The Miracle Of Magnificence

The miracle of magnificence.

What is magnificence? Many people hear that word and immediately think of famous people, extraordinary achievements, great wealth, or some sort of a larger than life success story.

But that's not what magnificence means to me at all.

When I think of magnificence, I think of people who make life better for others.

I think of people who leave every room a little brighter than they found it.

I think of people who uplift, encourage, inspire and genuinely care about the well-being of others.

One of my favourite books is The Magnificent Obsession, and years ago I was deeply touched by the beautiful idea within that story.

There was a man who owned apartment buildings during difficult times of World War II, and when wives and mothers couldn't afford the rent, he would quietly help them.

When they tried to repay him, he would simply say, no, never pay me back.

In fact, don't tell anyone after the war.

Your husband's nobody.

Let it be our little secret because I have already received the gift.

I absolutely loved that idea.

The gift was not in receiving.

The gift was in giving.

Then something remarkable happened.

Years later, I shared that story with my beloved Auntie Jan, and she looked at me and she said, oh my goodness, Michelle, your great-grandfather did exactly the same thing during World War II in Australia.

She told me how he helped people whenever he could.

He was quite well off.

He gave and he gave.

He supported families everywhere.

He helped people through difficult times.

And when people wanted to repay him, he simply wouldn't accept it.

He wasn't looking for recognition.

He wasn't trying to impress anybody.