The Pencil Theory

I recently stumbled upon a video of professor and actor, Kim Emerson, who presented an analogy on life that I have to share.

Think of your life as a #2 pencil.

Yup… now stay with me.

1. To be continuously useful, we need constant resharpening

Just like a pencil, life will get dull.

Life will become mundane or broken.

We need to be open minded and resharpen our skills, mindset, relationships, or beliefs.

Much like life, painful experiences and challenges come to us all.

We can imagine how painful resharpening is, but that’s what it takes.

In order to be a sharper pencil, we need reshapening. We need to make changes, even if it hurts us.

Remember, though, that this will make you a better person.

We need this adversity in order to grow and build character.

2. You will make mistakes along the way.

Just like the eraser on a pencil, we will be able to fix many mistakes we make in life along the way.

If we learn from our mistakes, they’re not mistakes. They’re lessons.

Adversity and failure is THE #1 way we learn and grow in life.

Stop overanalyzing and take action. This creates much more growth and headway compared to overthinking and waiting for the “perfect time”.

There will never be the perfect time.

3. Everything you do leaves a mark

Just like a pencil, every place you’ve encountered, you leave your mark.

Think of all the stepping stones you’ve stumbled upon in your life so far.

You’re writing your own story. No one else is leaving that mark for you.

Make sure to leave a good one. Leave a good legacy for others to build on.

Never stop “writing”.

4. The most important part of you is what’s inside

Think of the lead inside a pencil. Without it the pencil is rendered useless.

We are no different. 

Our morals, beliefs, positivity, personality, etc. all mean so much more than what looks show on the outside.

Be a decent human being.

Help others with no expectation of anything in return.

Your character means much more than what you look like physically.

🏁 In the end…

Our lives can be compared so similarly to that of a simple #2 pencil.

Our looks, money, house, car, and other worldly things mean nothing if we aren’t living according to our true selves.

Seek adversity.

Make mistakes.

Learn.

Grow.

We can always resharpen and continue pressing on.

Keep pluggin’ and be well.

Until Next Time, C.