Searching for an idea for her new painting, young artist Gurleen Kaur chanced upon the 19th-century British painter Augustus Edwin Mulready’s painting of a flower girl. She was mesmerised by the eyes of the flower girl painted so beautifully by the English genre painter whose works included scenes of London streets with urchins and flower sellers, reflecting his interest in social issues, especially poverty experienced by children and their struggle with adult problems. Exclusive to WSN, we proudly present this Gurleen Kaur’s version of the historic painting and her accompanying piece on Gratitude, borne out of her query, ‘Where does that richness in the eyes of the flower girl come from?’

THE LITTLE GIRL’S EYES ARE FILLED WITH DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS as she sells the flowers in her basket. Her clothes are torn but the sparkle in her eyes and the glow on her face shows how strong she is to challenge the hardships with a charming smile as, within her heart, she is grateful for her existence.

Whatever life offers, celebrate each day with your unique share of these offerings. We often hear people saying, “everyone is unique”, so our challenges are also meant to be unique, but we all are very much equal in our uniqueness. There are people amongst us whom we call ‘disabled’, some call them ‘differently-abled’. They are neither disabled nor differently-abled, they are just unique like everyone else. Disability rights activist Deepak Nathan says, “Disability is the part of diversity”. This realisation will instil more respect and acknowledgement for all.

Gratitude’ is something which would never let you drop your swords even when you are at the verge of losing.

There are times when we feel low and complain because of our unique challenges. We are all inspired by someone at some point in our life; never lose that inspiration as that is going to act as the driving force behind all one’s endeavours. Never let your ears forget the words that motivate you as words have a lot of power. Wheelchair-ridden Pakistani artist, public speaker and singer Muniba Mazari put life into words telling the world, “Somebody somewhere is dreaming the life that we are complaining about”.

When in despair, read what I read and did a turnaround, “When life puts you in tough situations, don’t say ‘why me’, say ‘try me’ “. We never ask ‘why me’ when we achieve something and this attitude needs to be the same when difficulties turn up. I can still feel the strength of these words which not once but twice pulled me out of the swamp of hopelessness.

Our expectations can be so overwhelming that they even engulf the thought of being grateful.  ‘Gratitude’ is something which would never let you drop your swords even when you are at the verge of losing. Soon, when everything will be okay, you will be glad for not giving up in times of despair. We just need to change our thinking and focus our journey will automatically change.  American country music singer Jimmy Ray Dean tells us, “You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to reach your destination”.

Think of Mulready’s flower girl. She was blissfully selling flowers, being grateful for her day without taking anything for granted. She was taking life as a blessing. The sparkle in her eye shows that she knew the secret of happiness.  Fill your mind, body and soul with gratitude over little things and big things. Your eyes will sparkle like those of the flower girl!

Gurleen Kaur is a Punjab-based budding artist and writer, inter-twining her taste for painting and writing in a unique way.  She depicts common day life on her canvas with ease and writes essays to bring out the goodness in people.