Monday, May 20, 2013

Ah, Young Seedling, Have You Any Apples?

Image courtesy Curiosities by Dickens
Have you heard this quote before? I heard it first when I was an impressionable teen, probably 14, trying to figure out who I was. In a family of 10, that can be an overwhelming question.

As a kid, I loved to draw. I still do (when I have time), but back then I was the head of the class for art. That might be because I was one of the oldest kids in my grade, and thus had an advantage. Regardless, other students would come and stand over my desk, peering down at what I sketched. After a couple seconds the question always came, "What are you drawing?" I hated that question. I had a vision and wanted to get it down without having to explain myself, but occasionally the picture would change half way through--because what appeared on the page inspired a change of direction. I'd tell them to come back when it was finished. It got to the point where I'd wear my hair down and lean over my paper, making my hair a veil. Sure, I looked like an introvert, but it kept people from viewing the rough lines and plaguing me with their questions. 

I think often we're the impatient children, looking at the rough lines or half-completed sketch and asking, "What's it supposed to be?" The masterpiece of our lives, of who we are becoming is never complete until the final breath, or final line is drawn. Our development is constantly open to alter or change. BUT, there is a master artist who is working to define us according to our best self. He is maneuvering the pencil that defines our shape, but will not force the lead onto the page without our consent. If we trust His vision for our lives, we will find our potential far outweighs our vision. 

So, how many apples are in your seed?

P.S. This is my tribute to International Be Positive Day, hosted over at Sharon Mayhew and Robyn Campbell's blogs. 

40 comments:

  1. So, so true! You pointed these truths out beautifully, Crystal. "If we trust...our potential far outweighs our vision." I'm going to carry this thought with me all day long. Thanks you.

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  2. This metaphor is awesome sauce! How true.

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    1. Yay! You used my word! --Although, maybe in this case we're talking awesome applesauce. ;)

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  3. Wow-- this is beautifully written and thought- provoking. I had never heard that quote before.

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  4. Beautiful sentiments. That quote is lovely. Really special. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I love that quote. I do think it's funny about apple genomes though, they're extremely hetero-zygotic (the apples from one tree will make a tree that produces completely different apples!).

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    1. Head=explode. You just put a whole new twist on this metaphor. ;D

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  6. What an awesome post! I'd never heard that saying, either. I love the idea of potential, and I HATE others to see my rough/first draft of my drawings. I just can't draw with other people around. There's always that "ugly" stage where if you keep working, it'll improve, but it's a very vulnerable time. It's kinda that way with the rough drafts of novels, too. I don't like to show my novels to CPs too soon. :) Thanks for the food for thought!

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    1. I'm right there with you. No one sees my writing until at least the third (but usually more like 50th) draft.

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  7. Just stopping by, checking out your blog. I love it. It produced lots of smiles as I went through your posts. :) Thanks for that.

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  8. I think I heard that saying once before. Somewhere...

    I know what you mean about explaining what you're doing. I hate to do that. I'd rather let the work speak for itself.

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  9. Awesome quote. And I trust in His vision. :)

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  10. love this quote crystal and what wonderful analogies :)

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  11. Great post! If you trust in God, amazing things can happen!

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  12. That is an amazing quote. And what a brilliant analogy you made! I could look at my life and think it's a messy sketch, when in fact God is still busy with his pencil and paints and only He knows what a masterpiece the sketch will turn into :)

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  13. What an awesome quote! I haven't heard it before. :)

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  14. Wonderful metaphor! Definitely a great post for Be Positive Day. :)

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  15. Great post my positive pal. I heart you. Thank you for being a bright light during a bad time for our country. Trust in God. That IS positive! Great tribute. Mwah!

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  16. I learned as a parent to say, "Tell me about your picture."

    This is a perfect post for Being Positive Day and for artists/writers. It's a process. Good luck finding them apples. :)

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    1. Yeah, I use that method too with my kids. It's the best approach to encourage creative minds.

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  17. Wow. That's made me think Crystal :)

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    1. Oh dear. Deep thoughts on a Monday, er, Tuesday. Is that dangerous?

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  18. How many people do you lift, encourage - with your smiles - your good attitude - your hope-filled way of communicating????

    When i was a kid - I LOVED art - BUT, not in school. When i was very young a teacher angrily explained to me I had to make trees and grass GREEN - each student had a box of eight Prang Crayons. I REFUSED - the world is not ONE Color Green . . . (I ate the crayon while she continues to yell at me . . . ) When i was older a teacher told me I could not draw a straight line with a ruler - i was sent to study hall - where i learned artists don't generally draw straight lines . . . and, now that I'm grown, i enjoy the sugar maple tree next door - all red & gold in the fall . . . AND - i also enjoy ART - of all sorts.

    Some people would dare trash the apples . . . Some, like YOU Encourage - even your readers - to a greater Life and appreciation for Possibilities.

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    1. You know, my oldest brother had that same kind of experience with his art in kindergarten. I had that experience with an English teacher over my poetry in 7th grade. Good thing I didn't let her stop me, eh?

      The world is what we make of it. =)

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