Contemplate about what makes you smile.
Is it a person?
Is it an object?
Is it an action?
A place?
A memory?
Just recently on my Christmas trip, I wandered into a small store and found myself instantly drawn to Jeanie Leung's artwork. Actually, it was the title of this book that captured my attention:
I started flipping through it, engaged to her philosophical words and admiring her beautiful artwork. Of course, I decided to buy it. Little did I know that the message Jeanie was trying to get across would stick in my mind for such a long time.
The story talks of Oowa, her signature character, starting off in his 'secret garden', but eventually leaving it to explore the world. He meets a little girl who never smiled, and tries many different ways to bring that smile to her face. However, he was always unsuccessful, until he found his once abandoned 'secret garden'. Her main message, I will share with you. All credits go to Jeanie Leung herself - I am just sharing her inspirational words.
~ ~ ~
"I tended to look for my 'missing smile' in the desires of the outside world, where smiles seem to be much easier to get. Eventually I came to realize that real smiles are rooted more deeply than that, in a secret place within us. Look beneath an easy smile, and you will usually find bitterness."
"See beyond your everyday desires, discover your spirit and soul; meet and befriend the other self which resides in your own inner garden. It is not an escape from reality, but rather the opposite. Neither is finding the path to your own inner garden a form of self-therapy. To me, it is simply a gift from God."
"We all have a secret garden in our hearts, where our souls rest. It is where the most beautiful and genuine smiles blossom."
~ ~ ~
So I ask you again: what makes you smile?
Do you have a 'secret garden' in your heart?
Smile, please.
Minti.
Hi Minti, I just happen to read your blog, and thank you so much for reading my story.
ReplyDeleteJeanie