Writer Highlight Featuring: H Paul Goodwin

By Raja's Insight on July 9, 2015 • ( 1 )

The Burden

This image bears testament to the burden of betterment.
It is distinctly human to try to “better” ourselves. It is a learned characteristic. From a young age, our parents tell us we have to “be” something. Our schools force us into career decision making at 14 years old, and unless you’re lucky enough to know then your life’s destiny, you are left thrashing in the dust – eventually plumping for doctor, lawyer or (in my case) trout farmer.
It’s no wonder so many of us, confused, reach for the guitar or the pen.

In our artistic lives we fall into the same trap, still searching blindly for success and for some meaning. We set unreachable goals for ourselves and, when we know in our hearts that there are really only two possible realities to this essentially meaningless journey – misery and money* – why do we still love the thrill of the chase?

*misery

Concealed in the strata of society, at every socio-economic level, exists hundreds of thousands of unheard musicians and songwriters, just like this fellow. By night, playing club gigs and practicing in their bedrooms and, by day, swabbing hallways and tickling the trout. (no euphemism intended) Now, this guy might be an undiscovered vocalist of sublime quality, but I fear prime-time TV “talent” shows have taught us the brevity of those odds.

Anyway, that’s irrelevant, my cynicism or judgement is unnecessary here as I will never know if he is a great performer or not. I just hope is that he is happy and that he is being the best janitor he can be. By the way, if he is a great janitor, he should enter my new Saturday night show “Mop Idol”. You’re welcome, Cowell.

Response to our Inspiration Call on July 6, 2015
www.facebook.com/Creativetalentsunleashed