Red check marks, underlines, circles and highlights represented a problem that required correcting as a young student from my teachers.  The crimson color reminded me that improvement was needed.  It was a good thing. Wasn’t it?

As I grew, I adopted my own red marker nature.  Inwardly check marking the areas of needed improvement within myself as well as those closest to me.

The marker became a way of life, keeping me on the edge of subconscious judgement.  Stirring feelings of discontentment because corrections always need to be made. Don’t they?    

Not good enough, check.  Needs improvement, underline.  Doesn’t meet requirements, circle. Can do better, highlight.  

How did I become such a red marker prodigy?

I wonder, what would happen if I dropped the marker I’ve grown so accustomed to carrying?  

If I actually released the inner tool of correction and proceeded on with life and interactions without it,  would I still grow, mature, learn, improve? Would others?

Would being completely marker-less be a catastrophe?  Or might it allow for a new found freedom?

Perhaps it’s time to drop the marker and find out.