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Enormous Gratitude

Posted by ineta on Jan 24, 2012 in being grateful, being positive, self-confidence, starting over

Recently I met my new friend.  We talked for hours, walked in a drizzling rain, went to the beach in the dark.  We had a great time and conversation.

In talking with her, I realized how far I came.  My attitude towards everything has changed.  Like the saying goes, “Do not look for me in the past.  I am not there anymore.”  It rings so true to me.

I realized all the struggles I been through in the past only made me stronger.  The people who treated me unfairly are no longer in my life.  Some things that I would be dead serious about before, just made me laugh.  I know what I want and nothing will stop me.

By talking to my friend, I glanced into my past and right now.  I came a LONG way. Wow!  I am not afraid of little setbacks anymore.  It only makes me stronger.  Setbacks are just a little building blocks that goes to the top of the castle of our dreams come true.

By summing up all our conversations about life and people, an enormous gratitude filled my heart.  I am grateful for:

1. My family and friends.  You are truly amazing, each one of you!

2.  My health.  Where I was and where I am now – HUGE difference!

3.  My pets who give an unconditional bundles of love and joy.

4.  A peace in my heart.  Forgiveness plays a huge part.

5.  My self-confidence.  Gosh, even my back is straight and I see clearer.

6.  My cheerfulness and positivity.  A simple smile makes the whole difference not only for me, but for others.

7.  My creativity and curiosity.  I LOVE making ordinary into extraordinary, to challenge myself to see in creative ways.

8.  Challenges.  They teach me lessons and test me how strong I’ve become.  It builds a character, so bring it on. :-)

9.  New opportunities that unexpectedly present themselves.

10. LIFE.  I cherish every minute that I am alive!

What are you grateful in your life?

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Sorting the Friends Out

Posted by ineta on Jan 22, 2012 in being positive, being powerful, starting over

People come and go.  Some of them touch our hearts, some of them break them.  Some people come into our lives to give certain lessons.  Some people test our nerves, test how strong we become.  Yet with some people, it feels that we have known them for years.  We can talk to them for hours, and never gets boring.  It seems that they are our soul friends – people who are traveling a similar path.

If we look at our friend circle and people we meet, do we feel empowered?  Or do we feel drained?  Do we feel enthusiastic?  Or do we feel victimized?  How our friends make us feel?

This year, I decided to sort my friends out in a personal life and on social media.  Animal abusers or animal hunters for fun, people who demean women and others are not acceptable in my world.  I had to un-friend some on Facebook.  In personal life, I had to let go of some people as well.  People with chronic victim mentality only drains’ others’ energy.  They are real downers and not willing to change.  Some people just do not deserve to be in our lives.  If they put us down or belittle us, we can choose to let them go.  I did that, and my life became lighter.

Note:  if mentally we are still mad on them, they still have a control over us.  Therefore, forget, forgive and let it go. By being mad, we only hurt ourselves.

I choose to surround myself with people who are amazing, creative, inspiring and empowering.  Yes, we all go through life’s hard stuff.  We all have our stories.  However, if some people choose to complain about it and do not do anything, it is a downer not only for them, but also for us.  We do not need to get into other people’s dramas.

Life is all about going higher and achieving our dreams.  Let’s surround ourselves with people who empower us to be the best.  Let’s be the best for others, too.  Let’s inspire one another.

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How to Make Space for New?

Posted by ineta on Jan 4, 2012 in starting over

Happy New Year!  It is a new beginning.  Like Winfrey Oprah said, “another year to make it right.”  The thing is that we go through changes many times:  it could be at a beginning of the year.  It could be after some drastic event happening, like changing a job, losing someone, divorce, kids go to college, retirement, marriage, moving to a new place, etc., etc.  There is also a saying that major changes usually happen after 7 years.

