The Real Power of Staying Power

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” —Matthew 16:26-27

It’s a new year, and like most people, I am assessing my goals and resolutions for 2023. And boy, am I ready to take on the world! But as I reflect on these things, an interview came to mind that I read many years ago with a popular electronic artist who had crossed over to the mainstream where he was asked what he owed his success to over all his fellow electronic artists. I am paraphrasing, but basically, he credited his longevity…that he continued to make music when everyone else faded into oblivion.

I’ve thought a lot about that over the years. As a person who continues to strive to make music, write, among other artistic endeavors, I consider the impact of staying power — not quitting. I can also say that I’ve been around long enough to know what he meant.

Over the years I’ve seen numerous people in the music and publishing world quit their craft and move on to other things. For some it is raising a family, some lose their passion, and others are just plain discouraged. It’s understandable. The arts are not for the faint of heart. Being an artist means being first and foremost driven by love for what you do, not the outcome.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say quitting hasn’t crossed my mind. There was a time when my love for making music was under severe threat due to the heartbreak of experiencing a serious backstabbing incident — it’s an ugly business when you get right down to it. It hurt because I considered this person a friend but it’s astounding what low depths people will go to for a taste of success.

I’ve long since gotten over the betrayal and learned some valuable lessons as a result, but it’s one of the many reasons people often walk away from the music industry. It’s also difficult to find time to pour into passion projects with little payoff, especially when you grow up and have a job and family that demands much of your time. I think more than anything, I have struggled to reconcile my dream with the reality of the music industry. It is so distasteful to me, that even when asked what my goals are or my dream is I can’t give a clear answer. What I want no longer exists, or maybe it never has. I am completely unmotivated to “make it” in the music industry, and I certainly have no desire to give myself over to executives.

It’s a strange scenario I find myself in, having a deep desire to pursue something with no ultimate goal. Then again, I’ve never been what you would call conventional. Not about anything. I value freedom more than success. Currency holds very little currency with me. But the joy of creating is everything. There is absolutely nothing more thrilling than seeing something you imagined come to completion. That sense of satisfaction is a major driving force.

The fact that I have no expectations of outcome is not an indication that I am fatalistic though. The truth is, I just trust it will go forth and do whatever it is intended to do. The actual joy I get from creating doesn’t end with some self-indulgent playtime, but rather the idea of what it might accomplish, apart from worldly success. It’s the unknown outcome that excites me…who it might touch on any given day, who it might encourage, who it might inspire, whose day it might add a bit of beauty to. For me, those things can’t be measured in figures and monetary gain.

This brings me back to my initial thought. The artist who spoke of his success — Moby — measured it according to all the worldly standards, but ultimately it brought him misery, addiction, and even attempted suicide. I heard him say in an interview that “Failure is a protector” and I absolutely believe that. How many so-called “failures” spared us the misery of fame? It can’t be measured, we can only look at the many wrecked lives of those who found it to indicate how commonly they end in tragedy. We’ve seen so many well-meaning artists destroy their lives because of pride — they thought they could handle what so many before them couldn’t. I have never made that claim, in fact, fame scares the snot out of me!

So as I reflect on his original statement as to the longevity of his career being responsible for his breakthrough, I have learned to apply this idea of staying power in a new way. While many may strive for commercial success, to me, the great benefit of sticking with your passion does not come in how it serves me, but ultimately in the legacy of lives I am able to touch through art. Also, the ability it gives me to express gratitude to my creator. And as a result, if I am asked what my dream is, that is my answer now and what I consider a worthy achievement. This hope alone motivates me and I’m determined to make this one more year to add to the books of pursuing my purpose with hopefully many more to come — Here’s to 2023!