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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you. This means a lot to me, this story of Adam Yauch’s role in The Beastie Boys, as the guy who Acted on the ideas of the group, who moved them to manifest their ideas. “What I try to take from this is that this is a choice that Adam made. That any of us can make. We each have the choice to show up fully in our creative work. To do so exactly as you are. And that you — and only you — get to define this.”

I matters because I Do seem to be having an internal dialogue that is tearing down my creative work. Is it worth it? Will it amount to anything? Am I good enough?

Adam Y went to my HS in Brooklyn. My brother was in his first band with him. They were kids. Everyone starts somewhere. Persistence is everything, joy in the practice, and remembering that life can also be cut short (rip Adam). I need to remember this and you’ve helped today

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Elena Brunn's avatar

Thank you, Dan. This came at just the right time. Your story reminds me of what the ground-breaking choreographer advised her mentee Agnes DeMille —

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.”

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