Kelly Johnson is the author and photographer of Gratitude. 

Gratitude is a beautiful, photographic coffee table book that expresses the rebirth of grateful moments shared between a mother and daughter. Featuring imagery of glorious flowers from beautiful gardens and joyful moments in Oregon, surrounded by quotes of love and wisdom. Gratitude is a story of a daughter who had the great fortune to have a mother who reverently taught her daughter to look beneath the surface of life to find Gratitude.

Gratitude is available at gratitudebykellyjohnson.com

 Today, I was reading Gratitude. I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness that I could self-published my beautiful opus. I am radiating joy and spreading it to everyone. Page 42 of Gratitude is beautifully relevant and poignant. The quote adjacent to the photo washes over you and touches your soul. “You don’t have to walk in someone else’s boots to have empathy.” Wow, that rocked me. It gets inside my heart and asks me to be mindful and empathic to others. I decided I should write something about the quote and the image. These words are not in Gratitude, but they ripple like a stream, and I wanted to share them with all.

A pair of rain boots stood in a field of gorgeous yellow tulips; their dark color contrasted against the sea of blossoms. These rainboots had seen countless storms, weathering raindrops and puddles with unwavering resilience. They had walked through muddy paths, danced to the rhythm of downpours, and stood firm against the elements. Although they differed from the delicate tulips surrounding them, the rainboots exuded a sense of empathy that transcended their dissimilarity. They had witnessed the flowers sway in the wind, drenched in the rain, just like themselves. They understood the tulips’ vulnerability, need for nourishment and care, and beauty despite the storms. And so, in the field of yellow tulips, the rainboots taught us that empathy doesn’t require walking in someone else’s boots; it only asks us to embrace the experiences of others, acknowledge their struggles, and stand by them through life’s rainstorms.

The tip for today: Have empathy for others, and share your kindness and beauty.