Lately, I and my friends are going through major life changes, too.  So, how to cope with that? How to make changes fun?  First of all, I found the greatest thing to do is to get rid of crap.  Through many years, we collect so much stuff.  Some things we liked before, we do not like it anymore.  Get rid of it.  Our tastes change.  We have so many e-mails that we did not even read, subscriptions that we ignore.  Delete and throw away.   If we take pictures, some pictures seemed nice before. Right now they’re mediocre – delete them or save them on DVD.  There are clothes that we did not wear for years – donate, give away or sell them.  There might be some unfinished projects or writings that we never get to finish, or lost interest in them – throw it away.

Also, not only we got to get rid of old, worn, unfinished stuff, but also the same goes with mental stuff.  All negativity out – to open a new space for positivity.  There might be some people that hurt us in the past.  Don’t you wish that some of them would have a “delete” button?  We can do it in our mind:  we got to forgive them and let it go.  Because if we are mad or upset, we only hurt ourselves – let go of anger and hurt.

Or, here is a brilliant idea:  Use these feelings to make you go higher.  Sometimes anger or being upset gives us a motivation to succeed.  We can channel those feelings to make ourselves only better and stronger.  If somebody said, “You’ll fail,” just say, “Watch Me” and strongly believe that you can do anything you wish and do it.

Also, while we clean old or bad energy out of our lives, we open doors to new opportunities.  The thing is that in this process of getting rid of the stuff, the new ideas come.  In working on these ideas, we got to communicate with people.  That’s how we start something new and exciting.

Moreover, we shall not take on a new crap.  If people do not treat us right or be negative, we have every right to walk away or change a subject.  We do not need their negativity in our lives.  Let’s surround ourselves with friends that lift us up, inspire us, and encourage us.  No more drama and no bullshit.  Also, no more excuses.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Posted by ineta on Nov 24, 2011 in being grateful, Holidays

This is a time to stop and think about what we are grateful for.  For me the list is HUGE not simply in words, but in feelings, too!!!

I am thankful for my life and health.

I am thankful for my family and friends who are INCREDIBLE in every way. Thank you for being You!

I am thankful for my family who are true inspirations full of courage, determination and so much love.

I am thankful for our pets who always warm our hearts and make us smile.

I am thankful for wildlife that cause me by surprise and leads me on curiosity trips.

I am thankful for every magical moment I see everyday: from diamond sparkles on the leaves and flowers after the rain to a sunset that takes my breath away.

I am thankful for challenges that life throws in order to let me think creatively.

I am thankful for my creativity to see and feel things.

I am thankful for moments of inspiration from people, books, and life.

I am thankful for freedom of my heart and thoughts.

I am thankful for great wisdom teachers who challenge to see life in a heart-felt way.

I am thankful for my fans who cheer me on and see the beauty of life the way I do.

I am thankful for all the love I feel within my heart.

I am thankful for all the artists who make a world more beautiful with their creations.

I am thankful for music that lets my heart sing.

I am thankful for having a courage to let go of things that do not serve me anymore.

I am thankful for a new space I am creating for new possibilities.

I am thankful for an incredible future that will come because I know what I want.

I am thankful for nature how it always refreshes me and makes me wonder and gives me an inspiration.

I am thankful for every day, hour and minute I live.

What are you grateful?

Have an awesome Thanksgiving, my family and friends!!!!  Sending you lots of love!

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Act of Kindness

Posted by ineta on Oct 22, 2011 in kindness

While going to the shop today, I noticed a young man jump from his car across the street by red light.  He went in front, picked up a wood piece (probably with a nail in it), run to the sidewalk and put it down, so nobody would have their tire damaged.  The wood was to the side of his car, not in a way of his way of going.  It was so kind of him to think of others.

Not everyone notices simple acts of kindness of others, but these kind people are among us.

When we open our hearts and minds, we think of others’ well-being, and the world becomes a more beautiful place.

How can we be kind to others today?

