I am very skeptical about using meters, centimeters or millimeters in
defining one's creative success. Most of the upstarts I know of believe
they have grabbed God by his beard, but I am convinced that they feel that
way merely because they are suffering from a certain creative inferiority
complex. We are all now exposed to new opportunities and we must adjust
ourselves to new social criteria. Of course, if this society wishes to
return to the past criteria defined by the line from the International,
"We have been nothing, we shall be all," one can easily fall into depression,
watching our thriving corruption, the vulgarity of all those suddenly rich,
and mendacious politicians. One would then make the only tragically logical
inference: this country has no future, nor do those living here. I am sure
that this conclusion is wrong. Man has to dig his own grave. Each and everyone
of us has certain gifts and talents that have to be given a chance to show
themselves. One must not sit on one's hands waiting for somebody somewhere
to press buttons or sign papers to help one show one's true potential.
And the same is true of our government; we should not count on its support,
although we are used to it. We have to muster the courage to start from
scratch, relying on our own resources and confidence. Some will be lucky,
others will fail, but we all must thank God for the opportunity; at long
last we can follow the old rule: if at first you don't succeed, try, try
again.







