For years I've looked at this as my defect. I just have this innate problem with talking about myself. My mother has always been a firm believer in the idea that everyone else should point out what great things you do. You should never tell them yourself. That would be pride. The result is that I've grown up with this feeling that no matter who else is in the room I am always the least important one. That's a bit counterproductive for an artist, don't you think?
Suddenly, it dawns on me. Combine that with this natural aversion I have to marketing - even though marketing has occupied most of my life (I've never liked the idea of selling toothpaste. The real joy in life comes from telling stories).
Yes, folks, I'm a Flower Child! A remnant of the 60s, a time when I was just a boy, but even then I absolutely identified with the concept. Let's all just forget this money thing and live for peace, love and all the real pleasures there are in life. Let's just ... .
That way of thinking just doesn't work today. Maybe it didn't really work back then. But that's the only real way someone like me can ever be happy. A job consultant once told me I was the type who wasn't motivated by money. I needed to feel that my work was contributing something to this world. That's true. Well, except for the fact that I have to keep finding money somewhere to pay the bills. I'm addicted to comfortable living. Air conditioning, food and privacy are important, too. But racking up piles of money has never made me happy.
Telling stories, now that goes back to my earliest days. I've always identified art as telling stories. I guess that will always be my motivator, my purpose. Fortune 500 just doesn't excite me.
Yes, that's me. I'm just a Flower Child.
