Maximum Music Monday

From Father Brian D’Arcy, a Catholic Passionist priest:
Most of us have more time on our hands since Covid19 swept into our lives. I am using these days to offload notes and stories which are cluttering the few filing boxes I possess. I found a note I wrote ten years ago. It was the parable of the pencils which I’ll share now. At the end of each day a caring pencil-maker dispensed five pieces of valuable advice to his pencils just before he placed them in their box. “This will help you become the best pencil you can possibly be.” He told them. 
One: You will be able to do great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand. Two: You will experience repeated pencil sharpening from time to time in life. It’s won’t be easy but it’s necessary. It will help you make your mark. Three: Don’t forget you have an eraser at your disposal. Use it to correct the mistakes you will undoubtedly make. Four: No matter how beautiful you look on the outside, what’s on the inside is what makes you what you are. Five: It is your duty to leave your mark on every surface you are used on. And so the pencil went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now comes the tricky part. How can I apply those lessons to myself? 
One: I will be able to do great things, but only if I allow myself to be held in God’s hand. That’s how I’ll bring to fruition the many gifts I was given. Two: Naturally, I will be painfully sharpened, hurt and feel diminished from time to time. It’s tough but it’s essential if I am to become a better person. Three: No matter what mistakes I make, I can always correct them and start again. There is always a second chance. Four: Looks matter but you’ll need to look on the inside to discover the real me. Five: In life we are meant to leave our mark. If I always do the best I can I will be proud of what I achieve. In other words: Our fingerprints never fade from the lives we touch.