What are "splashes of brilliance?" Good question!

Every once in a while I am truly blown away.  Sometimes I see the creativity poured into one amazing person and wonder at the awesomeness.  Sometimes I see a photograph that captures an emotion (how DO they do that?!) or see a video that evokes gut-laughing.  Lest I fail to mention it, I'm a food talker... so when I taste something amazing I cannot contain the MMM-HMMMs.  When I see something properly 'arranged' in a room or on a page or on a table, and I find mysel staring.  Sunrises and sunsets perpetually leave me breathless & breaking waves make my skin tingle.  Patterns in a flower and other plants, each examples of excellence in creation.  Each of these types of things are simply gift-wrapping the meaning of beauty, of excellence or of brilliance.

So here, in this open forum, I'll just share with you those splashes of brilliance I encounter! 

Imagine hearing a perfectly played instrument and how that makes you feel.  My father-in-law Gerry is brought to tears each time he hears a good Sarah Brightman song, or any time he hears his British national Anthem "God Save the Queen."  His [much more refined] ears perk up because he's hearing a perfectly utilized set of vocal chords.  My less refined ears perk up when I hear (next day, via YouTube) Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent.  Sitting there, wherever there is, and encountering greatness.... it's moving.

I don't save tears, oh no!  I shed splashes every time I see excellence in kids -- when they sing their little heart out in their childlike perfection, or when my nephew Cam plays his clarinet with state-competition-like clear clean notes.  (Admittedly, I'll also cry at Hallmark commercials and at EVERY well-planned point in a movie that producers HOPE someone will cry.  Such a sucker!)

I will tear up or feel so touched with a sense of Gladness when I see someone act in an entirely "others focused" manner, not thinking at all of themselves, but engaging at the heart level with someone else.  Sometimes photographs pierce my heart, because they capture the feeling.  I admire both the character of the person giving selflessly and the photographer whose craft is magical.  Often times I'll see a child light up in the attention of an adult, and it touches me.   (This photo is from http://www.milkphotos.com/whatismilk/originalimages.html)

When I see these splashes of brilliance I find myself wishing I was able to scoop up the scraps off their "plate o' talent" and glue them to me, somehow.   It's not possible to acquire their gift or character by osmosis (if only!), but it is possible to be inspired to change to the degree I'm capable.  However it does it inspire me.  I endeavor to be selfless, creative, aware, outward focused, and heavy with good character.