There was once a painter who had an innate habit to paint pictures of the things and people he found interest in. A most peculiar habit. What makes things more odd is that, he never could paint a single picture that actually looked like his subject. In fact, it had always been a far cry from the real deal.

He could never see nor think of them the way they should have been so. Instead, he had always thought better of them; hence the difference in his work.

Eventually, it dawned upon him that he had been doing this wrong all along, that he had just been living in a fantasy - thinking and expecting more of others than he should, that it reflected in his artwork. Yet that was not the worst of things.

What about a painting of himself, a self portrait? For he had been picturing others in a better light all this while, what did he expect of himself? How did he see himself? Would it be pictured in a same manner, better than he actually is? Such a thought had never come across his mind before.

And just as it did, he realized that he was at a loss. He simply had no clue where to begin with this.

That's just it. As for the old paintings from before, he had difficulty in letting them go. For they were his life's work and effort, it wouldn't be that easy to just forget and discard it all at a whim.

With that, he came to a sound conclusion. That all the past paintings will be kept aside and remembered, to serve as a reminder to himself that he should put an end to this madness, that he should just see people for what and who they are. And so, he laid down his paintbrushes and canvas neatly beside his many pieces of art in the storeroom where they will be kept, locked the storeroom, and threw away the key.

So the painter went on to live his life, rather than to always paint false pictures of others. Perhaps then he'll have a picture of who he should be.

Moral of the story? Only expect greater things from yourself. And no more nor less of what others are.

If you can't let things go, keep them and remember not to mess things up again. Never let that opportunity slide by you again.

Damn, I hate the word "never".

Until next time folks!