One of my tribe sent this quote to me.

She knew I would have opinions.

And I do.

This is utter caca.

A huge steaming pile of it.

Because NO ONE paints a picture in your head except you. And saying that others do it is passing the responsibility of your thoughts, your judgments and your mistakes to others.

It doesn’t work like that.

At best, their input is a “paint by numbers” sort of thing. A strong suggestion on where the different colors are supposed to go.

YOU still get to decide how to fill in the blanks.

Only you.

And although I don’t know you, I know for certain that no matter how many times you’ve been handed that canvas with the lines already drawn and the “put red here” suggestions, you have overruled what people wanted you to think about them with your own thoughts.

I know you have.

Maybe you’ve even done this with me.

grins

That’s cool. I value unique art and perspectives.

But when it comes down to it, it is up to you to paint your own picture in your mind for each and every person. It is up to you to observe and determine what colors work well to create that picture.

And NO ONE can do that painting for you.

Yes, it is sad when someone’s true colors (or changing colors) ruins what you THOUGHT was going to be a masterpiece.

But that’s just how life goes sometimes—not every piece of art is a masterpiece, after all.

Set that canvas aside and try again. And learn from your mistake.

What do you think?

Do you give people the power over you to create their own paintings in your mind, or do you prefer to pain in your own way and style, and try to REALLY see them for who they are—even if the painting takes years and is never complete?

Also, do you think that maybe I overpainted this particular analogy?

Nah?

Yeah, me neither. LOL!