TODAY'S PHOTO -
Purple gallinule on a fireflag branch in Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

The purple gallinule is one of the most colorful birds in Wakohatchee. Quite a few of them reside or visit, especially during the summer months, and bird watchers come from all over to look for and observe them. The fireflag flowers seem to be their favorite food. Note the long feet that allow the gallinules to walk all the way out to the edge of the branches to feast on the flowers.

I have probably taken several hundred photographs of purple gallinules during the course of the past 2 years. This is the first time I got such a "perfect" picture, with open wings that are not blurred. I could say, "Persistence pays off," as the saying goes.

As I reflect, I'm seeing that I wasn't being persistent in getting the perfect photo with widespread wings. Rather, I was simply BEING with the bird(s) every time I clicked the button. I was willing, with my digital camera, to photograph unconditionally, without concern for lighting, posture and the other things that could come into play.

SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
If you are one who is always on a fast pace, driven toward your goals, might there be places on that path where you can pause and simply BE with what is, without concern for the end result? What IS available when you do BE?

To extend it further, for us all, notice today - are you BEING in each of your activities during the day?

In both scenarios, what magic develops when we simply and comfortably BE?

[See MORE SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES for a few generated out of a reader's comment on yesterday's Picture to Ponder.]

READER COMMENTS ON THE LAST ISSUE - Issue 119
"Awesome blue and white and green - I almost fee llike I'm at the beach, instead of this coudy, grey, rainy landlocked spot." - Debra Schanilec [Click on Debra's name and check out her new web site - Reach.Dabble.Shine which focusses on Health and Creativity.]

I see myself laying on the grass, looking up at the clouds and singing 'I really don't know Life at all' Thank you, Sheila :)))) and thank you to Joni Mitchell for "Both Sides Now ".:) - Roma - Roma included the lyrics, so I put them on a page here for you to enjoy also. Click on the title.

"While everyone else is looking for images in the powdery clouds, I decided to point out the images (outlined by the clouds). Do you see the dog – I think it’s a terrier or a schnauzer (a blue image surrounded by clouds) on the left of the photo running after the ball (blue image) roughly in the center of the photo?" Bob Tatem

" I love to look at clouds--and not just the pretty, puffy ones like these. I like the high, thin, wispy clouds, the dark, looming storm clouds, the purple and pinks of sunset clouds, the gilt-edged clouds. I should think one could do a whole series of cloudscapes.

The palm fringes framing these clouds are very nice. The ones on top remind me of eyelashes (luxuriant ones)." - Mary Gray

and, conversely, on the palm fringes, Rebecca Collins writes:

"A pretty sky, puffy clouds, your terrific writing, always a source of inspiration ... but I sense sometension beneath the surface on this one ... The dark spikey fronds of the palm are almost sinister in contrast to the pleasant sky. What soft areas of your life are surrounded by sharp edges? Really nice photo ...thanks."

[Rebecca just did an exciting project, creating custom portraits of each of the top CEO Conference speakers at the D3: All things Digital Executive Conference, put on by the Wall Street Journal. Click on her name to see more.]

MORE SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
I'm flattered that Rebecca picked up on the Self-Reflecting query idea, adding one of her own.

So, "What soft areas of your life are surrounded by sharp edges?"

Sheila picking up on this and adding, "Will you sharpen the soft areas to match? Or, will you soften the sharp edges? Or, can you be peacefully with both?" [back to today's queries]

TELECLASSES AND OTHER PROGRAMS -
being Offered by Friends of Picture to Ponder

42 DAYS OF WRITING PASSIONATELY
It Started today and you can still join, simply by reading, or listening online, lesson prompts and then writing - PICTURE TO PONDER was started to coincide with the start of the last 42 Day program. It then blossomed out of my participation in 42 DAYS OF WRITING PASSIONATELY.

A free and exciting, transformative, program that can be participated in on many levels starts, it's faciliatated by Julie Jordan Scott and 4 other friends of PTP, Maria Doherty, Marion Froese, Morgine Jurdan and Adela Rubio.

See WRITING PASSIONATELY or go directly to the BLOG to hear and read today's Lesson 1.

A new session of Julie's very powerful and empowering TELECLASSES AND TELESEMINARS THAT CHANGE LIVES starts on Wednesday, June 15th. See TELECLASSES

ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIBERS DESIRED -
If you you are enjoying PICTURE TO PONDER please pass your experiences of it on to your friends and colleagues and suggest that they, too, SUBSCRIBE.

The link for today's issue is http://www.eteletours.com/issue118.html, if you wish to share this particular one. In many instances, the photos are not picked up if you simply forward the issue.

Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[at]eteletours.com--
© 2005 Sheila Finkelstein
http://www.eteletours.com

Alphabetic Listing of the First 100 issues
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