After already going through a rough time due to Covid restrictions and changes, the iceberg of my emotions was tipped by experiencing a traumatic injury.
On Shabbat, shortly after reading a book about Emunah and not really feeling it, I slammed a door of one of my rooms on my fingers. So strong I had cut into a part of my dominant hand index finger and nearly amputated the top of it.
I will spare you the graphic details, but in a shock and panic I froze for a moment and realized I cannot lose any part of this finger, because I need my hand. I am a painter and illustrator and beginning writer. I need my hands!
So in an unexplainable moment of clarity I returned that almost detached part of my finger into its place and held tight onto it until the ambulance came. They took me to the hospital and on Shabbat of all days I had my finger wired and stitched back into place.
I succumbed to deep depression and belief that I will never paint again.
The healing took a long time and so did physiotherapy but I felt continuously very empty and cried all the time.
Until I participated in the JWWS 2020 online.
The presentations of all the speakers were fascinating and thought provoking and some stories they shared made me cry. So much inspiration to overcome hardships in one cyber room!
I left the webinar encouraged to grab my pens and brushed again, to paint again and to write again.
I am a budding author as well with several stories hiding in my Microsoft Word, hopefully to be seen by the eyes of others soon.
But even that is not the whole success story!
Your mention of a friend who took upon herself the Mitzvah of Birkat HaMazon to increase her Parnassah struck me. I realized how I often forget to say this Bracha (being a busy mom of six precious souls) and or rush through it…and so I decided to try and take this Mitzvah upon myself.
Lo and behold, in only three weeks I received a portrait commission. To paint a family tree of 24 grandchildren. But that was just the beginning.
It is a year now since the last JWWS and I have NOT STOPPED receiving work!
I am in the middle of illustrating three children’s books and have painted several more large custom watercolor paintings in between.
I am blown away! And every time I say the Bracha after a meal I wonder, is this commision I am working on the last? And just like that… another one comes along.
I am certain I am not the only whose life has been impacted!
It’s the little things, few little words that go from heart to heart that can change another person’s world in a heartbeat! (no pun intended).
I thank you so much for organizing JWWS, for making everyone feel welcome and united and I wish you another year of success in everything you do and many more Neshamot to be inspired and enriched by your amazing work and devotion!
May H-shem continue to bless you!
