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You'll Never Regret This Business Investment Entrepreneur's editor-in-chief recalls the time she fell in love with a work of art and what it taught her.

By Amy Cosper

This story appears in the July 2016 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Nigel Parry/CPI

I once saw a painting called Contemplation on Emptiness, and it fulfilled me. It was so insanely gorgeous -- the colors, the subject, the pure grace of the piece -- that my soul was rocked. Unfortunately, buying it would also rock my bank account. I fought the urge. I battled my internal voice. And then, well, I snuck it into our family's budget, and I bought it.

Very sneaky on my part.

About 24 hours after the painting arrived, I sent the artist, Quang Ho, a note, thanking him for the joy he brought me. He responded quickly: "Thank you, Amy. Your note made me think about that piece and about pulling all the parts together and about changing course with colors and meaning, but I will never forget how much love I put into that work. I am so glad that you appreciate my work, and I thank you for your patronage."