I read a great quote last week that made me stop and think.
“We are all a little broken. But the last time I checked, broken crayons still color the same.”
This seems to be a good time of year to discuss this. It’s back-to-school time when the crayons are new, the notebooks are filled with fresh, empty paper and the pencils are long.
Brand new, fresh crayons are awesome. But, they don’t stay that way. It’s the same with us.
As I’ve gone around to high schools doing interviews for a football preview, I’ve met some young men who are in great shape, probably the best physical shape they’ll ever be in. It brought back memories of my teens and 20s when I felt strong. I was a shiny, new crayon.
The crayons in that box get worn down and some of them break…. but they can still color in the picture.
Sometimes we get worn down just from use: the popular colors go first don’t they? When you color all of those blue skies or green grass the blue and the green get smaller.
Sometimes we crack! Life throws you a curve ball whether it’s your health or relationships. You may break but you can still color.
I’ve met plenty of amazing people who may not have the same physical characteristics they once had, but their knowledge and experience is what they have to contribute. They may not be able to show you how to do it physically, but they can explain it or help you to achieve it.
There have always been some parents that get rid of those crayons and buy a box of new ones. To me that’s like a company that replaces their experienced workers with a whole new younger crew. Sure, you might get the new crayons at a better price if they’re on sale, but think of all the color you wasted by just throwing it all away.
I used to end up with a container of many crayons of all colors and sizes. When I think about it, that’s like the friendships we acquire through life. Whenever you needed a certain color, or in this case: advice, you knew where to go.
Of course, your crayons could stay in great condition but that’s only if you never use them. What kind of life would we have if we never got out of the box? It’s true that you run the risk of getting worn down or broken, but you have so much color to share.
Just as most of us never threw away those broken crayons, don’t lose connections with those people that can still add color.
“We are all a little broken. But the last time I checked, broken crayons still color the same.”
Realize that you have more coloring to do and someone might be looking for just your shade right now. And keep working on your own masterpiece.
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