Yellow reminds me to be happy!
A Japanese client travelled from New York with a bouquet of yellow flowers — and changed the colour I travel in.
September 5, 2021 · 4 min read
Yellow is the color that inspires me the most!
Several years ago, on my last day of a very challenging job experience in Washington D.C, I returned from a long lunch break to my office, to hear that a Japanese client, based in New York, was waiting to see me. He had been waiting for nearly two hours. I rushed to the office lobby and found him cradling a large bouquet of yellow flowers. He had come all the way by train, from New York, to bring me the flowers, to thank me for my professional assistance. Yellow, he said, symbolizes 'happiness' in Japan. 'I wish for you to be happy!' He presented the flowers, then left to return to New York.
His act that day deposited such gold in my soul! I was stunned that someone would go out of their way in that manner to make such a generous point.
Since that day, I have worn yellow as a consistent reminder to 'be happy'. For some of my happiest travelling moments, I've donned yellow. I celebrated a milestone destination birthday with a 'touch of yellow.' I climbed the Wall of China in yellow — even with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee!
The best part about the reminder to be happy, is that happiness should not be determined by external circumstances because happiness is truly an "inside job!"
"If you want to be happy, be...." ~ Leo Tolstoy
"Be happy! It's one way of being wise" ~ Sidonie Colette
"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be." ~ Abraham Lincoln
Whenever I wear yellow, I think of my Japanese client and that wonderful gesture he did for me. I remember to be happy. No matter where I am, what I am doing or what my present circumstances are. I am reminded to just be.
