Enthusiasm, Energy, Alignment, Flow

Enthusiam and Energy Flow

 An interesting quote from Abraham-Hicks has inspired me to take charge of my public speaking and my photography for 2014. It, along with support from my son and my friends (MB & JB), transformed my stormy weekend into a directed plan for 2014.

"When you feel enthusiasm to do something, 

it means you've lined up the Energy, and 

you are being inspired to take action from that point of alignment. 

When you don't feel like doing it, 

don't push yourself, because your effort is not worth it. 

But, when you line up the Energy, 

the feeling of procrastination goes away."

--- Abraham
Excerpted from the workshop in San Rafael, CA on Sunday, July 31st, 2005

I will be finishing some commitments 

• Photo chair Spring Conference (May '14)
• Ambassador commitment (Jun '14)

and changing direction and commitments

to 

• offer Growth and Development workshops
• offer Photography and Art as a tools to achieve awareness & prosperity

1st  bulletin ... will be a Video of my Interview by Darcia from  Russian Museum of Art on Monday, January 6th :)))

the interview will include

• my philosophy
• elements of my journey
• my use of photography as an art to heal and inspire others to live consciously

Another workshop / Video is planned for later in January

"The Myth of the Unconscious ~ allowing v. stealth"

Stay tuned for further  bulletins!!!

Christmas 2013 ~ New York City

I wish all my family and friends a blessed Christmas week  :)))

Last night
I was touring
the Christmas Decorations 
of New York











My sister, Patti
and My Son, Thomas
were my companions

We celebrated the evening with some good food at one of our hangouts









Of course, 
our walk had to include going up 5th Ave, 
and checking out Rockerfeller Center and the huge Christmas Tree



















We capped off the night at St Francis of Assisi for Midnight Mass.

Fr. Andrew gave a great and humorous homily.

St Francis of Assisi is always an open welcoming community truly inspired by Jesus - acknowledge the loving God (Source Energy) and love your fellow person as you love yourself.

Interview with Daria Gradusova concerning my thoughts on the Art of Photography

Today, I was interviewed by Daria Gradusova, representing the International Art Festival (Russian Museum of Art). She interviewed me about my view of the Art of Photography, Healing and the combination of my photographs, poems and musings on my Blog.We talked about the impact of Self-Actualizing Psychology on art. Further details next week

It was also my first attempt at videoing my interview.
I used a Canon full frame 6D with a Canon 24-105mm f4 L lens.
I used a Dolica Proline 60" Carbon Fiber Tripod to mount my camera equipment and a Rode Go mic.
I was very impressed with the quality of the Dolica Tripod.
The Rode mic go was not as impressive. I will review both next week

Holiday Photography Tour

Professional Photography Tour

The colors on the Empire State bring home to me that the festive season of Chanukah, Christmas, and New Years is upon us.

I am offering a special photo tour package as you visit New York City this holiday season.

As a professional photographer I will accompany you on a 2 or 3  hour tour and document your being in the New York festival atmosphere photographically.

We will plan to visit a section of Manhattan and I will take your picture at the various locations. I will provide a DVD or Flash drive with the processed digital negatives within 48 hours to your hotel if you are visiting the city or will mail to you the DVD or Flash Drive if you are a local New Yorker.

The package includes a group  of up to four people who are traveling together. Please email me for rates for larger groups. 
Email: RmfTop@gmail.com

Dress Comfortably, wear good walking shoes and let’s go

Meals, tickets, travel costs are not included

Rates (Good until Wednesday 12/4/13 at 23:59 NY time):
More flexible schedules and price increase on 12/5/13 at 00:00 AM 12/5/13

Friday and Saturday,  Sunday Afternoon Tour (start at 11:00)

Except   Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years)

2 Hours                      $100.00 

3 Hours                      $150.00

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evening Tour (4pm start)

Except    Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years)

2 Hour $100.00

3 hours $150.00

Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years  
Same price for afternoon or evening tours $300.00 

Same afternoon, evening hours

Sunrise Tours also available

Availability of tours depend on bookings.

50% Deposit required to book date and time, deposit is not refundable

the Bubble: the Magic of Relationship ~ Pt. II

Photo and Text © Ralph M. Ferraro,  2013, RmfTop@gmail.com

No part of this photo or text may be used or copied without permission

This week I was able to present my talk, 

"the Bubble: a Magical Relationship ~ Part II”, , to my Jade Toastmaster's Group and to students in several  of my College Classes.