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Love, Loss and Lessons

Posted by ineta on Sep 25, 2011 in love

This is a third day after we lost our Thoroughbred Tango (Congressman).  He was the sweetest horse in the world with the biggest eyes that melted everyone’s hearts.  He was a gentle spirit with the biggest appetite.  He lived to be 25 years old.

Tango had a racing name Congressman and he was a winner in the races.  His grandfather is Mill Reef – a Century Horse, and his father was a Champion, named Diamond Shoal.

We are not sure about what happened after his racing was over, but he was abandoned, and my mom adopted him and nursed him back to health.  We had Tango for 10 years until 3 days ago when we lost him to cancer.

We do have another horse a Dutch warm-blood Princess Adora, who is grieving with us.  She spent most of her time with Tango.  When we buried Tango, Princess was running and calling him.  She stood at exact spot where we buried Tango and tried to dig him out.  Who says animals have no feelings.

Losing Tango was a huge heartbreak.  It still is.  Our bodies were hurting, and our hearts were heavy.  It felt as if a huge stone was on our chest.  No wonder, we carry our beloved horse in our hearts. <3

When we found Tango laying on the side, we did not know how terminal it was.  Therefore, we were fighting with all our might for his life.  He fought, too.  While waiting for a vet, we tried to sit him up at least.  He brought his head up a few times, but then he went down again.  Tango was incredible.  He still had a huge appetite.  He drank some water and had food and some alfa alfa hay.  We tried to keep him as much as comfortable as we could, not giving up.  We persisted, he persisted, too.  Unfortunately, his body did not cooperate.

At the end, he was tired.  After vet came, she informed us that he is in toxic shock because of cancer.  That’s why he can’t get up.  No matter how heart-broken we were, we had to learn to let go of him.  Our love for Tango was most important thing, and we did not want him to suffer anymore.  Persistence, love and letting go were our lessons.

Losing Tango changed me a bit.  It gave me a different perspective in life.  I realized how precious each moment in life is.  We should cherish every minute of it.  Family and friendship, a connection one to one can’t replace anything in the whole world.  Helplessness (while waiting for vet and not be able to help Tango) is the most frustrating and scary feeling and I do not want to go through that again.  To have an open mind to look for different solutions is very important.

We lost Tango and our hearts expanded for more love.  There is a space that opened up for new possibilities, for cherishing life and for what is most important.   And for some things, it is time to let them go…

When we came to the ranch yesterday, we saw the most incredible gigantic heart in the sky.  Perhaps Tango sent his love to us. <3  We love you, Tango.  You always will be in our hearts.

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“Wouldn’t it be interesting if…” Photography

Posted by ineta on Sep 12, 2011 in being creative, being different, passion, photography

Trust that little voice in your head that says “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…”  And then do it.” ~ Duane Michals, “More Joy of Photography.”

This powerful quote says it all.  In photography, if we trust our inner knowing, we can create magic.  We can capture what we see in most unusual ways.  It gets us creative, it fills us with imagination, and we capture that wonder in our beloved photography.

Here are some photos I captured following my inner wonder:

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot an incredible sunset reflected in theater’s windows?

Here is the magical result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot sunset reflections in a far away building with my zoom lense?

A building becomes alive with a golden beautiful light.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sun with crystals?

The beautiful necklace by Dalia Koss becomes full of crystal magic.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align fishing Great Blue Heron with Super Moon’s pathway?

Even though I was tripping in the dark going down the slope, I had a vision in my heart and went for it.  This picture in my Flickr was overnight sensation, totaling 1000 views per night.  Right now, it has over 2,000 views.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would catch a sunlight in my fingers?

Magic catch.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sunset colors with a spider web?Here is a colorful spider web palate

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will integrate my friend Sandy in art?

Sandy becomes a part of statue. Art Deco.

Sandy becomes a part of painting.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture sunset through the window from inside the house?

The door window becomes enchanted.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I align a sunlight with our Princess Adora?

Princess becomes an angel.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will capture Princess through my car’s reflection?

