A Moment of Clarity

At a cross roads the struggle is to cut through the expectations, the prestige, the trappings and decide what we actually want-especially if there are no bad options. We must specialize. No longer is there room for the Renaissance man, jack of all trades—shaping society, enmeshed in the questions of the age, the universal critic and philosopher holding a mirror up to the world. You check a box signing up for a career track, a 9 to 5— a life. Only a few get to break out of the box and the world looks at them askew, labeling—rebel, dropout, nonconformist—worrying that they will be disruptive, or worse, that their actions pass judgment on the masses.

Both choices are outside the mainstream. A Scholar, studying dead languages and ancient texts, so remote that in many cases the original has passed out of existence or an artist dreaming, drawing and creating, working to make a vision for the world—people laugh and shake their heads, “if only they were serious and did useful work. Which of these can be useful? Can shake society and let them know this is not a waste? Which can help me grow and stretch and fly? Both have their norms and rules and own little boxes. Where can I break out? Is it possible to be just me?

Either way, how does it help? How does one change the world? Are there merely two parallel paths, both of which have merit or is there a way? One burning path? Some people spark and blaze, with every word echoing through history? Can you choose that path? Is it something thrust upon you? Other ripple, the effects of small deeds subtly spread without our notice.

Which road is mine?

Cause You gotta be bigger, and be faster, and be stronger
if your gonna survive any longer
in this lifetime it better be the right time the first time
might be your last time
am I a failure if I got nothing to lose
No, I'm not a failure, I've got something to prove

Cause I've lost my innocence and I'm a stranger, A life changer
I'm a man thats not afraid of danger
I walk my own path, and blaze my own trail
because I'm not afraid to derail
I won't get in line or be a middle man
so fuck you I'll make my own plan
and I got respect and I dont neglect
the people that i really care to protect
am I a failure if I got nothing to lose
No, I'm not a failure, I've got something to prove