Just a Pencil.

Yesterday I was walking and during the walk I was, as is my want, waxing lyrical about my apple pencil. I listened to myself and thought, "What are you like it is just another tool that you have learned to use?"

That is in fact true, it is just another tool. It may in fact be more than just a pencil and with loads of practice it can produce some marvellous effects. 

But it is just another tool. So I shut up and just enjoyed the walk.

I then began to remember the tale of the pencil maker. he took great pride in the pencils he produced knowing that some of them might end up in the hands of some people who with his pencils might create works of art that would go on to inspire others and bring much joy.

Works I hope better than the one above, because even now I see bits there that are just not correct at all.

Back to the pencil maker.  But I do wonder if anybody in the production of the Apple Pencil ever gave such thought to the tool they were producing?  I guess they just might have. 

An old pencil maker took his newest pencil aside, just before he was about to pack him into a box. 

Imagining the little fellow as a person he recalled a few things about the pencil.

“There are five things you need to know,” he said to his pencil, “before I send you out into the world. Always remember these five things - never forget them - and you will become the best pencil you can be!

1 “The first thing is to remember that you will be able to do many great things, but only if you put yourself in someone else’s hands. It is not possible to achieve anything in life without the help of others. To be stubborn and self conceited will only lead to failure.

2 “From time to time you will experience a painful sharpening, but remember that this will make you a better pencil. Life does not always run smooth or go the way you would want it to, and there will be times when it seems like it cannot get worse. But these things can make you a better person.

3 “Also, keep in mind that you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make along the way. You may not always be able to undo the errors but you can put them right.

4 “And the most important part of you is what’s on the inside. The inner you is what you alone see and know but it reflects on what you are to those around you.

5 “And lastly remember this, as well, upon every surface that you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what else happens, you must continue to write.” It is never enough to just drift through life , it becomes empty and meaningless. So no matter the stage we are at leave a mark. 

It seemed the pencil listened to him and promised he would remember these five things so that he could live his life with heart and purpose.

Hope I am not sounding to teacher like but this has made me begin to think already about my own mark.

Have a great day. 

It is "Bastille Day." So an added joy to all my friends in France, "Bon Journée