On Becoming Rich and Famous

Last week, while I was watching America's Got Talent, I was struck by something one of the musicians said. In truth, it wasn't so different from what many others have said, but this time, it got to me. He said he'd given up music entirely for a few years because he didn't think he would make it, and that this stint on AGT was his "last chance."

Last chance at what? Making music? Because I'm pretty sure your guitar and your voice will work off stage as well as on.

Don't get me wrong — I understand the allure. As a writer, I would love to gain serious popular approval. It would salve my ego and pad my bank account.

But you can't live your life waiting for other people to approve of you, especially in mass. Do you really think it's entirely about talent? Every year, hundreds of thousands of books are published, but only a handful ever gain true popularity, even in their genre. Do all the rest suck? Speaking as a representative of one of the rest, I don't think so. Plenty of people who have read my books like them, and even rave about them. True mass popularity is a combination of factors, including (heavily) luck, timing, and persistence.

But if I never truly "make it" in the writing business, if I never gain the popularity, I'm still a writer.

And you, oh representative of so many stories on America's Got Talent, American Idol, The Voice, etc., are you a musician or aren't you? Only you can decide. It's not a decision the rest of the country can make for you.

Creativity, in whatever form it takes, is part of the human condition. Part of the soul. It defines us, brightens are lives, and makes others happy.

So why have we decided, in our modern culture, that art (in whatever form) is a pipe dream? Not worthy of pursuit? Or even, sure, you can paint, but be sure to get a "real job" first.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not into the bohemian lifestyle. As a responsible citizen, I think we must all find ways to support our own passions. BUT…why must the "real job" be a primary function of our selves? Why is the pursuit of money holy? Why can't a job pay the bills, while music or painting or writing or cooking or building robots…becomes our drive?

Every single person has the potential for creativity, in one form or another, and the vast, vast, vast majority will never become rich or famous through their creative passion. That does NOT mean you should give it up. It only means you have to find approval from within, rather than from without.

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