The capture makes an interesting composition.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will try to capture moon through the blinds?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a crow statue against decorative lamp?

It becomes like fairy tale: a crow against the moon.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if we would take our cameras while parasailing?

The view was spectacular!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot rain drops on my back car’s window lighted by the car behind while waiting by the red light?

Rain drops become hundreds of hearts.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would “train” a dragonfly to stand on my finger while taking a picture with another hand?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dragonfly the Acrobat!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a sunlight on the dragonfly’s wings?

Golden Magical Dragonfly.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would come really close to the Brown Pelican, and snap the photo?

The light was incredible.  Brown Pelican trusted me to come closely.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture the wave from the low point?

Getting a close up.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would use a light post for support because I did not have a tripod with me for this night shot?

It is great to improvise!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would take this photo of sand castle against sunset and include a person to show the size?

Here is a dreamy dragon beauty.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would include a sunset and shoot this castle from the ground?

Picture becomes magic.  One woman yelled at me because according to her, I took the best spot.  It was my idea all along and after me, a few people started to follow my low point of taking picture.  Love to inspire people.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would see what is inside this rock?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot a sunset through my car’s mirror?

I was standing by red light.  Love to use these waiting moments for my advantage. :-)

So, what would you see if you would follow your inner knowing, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…?” Go shoot the magic!

Wish you lots of creativity!

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Mind Over Body

Posted by ineta on Sep 2, 2011 in being powerful, persistence, vision

I never knew what mind can do until I tested my own mind to see well.  See my previous posts how it all started Seeing Miracle and a follow up a week or so later at Seeing Miracle Continues.

It’s been 7 months now since I took my glasses and never again I put them back on.  For the people who read my previous posts, you are probably wondering if it really works, how my vision is now.

Also, I came across a discussion board on the web where my website and my post “Seeing Miracle” was mentioned.  I could not believe all the skeptics out there who were a majority.  One tried to walk without glasses, but at the end he put the glasses back on.  Next day, he got a headache and vowed to never try this again.  Next, others were wondering why squinting does not work all the time.  They were discussing Bates method, and some were even furious about misleading information.  There is a huge discussion going on, and most people liked the “safety” behind their glasses and were afraid to persist.  I totally understand them.  It is pretty scary to go out when all you see is a blur.

After reading this discussion board, I checked my eyesight according to the chart.  I did not use the chart for awhile.  I read 20/40 with absolutely no problem.  This is by the way a legal vision for driver’s license in Florida.  Then I even read 20/30 line without any problems.  Then 20/25 was next.  I read that, too.  20/20 was a bit blurry, but with a little eye adjustment (by blinking and breathing a bit), I read the whole 20/20 line.  That’s the first time ever I was able to read the whole 20/20 line!  I was so excited.  My right eye is usually weaker.  So, before I read only a half of the line.  Pretty good, isn’t it?

I wish my 20/20 vision would stay without an eye adjustments.  My vision still fluctuates from around 20/30, 20/25 to 20/20.  Lately, probably from 20/25 to 20/20.  My eyesight adjustment now comes naturally.  I do not squint.  Squinting just stresses our eyes and might give us a headache.  I deeply breathe, blink my eyes, stay in the sun whenever I get the chance.  It comes so easy that I do not even think about it.

I train my mind to see through everything.  Sure, on stressful or cloudy days, it becomes a bit blurrier.  Sure, it would be so easy to put the comfort blanket – eyeglasses on, but I refuse to do so.  I am persistent to see no matter what.  So, with more adjustment, I see well again.

On happy days, I have prolonged great vision without adjustments.  Also, I find if I look into computer for a long time, my eyes become more blurry.  Then I take a break, or change my vision field by looking someplace else.

Also, my success depends on my attitude.  I do not concentrate on what I do not see.  I concentrate on what I’m seeing instead.  I am super excited to see things that I only required eyeglasses to see.

