Color your world

The Book of Common Prayer  says: "Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start." My friend, Gregor, has often peddled the message, that we receive a blank sheet of paper and a new box of crayons each day to take that chance at a fresh start.

 

It's not always easy to take what we see as failure and turn it into a new start. But what's a better use of time — berating ourselves for something that didn't work how we wanted it to or using our new box of crayons to draw and embark on a new beginning?

 

When my daughters were young, I often read them a book called Harold and the Purple Crayon. Written by Crockett Johnson and published in 1955, it is a classic still available in local libraries. The story follows a young boy named Harold who uses a purple crayon to create his own imaginative world.

 

Harold uses his purple crayon throughout the story to draw various objects and scenes that help him navigate and interact with his surroundings. For example, he draws a path to walk on, a moon to light his way, and a boat to cross the ocean. With each new drawing, Harold's world expands and evolves, driven by his imagination and the power of his crayon.

 

The heart of the story lies in its celebration of creativity, imagination, and the power of the mind. Harold's purple crayon becomes a tool for him to shape and control his circumstances, turning his ideas into reality. The story inspires its readers to think outside the box, problem-solve, and explore their creativity. It also emphasizes that a single idea or tool, like the purple crayon, can lead to limitless possibilities and adventures.

 

On a deeper level, "Harold and the Purple Crayon" can be seen as a metaphor for our journey through life, where we create our own experiences. Harold and his Purple Crayon promote self-reliance, independence, and the idea we can shape our world. So, leave your failures and unmet expectations where they belong — behind you. Then, grab that blank sheet of paper and your new box of crayons and begin coloring your world, just like Harold did.