Picture to Ponder - Vol 8 - Issue 18 - Treasure Your Life Now - Are You Listening?
Published: Wed, 05/09/12
May 9, 2012
Picture to Ponder - Volume 8 - Issue 18
Dear ,
This issue marks the 599th Picture to Ponder ezine!!! As I've been stating in the past few issues, I am transitioning title and branding from Picture to Ponder to the more pro-active Treasure Your Life Now. Treasuring our lives has actually been one of the indirect, unexpressed bottom line premises of Picture to Ponder over these past 8 years. So it seems quite fitting.
There are times when we may perceive life's journey as a series of bumps in the road. As we go through changes, we have choices. We can focus on what is behind us, the bumps directly in front of us, or that which is beyond.
Oftentimes in order to move forward and grow we must let go of that which has been familiar and comfortable and make new decisions. Are there things we keep, or do we go for a complete fresh start? Even the seemingly smallest things can feel major, such as do I start a new numbering system and oh, so much more.
For me, for now, the simplest and least bumpy route is to continue with a new header change, with the focus on our relationships with our partners, colleagues and ourselves and leave the rest.
As I write, , I'm wondering if you, too, might find yourself grappling with changes in relationships in your life. If so, I do offer the opportunity for a 30-minute ReInvent Your Love complimentary session to support you in exploring a challenge you might be having. To take advantage of this go to CALENDAR and select a time that works for you.
Today's Relationship Tip - Are you listening? Tip # 34 in Love With No Regrets "55 Ways to Show Love" is "Listen with your Heart and your Head" -
The story below that goes with the photos and videos illustrated a time when I was paying more attention to the conversations in my own head than to that of the young boy with whom I had been conversing. I thus invite you to listen to the first 30-second video. Can you "hear" yourself in it, in either of the roles?
Today's Photos - Late one afternoon, as I started walking and taking photographs of wood knots in Green Cay Wetlands, I got into conversation with a young boy and his mother. I stopped and showed them the Green Cay Wood Knot Lion, still in my camera. We then discovered another possible lion, or other critter, right under our feet. G, the young boy, did not agree with his mother and me on what it was. So the next time I made a discovery, he went down close himself to inspect it.
Click on the photo to see Wood Knot the Boy is studying
We continued our walk, made some other "finds", and then stopped again. My young friend climbed on the railing to watch the blue-winged teals. As I photographed, he continued talking about a story that was evidently on his mind from earlier conversation. His chattering along with the movement of the bird, is in the 32-second, fun video below.
My friend and his mother moved on as I stopped to record the
two blue-winged teals below. This is a 34-second video in which you can experience the busy-ness of the teals and the peace of the scene.
Click on photo to see the video online.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
Let's look at "paying attention." If you've watched, and listened to, the first video with the boy chattering, you'll have heard me break in with the suggestion to look at the water coming out of the duck's beak.
I cringed when I heard this in playback. It reminded me of how often, I pay attention to my own thoughts and agenda and am not FULLY with the other person. And, I know, this is NOT unique to me.
I invite you, for the next day, or more, to pay attention to your own listening. Are you always full present to what the other person is saying or are your thoughts going elsewhere?
When you notice you're not, are you planning on what you are going to say next, concentrating on something else, or is your mind simply wandering?
If/when you catch yourself, I invite you to stop, apologize to the person who is speaking, if appropriate, and ask for a recap. Then fully enjoy being in the moment with that person
As always, have fun with this, and please share your experiences on the blog.
"I found this survey was helpful in clarifying things for me. Thank you." A Respondent
In preparing for future articles and photographs, it would be most helpful for me to know the most pressing issues with which you are dealing in your primary relationship. If you are married, or in a committed relationship, I would very much appreciate your responding to a short, anonymous survey.
If you haven't already done so, Get Your Copy Now -
55 Ways to Show Love - It includes contributions from 30 Picture to Ponder subscribers. You can get the download link by clicking on 55 Ways PDF. All of the tips are filled with love. There are some especially creative tips ones.
"Sheila Finkelstein, 'Love with No Regrets,' offers a soulful guide to deepening love with a partner. '55 Ways to Show Love.' I was one of the lucky contributors. Get download here." Jan Lundy, www.awakenedliving.com
[Note this does include a subscription to Picture to Ponder and so long as you use the same email address as you have here you will NOT get duplicate mailings.]
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. Your will also receive a complimentary copy of "55 Ways to Show Love."
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/v8-issue18.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.
