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September 18, 2007

How to Own the Incredible Influence of a 65th Crayon

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 10:22 am

65th Crayon Portrait

When I was little, I used to play with crayons. They were like people to me. In some ways, crayons helped form my philosophy of life. Now sometimes I think of people as if they are crayons. For me, the metaphor works. I see — the Needy Pinks, a Bossy Blues, or the occasional Frail Gray ones.

Those folks don’t get much of my time. When they tell me what to do, I don’t really listen no matter how loudly or sweetly they speak. That’s because, at the end of the day, they’re always trying to move me to do something for them.

People who are centered on themselves are like broken crayons to me. They’re not as much fun to work or to play with. It’s kind of sad really. I don’t think that most “broken crayons” are particularly aware, or particularly selfish on purpose. They seem to be trying to hard to prove they have a right to be here.

I’ve been lucky enough to have the privilege of knowing a Shining Silver. One day I hope to be one. The Shining Silver is special in that she knows herself well, and she’s about everyone else.

It’s always a pleasure to do whatever she asks. That’s incredible influence.

In that way, she’s a 65th Crayon.

How to Own the Incredible Influence of a 65th Crayon

What’s a 65th Crayon? Why is one so influential? A 65th Crayon is someone who is one of a kind, who thinks individual thoughts. Some folks call it being out of the box. Well, of course, a 65th Crayon would be out of the box — only 64 come in the box.

You need to live seven key ideas to own the incredible influence of a 65th Crayon.

  1. A 65th Crayon is self-sharpening.
    It is, and always will be, sharp enough already.

  2. A 65th Crayon isn’t about making a mark or proving it’s smart.
    It doesn’t need to make a point, to get a point, or to point out anything.

  3. A 65th Crayon isn’t about drawing lines.
    It blends and balances other colors, coaxing out their vibrant shades.

  4. A 65th Crayon doesn’t worry about fitting in the box.
    A 65th crayon is the perfect size to fit in the whole world.

  5. A 65th Crayon is unique and thus precious like every crayon ever made.

  6. A 65th Crayon cannot hide. It’s colorful personality gives it away.

  7. A 65th Crayon may get misplaced, or shared, but it is never lost.

Influence comes from understanding that we’re all different, that we all come to our conclusions on our own. Incredible influence comes from knowing that it’s always about the other guy not me and that we all feel like the one left out of the box now and then. Turning that feeling into a good thing is a spectacular outlook to live by and model. That’s what a 65th Crayon does so well. Who isn’t attracted to that?

In the end, who do we listen to? . . . I listen to the ones who assume the rest of us crayons already know how to draw.

Are you a 65th Crayon? What other crayons have you known? Go ahead. Have some fun. Give them a a colorful name.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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18 Comments to “How to Own the Incredible Influence of a 65th Crayon”

  1. September 18th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
    Joanna Young said

    Dear Liz

    I don’t know why, but this piece made me cry. I guess it reminded me of people I’ve known who were 65th crayons, and also how sad it when people don’t realise the amazing colours they hold inside them, how astonishingly beautiful each and every crayon can be.

    Thanks for the reminder, tears and all :-)

    Joanna

  2. September 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna!
    Wow!
    The original of this is in my novel . . . it only needs a final edit, if I ever get there. :)

    One day I hope it will be on every kid’s bedroom wall.

  3. September 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
    Joanna Young said

    Well Liz of course you must and will get there.

    It’s just beautiful.

  4. September 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Ah Joanna,
    You are a wonder for a friend. Thank you. ;)

  5. September 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
    Alina Popescu said

    Hi Liz! Your 65th crayon sounds so much like my mother! I guess that is why your post makes me miss her, although I’ve seen her on Sunday.

    It also brings back the memories of two sets of 12 crayons - a wooden one, with a very distinctive smell that I run into every once in a while, and a wax set of crayons that I loved so much I was always using them until they got lost or I finished them.

    Crayons make me think of colorful, happy, inventive and genuine moments. They brighten me up and I’ve seen some gorgeous ones in the Netherlands. Your chosen metaphor is simply great!

  6. September 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
    Mike said

    What a beautiful set of posts. You do know your crayons (or is it us crayons?)!

    What about Original Oranges? Not in every picture, but indispensable to sunrises, sunsets, autumn leaves, and fire!

    Mike

  7. September 18th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    I’ve spent a lot of time considering crayons . . . :)

  8. September 18th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
    Mike said

    And it shows in gems like this!

  9. September 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey thanks!
    I like this one a lot too!

  10. September 18th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
    Anna said

    This I love. I know a 65th crayon. Somehow the picture he draws always ends up showing you a clearer picture of yourself.

    For me, I hope I am some shade of green, earthy, dependable, helpful, comforting.

    I think I might spend some time coloring with my girlies after school.

  11. September 18th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Anna!
    What a great description of a friend. I’m delighted to think this leads you to spend time with children you love and crayons. :)

  12. September 19th, 2007 at 5:55 am
    Mihaela Lica said

    This is love, this is light…
    The 65th Crayon makes the colors in the rainbow pale.

    A novel you say? And when? Where? My heart beats faster. This is something I don’t want to miss.

    I am reading Lillie’s book now. She is a 65th Crayon…
    You are one too.
    How many 65th Crayons can we have?

  13. September 19th, 2007 at 5:59 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mihaela,
    Thank you! It’s a wonderful story filled with music and fantasy about a woman . . . who goes “jogging” inside her head to find herself and meets a guy and his dog. he-he

    Very fun! Very Liz.

    Ssshhh don’t tell, we’re all 65th crayons. :)

  14. September 19th, 2007 at 6:27 am
    The Single W Seal of Approval - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    […] No, I’m not advocating that anyone be a “people pleaser.” For goodness sake, I just wrote yesterday about the incredible influence of being a 65th Crayon. […]

  15. September 19th, 2007 at 9:00 am
    Karin H. said

    Shining Silver polishes my world view, my understanding, and reveals something my cellular intuition knows, but I have not yet discovered with a simple silver observation.

    It’s always a pleasure to do whatever she asks. That’s incredible influence.

    In that way, she’s a 65th Crayon.

    I’m certain I know the he version of her.

    Thanks for putting my feelings into words - that the words span 1 year doesn’t matter, they are now with me forever ;-)

    Karin H.

  16. September 19th, 2007 at 9:03 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Karin!
    I have no doubt that you know a Shining Silver. Please give him my best regards. :)

  17. September 19th, 2007 at 9:04 am
    Karin H. said

    I will (this Friday ;-))

    Karin H.

  18. September 19th, 2007 at 9:07 am
    ME Strauss said

    I’m smiling to think of it. :)

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