I am so in love with the world I am seeing:  larger than I used to see through my glasses.  So, this is what I learned in my journey:

1) Determination and a strong belief are the keys.

2) Persistence to see through everything.

3) Resistance to give up and put the glasses back on.

The mind is so powerful.  We usually underestimate how powerful it is.  Our mind and our bodies are connected.  If one thing is out of balance, another one will be, too.

The book might not be for everyone.  It might not work for everyone, or others might not even try it.  There might be many skeptics out there.  However, these are my own experiences, and miracles do happen if you have a huge belief in them.  Here are other people’s experiences in a book review from Amazon book readers. Decide for yourself, be daring, but please use a common sense and be safe.

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Wildlife Love

Posted by ineta on Aug 20, 2011 in nature, photography

All since I can remember, I have a huge love for animals and birds.  In harsh winters, I would hand-make bird feeders and feed wild birds.  Birds knew me and as soon I would show up, I swear they would follow me.

We had pigeon chicks on our balcony.  One time, when chick fell off the balcony, I went outside searching for him.  Sure, I found him and put back in the nest, even though my little hands were scratched from chick’s sharp nails.  That was my very first rescue.

Then, there was my first time when I saw a fawn. My heart melted, as people were bottle-fed him.  I fell in love with deer.  I even had my favorite postcard with fawn on it.

Then I volunteered at Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary, where I was fortunate to hold young foxes, feed baby raccoons, baby opossums, baby squirrels, baby armadillo, fawns, deer.  We even received a baby bobcat once.  Since it was a bird sanctuary, we would receive different kinds of birds from chick to an adult, from songbirds to raptors to water birds.  I would feed them, administer medication and even help out vet.  I learned a lot at the sanctuary, not only about the species, but also their songs and behavior.  I can identify birds by their song in the wild most of the time.  Of course, I did some rescues myself, too, and you will find me bringing a turtle to another side of the road.

Animals and birds are in my heart.  They seem to trust me, and therefore, I am able to come relatively closely to them and capture them on my camera.  To photograph wildlife, I find this helpful:

1.  Take a photo from a longer distance, just in case if animal gets scared and runs away.  At least you’ll have a memory captured.

2.  It is really important to gain trust with animal.  Respect their wildness and their space.

3.  Have lots of love and care in your heart.  Animals are very sensitive to energies.  That’s how they survive.  I believe, they sense their world.  They sense if you are dangerous, or not.

3.  Read their body language.  For example, deer will stump its feet, if it senses a danger.

3.  Stop, do not make any sudden movements.  Freeze in a place, play like you are tree.

4.  Eyes is a huge communicator.  Do not stare at them.  If they sense you, lower your eyes.

5.  Stalk like a cat if you have to.  Inch slowly.  Try not to make sounds.  Animals are very sensitive to sounds, like snapping a branch.

6.  If there is a tree or bush, hide behind it.

7.  Gentle voice sometimes helps, and keeps them curious. (It might help or might not).  Once, while I talked very gently, wild Mom deer with little fawn went by very close to me.  As if, she understood me that I am not dangerous.

Here are some of many photos I took of wildlife.  It is great to be one with a nature:

 Eastern Cottontail rabbit

I captured this Nine-Banded Armadillo in the dark.  I had no idea that armadillos can stand up on the back legs.  Did you know they are really good swimmers, too?

Beach bunny.  I took this shot at Siesta Key beach.

Four trouble-maker baby raccoons.

Did you know American Indians call raccoons hand-washers?  They have very sensitive paws and they feel their food with them.  Therefore, if you see a raccoon eat, it looks like they wash their hands constantly.

That’s unusual-looking animal, isn’t it?  It is a Fox Squirrel, and it is so much larger than normal grey squirrel.

I handed this bread to squirrel.  She made a great poser. :-)   As you can see from her nipples, she is having baby squirrels in her nest.

