Arms Distance
Reach for this Guy
A young woman named Clara lived in the small town of Astoria. She was known for her extraordinary talent in painting, a gift that illuminated her modest studio with vibrant colours and breathtaking landscapes. However, despite her undeniable skill, Clara's dreams never stretched beyond the familiar boundaries of her hometown. The local community admired her canvases, but she never dared to showcase her art to the broader world.
Clara's days were a repeating loop of waking, painting, and sleeping, punctuated only by the visits of her childhood friend, Leo. Leo was the opposite of Clara in many ways — adventurous, ambitious, and perpetually restless. He saw in Clara not just a friend but an unlit candle, her brilliance hidden under the bushel of her fears.
One evening, as they sat in Clara's studio surrounded by her latest works, Leo broke the comfortable silence. "Clara, have you ever thought about the things you're capable of?" he asked, gesturing at the vibrant canvases.
Clara shrugged, her eyes not meeting his. "I guess I'm doing what I'm capable of," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leo leaned forward, his expression earnest. "But what if Thomas Edison was right? What if we did all the things we are capable of? We would astound ourselves, Clara."
Clara laughed, her tone more of resignation than amusement. "It was Easy for him to say. He was a genius."
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
— Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
"And what makes you think you're not?" Leo challenged. "Your art could light up the world just like Edison's inventions. But you've confined yourself to this small town, to this tiny studio. Michelangelo said that the greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. Your aim, Clara, is buried in the ground."
His words lingered in the air, heavy and unsettling. Clara found herself haunted by them in the days that followed. She started to see her paintings not as achievements but as reminders of her self-imposed limitations. The vibrant colours seemed to mock her, and the landscapes beckoned her to unseen horizons.
One crisp autumn morning, Clara stood before a blank canvas, the echo of Leo's words merging with her silent yearnings. She realized then that she had reached a crossroads: one path well-trodden and familiar, the other shrouded in mist, uncertain and terrifying.
It was then that Clara decided to change the course of her life. She would leave Astoria, not to abandon her home, but to honour it by showing the world the beauty it had nurtured. With trembling hands but a stubborn heart, she began to paint what she saw and felt — the fears, the dreams, the untamed beauty of daring to aim high.
The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.
— Michelangelo (1475-1564)
Months turned into years, and Clara's journey was anything but easy. She faced rejection, doubt, and the haunting temptation to return to her old, comfortable life. But with each setback, she remembered Leo's words and the realization that had sparked her journey. She painted with the fury of someone fighting for her soul, each brushstroke a testament to her commitment to reaching beyond the mundane.
Clara's determination paid off. Her exhibitions began to draw attention, first from art lovers, then critics, and finally from galleries in major cities worldwide. Her paintings, once confined to the walls of her small studio in Astoria, now ignited the imaginations of thousands. Clara had not only astounded herself; she had astounded the world.
Years later, Clara returned to Astoria as a beacon of inspiration, not as the timid artist who had left. The town received her with pride and awe; her success was a radiant reflection of their collective spirit.
On the evening of her grand homecoming exhibition, Clara found Leo standing before one of her most captivating pieces. She approached him, her heart full of gratitude and triumph.
"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears. You were right. I had aimed too low and reached it, but no more."
Leo turned to her, his eyes reflecting the depth of his admiration. "You've done more than reach for the stars, Clara. You've painted them."
Clara's story, a tapestry woven from fear, courage, and transcendent beauty, reminded all of Astoria—and beyond—that the most significant achievements lie beyond the borders of our comfort zones. She had not only astounded herself but illuminated the path for others, proving that the accurate measure of our capabilities is found not in the safety of the harbour but in the uncharted waters of our dreams.
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