The Day My Turtles Became Ducks
I still remember the moment I decided I wasn’t creative.
I was in first grade, sitting in Miss B’s class—a teacher I liked a lot. She was fun and energetic.
One morning, we arrived to find big, blank pieces of paper and painting supplies on each desk. Our assignment that day was simple: paint a masterpiece. We could create anything we wanted.
The Assignment: Paint a Masterpiece
Some kids dove right in, splashing paint on paper with unbridled enthusiasm. I didn’t know what to do, so I peeked at what the kids around me were drawing, hoping for inspiration.
I don’t remember the details of their paintings, but I do remember thinking they were really good. That made me nervous—and hesitant to start—afraid my “masterpiece” would pale in comparison.
I scanned the room for ideas, thinking it would be easier to copy something than to start from scratch. At the front of the classroom, there was a picture of some green sea turtles on the wall. I decided I would paint those.
Instead of jumping in with color, I outlined the turtles in black. I didn’t want to make a mistake, and I figured it would be easy to fill in the shells with green paint once everything was sketched out.
When Turtles Become Ducks
Just as I was about to paint the shells, Miss B stopped by and declared that she absolutely loved my drawing. She thought they were beautiful… ducks.
I didn’t correct her.
I just nodded… and reached for the yellow paint.
I’m sure Miss B would’ve encouraged me if I’d told her they were turtles—but I took the path of least resistance and settled for her approval.
Ironically, Miss B chose my turtle-turned-duck painting as the Picture of the Week and hung it at the front of the class for everyone to admire. Everyone loved my “ducks.”
Of course, I told no one they were turtles.
Looking back, I think that was the moment I decided I was a terrible artist.
Are You Living Your Life—or Someone Else’s?
I think life is a lot like first grade art.
Some people dive right in, splashing color with confidence. Others are more tentative, looking for cues about how they should live and behave. They set out to create turtles, but quickly conform to the feedback and expectations of others.
After all, ducks aren’t so bad.
The great works of art throughout history are not the mass-produced decorations. They’re the one-of-a-kind, deeply personal expressions of creativity that make us pause and feel something meaningful.
Sadly, when it comes to life, many people settle for cheap knockoffs. They work harder at fitting in and staying inside the lines than daring to create a masterpiece of their own.
But life isn’t meant to be a cookie-cutter copy of anyone else’s. It’s richest when we dare to create something uniquely our own.
There’s more to life than simply getting through the day. It’s easy to fall into a comfortable routine where the days blend together without purpose or passion—but life can be so much more. It can be a masterpiece if we’re brave enough to live it with intention.
A meaningful life doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something we shape through thoughtful choices and deliberate action.
What’s one deliberate action you can take today to start creating a life that’s truly your own?
This reflection is from my book Words to Wonder, a collection of 100 quotes, stories, and insights designed to help you live the life you’ve imagined.
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