Boogsey Music

What is a Judas?  In biblical history, Judas is the disciple who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
This betrayal helped lead to (or expedite) the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
And the term Judas has entered many languages as a synonym for betrayer.
During the famous last supper, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.”
He knew—and I bet so do many of you.

Here we are, December 31, 2010 and I thought it would be good to offer up a warning to all you unsuspecting, ridiculously talented prodigies!  Do any of you recognize yourself in this description?  I’m not going to speak in generalities in this article.  I am going to address you directly.  Who among you is a composer, virtuoso instrumentalist, extraordinary vocalist—or to you non-musical creators such as painters, poets, authors, designers, architects, producers, thespians, teachers, filmmakers, inventors, magicians, orators, scholars, builders, stylists, models, beauty queens, chefs, etc…  I will not leave out you Web 2.0 administrators either—to all of you brilliant bloggers, you phenomenal social networking geniuses, you effective publicists and agents—I am addressing those of you who approach your craft honorably.

Before I proceed with this rant, I feel it necessary to define the word, honor.  According to Webster’s definition (1913), honor is defined as that which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; and nobleness.  Does this definition sound familiar?  Anybody like that reading this post?  Without sounding pious, I believe I have honor.  Why?  Because I’d rather do things the hard way than take shortcuts, cheat, or step on somebody to move ahead.  It’s not that I have the choice either.  I was raised with a sense of ethics, but even as a kid, I took the high road.  So you see, I honestly believe that we are born with certain traits.  Some of us have to make the decision to have honor (and it can be a hard decision sometimes).  For others . . . well, it’s a no-brainer!

Those of you who’ve faced difficult trials while growing up, but chose to deal with failure, ridicule, or just plain disappointment have probably asked yourself on more than one occasion why your adversary has succeeded when he or she cheated, lied, or betrayed (pick your poison).  I bet your momma consoled you by telling you, “It’s all right.  You will prevail in the long run.  You are a winner to me.  That other person is not as honorable as you.  You lost because you’re ahead of your time.  Don’t give up, your time will come.”  So you wait patiently (okay maybe not so patiently) and work really hard honing your talent.  Yet the right opportunity never seems to present itself, or if it does, it vanishes before you can even consider it.   So what do we make of all this?

Once upon a time there was a talented writer.  He churned out novel after amazing novel.  No publisher would give him the time of day.  His family and friends all loved his work.  His colleagues offered advice and those who unbeknownst to him were his competition did something reprehensible.  They found fault in his work when there was none.  They played devil’s advocate and planted seeds of doubt in his talented head.  Does this sound familiar?  Has this ever happened to you?  Now I’m not talking about a legitimate critique of somebody’s work.  That’s different.  I’m talking about malicious trash talk disguised as constructive criticism meant only to discourage.  He thought these wolves were trying to help.  He trusted their unfounded criticisms and adhered to their unsolicited advice.  He conformed.  He changed to please the masses, he succumbed to mediocrity, and he lost his angst, his edge, and the very thing that made him stand apart from others.  Then one day, he saw his book published, but the title had changed and the author was his mentor.  He was stunned and he just stared at the book on Scribner’s shelf in utter disbelief.  What just happened?  I had a similar experience in college when a professor stole my piano piece after telling me it was no good and used it as his own composition in a recital.  (I’d love to hear about your similar experiences).

As your friend and fellow creator of art, I want to warn you.  Pay attention to that little voice in your head.  Trust your instincts.  They were given to you for a reason.  Whenever you have that feeling that something’s not right, it probably isn’t.  Don’t rely on somebody else’s opinion of your work to sway you.  Mind you I am only talking to those of you who have proven yourselves in your industry and have become the best you know to be, have studied with the best, are un-reproachable in your particular skill(s).

About five years ago I attended a screening of the film BROTHER JOHN starring Sidney Poitier.  It was held at the Director’s Guild in Hollywood, CA., and Sidney Poitier was the honored guest.  After the screening ended, he obliged the host, who was a filmmaker, a Q&A.  She asked him a series of questions about his career.  It was very interesting.  But Sidney Poitier said something in that session that has stuck with me ever since.  When he was 17 years old he washed dishes in a restaurant.  He hadn’t acquired any skills to do anything else yet.  He saw a flyer advertising an open call for actors.  He took a leap of faith and went to the casting.  His read was not good.  The director told him, “You should never act.  The only way you’re going to make a living is to work in a kitchen.”  Sidney Poitier was not discouraged.  He knew he wasn’t an actor yet.  But he was incensed that this man, this total stranger who didn’t even know him, would judge him so harshly.  This director hadn’t walked a mile in Poitier’s shoes.  This director judged him based on his own experiences.  Poitier set out to prove him wrong.  And after several hit movies and an Academy Award for LILLIES OF THE FIELD, he did.

Nobody has the right to tell you what you are or aren’t capable of.  Nobody has the right to tell you that you can or cannot do something.  Nobody but you has walked a mile in your shoes.  Nobody but you can determine your potential.  I left that Q&A a changed woman.  Because you see that had been the case with me.  I had allowed others to tell me what I could do—that I couldn’t achieve a level of success.  They looked at me and naturally assumed that because they couldn’t do it, neither could I.  I let others judge me based on their own experiences.  Nobody knows me but me.  Nobody knows what you can become but you.

Are you surrounded by the critical masses?  In your heart do you know you’re good, but you’re not getting that positive reinforcement?  If this sounds like you, DONT GIVE UP.  You may have a Judas among you.  Trust your instincts and go for your dreams and remember, you have something to offer.  You can achieve your dreams.  Keep working hard and smart and with honor because you are the only one who has walked a mile in your shoes!