A blank sheet of paper

One of the aspects of studying communication that amazes me is that every project starts with a blank sheet of paper.

(I know. It's now a virtual piece of paper made of pixels, but you know what I mean.)

So many things can happen.

The paper can be scribbled on and turned useless.

The paper can have something so mundane put on it that nobody notices.

The paper can be wadded and thrown away.

The paper can have an idea put on it that changes the world.

Think about the most important books and movies and art and advertising and magazines and laws. Somebody started with a blank sheet of paper.

How lucky are the newspaper editors who get a new start everyday.

How lucky are the new media editors who get a new start every second.

How lucky are the lawmakers who may only have one chance to get it right.

The human life is much the same as the blank sheet of paper.

What do we do with it?

Throw it away? Be unnoticed? Start a revolution? Add beauty and grace to the world?

Until we stop breathing, we get a blank sheet of paper everyday. We get to decide what to do with it.

So, what is it going to be?

To Kill a Mockingbird?

Gangsta rap?

A help wanted ad?

David Letterman's Top Ten List?

Hate mail?

The Golden Rule?

La Gioconda?

Magna Carta?

The important thing is to use your gift and make it count.

The worst thing you can do is throw it away.