues in all of them, the beiges in the bottom and the middle, and the similarity of curved lines in the wood grain on our right and in the hubcaps above.

Today’s Photo Story -
Once again the images in the photographs above lend themselves., at least for me, to the possibility of fun stories. I invite you to have play and make up some of your own.

Again, if you have children, or know any, I invite you to share these photos with them and listen to their observations and stories. And, certainly don’t neglect the “children” within the adults in your world. Please invite them to have fun with you also.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
Given today’s photos are a move away from the usual straight Nature photos, I’m wondering if there is a difference in your response.

Are you sitting with unfulfilled expectations? If so, what are they? How do you handle things when they are not what you expected?

Can you identify any patterns of behavior in your life when you are disappointed? Conversely, if you were excited and enthusiastic how does your behavior differ?

Was there a difference for you in the two top photographs when the colors shifted? If so, I invite you to be aware of times that colors may be having an impact on your perception. What other things can you shift to give your new perspectives?

Note: I put completing this issue aside overnight and find it interesting that the top two continue to bring out a quick, spontaneous smile to my face. Then I move down to the third photo and the feeling of sternness and rigidity put a halt to that.

As always have fun with these queries and looking/seeing. Also, please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

For Teachers and Parents of Young Children -
At the start of this issue I mentioned a new “virtual” friend. Her name is Rose Emery, a singer, performer and more who brings Nature, preservation of the Earth, and more to her audiences through perky songs and animation, plus.

I discovered her through Twitter earlier this week. As a result I have access to a quick uplift in my spirit whenever needed. I simply go to one of her web pages and listen to “I Saw Butterflies Kissing”. I start smiling immediately and feel myself starting to dance in my chair.  I invite you, too, to check out BUTTERFLIES While there be sure to follow some of her other links. They lead to some interactive pages and teachings to use with young children.

How about you? Any similar reactions on your end?

Further Respite -

Banana Sky DVD header

“There is a lot of scientific study out there that says if we can’t be in nature, just looking at pictures of nature can have a soothing calming effect… For anyone who is undergoing any kind of stress/anxiety situations, this would just be a real gift.” Ellen Britt, http://marketingqi.com/

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Commonalities – Regal Faces in Clouds and on Boardwalk – Picture to Ponder – V6 – Issue 24

June 16, 2010

It is my intention for today’s message to be brief. When you scroll down and look at the two different photos you may wonder at their relevance to one another. Usually I look for a theme and, using art principles, I always attempt having them hold together and relate both visually and aesthetically to one [...]

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Contrasts in Photos, Writing and Life – Pansy and Magnolia – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 23

June 9, 2010

This past week Hank Kellner, Photographer/Writer/Former English Professor and teacher and a relatively new Picture to Ponder subscriber contacted me, acknowledging my photographs and asking if he could use one of my photos in a post on his blog. Needless to say I felt quite flattered, particularly after reading some of his background, especially when [...]

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Mystery Photo Explained – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 21

May 26, 2010

Today’s Photo – I invite you to simply “be” with it, not even attempting to “figure it out.”
It has such a rich and different feel to it that I presented it without explanation in the weekly, emailed Picture to Ponder. The discussion and more photos follow here on the blog.
Background -
A friend of mine had [...]

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Red-winged Blackbird Inspires Celebration – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 20

May 19, 2010

For today’s post, I’m moved to share a recent red-winged blackbird photo from Green Cay Wetlands. It’s the photograph that “popped” out as the one wanting to be featured, while I was working on creating videos. It also became the final slide, with data, on the one I created with me talking on the boardwalk [...]

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