“Let joy be in your journey each day – Not in some distant goal.” Tim Cook
A Father’s Letter
Paul Brand is a brilliant medical doctor who did pioneering work in the treatment of leprosy. He has received the Albert Lasker Award, been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen, served as the only Westerner on the Mahatma Ghandi foundation, and had medical procedures named after him.
Brand grew up in India, where his parents were missionaries. At the age of nine he was sent to boarding school in England. Five years later, while a 14 year old student there, he received a telegram informing him that his beloved father had died of blackwater fever. Brand cherished fond memories of his father, a man who had a great love for people and a great love for the natural world around him.
A short time after he received news of his father’s death Paul Brand received a letter from his father. It had been posted prior to his father’s death but took some time to reach Brand as it came by ship. It’s words impacted deeply upon the young son. Paul’s father described the beauty and love he had for the hills around their home and then finished with these words: “God means us to delight in his world. It isn’t necessary to know botany or zoology or biology in order to enjoy the manifold life of nature. Just observe. Remember. Compare. Always be looking to God with thankfulness and worship for having placed you in such a delightful corner of the universe on planet Earth.”
Source: Reported in Philip Yancey, Soul Survivor (Hodder & Stoughton, 2001).
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Reminds me of my dad. He was a student of nature and beauty:). Speaking of which, I love your new photo!
I’m glad this resonated with you Kristine. Sounds like your Dad was a beautiful soul. We need to keep the spirit of their love for nature growing within! Thank you 🙏🏻💕
Beautiful. Reminds me of:
The most beautiful thing in the world
is, of course, the world itself.
~Wallace Stevens~
Yes it is. 🌈🙏🏻
Have been reminded anew of the verity of this assertion since moving to new climes. Seeing different terrain moves one to pay closer attention to the details. Have been marveling in the sunrises and sunsets here in a way that I haven’t in quite some time, noting the color of the light, the shape of the trees, the chatter of the birds and insects. We are blessed with a beautiful planet…we have but to notice….
It’s a gift to see the world like this Lori. This move has giving you a new perspective in many ways! Beautiful 💚💕🌈
This is beautiful, Karen. Isn’t it amazing that nature can give us back to ourselves, if we slow down and allow ourselves to be present to it’s magic? Lovely. 🙏🏻💕
There is magic and aliveness in every part of nature and life and yes, we can only see this and feel this, when we slow down and be with it. Thank you Carrie 💕🌈
I love this! Heck yes! “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey!!”
It really is. Thank you 👏🌈🙏🏻
Very beautiful letter and so uplifting.
Thanks Michele 💕💚
special
delivery 🙂
It is 🙏🏻🌈
Love this 💕and you 💝
Oh Thanks Val! Nice to see you again! I have missed your posts and you 🙏🏻💕💚
Thanks Karen. Its good to be back and feeling the love and inspiration ❣️
A beautiful reminder! Thank you, Karen, for sharing.
Thank you Vicki. It’s a beautiful letter. ✨💚