I realize for the artist and for the creator, it’s not the final destination where the payoff resides. It’s in the pursuit…it’s in the grind itself. That’s where the inspiration is, that’s where the beauty lives.
It came to me after reading this blog by a down-to-earth casting director, Bonnie Gillespie. She’s one of the good guys, telling actors to pursue their dreams despite the objections and fierce competition. Similar to her, I find it very comforting to encourage others to follow their dreams. Oddly enough, I find it very difficult to push myself. I’m still fighting myself daily to except the call of being both artist and entrepreneur. Because the real is that it’s the actual being up on stage that feels like a million dollars to me. It’s writing this piece that feels like bliss. It’s analyzing a character and making her real that feels AMAZING. It’s the becoming, the molding and the figuring-out of what it is to be really human that is the life of an artist. To bring that sincerity and utmost level of honesty to a story, a movie, a sculpture, a business deal…to stay true to his/her GRIND. Ahhh but what about those illusive, tangible results? How are you a business man without a tangible, money-making, business?
The majority of the world gets into things when there is a clear end in mind. If you want to become a teacher, there is a coherent system in place to become a teacher. It’s the same for doctors, lawyers and even pro-athletes sort of speak. Play ball, practice, train hard and perhaps you will be given an opportunity to play pro. 2+2=4. But what about the kid who wants to share his new vision with the world? Little Billy wants to invent the Space Mobile. Sorry kid no road maps, only mentors that have left hints behind for the same path you want to create. Why? Umm because it doesn’t exist quite yet, well not in the “real” world.
It’s like when I run; I gotta know where the finish line is. But as artists, as entrepreneurs, as people traveling along paths without a clear end; we have to fall in love with the run itself. It’s like getting in a car and being told to drive. Well where and the hell am I going? What if I run out of gas before I get there? All the other cars have tangible road maps, where is mine? What if I’m not fast enough? I’m an older model, I’m already at a disadvantage; will my tires last? But there is a final destination. It resides in our hearts and minds. We can see it even if no one else can.
This is the life of the edge dwellers, the rebels, the creators of a new path, the trouble-makers, the taste makers, the trend setters, the originators, the outcast, the weirdoes, the crazies, the inventors. This blog is home for them. We want more from this world, this space and this lifetime. It’s the questions that drive us to become more. Why doesn’t this exist? Why haven’t people tried this? What about this? Why haven’t people heard this story? And we know the answer is…No one has done this before, why can’t it be me.
Don’t stop asking the questions. We need them. We need you to find the answers. Grind AWAY!
Shak
100.
It came to me after reading this blog by a down-to-earth casting director, Bonnie Gillespie. She’s one of the good guys, telling actors to pursue their dreams despite the objections and fierce competition. Similar to her, I find it very comforting to encourage others to follow their dreams. Oddly enough, I find it very difficult to push myself. I’m still fighting myself daily to except the call of being both artist and entrepreneur. Because the real is that it’s the actual being up on stage that feels like a million dollars to me. It’s writing this piece that feels like bliss. It’s analyzing a character and making her real that feels AMAZING. It’s the becoming, the molding and the figuring-out of what it is to be really human that is the life of an artist. To bring that sincerity and utmost level of honesty to a story, a movie, a sculpture, a business deal…to stay true to his/her GRIND. Ahhh but what about those illusive, tangible results? How are you a business man without a tangible, money-making, business?
The majority of the world gets into things when there is a clear end in mind. If you want to become a teacher, there is a coherent system in place to become a teacher. It’s the same for doctors, lawyers and even pro-athletes sort of speak. Play ball, practice, train hard and perhaps you will be given an opportunity to play pro. 2+2=4. But what about the kid who wants to share his new vision with the world? Little Billy wants to invent the Space Mobile. Sorry kid no road maps, only mentors that have left hints behind for the same path you want to create. Why? Umm because it doesn’t exist quite yet, well not in the “real” world.
It’s like when I run; I gotta know where the finish line is. But as artists, as entrepreneurs, as people traveling along paths without a clear end; we have to fall in love with the run itself. It’s like getting in a car and being told to drive. Well where and the hell am I going? What if I run out of gas before I get there? All the other cars have tangible road maps, where is mine? What if I’m not fast enough? I’m an older model, I’m already at a disadvantage; will my tires last? But there is a final destination. It resides in our hearts and minds. We can see it even if no one else can.
This is the life of the edge dwellers, the rebels, the creators of a new path, the trouble-makers, the taste makers, the trend setters, the originators, the outcast, the weirdoes, the crazies, the inventors. This blog is home for them. We want more from this world, this space and this lifetime. It’s the questions that drive us to become more. Why doesn’t this exist? Why haven’t people tried this? What about this? Why haven’t people heard this story? And we know the answer is…No one has done this before, why can’t it be me.
Don’t stop asking the questions. We need them. We need you to find the answers. Grind AWAY!
Shak
100.
Rock on! I love this. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteNo. Thank you. I'm a GAZILLION years late responding but at the time you wrote your comment I didn't receive email updates. Big no-no, now I get updates. :)
ReplyDelete