Dear ,
This past weekend I stepped out on my screened in patio and walked pass a table where two orchid plants had been resting for almost a year and a half, since the time the flowers and many of the leaves had died off.
They've been more or less ignored, occasionally receiving water from me, so imagine my surprise when glancing over I saw the back of what seemed to be an open flower. Sure enough it was - flower and two buds!
Feeling excited, special and important, now, with orchids of my own, I, of course, brought out the camera and have photographed them each day since. Unfortunately bud number three dropped off before opening.
Today's Photos -
Phalaenopsis orchid and two buds the morning I first noticed the open flower.
The second Phalaenopsis opened - The setting here and in the top photo is in front of the screen looking out into the backyard.
Same flowers, as above, in front of a black background so that the focus is on the flowers only.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
I am in awe and in deep gratitude for what this orchid and a Maranta (prayer plant - written about in several issues of Picture to Ponder) have given me.... Once again I recognize it as "unconditional love." They have bloomed and given me pleasure even though I have more or less neglected them over time. See Unconditional Love which has added Maranta links.
Now to you -
Are there people or things in your life whom/or that you have been neglecting and are still always there for you? If so, I invite you to pause and in some way express your gratitude and appreciation.
What are you celebrating/can you celebrate?
One of the prompts this week for a four-minute free flow writing exercise in the writing group in which I participate, was:
"Celebrate what you want to see more of." - Tom Peters
My friend Marifran Korb, having heard about and not yet seen the orchid, spontaneously responded with the following:
"To celebrate is to give focus and attention to something, even if only a minute. It doesn't have to be a long time. What I focus upon responds in some way, even when it is only in me.
Still, we live in an interactive world. That orchid that Sheila captured on camera responded to Sheila's love and moved the world around it in a gentler way.
Something shifts and opens up when we pay attention. We're happier if only for that moment. It makes a difference and increases the circle of joy." Marifran Korb - www.marifrankorb.com
What might you have been ignoring which might result in a shift should you pay attention to it?
I invite you to celebrate, play, have fun with whatever you notice.
REMINDERS -
Opening Tulip to Represent Openings in PD Cure through Research |
April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month - Last week in Picture to Ponder I wrote about the Stamp Out Parkinson's Disease Walks being held throughout the US to raise funds - 100% going to Research. See LAST ISSUE for connection to me.
For those in South Florida, the
Walk this year will take place in Lake Ida Park in Delray Beach on
Saturday, April 10th. Registration starts at 9:15 AM, the walk at 11
AM.
If you wish to make a
tax-deductible donation, 100% going to research, go directly to the
South Florida "Make
a Donation" page. Simply type "WALK" |
in the
"Person's Name" space, and/or in the "Special
Instructions" box, before your final payment submission. Or,
certainly, if you do wish to donate, feel free to make a donation to
your local chapter, if that be your preference.
For more information and scheduled walk locations in your area, if you are in the United States, scroll down the page on APDA
national site.
Special thanks to those of you who have aready contributed. Again, if you missed last week's explanation you can click on PARKINSON'S in the Finkelstein family.
Programs I recommend:
For Bloggers and those interested in blogging -
There is still time to catch up, if you are a beginning blogger or interested in becoming one. Started Monday, April 5th, Bea Field's has a 3-week jump start program for people who are newbies.
Then, for anyone who blogs, I strongly recommend her 12-week Blogging Maniac Program, which starts again on April 26th, to learn more about blogging and/or integrating it with other Social Media
I have participated twice in Bea's courses, always picking up something new. There is no one on the Internet whose work I've experienced who delivers as much content as she does for such a minimal investment.
Simply click on Blogging Maniac and when you get to the page scroll down the page, near the end to get the info links to both courses. For Self-Growth -
Have you registered to be notified of the April 20th launch of the new book, "Awakened Wisdom - A Guide to Reclaiming Your Brilliance", by Patrick Ryan? See ISSUE of two weeks ago for more info on Patrick and the book or,
simply go to Awakened Wisdom Launch to read about Patrick, the book, the "Awakened Wisdom Virtual Experience"
A special, invitation-only double webcast event led by Patrick Ryan himself, the prizes and the 40 bonuses, one of which is mine.
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.
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Suggest that they, too, SUBSCRIBE. Special thanks to those of you who have been speaking about the difference Picture to Ponder makes for you. |
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| IMPORTANT: If today's photos inspire writing or anything else that has you share it and the photos, please be certain to credit the source, including the URL of this issue, http://www.eteletours.com/v6-issue14.html |
| DISCLOSURE: From time to time, in Picture to Ponder, I include information on products and programs for which I may derive a small commission. This is what helps defray my publishing costs. I will only promote products and services of people with whom I'm familiar and in whose programs I've participated. |
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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© 2005-09 Sheila Finkelstein
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