When Pigs Fly September 27, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Humor.comments closed
Once upon a time, I decided to paint a zebra.
My Inner Critic (an outspoken naysayer) admonished and remonstrated with me (using his ever-clever kindergarten-style taunt), “You can’t paint a zebra.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t know HOW to paint a zebra.”
“Sure I do. Why don’t you take a hike across the Serengeti while I paint?”
“Fine. Be that way! But don’t blame me when you fall flat on your face.”
He left. I painted.
* * * * *
I asked the zebra, Are you black with white strips? Or white with black strips?
And the zebra asked me:
Are you good with bad habits? Or are you bad with good habits?
Are you noisy with quiet times? Or are you quiet with noisy times?
Are you happy with sad days? Or are you sad with happy days?
Are you neat with some sloppy ways? Or are you sloppy with some neat ways?
And on and on and on and on
And on and on he went.
I’ll never ask a zebra about stripes again.
~ Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic
* * * * *
Fast forward 15 years ~ here’s the painting I told a few of you about yesterday:
Are there tell-tale mistakes, splatters of paint, and skewed perspectives?
Yup . . . and that’s OK. I wasn’t looking to paint a perfect zebra the first time out of the barn.
In fact, my Inner Critic tells me I’ll paint a PERFECT zebra when Pigs Fly!
I expect he’s right.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: We Are The Champions (Andra) * Silence The Inner Critic
Spirit Lights The Way 