Life in Colour

Over a year ago, I devoted one of my notebooks to become a collection of happy thoughts that others have said to me. Reading these meaningful compliments has shined a light on my darkest days and has become a remedy whenever I’m feeling sad and alone. I frequently update this little notebook of mine and find the joy and strength to continue putting one foot in front of the other each day. The quotes are encouraging reminders that even when life seems to be weighing me down, there is someone who deeply cares about my presence on this earth.

I honestly recommend this idea to everyone because it’s very uplifting and it also reveals the significance of a compliment. None of the people whom I have written within my notebook know how deeply their words resonate with me. Everything – thus far is extremely personal and I have titled it Read It When You Need It. I hesitated until now to share this idea with the world because I didn’t want it to backfire. I thought if people closest to me knew that I have been collecting the meaningful phrases they have directed towards me, they would begin to say things intentionally to gain my affection. But I have found grace assembling this small journal and I believe many of you can easily benefit from the idea as well.

Accordingly, I was reading through it the other day – laughing and crying as I flipped each page. There are so many beautiful passages from people I completely adore and I am beyond grateful to have these wondrous human beings by my side. And as each excerpt brought a distant memory to mind, I came across the words from an old friend that impacted me greatly. He told me that he admires how I freely express who I am and how I am able to find my inner happiness. Most importantly (and the words that bring tears to my eyes), he said, “you add colour to life”. 

I remember receiving this compliment and I was awestruck. At that time, I had been living in a world I had painted black and white. From boy drama to issues developing between my family and friends, I expected everything to simply fix itself. I didn’t like when situations were transformed into a complication much greater than the original conflict. I wanted all of these complicated matters to be effortlessly handled, but I learned that life doesn’t work that way. And so, I lost myself in those prevalent issues and couldn’t maintain a happy-go-lucky nature. I pushed a lot of people away and I needed a space for myself to exist. All of these problems lead me down a very dark road and I thought I was walking through it alone until I heard those words.

For the first time in a while, I was able to listen and connect with the empathy of someone else. And even though there were people showing me they care, sometimes it just takes that one singular voice that stands out from the crowd to release you from your darkness. So, thank you Mr. Voice. Because of your special words, I have been given a purpose on this earth. To be a rainbow of light in the world’s cloudiness; always kind and with peace.

Seeing the world in colour is my new favourite thing. My once organized-to-the-minute life is a little messier and I have found joy in that. The rapid twists and turns accompanied with smiles and tears all lead to me through this journey. And within this rainbow of mine are many pigments mixed with others, creating an endless stream of colour and light. As I embrace each of these new colours that life shares, I must say that you too, add colour to life.

On that note, I think it is most appropriate to rename this blog I created more than two years ago, “Life in Colour”. I am opening my arms to the evolution of my existence and realizing my glowing rainbow of light is destined to exuberantly paint the world in vibrant colours. And with that, there are many in need of a brightness shone in their direction…

Written by Tessa R. Adamski