Baby mockingbird meets baby rabbit

My Little Poser

You can feel my excitement when I captured this beautiful deer family all out in the open!  Notice their ears.  One ear is turned to me, and other ear is turned behind them.  They are always on the lookout.

This deer gave a birth to a fawn right in this spot.  I saw a little one, but the grass was way too tall to capture him.  Plus, I kept a distance not to scare them.

A pregnant doe snacks on water plants.  I captured her through the fence.

Two deer in sunset light.

Well, hello there.  Two year old all grown up since I saw him as a little fawn.

A tender moment.  Once again, I shot them through the fence, giving them a distance and privacy.

Blowing blueberries at me. :-)

Now you know why fawn has so many white spots.  It is easier to camouflage among wild flowers.

This fawn is just hours old.  Still had wobbly legs while walking.

A beautiful couple.

Close together.

This fawn is adventurer.  His curiosity always took him away from his mom and sibling.  He is a survivor and very independent.

I got really close to him.  He is smelling the air where I stand.  Deer are still near and dear to my heart.

Watch out!  A new Sheriff in town!

This is a Cattle Egret.  When they are not around cattle and horses, they are seen on top of cars.  I even saw some riding on the top of cars, even on one at speed of 45 miles per hour.

Osprey by her nest.  Ospreys are called fish hawks because they mainly feed on fish.

Can you spot an owl?  Great Horned Owl is perfectly camouflaged.  The only give away is when song birds or crows make a ruckus by screaming and yelling and even attacking the owl.

Beautiful Bald Eagle perched on the fence.  It is not a familiar sight where we are.

Juvenile Wood Stork.  Notice the fuzz still left on his head.  Also, notice how he stands.  He seems comfortable.

Sandhill crane with two chicks.  This scene made my heart melt. :-)   Did you know that Sandhill cranes paint their feathers with stick and mud to better camouflage themselves?  Notice brown patches on adult?  That’s painted.

Please use caution.  Common sense and keeping distance, especially while photographing chicks or baby mammals are required.  Mom birds and Mom animals are very protective of their young.  So, if you sense they are uncomfortable from their body language, keep still or carefully leave.  It is not worth to scare them and putting your being in danger.  Animals are wild and it is their territory.  Got to be respective of them.

See Big Cat Love photography here.

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Today’s Thought

Posted by ineta on Apr 13, 2011 in Inspiring Stories, kindness, nature, vision

Silence feels amazing when we quiet our chattering mind and outside noises, and just be: feel a gentle breeze in the hair, a warm sun’s touch on the skin and breathe.

Today I did just that.  I sat for a couple of minutes.  I thought how to keep my already so much improved vision longer at the time.  I get periods of 20/20 vision, but as I blink, it gets a bit blurry again going into about 20/30, 20/25 field.  The answer came: instead of keeping on narrow focus got to expand my vision, and it all starts with the heart.  I opened my eyes, and I could see every blade of the grass and every leaf on the tree.  It felt amazing.  The perfect vision stayed with me longer than usual.  Then, all of the sudden I saw a seemingly lifeless dragonfly in the water.  I touched it and to my surprise, he moved his wings desperately trying to escape.  Unfortunately, the wings were already submerged and the weight of water did not let it to fly.

I gently picked it up on my finger and wanted to put on the branch to dry it out.  He fought to stay on my finger, so I let it stay, and I chased off the wasp who tried to get him.  As his wings dried out, he started to move them in the breeze little by little.  When he got stronger, I put him on the branch.  He stayed there for a little bit and flew away…

So this is what I learned:

Narrow Focus => Expanded Vision = Seeing things that otherwise are easily missed.

With expanded vision and using our love, we can see more and hear more and feel more, and make a huge difference.  It might start with a dragonfly at first.  Then it might go to other things.  Small as a dragonfly and big as the world.  It is only a matter of perception.

Can you imagine how world would be if we would move ourselves from a narrow focus of everyday life to an expanded worldly vision and do everything from the heart?

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