John Lennon said when he was growing up he wasn’t encouraged to be an artist or to be creative. His musical ability went unnoticed. I’ve often wondered about that given that in thirty years almost no one has ever encouraged me or been able to provide that much needed shot-in-the-arm when things get tough.

It’s understandable I suppose. I doubt now if I would encourage a young person to take the risks associated with the creative life when the overwhelming odds of having success are likely to be well stacked against them. You can hardly blame those in responsibility who are charged with giving guidance to the young for being cautious.

Lennon liked to find reasons to bitch at authority. He was one of the lucky few, the one in a million who hit the jackpot. Most don’t even get a sniff.