coloring creativity

When I was younger, I was given a box of crayons to color with.

My teacher told me that I could use any color I wanted, then presented me with a white sheet of paper depicting a pale, lifeless figure.

The goal, in my mind, was to fill in the entire figure without stepping beyond the black line boundaries. I was always neat, precise, and diligent to a fault. I never colored outside the lines, I made a point of coloring the entire entity. I also made a point to use the correct colors for whatever it was I was given.

My teachers always congratulated me on my "above average art skills", I in turn would say that I didn't like crayons because of those little white specks they left behind.

I guess I was OCD when it came to coloring pre-drawn figures.

I look back on those kindergarten days and realize that I was not the least bit artistic or creative. I simply colored things as they were supposed to be seen. My teachers mislead me, they were impressed because I had already conformed to social norms.

But even though I was glad I had done something "right" I felt sad as I looked at my coloring job, and I didn't know why. Now I do, I look at people and realize that they do the exact same thing with their lives. They stay within invisible lines, Never even daring to take one step further, to the blank page beyond which is unexplored and filled with opportunity.

Why?

They are afraid.

What if your teacher disapproves? What if your add on looks terrible, and the other kids laugh at you? You can't erase crayon, just like you can't erase history. I had wanted to draw wings on the princess, it was sad that she would be trapped in her own castle (even though there was nothing in the background).

I see now, that it never mattered.

I grew more creative over time, and I LOVE to draw. New and exiting things pop up in my mind all the time, I am never out of ideas, and I don't get bored either. I enjoy telling people about the 300+ worlds floating around in my head at any given moment.

WHO CARES IF I AM WEIRD? I AM AN "IT" FOR PETE'S SAKE!

The one who really needed wings was not the princess, but me.

I will spread MY wings, little by little, until I learn to fly.

I encourage you to look at the big picture, and draw wings on yourself. It will get messy, but draw outside the lines. Step out of your comfort zone, you might fall...

but then...

YOU 

WILL

FLY

!