Love Life!

I want to share this beautiful poem that someone has sent me yesterday. I've always enjoyed poetry since childhood. I was never good at it but I loved reading them – it was the only part of my school textbooks that I enjoyed. My bestfriend from high school used to print me poems. Every week she'd give me several pages of poetry and I would compile them in a binder. At the end of the school year I had a binder of love poems which I still have until today. But this particular poem really touched me and I hope it inspires someone to love life.


Let's go Jelly! Let's follow the balloon!

She

She loved life and it loved her right back.
She listened to her heart above all the other voices.
She pursued big dreams instead of small realities.
She saw every ending as a new beginning.
She discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers and
statistics.
She was kind, loving and patient...with herself.
She woke up one day and threw away all her excuses.
She realized that she was missing a great deal by being sensible.
She turned her can'ts into cans, and dreams into plans.
She ignored people who said it couldn't be done.
She had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities.
She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she
could fly.
She discovered that she was the one she'd been waiting for.
She added so much beauty to being human.
She walked in when everyone else walked out.
She just had this way of brightening the day.
She made the whole world feel like home.
She decided to enjoy more and endure less.
She decided to start living the life she'd imagined.
She colored her thoughts with only the brightest hues.
She was an artist and her life was her canvas.
She ran ahead where there were no paths.
She held her head high and looked the world straight in the eye.
She not only saw a light at the end of the tunnel, she became that light
for others.
She designed a life she loved.
She took the leap and built her wings on the way down.
She said bye-bye to unhealthy relationships.
She remained true to herself.
She made the world a better place.

I hope that this is you every day.


And no Valentine is complete without...

A handmade card and (drum roll please).... 
(Thank you Lucy!)

 

 a heart pizza! It was delicious!

Happy Valentine's Day to the heartbroken, single and smitten. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Enjoy life and be hopeful for tomorrow starting today.

To breathe and know you are alive is wonderful. Because you are alive, everything is possible.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Cheers to the new year!

Speak from your heart even if your voice shakes. Be bold in what you stand for yet careful for what you fall. Always remember before there can be courage there has to be fear. Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out. We shall be free.

The past few months have been exciting and unforgettable. I finally finished illustrating Squiggle Squirm. Kiwanis made it possible to have the books printed – the news left me in a complete catatonic state for several days. And the events that followed were more surreal. First, we had a book signing in Hooray for Books, an independently owned children's bookstore in Alexandria along King Street. Five kids showed up to the event but my family and friends all came to show their support and we sold 11 books that day – I felt like luckiest anthropoid on the planet!

Thereafter, I received an e-mail from the author, Katie Bryden to join her for a television interview with Emerald Planet. I have never been on tv or dreamed of being televised. I was a nervous wreck in front of the camera despite of the amiable atmosphere and engaging host. It's safe to say that I was a complete mess but entertaining nevertheless. I've only shared this video to a handful of people but I thought I should share this with everyone to introduce the significance of this campaign.

We've all done something we regretted but our mistakes do not define who we are, we just need to learn from them. I had a month to prepare but did not take advantage of the time allotted to do research. If I had to do it all over, I probably would have given them similar answers except for one – the lesson I learned from the book. After numerous bathroom visits and sleepless nights, I have found the answer. I realized that it had nothing to do with being obedient, the lesson was about finding courage and not losing hope despite of life's encumbrance. 

This book not only teaches children to cultivate strong relationship with friends and family but also teaches them about charity.

Squiggle Squirm is currently available in Whole Foods Market Old Town for $15

Get you copy today and make a difference.