“I can’t do water. It looks so stagnant, there’s no life to it,” she sighed while staring at her masterpiece. I looked at the same canvas, only with a different opinion. To her consolation, I sighed too. In awe.

Why haven’t I noticed that piece before? Oh yes, that’s because I’m always sitting with my back facing the painting. I think I’m going to sit at the opposite direction next time. I like what I’ve just discovered.

“I’m going to focus on clouds next time. I think I’m better with skies,” she continued. “I have another blank canvas sitting around, I just haven’t had the time to paint.”

Have you ever looked at a painting and told yourself, hey I can do that too, only to find out it’s not as easy as it looks? And then someone comes along and picks up a pen or a brush and tricks you all over again that it is easy.

There’s talent to replicate. And then there’s talent to create. No need to say which one is more mind-blowing. I think that’s why I believe in God in the first place. I’ve been surrounded with a lot of creative people all my life, making me wish I’m more like them sometimes. I knew she’s always had a creative bone, a funny passion for frogs – but somewhere along the way, I guess I forgot.

Just a day after our conversation and a rekindled admiration, a new painting hung at the exact spot I was staring at the night before. She was right, she is better with skies. If you stared at the painting longer it would look as if the image is floating right in front of you. Another thing caught my eye, and I left her a message, wondering what that flower meant, unsure if I’ll ever find out.

This morning was gloomy, and I was battling the foggy windscreen again. Traffic was a little slower than usual, but somehow, I was in no hurry. There was an odd calming feeling surrounding me, and as I reached my office and made my way to the entrance, the peeking orange sunrise caught my eye. I couldn’t see the sun, but it definitely gave the clouds a golden glow. It looked like Someone else was doing a little painting this morning.

Just as I turned on my workstation, I received a surprising reply.

‘The flower represents all the blessings in my life!’ she wrote.

It would’ve been a lonely flower amidst the light blue background if it didn’t have the fluffy white patch behind her to share it with. It would still be a pretty flower, and we’d all still be in awe of its beauty, but it’d remain lonely.

And then she drew the clouds.

Somehow, the thought of forgiveness struck me today. Coming from a multi-racial country, it’s a favourite theme for Christmas, Chinese New Year as well as Hari Raya, but it ought to be something more than just a seasonal gimmick to watch tear-jerking movies and commercials.

Forgiveness is part of putting judgment aside. When you can look at people beyond their past, you think about second chances. Perhaps it’s in our nature to be cautious, especially when someone doesn’t have a relatively good track record, but I guess if we don’t give them a chance once in awhile, we’ll never really know who they have become.

Sometimes it’s easier to say you’re sorry, than to say “It’s alright” to someone who has apologized to you. Oddly, it’s harder when that person is closer to you. I used to think that it’s more comforting to let someone know that there’s nothing to be sorry about and put the past behind. It was a little later on in life that I learned that it isn’t. When someone apologizes, he or she needs a form of affirmation that things will be okay – forgiveness is the key, and it’s cruel to deny one of it.

Couple days ago, a boyfriend of an ex-classmate of mine was murdered in a fight, and just an hour ago a friend shared with me that her close friend has passed away in an accident, leaving behind her husband and daughter. I know them, and they’re an adorable family. That’s why forgiveness shouldn’t be just a seasonal thing. We can’t be sure that we’ll make it to the next festive season so that our souls (or someone else’s) may rest in peace. Forgiveness doesn’t just come in greeting cards. It comes in that reassuring smile that everything is, and will be okay, or that hug that says you no longer mind being in the same room as him/her.

And it comes whenever possible.

A mentor once told me, unforgiveness is a form of arrogance. In my belief, the Maker has forgiven us all through something called grace. And not forgiving someone, or even ourselves is sort of saying that we’re above the Maker and we get to call the shots in forgiveness. Atheists will laugh at this statement, but you don’t have to be religious to agree that forgiveness is one of the things that help you sleep at night. Be it you who’s forgiving, or him/her who’s forgiven. And vice versa.

I hope you’ll get better sleep one of these nights. And the nights after.