Robert Frost

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

— Robert Frost

American Poet

1874 - 1963

In the fall of  1967, I was a freshman in college and felt the world about to come to an end.  The Vietnam War raged on and on.  Riots were occurring in the streets of big cities.  The world was burning and I was convinced that it would all be over in five years.  But like Frost, I have learned that life does go on.  

Some people today feel the world is about to end.  We face economic upheaval and poverty, political corruption and stalemate, as well as religious hatred and global warming.  Will the world still be here in five years?  I have learned that life goes on.  Or in the words of another cliche: This too shall pass.

Don't despair because your writing was rejected by yet another publisher or an art gallery refused to carry your work.  Life goes on.  This too shall pass.

When Robert Frost was 86, he was asked to read a poem at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. He was the first poet to read at a presidential inauguration.  In January of 1963 he died from complications from prostate surgery.  In November 1963, Kennedy was assassinated.  Some thought it was the end of the world, but life goes on.

Here is Robert Frost performing The Gift Outright at Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.  He recited the poem from memory.

(Quote Source:  Goodreads.com)

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Theodore H. White

"To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can have."

— Theodore H. White

American Journalist/Writer

1915 - 1986

As artists and creative leaders, we often have to stand alone against the thinking of family and friends.  This is very difficult to do and often we will be criticized for what we think and the way we behave.  This happened to me early in my life.  I grew up in the Mennonite church in central Illinois.  When I was a sophomore in high school, I committed myself to being a minister.  By the time I was a senior, I was no longer a believer in the faith of my forefathers.  This admission was very difficult for both my mother and father to hear.  

Do you stand up for what you believe even though the people around you disagree with you?  Did you become an artist despite the wishes of your parents?  Many parents prefer their children become doctors and lawyers.  It takes a strong-willed individual to become a writer or a painter in the face of parental opposition.  As Theodore White says, each of you are heroes.  Celebrate and appreciate your strength and individuality.

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John F. Kennedy

"When power narrows the area of man' concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence."

— John F. Kennedy

American President/Writer

1917 - 1963

This is a fascinating quote from one of the most powerful and famous people in the 20th century.  The wielding of power narrows one's focus.  We usually think the reverse of people with power.  They can do anything they want.  But Kennedy is saying that power actually limits what you focus on — what you are engaged in.   Poetry, for Kennedy, served the purpose of broadening his focus and open up new worlds of understanding.  And I think art, music, and novels do that as well.  Our jobs tend to keep us focused on a narrow group of topics.  Reading books, listening to music and observing art can carry us out of ourselves to other worlds. 

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