Still on a high from my Expect Miracles programme, I arrived home last week to find a large envelope marked
‘PRINTED MATTER’
on the floor, addressed to yours truly.
Bracing myself with a deep breath … you never know …
it could be some writ from the taxman …
or some other officialdom demanding blood from a stone,
I cautiously opened it and removed the contents.
And there on the page in front of me, it boldly proclaimed:
PERPETUAL BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR
This calendar was produced for you with love, using my Chinese Brush Painting pictures.
May you enjoy many happy years sharing the red letter days of your family and friends.
And underneath that, a gorgeous photograph of the sender.
Wow!
As I turned the pages, I was filled with feelings of wonder, astonishment, amazement, profound gratitude and love.
I gazed in wonder at the beautiful Chinese Brush Paintings and read with awe the accompanying quotes.
Wow!
How splendid!
To think that someone had taken the trouble to handcraft such a very special gift, taking her magnificent Chinese Brush Paintings and combining them with carefully selected quotes that so resonated with the spirit of the Expect Miracles programme, was mind-blowing. Twelve pages, each one endowed with a stunning painting and a selection of themed and inspirational quotes. I was bowled over.
Two words
Gratitude and appreciation.
Gratitude for this gorgeous gift made with love and appreciation for the artistry and craft. Thank you!
Here, with permission, is a selection of the artist’s work. Sadly, my photographs do it no justice 🙁 Nevertheless, enjoy!
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Omar Khayyam
If you don’t have peace within yourself, you can never find peace outside. If you have a happy mind, your face and body will reflect that happiness.
Sri Swami Satchidananda
Make it a habit to tell people thank you, to express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.
Ralph Marston
Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
Mother Teresa
One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
People forget what you said and what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.
Norman Cousins
Whatever our mind constantly dwells upon – that we become.
Patanjali
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi
When you have a dream that you can’t let go of, trust your instincts and pursue it. But remember: Real dreams take work. They take patience, and sometimes they require you to dig down very deep.
Be sure you’re willing to do that.
Harvey MacKay