You might ask what is a 

Bubble Relationship ... 

it has several components, it is:

•  not logical
•  Involves both
•  Emotional Energy ~ Joy ~ Pleasure 
•  Intellectual Energy ~ Openness ~ allowing ~ Choosing to interact with a creative flow that is uninhibited 
•  arises spontaneously
•  It is synergistic
•  a high level of positive energy
•  a state of Consciousness without thinking about it, without reasoning, without justifying, without planning
•  it is totally experiential, in the now
•  unparalleled Intensity
•  100% involvement (no shades of gray - you are either in the bubble or out of the bubble)
• You can only be in one bubble relationship at a time
• For a new bubble relationship to come into being, the older bubble relationship must end
•  It is a state of Joy, excitement
•  all else is excluded
•  baggage history (relationship, patterns, culture, religious dictums)
•  learned patterns of previous years, of childhood move aside to allow the now
•  the inclusiveness involves, 
• You, 
• the Person of Interest, 
• God or Source Energy
•  there is a unity
• you could  be in a crowded room yet
• the presence of others is extremely tangential, 
• as if they,  their thoughts or their observations, their comments did not exist, and 
• do not matter.
•  You and the other are 
• totally open, 
• vulnerable, 
• interactive
•  it is a live experience, not theoretical, not merely philosophical
•  It is fragile, Like the bubbles in the photo
•  Bubble consciousness can be maintained indefinitely
• both people must feed it by
•  allowing it to be
•  being totally open
•  communicating vibrationally and lovingly
•  not allowing others to interfere with the energy
• Bubble consciousness can stop instantaneously
• fear, anxiety, concern about “the others in the room” about “image” about “what others might say” can cause one or both people to suddenly say 
• “Oh shit, I am in the bubble”
•  “I am totally vulnerable (as opposed to allowing the pleasure, the joy to be)”
•  “what will others say or think?”
•  “I need to jump out of the bubble, I don’t know what to do ? … it’s scary.”
•  a person who leaves the bubble can block or seriously impair the communication with the other person for months or forever.

 Upon leaving the bubble, 

• the entire relationship can be so severely crippled because of a persons fear, inhibition, or defenses becoming activated and prominent. 
• The gates of relationship narrow significantly or close and 
• meaningful interaction between the two who had been in the bubble will be replaced with 
• increasing coldness, 
• increasingly fragmented conversations and / or 
• increasing physical distance.

I do believe this bubble experience is what we are meant to find. 

It is primarily a spirit state yet it is also physical. 

It is like no other human physical experience. 

To find it, requires 

• asking for / desiring  the experience, 
• allowing it to unfold, 
• having enough faith to allow it to blossom.

Comments, questions, thoughts are welcome :)))

Rmf

Lance Miller will speak on "Finding Your Voice" 11/22

Friday, Nov. 22, 6 PM, Manhattan (417 East 68th Street) “Finding Your Voice”

In this hands-on workshop, Lance shows:
✪ Why Sincere is better than Sensational.
✪ How to find “What My Story Is.” ✪ How to turn daily occurrences
into dynamic speech topics. ✪ How to immediately connect
with the audience.
✪ How to “hook” an audience
to accept your message. 
Hosted by District 46 Toastmasters

When: Friday, November 22, 2013 Registration/Reception – 5:45 PM
Call to Order – 6:30 PM
Where: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – ZRC Auditorium
417 East 68th Street (between First Avenue and York Avenue)
RSVPto: SeeLanceonNov22@gmail.combyNov.20(Wed)
Top Clubs & 2012-2013 DTMs to be Honored: Members of the Top Clubs in the 2012-2013 Distinguished Club Program – and members who earned the DTM during 2012-2013 – will be honored by Lance and by District 46 Governor Kazuo Noguchi, DTM, and other District 46 leaders at this event.
And There’s More: The next day (Saturday, Nov. 23), attend the District 46 Fall Conference to hear more of Lance Miller plus six great workshops, the Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests, buffet lunch, dinner and more! Go here for information and to register: http://toastmasters46.org/!

