(321) “Never Lose Your Smile”…

“Frost Flowers carry me flying” … without realizing it, this lovely phrase has become like an invisible tattoo etched upon my arm. Deep inside, I always feel charged with energy—wherever I go, it seems my body moves outwardly, yet within, there’s a string pulling, guiding, navigating me; that string is the Frost Flower! And along the way, sisters & brothers, and friends appear in their given roles, each playing a vital part.

Just as in the exhibition in Spain, every person I met, every bit of casual conversation, though seemingly ordinary, was deeply precious to me. At the right time, these scattered fragments somehow “assemble themselves” into nourishment for my soul, becoming the force that propels me forward.

Back in Canada, I slowly loosened the tightly wound spring, unpacking my luggage at a tortoise’s pace. Only then did I rediscover the painting gifted by the Spanish artist “Anna” as I left Alicante. Bright and dazzling patterns, joyful dancing colors—exactly what I love; together they radiate pure vitality. Flipping it over, I saw written on the back: “Never lose your Smile… Esau.” I kept staring, again and again, at the name “Esau” who gave me this line: “Never lose your smile!” Suddenly—click!—I burst into laughter. Closing my eyes, I felt a warm glow rise from within, lingering long after.

Immediately, the words of the exhibition chairman echoed in my ears: “I like your smile.” Then another scene leapt out—when I first met “Maria” she expressed: “Seeing your big smile, I don’t know what to say, but I feel very close to you.” Still another memory surfaced—Chinese teacher Mr. Chen once shared: “I advise my wife to learn to smile more in daily life, just like Charles's girlfriend. Whatever happens, she smiles in response. It’s like she has a built-in ‘power of smiling,’ and so every problem melts away.”

Yes, “Smile, Smile, Smile.” I am truly blessed to be one of the lucky ones who has benefitted from this gift. Naturally, I try to “lead by example,” demonstrating and encouraging it. Perhaps this is one of the most valuable little tips I’ve shared along my path!

I remember my past voluntary work in “Palliative Care” and with terminally ill patients. Each time, I accompanied them with a smile, or tried to make them laugh lightly. Countless times, before leaving this world, patients would sincerely tell me: “I never knew that even with illness, I could still laugh! Thank you for helping me laugh out loud. The feeling of laughter… it’s so wonderful! I will always remember your innocent, joyful smile.”

Indeed, perhaps of all beings on Earth, only humans are able to “laugh out loud”—yet so few truly make use of it. Why is that?

From time to time, I see fellow practitioners who prefer to train themselves into dead-ends. No matter how much effort you spend persuading, they always find ways to dive into endless mental knots. As “primates,” we humans may indeed be the rare “troublesome species,” uniquely gifted in overthinking! But why? That is the question. My suggestion: keep laughing! Since you can’t stop those active minds anyway, just laugh and move on. Laughter helps open the heart, and when the heart opens, breakthroughs may follow.

A thought suddenly came: Frost Flowers carry me flying, warmly received wherever they land. Of course, that is thanks to Water. Everyone understands water, everyone needs water. And “Smile”—just the same—is welcomed everywhere. This borderless bond can replace language and instantly shorten the distance between people, making it a universal passport.

Ha! Perhaps Heaven saw me writing so fervently about “smile, smile,” and decided to give a blessing: my phone suddenly popped up a link to my first book, published fifteen years ago—“Healing Without Medicine” (Overcoming terminal illness with Happiness)—along with photos from the book launch. At the same time, my new book, “Breezes Lead the Way,” is now a bestseller in Hong Kong. What a perfect “On This Day” surprise! Looking at it, my eyes grew moist. Fifteen years of hardships crossed, yet what has never left me is still this ever-present smile.

Along the way, I have seen many people numb and burdened by the small grind of daily life. My tiny contribution, perhaps, is simply to offer this one gift—Smile.

Looking again at Anna’s painting, I smile knowingly. Don’t worry, my Spanish family, I promise you all: I will never lose my Smile. I will continue riding the Frost Flower, smiling as I go.

Attached: 2010 Book Launch of "Healing Without Medicine - Overcoming terminal illness with Happiness”
[https://youtu.be/rxMfUqwN2_s?si=_XJ069m7sil9uwcz]