TODAY'S PHOTO -
2 of the 3 lavender spider mums used in an Ikebana
floral arrangement that I did in a course last year.
This is the first time I am repeating a photograph from a previously published issue. There are so many new subscribers that I decided it was "OK" and I'm sure our longer-time subscribers will appreciate the re-visit.
Given that it's our 4th of July weekend upcoming, I went into a search of my files to see if I had used Sam's fireworks photo last year. I had, but not in the 4th of July issue
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Castle in Heidelberg, Germany. The castle is the blur in the lower left portion of the photograph.
photo by ©Sam Finkelstein |
The first reference I found for "fireworks" was friend and subscriber Gretchen Little's comment on this spider mum photo, first featured in Issue 99 of Picture to Ponder. She wrote, "Eye popping,
Sheila! Like gorgeous, pink fireworks!"
As I checked out the photo, I saw my comment then and now was/is also a "Wow!" when viewing it. So
given it does look pink, which is in the "red" family (red, white and blue being the colors of our flag and symbolic of patriotism here in the States) I decided it was a good choice for the weekend, particularly because of the feeling of energy bursting forth from it.
The background of this featured photo was altered. Those who like to follow the technical details can read more in Issue 99. There are also some interesting questions asked in that issue for those who enjoy the Self-Reflecting Queries, which were not yet labeled as such in that issue.
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
Today brought a few minutes of internal struggle on debating whether to use the photo again and take the "easy way out," the "easy way" being not having to spend, possibly, a half hour deciding on and choosing a new photo.
When I let got of the "shoulds" that the "easy way" was wrapped up in and followed the voice that said "go for it," there was such a freedom and peace that set in for me. The latter came from relief at not having as much work to do and from having made a quick decision, without all my often struggle on choosing.
Ironically, I did have another moment or two
of "Well, you could alter the photo a little more and take out the brown spot in the leaf on the upper left and have a more perfect picture." And, then I stopped. It would have taken only two or three minutes from start to finish, in doing it and readying it for the web and ezine AND, I realized this was one more way of putting more work on myself.
Are there places in your life now where you are spending a lot of time and energy working on something to "perfect" it? Is part of that a struggle simply (or not so simply) because you are operating on a work ethic that says something requires a lot of time and work if it's to be valued and perceived as worthwhile?
If you can relate to the last questions, is there at least one thing of which you can "let go" and just complete? I invite you to try it and experience the initial sense of freedom and, more than likely, the follow up sense of accomplishment, success and, quite possibly, acknowledgment from others.
It might also be worth looking at whether it's the latter acknowledgment factor that's also in the way of completing and that's a whole other set of queries...
Have a glorious and celebrative week wherever you may live. Please take some time to celebrate yourself.
Note: In continuing with being easy on myself I will acknowledge that Tuesday, July 4th, is a holiday here in the States and allow myself the day off, publishing only one issue of Picture to Ponder next week.
Final note - For those of you who may be wondering when I write about our holidays here in the States, we have subscribers from all over the world, including Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, Russia, India and China. If I've missed your country, please e-mail me and I'll mention it next issue. I treasure each and every one of you.
NEW IN THE GIFT SHOP -
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Clouds and Boardwalk Railing Shadow Photos from recent issues of Picture to Ponder now on prints and note cards in our Gift shop. Click on photo to take you to the page where the products are. |
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are welcome on the BLOG.
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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 of Picture to Ponder for me.
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Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
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© 2006 Sheila Finkelstein
http://www.eteletours.com/ptpintro.html
©2005 - 2006 Sheila
Finkelstein - All photos and written content are copyright and, unless
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