Dear ,

When searching for a "heart" photo, or just "the right" photo for Valentine's Day, the above photo of headlights (taillights?) of a car popped out at me. Be it the colors, or the multi-reflected images it seemed to be most fitting to my message for today. So, I said "yes" to its being today's Picture to Ponder featured photo.

I thought, "What a fitting metaphor for my new business ReInvent Your Love. How many ways can we love ourselves?

How many ways can we love our partners and others in our lives?" So I did a did an iPhone video with this message. To see the one minute video click here or on photo. You'll get the full 360- degree spectrum, showing all the images, as I turned myself around in a complete circle.

Thanks to all of you who responded after reading my "Love With No Regrets" message last week. Special thanks to Shayla Dougher, who affirmed, from her own experiences, my new business direction of supporting people in having complete and open communication with their loved ones, appreciating what was had, building an even stronger present, plus a legacy of memories, before it might become too late.

You can see what Shayla had to see on the new ReInvent Your Love web page. The latter page also has the above video on it in the column on the upper right.

I have opened up my calendar to offer a few more complimentary ReInvent Your Love exploratory sessions. Simply e-mail me to request one of the limited number of spots available.

More on Ways of Loving -
This morning with my writing group, I commented I was hoping out of our timed writing to prompts, that I would to come up with a post for today's issue of Picture to Ponder.

Then, after I reading it aloud I was encouraged to share here my response to the quasi-anonymous quote:

"Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle..."

I wrote, "I'm a little put off by this quote. "Necessary" in terms of kindness does note seem to fit.  If we are "kind", then to me it is a universal, a way of being.  Ok. Some could choose selective kindness, being "kind" only to certain people, and even at that I don't think there is a level of kindness.

On the other hand, exercising compassion, being open to it, allows for the understanding and "being"ness that there may be more to a situation in front of us, with another, than meets the eye.

Some kind of  "battle," perhaps?  Is everyone fighting one? Only if they allow themselves to be immersed in the negative, or negative interpretations.

At any time we can view something as a battle so-to-speak... opposing parts to any situation... These can be seen as fights or we can choose love and see them as openings to different perspectives.  Peace comes when we remove the "battle" concept from situations.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
For many of us who are without a significant other, or one who is absent for some reason, Valentine's Day may be exceptionally hard.

If you fall into that category, I invite you, and actually everyone to reflect on what meaning are you giving to this day, to your relationship with another or yourself?

Do you have expectations that may or may not be fulfilled? If so what meaning are you giving them, in either case - fulfilled or not?

Are there other meanings that you are adding to any of it and the way you are living your life?

For me it even extended to the subject matter of the photos I "should" be using to express what I think and/or people expect to see on Valentine's Day.

I could continue on this line. Then I come back to the core of today's message. This includes seeing ourselves reflected in mirrors, as well as in other places and in the words and actions of other individuals.

How many "selves" do you have, do the people in your life have? How many ways can you acknowledge and show love for them?

For me, today, it was simply going with my original intent, letting it flow and not add to it, or belabor it any more. It was also trusting my friends and their "knowing" and belief in me.

Ultimately was simply being in the moment, honoring myself in that way.

How about you? What has come up for you here today in this issue and/or in relation to Valentine's Day? Please share your experience with us on the blog.

And do remember to e-mail me with your request if you wish a ReInvent Your Love session .

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.

Peace, Wonder, Joy and Love,
Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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