One of the things I've most enjoyed over these past five plus years of publishing Picture to Ponder are the connections I've made with individual subscribers and resulting experiences.

A few months ago one subscriber wrote to say my photography reminded her of Miksang. Not being familiar with it, I, of course, Googled and found the Miksang Institute of Contemplative Photography. The latter phrase made my heart sing.

Then another long-time subscriber, from Connecticut, wrote that she would be coming to West Palm Beach for a Miksang Workshop the end of April. Delightedly I signed up for the course too. It then occurred to me that perhaps there might be one of more of you who could also be interested. If so, see Photography Workshop.

The top photo is of buildings and a lamp in reflected in the large glass windows of another building. The middle one is a reflected courtyard fountain.

The bottom photo is of a weathered wall, I think. The tones and textures drew me in. Upon viewing the photo later, I'm also intrigued with the mystique of the grass seen through the opening.

The Story - I was driving in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday and the browns in the reflections of some buildings grabbed my attention. I drove around looking for parking and became intrigued with the above. Though I walked around the corner I could not get a good perspective of the scene that originally caught my eye.

I would have loved to share the video I took of the reflected fountain in the middle photo but a guard came by at the end of my Sunday picture-taking to tell me photographing the buildings was not allowed. Since the video might reveal the location, more so than these abstractions, I'll pass on posting that and be thankful that he did not insist I delete the photographs from my camera.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
When something catches your eye and/OR your ears, what is your usual response? Will you stop and spend some time with the experience? go back? or, simply ignore it?

If "ignoring" is your usual mode, I invite you to take a few moments next time something does "call to you" to photograph, write or simply be with it.

If you have specific reactions to any of today's photos, I also invite you to take a time to explore your response. The top two photographs might seem very busy to you, possibly even chaotic. If so, are they reflecting anything in your life?

For me, the bottom photo feels somewhat restful. A few years ago I did a few photo/writing pieces, Under Water, being one of them. Now this wall feels like it, too, wants to be written on.

Photo for your own Photo/Writing -
If you would like to explore the process for yourself and wish a larger, 7.5 by 11 inch, image of the above wall, I've set up a special page where you can sign up to receive a download of the photo. Print it out and write away. See WALL PHOTO.

As always, have fun with this, and please share your experiences on the blog.

Programs I recommend:
For Online Business Owners -

Internet Marketing Mastermind Forum - Lynn Terry is one of the most knowledgeable, generous and sharing Internet Marketers that I know. For four of her seven years in Internet Marketing, she has had an Elite Members Forum, where members ask questions and help one another, with Lynn's ongoing support and responses. In addition there is a weekly webinar for members only where members get help with their specific business issues. I have been a member for a year and a half and appreciate all I have learned.

Lynn announced today that access to the Public Forum will be closing down to all but Elite members and that the opportunity to become an Elite member is shutting down for a limited time as she revises and upgrades the direction in which the forum goes. If you are in an Internet Marketing business, I strongly recommend you check out membership in the SSWT Elite Brainstorming Mastermind Group.

This week my friend Adela Rubio has been facilitating a highly informative Conscious Business Telesummit: The Nuts and Bolts of Running an Online Business. I have listened to all of the calls and am still learning new things, even from those speakers with whom I've done work in the past. They have been great.

There is still time to be on and/or listen to replays of some of the calls at no charge. For a nominal investment, you can have the MP3s of them all to listen to at any time now or in the future. See TELESUMMIT.

For Anyone interested in self-growth -
Last week I wrote about the April 20th launch of a new book, "Awakened Wisdom - A Guide to Reclaiming Your Brilliance", by Patrick Ryan in which I've been invited to participate with a bonus. See last week's ISSUE for more info on Patrick and the book

By simply purchasing a copy of Patrick's book on Tuesday April 20, 2010, you will receive 40 very special gifts to guide you along your awakened adventure INCLUDING:

A never before offered "Awakened Wisdom Virtual Experience"
A special, invitation-only double webcast event led by Patrick Ryan himself
- AND -
A chance to WIN a COMPLETE "Awakened Wisdom Experience" One person will win a Grand Prize which includes:

4 personal coaching sessions with Patrick
A signed copy of the book
2 Free VIP passes to attend the 3-day AWE workshop anywhere in the world
(This Grand Prize is valued at over $3000)

In addition to bonuses from 40 other people, Patrick is giving away an EXTRA special gift of his own: An Awakened Wisdom VIRTUAL Experience!

When you buy the book, you will be given free admission to this special 2-day live "virtual" event, taking place on May 5th and 6th, 2010. On that event, Patrick will personally guide you through the Eight States of an Awakened Life. If you cannot make the live event, it will be recorded, but it will be available only to those who buy the book on April 20th.

To find out how you can buy this book on April 20th and claim Patrick's gift, and the others, just go to Awakened Wisdom Launch When you go to that page, be sure you enter your email address in the form, and Patrick will send you a "launch reminder" to make sure you don't miss the April 20th date.

Reader's Comments are welcome.
To post them on the Photography and Transformation blog click on the small word "Comment" at the end of the post. A window will open, asking for your name, email address that will NOT be published, a URL if you have - Your name will be linked to that - and a box with space for you to "Leave a Reply" will be there to type in your response. Then remember to click on "Submit."

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, for me, of publishing Picture to Ponder.

Guests - If this issue has been passed on to you by a friend, we invite you also to take advantage of a no-cost subscription. Simply click on SUBSCRIBE. You can learn more about Picture to Ponder on our INTRO page.

Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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© 2005-09 Sheila Finkelstein
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