I’m thinking of four, though there are many, but four especially, thanks to the wonders of Instagram.
Four special talents. Four wonderful personalities. Four unique visionaries. Four work ethics I am impressed and humbled by. It’s been my very good fortune to be a one-stop tour guide on the highways of their lives. Our paths have crossed at key moments when they were reaching out and I was reaching in. And now, years have gone by and their natural progressions are so wonderful to see. And if I had any effect at all, well, isn’t that everything?
Mentoring to me is like parenting for those of us who don’t have children. Or uncle-ing. Or maybe just butting in. If you’re lucky enough to have experienced joy in what you do and have an ability to convey that joy – or, in my case, a complete inability to self-edit, so it kind of overflows all over the place – then why not try and direct it and champion those that are beginning their journeys and cheer them on as they continue moving forward. Share the knowledge gained, share the passions experienced, share the ongoing questions and surprising answers – have the conversation. Then stand back and see how far they go. The interaction, however random, is a gift and a wonder and an ongoing opportunity for regeneration.
I’m guessing this is a truism in every walk of life but in a creative life, it’s always colored by the search for beauty and drama and meaning and the answer to the constant “Why?”
I love my kids. All of them. And I’m inordinately proud. And lucky, so lucky. Because they inspire me on a daily basis. And that’s a rare and wonderful thing. So, thank you to all of them – the writers, the actors, the musicians, designers and painters – and special thanks today to Michael, Kenoka, Sarah, and Clare. Big Creative Hugs always!
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou