Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect it. One moment, everything seems perfectly aligned, and the next, you’re navigating a storm you never saw coming. It’s in these moments, when everything feels like it’s going wrong, that the power of resilience and belief in miracles can transform despair into hope.
But how do you stay strong when the weight of the world feels unbearable? How do you keep faith alive when life seems to conspire against you? The answer lies in a simple yet profound truth: miracles happen every day, often in ways we don’t immediately recognize.
When faced with adversity, our perspective becomes our most powerful tool. Challenges, no matter how insurmountable they may seem, hold the seeds of growth. Shifting your focus from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I learn from this?” opens the door to possibilities. It’s not about dismissing your pain or struggles but about finding the strength to look beyond them.
Think about it: every storm eventually runs out of rain. What if the storm you’re facing is clearing the path for a brighter future?
Resilience isn’t about never feeling weak or broken. It’s about finding the courage to keep moving forward, one step at a time, even when the path ahead is unclear. Start small. Celebrate the tiny victories—the days you got out of bed despite the heaviness in your heart, the moments you chose kindness when anger felt easier, the times you breathed deeply when it felt like the world was closing in.
When everything seems to be going wrong, remind yourself of the battles you’ve already fought and won. You’ve made it through every hard day before this one. You are stronger than you realize.
Often, when we think of miracles, we imagine grand, unexplainable events—a sudden healing, a stroke of unimaginable luck. But miracles aren’t always monumental. Sometimes, they’re found in the smallest moments:
Magic, Cassandra Gaisford, 2022, work on paper
Magic is an abstract landscape painting from my Joyous Wee Gems collection. Inspired by a magical sunrise view from the studio and my gallery art@rangitane in the beautiful Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Also inspired by this quote I have in my study: “Allow magic to be you. Don’t forget the power of Spirit.”
If you look closely, life is filled with magic and miracles. The challenge is to open your heart to recognize them.
Faith, whether spiritual or grounded in humanity, plays a crucial role in staying strong during difficult times. Believing in something bigger than yourself—a higher power, the interconnectedness of life, or even the resilience of the human spirit—provides a sense of purpose. Faith reminds us that even in the darkest moments, light exists.
If you’re feeling disconnected from faith, start by seeking gratitude. Even in the hardest of times, there is always something to be thankful for—a warm bed, the support of a friend, or the lessons hidden in struggle.
My number one go-to is connecting with Spirit and trusting in the flow of the Universe. I only have to look at all the times in my life when miracles were masquerading as setbacks. Including when I was excluded from a local art trail. I showed up for love, beauty and joy on my own, and people flocked to the gallery to view my Summer Love collection and purchased many of my love-inspired paintings.
“When you stand in your truth, it’s like the Universe is listening and rewards you,” my local naturopath said to me when I told her part of the reason why I felt I was excluded from the art trail. During Covid I had advocated for artists who were being excluded from exhibiting in Koast, our local annual art trail, due to their vaccination status. As it turns out, despite being ignored by my fellow artists, Spirit had my back.
Just like the time I met my muse, Max Gimblett and later travelled with him to Maui to learn the magic of sumi ink painting with him after I won a prestigious art award. I share more how Max inspires me on my blog >>Max Gimblett, Cassandra Gaisford and inspiration
“Well, we are now friends forever you and I. The state is principled, friendship, if my quirks are held away the other person is perceptible. I naturally had no ideas about you and you stand revealed. What a fine person you are Cassie. Truly creative, a wild spirit that has a full go and mature, what a wondrous combo. Your considerable professional skills shine thru in your personal soul life. It was a genuine treat having you about, I really cannot imagine anybody else. I see the car back seat full, chocka full on Gimblett’s, a real treat of an image. Demonstrates that the spirit is principled. You are a very classy lady C.
you did this.
Kongo.
Max Gimblett
The quote was inspired by Audrey Hepburn, whose comments and philosophy also inspired the accompanying painting, Think Pink—which is also the name of my self-empowerment book. This is available in ebook and paperback exclusively from Amazon.
Audrey Hepburn loved pink and encouraged us to always “think pink” no matter what is going on around us.
Audrey is super inspiring to me. She endured many hardships, including abandonment by her father, toxic marriages, low self-esteem and a lot of grief. Yet she brought so many happy moments and so much love into this world.
Audrey once said, “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.”
How can you stay strong when everything seems to be going wrong? Some of my other strategies include:
• Journalling
• Listening to and reading inspiring things
• Doing things that are joyfully distracting—like painting.
