I bought a new pencil recently. “So what?” I hear you mutter, “What is so special about that?” I was thrilled to get it, there is something very lovely about new stationery – does everyone feel that or is it a teacher thing? I enjoy the choosing, the unwrapping and the untapped potential. So there it was, the new pencil, brightly coloured, eraser atop, laying there on my desk
And it made me think, that if this pencil had life, what advice would I give it?
I picked it up, held it comfortably and spoke to it. “Pencil,” I said, “You have the potential to do great things, you can write amazing words and stories, you could draw incredible pictures; you have the opportunity to experiment with complex calculations, to write down scientific theories and put words to innermost thoughts. You could write letters to people or simple messages of encouragement. Pencil, there is so much that you could do. Be excited by it. Be unafraid to tell your story!
But there are a few things, as you embark upon your life, that I would like you to consider.
Keep the right company, put yourself in the hand of someone you trust, someone that wants you to be the very best that you can be. Make sure that they don’t manipulate or coerce you into writing what you know is unkind, or deceitful. You are capable of writing such things but you have to make the right judgement, have the strength of character to do the right thing. You need to be strong because the hands of some may guide you down a path that could lead to unhappiness for you, or for others who could be adversely affected by your words. Do not allow yourself to be coerced or manipulated into doing what you know is wrong. Stand by your good judgement and character and write with responsibility. But now that if you do make a wrong decision, then you have the power to write “I’m sorry” which are possibly some of the most powerful words you could use if they are sincerely written. Sometimes you will need to know when and where to draw the line and move on.
Some days you may smudge the page, it may look more messy than you would like, but remember, you come with an eraser, you can rub out the smudge, the misplaced number or letter or even the ill-drawn line. You have the ability to reflect and improve, to begin again learning from experience. Each time becoming more and more skilled, your work more considered and refined. You will never be perfect first time and that is fine, accept it, embrace it.
You will make mistakes, they are inevitable and that is quite all right, more than all right. Mistakes are good, you will learn from them – they help you to refine your ideas, they help you to process and organise your thoughts. Don’t be afraid of them, embrace them. You can score out an error and rethink but the mistake shows that the thinking and consideration was there. If you are too afraid of making a mistake, then you may never be brave enough to write and then you will never learn. Take a chance, be prepared to amaze yourself and others.
Sometimes you may find that you are not as sharp as you were, getting worn down and blurry and when this happens you will need to be sharpened and it may hurt. There will always be times in your life that hurt, don’t allow these times to discourage you or to stop you. When you come through the challenge you will be sharper, stronger and have greater clarity, you will have renewed energy and vision.
Over time, your exterior may become scratched and worn, the paint may chip or the wood may dent but this doesn’t affect the most important part of you – the inside. The very core of you, the part of you that does the writing , the drawing, the calculations or writes the theories, the core is the part of you that has the curiosity, the creativity and knowledge, and your values
Wherever you write, whatever the surface, leave a mark, leave a positive mark but don’t stop; keep on writing, you are full of stories and ideas yet untold; continue to be curious, and, importantly, remember to doodle and daydream for in those dreaming moments inspiration may come.
So to sum it up, remember that what you write depends on whose hands you are in, choose your writers carefully. Be unafraid to live your life with heart and purpose; know that you must make and learn from your mistakes; be trusting of others but be mindful of the company you keep; embrace challenge and persevere no matter how hard, sometimes things will be hard but you will come through; remember to daydream, it is not a waste of time; but, above all, value your inner qualities and leave a positive mark on every situation.
Headshipjourney 