Henry David Thoreau, the 19th century writer, naturalist and philosopher once remarked: “It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look to affect the quality of the day — that is the highest of arts.”
He was trying to remind us that great art is not restricted to painting, music, sculpture and writing; but still greater is the art that affects the quality of life of people. There is an art of bringing hope to the world of despair. There is no end to the number of such artists. Everybody, at one time or another, has known people who have altered the quality of their day. They come into a room in a dark hour, when we are lonely or discouraged.
They may say little, if anything. But the shining quality of goodness radiates from them, and where there was dark there is light, or the beginning of light; where there was cowardice there is courage; where there was listlessness there is love of life. These friends or wonderful strangers may meet at a picnic, in a lifeboat, in a hospital waiting-room.
These, according to Thoreau, are the greatest artists, for they practice the highest of the arts — the art of life itself. We all have a wonderful gift which we alone can give. It may be a heartfelt smile to people around us or showing just a little kindness to those who come your way. There is no second chance. It may be kindness shown to a frustrated youth, the generosity and help to a poor and hungry soul, consolation to an aggrieved man, love and affection to an orphan child, or medical aid to a serious patient.
A bright face, a little appreciation and sympathy, a ready hand and a kind encouraging voice — they send a fellow traveller on his way refreshed, strengthened and comforted. According to
Dr Richard Moss, “The greatest gift you can give to another is the purity of your attention.” And the marvellous thing about it is that once the unhappy person feels that nobody cares about him, he is often able to begin caring more about others. Love liberates love: It is as direct and miraculous as that.