Lance Miller
2005$World$Champion$of$Public$Speaking

 

Jade Toastmaster (Mandarin-English) Looking for People Committed to Improvement & Networking

 

Jade  Toastmasters Club Meeting

翡翠演講協會 (中英雙語)

Polish your communication and leadership skills!   

When: 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00PM

Where:  New York Life Building, 51 Madison Ave, Gramercy Room, NYC

Please contact us at JadeToastmastersClub@gmail.com for further information.

金口玉言，從這裡開始

Let your Jade shine!

Why Jade?

• The only bi-lingual English-Mandarin Toastmasters club in the East Coast of US.
• Convenient location – in the heart of New York City; easily accessible by public transport.
• Community club – all are welcome!
• Bi-lingual meeting format – improve your English and Mandarin communication skills.
• Educational and entertaining meetings.
• We are looking for a few good people who are committed to improving their speaking skills and strengthening their network.
• A membership roster that includes the crème de la crème of leaders and communicators.

Jade  Toastmasters Club Meeting

翡翠演講協會 (中英雙語)

"Boyfriend / Girlfriend ~ A Conundrum"

A recent conversation prompted me to think about the Word "Boyfriend/Girlfriend," specifically about the thought and the energy level when a person introduces this gem of thought, "I have a boyfriend or a girlfriend" while talking with another person, especially if there is a synergy between the two chatting individuals.

I presented a brief discussion about these thoughts in my college class "Human Growth and Development." All the students  participated actively in the discussion.

I will be presenting this talk, "Boyfriend ~ Girlfriend a Conundrum" at the Jade Toastmasters Group which meets tomorrow November 12th at 6:00 PM at the New York Life Building 51 Madison Ave. Guests are welcome.

What are your thoughts about the terms "Boyfriend/Girlfriend"  please send me your thoughts before Tuesday night.

Will you allow yourself to explore these dynamic words that can change energy flow with me on Tuesday?

Hope to see you at the Jade meeting.

Magnetic Light

Attraction

Dark clouds

Light clouds

Which draws You

Image

Positive ~ Negative

What do we see

Beauty

contrast

All one

Rotate Bright

Rotate Dark

Create Your path

Explore

Refine

Inner Source 

Guide

Energize

Create

Beauty behold in all

Joy found 

Joy shared

Humorous Speech Contest Continues ... now the District

This Wednesday evening, Oct. 23rd,  I will be competing against my Toastmaster colleagues at Division B in the Humorous Speech Contest. We will be competing at the NY Life Building at 51 Madison Ave, at 27th Street in Manhattan.

The Competition will be on the 22nd floor. (great views of the city from this level).

The competition will start at 18:00 (6:00 pm) and go to 20:30.

I will trace the connection between a Cat, a Sword, the Belly and Humor !

When I am not delivering my speech, I will be taking some photos to be posted later.

I would love to have you all come out and support me and my colleagues -
Since we are all Toastmasters, you will be able to hear some great speeches that have already successfully made it through 2 levels of competition.
There will also be great people to network with.
So come on out for a great evening.

2013 Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Today, Sunday, October 20, 2013, I will be joining my Colleagues, Professors, Staff and Students from Globe Institute of Technology (based on West 38th St, in Manhattan) in the walk to make strides against Breast Cancer taking place in Prospect Park Brooklyn.

My thanks to Ms. Marshandra Bracy, Director of Student Services, for organizing our group for this walk.

Although I am not impressed by traditional medical models of Cancer Treatment, I do believe it is important to support those struggling with cancer and encourage their healing.

I strongly believe that meditation, positive creative thinking and walking - exercise can help us to create a healthy body and life style.

I will be taking photos of our group and posting them later

NYU Alumni Day Toastmaster Event

This morning, I will be assisting Jose Garcia and other Toastmasters putting on a Toastmasters event for the NYU Alumni.

During the event I will be evaluating one of the speeches and photograph the event.

Toastmasters is a great organization to both improve our speaking abilities but also in providing an opportunity to network with great people both locally and internationally.

I will share info with the audience about the following clubs:

• Leadership Roundtable which meets on the first Monday of the month at John's Shanghai Restaurant on West 46th Street
• the Jade Club which is a Mandarin and English Club, which meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the NY Life Building.
• District 46's Humorous Speech Contest, this Wednesday (Oct. 23rd) in which I will be one of the contestants.