As I share in my book, The Art of Life: Thriving Through Chaos: Insights and Inspiration to Spark and Sustain Your Creative Life , I had been feeling worried that a couple who came to my gallery and told me that they would like to commission a painting, wouldn’t come back. To shift my mindset, I went to the gallery, said some affirmations, and began to paint. I fed my expectancy that they would return. And they did. Deposit paid and hearts excited.
Did you know that my clients call me ‘the queen of uplifting inspiration?’
Unlike others who have sowed fear and division energy during the pandemic, inspiring others is a pretty good legacy to leave. I created my Art of Life Inspiration Deck to support myself and others during the pandemic response. Each card is partnered with one of my paintings, and an uplifting quote.
The card below has, Think Pink—Acrylic on paper, professionally mounted on archival card Finished matt dimension 243 mm x 314 mm. It went to a lovely friend of mine in Gisborne:) Below is a video of her feedback when she received it.
The Flower Girl, 2023, Cassandra Gaisford: https://shop.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/product/the-flower-girl/
One of my other mindset strategies is immersing myself in nature—which is why I love to paint and photograph landscapes and flowers and to sit in my garden. Flowers are the smiles of nature, and the landscape speaks the language of love.
Another mindset strategy is gratitude. As I shared in previous blogs, my mother and I had a roller-coaster relationship. She could be kind and generous and then mean and hostile—sometimes within the same hour. One of the things I am grateful for is the last birthday present she gave me before she died, enrollment in a course that taught me to produce my own oracle cards.
These cards have helped me and brought hope, healing and happiness to others. It was so lovely to receive this unsolicited feedback recently…
I know I have said that I love your cards, I just want to tell, you again how much I love them. And weirdly they always deliver exactly what I am needing some clarity on or support with. I also love reading your blogs about your art. Love, light and blessings, Cassandra.
Warmest
Catherine
I sent this feedback I received to my mum when she was in the hospital a month before she died.
Plus, when she was bedridden, we would pull a card every day. I am so grateful I was able to care for my mum in her last few weeks. It’s helped me make peace with much of my pain.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my wee musings on how to believe in miracles when everything seems to be going wrong. Do let me know what resonated for you:)
In my romance novel Claimed by the Sheikh, the heroine was inspired by the pioneering architect, Zaha Hadid. She was a visionary creator who turned dreams into miracles, reshaping the world with her groundbreaking designs. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1950, she dared to imagine what others thought impossible, blending art, science, and innovation to create structures that inspire awe and wonder. She became the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, a testament to her extraordinary ability to transform bold ideas into breathtaking realities.
Her work was a celebration of possibility, pushing the limits of creativity and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. With her signature flowing curves and dynamic forms, Zaha’s designs seemed to defy gravity, as if they were crafted by the hand of nature itself. She believed in the power of architecture to elevate the human spirit and change lives, leaving a legacy of miracles in built form.
Some of her most inspiring works include:
Zaha Hadid’s creations were more than buildings—they were miracles of design, inviting people to dream bigger and see the world differently. Her legacy continues to inspire artists, architects, and dreamers, proving that with imagination and courage, we can create wonders that transform lives and shape the future.
However, like many women, Hadid had to overcome numerous obstacles to success working as she did in a patriarchal, male-dominated world. Faced with devastating setbacks she once said, ““You have to really believe not only in yourself; you have to believe that the world is actually worth your sacrifices.”
She often reflected on the difficult moments in her career with resilience and determination. Here are some of her quotes that touch upon facing adversity and navigating dire circumstances:
“I used to not like being called a ‘woman architect.’ I’m an architect, not just a woman architect. But now, I’m glad to carry that mantle. I think it’s important for women to see what’s possible.”
Zaha acknowledged the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated field, yet she embraced her role as a trailblazer, showing others what could be achieved.
“I almost gave up. It was very, very hard. It was a long struggle, but I think you need to be very determined.”
Reflecting on the extraordinary perseverance it took to overcome skepticism and criticism, Zaha highlighted the resilience that carried her through the toughest times.“I don’t think anyone else would have had the endurance to go through what I went through.”
PRAISE FOR CLAIMED BY THE SHEIKH
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~ Terry
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Sometimes, the miracle you’re waiting for isn’t external—it’s within you. It’s the strength you discover, the courage you cultivate, and the hope you choose to hold onto. Life is unpredictable, yes, but it’s also filled with infinite possibilities. Stay strong. Believe in miracles, no matter how small. And trust that, in time, the storm will pass, leaving you stronger, wiser, and ready for the brighter days ahead.
When you believe in miracles and embrace the strength within, you’re not just surviving—you’re paving the way for a life filled with wonder, gratitude, and the kind of joy that can only come after the storm. Keep going. Your miracle might be closer than you think.
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ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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