Hello my friend,
I hope that - however this collection of thoughts finds you - you are well. Maybe thriving? Maybe not? Maybe merely making your own way through...
I know that after a week of high anxiety, diminished focus, and considerable mental friction I am muddling. At best.
It was The Oscars last week and it always gets me thinking. I wonder if Adrien Brody ever feels like he's just muddling through? Or Mikey Madison? How is life for these people who are now recognised as being 'at the top of their game' - as creatives; as jobbing humans who probably have their fair share ofother things going on.
There is, I find, a certain romanticism to 'Big Hollywood' glitz and glam. The celebration; the recognition and reverence of all that's been done. Sure, it's putting people on a pedestal for a moment but they've worked for it.
Reverence. That's a big word. A bold idea. A line drawn in the sand that says 'This thing is better than other things; than me'. It's the fandom effect.
What does that sentiment do for you?
Speaking with one of my best friends this week past about a challenging problem they're facing, the concept of Reverence came up. The idea that - because someone is doing or has done something "more" than you have or is standing on a platform which you desire to be - they deserve your admiration. They are allowed to make you feel less or small because you're not doing that thing. They have some power over you.
What gives?!
Short of Mother Teresa rocking up and offering you her seat on a train because you look more tired than she does, there's nobody whose achievements will overshadow your own.
What's stopping you from writing to these folks or calling them out for a coffee? Nobody is undeserving of a conversation.
What's more, this idea of reverence in all its intimidating glory is entirely yourprojection. Sorry about that! You're the one saying 'I am not deserving of this person's time' when in reality we all breathe the same air.
Maybe, too, these people with whom you want to commune - whose presence you'd like to be inspired by - don't want your reverence. They don't need you to be fawning over them. Absolutely be respectful and acknowledging. But they probably get the fawning a lot and would really appreciate a chat with Martha J. Public over a brew and a bun.
Because, at the end of it, aren't we all just muddling through?
My question to you is this: What's stopping you from cracking Pandora's box and seeing what's inside? If you spend all your time 'What if...'ing from the sideline you'll never, ever know.
'Til we speak again,
Tom
(PS. I'll add that should someone truly believe they are worthy of your reverence and deserve to hold that intimidating power over you they are probably not worth your time and energy. Just saying...)