One brave dandelion...

I would rather see one brave dandelion flaunting its little bright yellow banners in the chill of an early spring wind, than a hothouse of perfect red roses.

Once when I was being interviewed for a magazine about my life and art, I shared the above quote with the reporter, who was so taken with not only the quote, but what he described as all this enthusiasm and optimism he said I had which he felt was a very refreshing thing to encounter.

Alec had only been told I was a unique artist, when assigned the interview.  Well, to Alec most artists are unique anyway, so he didn't think much of it.  That is until he met me, discovering I was an artist AND a Little Person.  So immediately he became very intrigued.

First, enthusiasm and optimism go hand in hand.

Yet what exactly ARE they?

From the book, "A Touch Of Wonder," Arthur Gordon, says, "The enthusiastic person has the capacity for generating excitement about ideas, people, events, anything.  They respond to the stimuli of life not only with their five senses and brain, but with their emotions as well.  They feel things...care.  And as
they care, they are ALIVE."

"This is why the display of enthusiasm is such an endearing and contagious thing...because it has optimism in it."

Alec knew as a Little Person I surely had so MANY challenges to deal with in every capacity of life, and was very keen to know how I came to have the enthusiasm and optimism he encountered.  You see, until Alec shined a spotlight on this, I hadn't realized my exuberant way of living was unique.  I had assumed most everyone were also living their lives this way, or striving to.  I told Alec I had learned from my challenges one should have a gratitude attitude, by focusing on the many things in our lives to be thankful for, rather than focusing on what was wrong.  For in so doing, we become a happier, more appreciative person.

Then Alec wanted to know all about my journey.  Like what carved me into who I was.  By this time I had just had my first spine surgery, where I had to learn to walk again.  And soon had to be hospitalized on
a Pediatric Oncology ward for a bone marrow treatment.  Then I touched on my childhood, which was very difficult.  Since he was there to focus on
my art, I shared how I was the youngest artist to
be represented by an art gallery, showed him the
work he wanted to see, which of course is...ahem,
all horses.🤣

And obviously that led us to my own horses.

"OH MY GOSH!  You have horses?!!  And you RIDE them?!!  How...HOW do you get ON them?"

Sigh.🤣

For two hours we talked, discussing my Art, Theatre Set Design work and what they meant.  Then my piano playing, horses, hopes and dreams.

Yet Alec again sought more insights into how such a young physically challenged person managed to have so much optimism and was so full of life.

I gave this some thought for a moment, then shared with him how also in "A Touch Of Wonder," Mr. Gordon described an encounter he had on the beach with an old Rabbi friend early one morning.  The Rabbi picked up a shell, held it up, and exclaimed with excitement, "Oh look!  The sun is shining from within it!"  Mr. Gordon saw shells all the time, yet never saw the wonder in them before the precious way the Rabbi did, and realized how this applied to everything.  For one who has an awareness for the gifts and wonders of life with appreciation and enthusiasm, somehow always manages to rise above their tough challenges without inwardly becoming dragged down by them.  And this describes myself and the way I live.

"Wow, Adelaide.  You have shown ME so much today!"

Alec went on to write a lovely article which received many letters conveying how the piece about this particular artist had such an impact upon them.  I was quite touched.🙂

The gifts of enthusiasm and optimism are indeed contagious...and the best gifts in the world, dear ones...BUT...it is said that to keep these gifts, you need to share them.  For when you do they touch others like a ripple effect which keeps spreading outwards.