Smudges, Spanners & Success: A Lesson from the Art Class

It was during my school days. The Art class. Something I wasn’t particularly good at.

But like every student, I picked up the brush and gave it a try. 

Some strokes were hopeful, others awkward. 

What fascinated me most wasn’t my own struggle—it was the boy who sat next to me.

He was a natural. While we labored to create shapes and shades, he effortlessly transformed plain paper into magical paintings. 

I would often sit beside him, quietly admiring how easily beauty flowed from his fingertips.

One day, while he stepped away to replace a cup of stained water, I remained at our shared desk, lost in admiration of his latest creation.

That’s when another boy walked up. I pointed to the painting and said, “Isn’t it great?”

He didn’t reply. He smirked. And then, with a swift, deliberate motion, he pressed his thumb into the painting and smudged it.

I froze. I didn’t know what to say, how to respond. Just moments later, the artist returned.

He looked at the painting. 

Paused. 

Then calmly took a bit of cotton, cleaned up the smudge, picked up his brush—and improvised.

In minutes, the smudge had become part of a richer texture. 

What was intended to destroy… became an opportunity for creativity.

That boy is now a celebrated artist.

What I Learned That Day

Looking back, I realize something important:

When you have talent, it’s not just competition you attract— you attract envy.

There will always be bystanders who don’t build, but break. 

People who don’t create, but criticize. 

Who don’t climb, but try to pull others down.

Whether it’s in art, business, leadership, or communication—jealousy shows up not as a rival, but as a saboteur. 

Not always to win, but to disrupt.

But here's the difference between those who rise and those who remain stuck:

Winners treat sabotage as an occupational hazard. They don’t freeze. They don’t fight. They adapt.

They turn smudges into strokes. Spanners into sparks. Criticism into clarity.

Final Thought:

Every success story has a smudge somewhere. 

Not every moment will be smooth. 

Not every observer will be kind. 

But if you stay still, stay centered, and keep painting—you’ll get there.

As someone once said:

“If someone throws dirt on your canvas, blend it into your masterpiece.”

Has someone ever tried to smudge your progress?

How did you respond?

Share your story. You never know who it might inspire.