NYESN Networking Event Mon. 10/21/13

Hi All,

I will be attending the 

NYESN: October 21st Networking Party & Tradeshow @ 230 Fifth Rooftop Lounge!

NYESN Networking Meeting Info

Check out the link for more info.

Will I see you there???

Reflections - What do we see

Reflections - Ripples - What do we see
Small patches
large expanse in front
Small patches
down to the right
Ripples - movement
Reflections - What do we see



Prints - Imprints
Possibilites

Trees
Lines - Movement
possible directions
Do we explore
Do we activate
Do we engage
Beauty seen
Beauty unseen
Our vision
Our thinking
Breathing
Feeling rhythm
Connecting
Be open
Be ready
Accept
Transform

Pink ~ NYC support Healing of Breast Cancer

Walking to the Train from the Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest, I noticed that the 
Empire State building was aglow in Pink.

Let us remember to support those who are struggling with Cancer and help them to heal !!!











New York is truly a great place of much beauty.
Part of it's beauty ... 
is a willingness to help those who are struggling with illness to heal.

Ralph won 1st Place at the Toastmaster Area Contest

It feels good to win 1st place at the District 46 Toastmasters Area 25 Humorous Speech Contest.


My talk was titled:

"the Cat, the Sword, and the Belly: 
a Paradigm of Humor."

My colleague from the Leadership Roundtable Toastmasters Group, Gary Dumbroff, said

"I am glad that you made the time limit because not only did you entertain but you taught about key elements of humor, it is difficult to do both in seven minutes."

Aaron Brown, ACB
Area 25 Governor
District 46 2013 - 2014

Presenting me with the 1st Place Trophy

He really enjoyed my reference to the Belly part of the speech

Thanks to Gary Dumbroff (Leadership Roundtable Toastmasters Group)  for taking my photo receiving the trophy.

Although at a contest, the contestants do not get a formal evaluation, several of the Toastmasters attending were gracious enough to submit feedback and suggestions to me.

Some of the audience comments were:

"I liked the way you were able to connect with the audience. Your gestures, descriptions and examples painted a vivid picture of what you were talking about."

"You have a natural skill in telling a story."

Now, I have to continue to refine and polish my speech for the  next chapter  ...

the Division Contest which is coming up on

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2013 at 6:00 PM.

The contest will be at the NY Life Building, 153 Madison Ave, between 27th and 26th Street.

I will have to rush over from the 30th Photo Plus Expo Day of Conferences to give my speech.

Please come out to hear my speech and lend support.

I am sure you will enjoy my speech, the speeches of the other contestants and have a great chance to network with the great people that you will meet from District 46 Toastmasters.

"the Cat, the Sword, and the Belly: a Paradigm of Humor"

Tonight, October 10th, I will not be focusing on taking Photographs.

Instead, I will be creating visual images with my talk, 

"the Cat, the Sword, and the Belly: a Paradigm of Humor." 

I will be giving my talk as part of Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest.  If you are in New York City tonight, Stop by at 6:00 in the NY Life Building 51 Madison Ave. Hope to see you tonight.

Gallery Photos of Mary N...'s NY to Arizona Toastmaster Journey

Mary N has been a very active Toastmaster in the New York Area. She is now moving to Arizona ... so the New York Toastmasters threw her  a continuing journey Party.

Brian, Jennifer and Kasuao

Mark giving Mary a bouquet of flowers with her favorite colors blue and purple.

Penelope and Steve talking about Mary's accomplishments

Mary's leaving New York and continuing to the next part of her journey .... heading west.
















The Gallery of photos is located here
http://rmftop.photoshelter.com/gallery/TM-Mary-Neff-Oct-2013-Party/G0000vy0zEZFB6Hg/

AHEC "Careers, Community, Collaboration. and a Lobster Clambake!" Gallery Photos

I was appointed to be the photographer for the AHEC "Careers, Community, Collaboration. 

and a Lobster Clambake!" fundraiser.

I posted the photographs from this event on my gallery.

Aside from the great people who I met ...

I must say the food was delicious and cooked just right.

The gathering included a diverse mix of young and more senior people from Connecticut.

You can check out the photos on my gallery  http://rmftop.photoshelter.com/gallery/AHEC-LOBSTER-CLAMBAKE-2013/G0000EclrbxfbCRI/