Boxes and Ladders
Hello,
Somewhere in grade or middle school, I learned how to draw a cube. The ability to draw a 3-D shape seemed magical. In my spiral notebooks I doodled cubes, flowers and pine trees — that’s it. Through life’s inputs and outputs I built a box around myself. I labeled it Not Creative. Looking back, that box seriously limited my possibilities over the years, but that was okay because…
I was so comfortable and safe in the box.
I’m certain my time in solitary was preparing me for this very moment. Now that I’ve climbed up and out, can I creatively encourage others to recognize and build ladders too?
Reading, along with experiencing new things keeps me building sturdy exits. Just this week in The Moon Over High Street by Natalie Babbitt, I read the following:
“Of course,” she added as they started off again, “I’ve always been the oldest at my house. That makes it harder. But Miss Myra told us about you once, so I know you’re the oldest and the youngest at your house. It’s like I started to say before. You’re lucky. You’ve got a lot of independence.”
Lucky! She’d said three times that he was lucky. It was a description so different from the way he saw himself that he hardly knew how to answer.
Funny how an outsider shaking our boxes can give us a whole new perspective — if we’re brave enough to look.
Joyfully,
Gail
Thought Provoking
It’s easier to jump out of a plane — hopefully with a parachute, than it is to change your mind about an opinion. ~Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Worthy Reads
Knee-Knock Rise by Natalie Babbitt: I loved how the author creatively shared her message — Communities need a common thread — something to bond over. At least that’s my takeaway from the story. ;)
My Stories
I Lengthened My Life…
Where I Come From
Check This Out
Tyler Crandall teaches 3-D Shapes
How To Boost Your Creativity
Thanks for sharing your attention with me!
Stop being afraid about what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right! ~Unknown
