Stretch

Stretch: “to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper limits”

How can we stretch ourselves to reach new horizons? Merriam-Webster has over eleven definitions for the verb stretch and that isn’t counting the intransitive forms of the verb! To extend, to enlarge, elongate, distend… and the list goes on.

The one I like the most is “to draw up from a cramped, stooped, or relaxed position.” It means to stretch one’s body but I picture it as stretching our creative self, up and out from its cramped and habitual actions. To reach, much as one stretches a clothesline between two posts, out to the next step in our lives. We stretch when we make time in our day to read longform, or when we throw our colored pencils into our handbag and sketch instead of reading yet one more mindless post on our Facebook feed. I imagine stretching as this gentle reminder to not allow potential ruts to constantly define us. And that huge change comes from small incremental steps.