Dear ,

Today's issue of Picture to Ponder is a breakthrough and a first for me and this ezine. For six years, my policy has been to only feature my photography and, on occasion, black and white photographs done years ago by my beloved Sam. The one exception, that I can recall, was sharing a photo by a young boy, son of a friend and subscriber, as part of a fuller story for the day.

Today, I am moved to share a few photographs by Irina Wardas who was a participant in the last Through and From The Lens telecourse. Not only am I captivated by the photographs she produced, I am humbled by her summary of what she got out of four weeks in the course. She went from never having photos that she wanted to share, and not knowing her new camera, to now publishing her own work on her site and on Facebook

I share Irina here with you today for both the beauty of her photographs and for the lesson of which I was reminded. We can listen to our own limiting thoughts, or we can stand in the power of what's revealed to us by others in their reflections of us! Today's Self-Reflecting Queries address this.

Photographs by Irina Wardas, CHHC

Through and From The Lens as See By Irina -

"I registered for the Through and From The Lens Telecourse having basic knowledge about photography and Flickr and no knowledge of my new camera. Though I had a Flickr account, I never used it. I did not have photographs to show.

Within one week in the course I started feeling my transformation. Our instructor Sheila Finkelstein opened my eyes and woke up my senses as well as taught me everything I needed to know in order to start taking decent pictures, share them and enjoy the process.

Thanks to the Through and From The Lens Telecourse, I discovered a new world around me and learned how to be a part of it. I also learned how to take a good picture with color, composition, content, and concept as well as how to use Flickr as a community for sharing pictures, having fun and making friends.

The most important is that I found a new way of relaxation - photography - something we all need in order to lower our blood pressure, have a healthy heart and feel balanced and grounded.

As a certified holistic health and nutrition counselor, I am very happy with Through and From The Lens Telecourse because it also gave me new ideas for business projects.

I highly recommend Through and From The Lens to everyone who wants:

• to find new stress relief techniques for yourself and your clients;
  
  
• to discover new possibilities and learn new things by getting out of your comfort zone;
  
  
• to boost self-confidence and belief in yourself;
  
  
• to get more energy as well as a sense of accomplishment for business or pleasure;
  
  
• to find new ways of sharing and marketing your business;
  
  
• as a coach, to get new ideas for journaling, writing, creating;
  
  
• and I mentioned before, just to learn new things, have lots of fun and make new friends."

Irina Wardas, CHHC, founder of NaturalCounselor .com and host of radio show for midlife women "Feel and Look Fabulous with Irina"
http://www.naturalcounselor.com

Comment -
The fact that all of these photos are macro shots is simply a demonstration of Irina's finding her "voice", or particular way of expressing herself, in what she sees and the way she "shoots."

The above do not reflect a particular assignment other than responding to what you, as an indvidual, SEE, both visually and viscerally. Photo explorations are opportunities to learn more about yourself and that with which you connect.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
When I first read the email Irina sent to me, the following went "clunk" in my consciousness. "Wow. What a reminder."

"Do I listen to my own limiting thoughts, or do I stand in the power of what's revealed to me by others in their reflections of me?"

This relates to the oftentimes statements I make to myself (and close friends), "I really need to be more technically competent, have and use more 'knowledge', to be leading these courses." And, I'll continue with other distracting thoughts, totally negating the power of what I do.

How dare I disregard the importance of inspiring people to be open and seeing new things in their worlds, as well as making discoveries about themselves, expanding their own self-beliefs.

So to whom are you "listening" today? the internal voices that perhaps are holding you back, or the more empowering ones?

Is there is an area in your life or your business where you are not "hearing" the favorable, strengthening voices? If so, I invite you to query a few people in your life. Ask them what they see as your strengths.

Then ask yourself:
"Am I 'ripping anyone off' by not standing in and operating out of my strengths?

If the answer is "yes", I invite you to take whatever action, or actions, needed to remedy this. Live into the empowering reflections others have shared with you.

As always, have fun, and please share on the blog what comes up for you.

Remember also to check out the new page for the Through and From The Lens course. See how the course might support you. Read what it includes as well as what others, in addition to Irina, have said about the course. Some of my story is there also.

Reader's Comments are welcome -
To post them on the Photography and Transformation blog click on the small word "Comment" at the end of NY 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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© 2005-11 Sheila Finkelstein
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©2004 - 2011 Sheila Finkelstein - All photos and written content are copyrighted and, unless otherwise noted, the property of Sheila Finkelstein and sheilafinkelstein.com. Photos and writings may be printed out for personal use and inspiration only. All other rights are reserved. Modification, further reproduction, or distribution of any of the content is prohibited without express written permission. For other uses contact Sheila