A number of van Gogh's vibrant paintings were on display. One was called "White Roses." How skillful the brush that had rendered these roses with such animation, with luminosity and depth surpassing mere outward illustration! Here was a masterpiece whose beauty and power weren't limited or localized. Rather its pure radiance extended itself beyond frame or background. To me, it illumined its surroundings, uplifted them. Here was a lesson to ponder.
Soon after seeing these paintings I noticed a shop window on New York's Fifth Avenue. It displayed a group of black gowns. "Radiant Black," the glowing placard announced. Under clear crystalline light these gowns were compellingly elegant, alive, beautiful, illustrating black, not as dreary, dull, or heavy, as so often visualized, but, under proper lighting, as having the quality of reflected radiance.
Radiant loveliness, however, isn't confined to the floral kingdom, the arts, or the world of fashion. The touch of spiritual finesse, the heart's response to the inner graces of Spirit, its purity, its peace, its calm delight, and its innocence, is light that gives not only individual charm but spreads a glow of pure radiance. It improves its surroundings.
