I just finished read Patti Smith’s book Just Kids over the weekend and found it to be one of the most captivating books I have read in a long time.
I’ve been a fan of Patti Smith’s music for a long time, but really gave no thought to the path she took to become an artist…only knowing that she is considered the ‘Grandmother of Punk’ and that was good enough for me.
In her book, Patti talks about her early time in the city, how she fought hard to become an artist, and how she questioned where she was going and what she was doing for a long time before she found success.
This post isn’t meant as a review of the book, even though I would strongly encourage you to read it.
What I want to highlight is that despite all of the failures, set backs, and false starts, Patti Smith was inspired to act by her love of art and her belief that art was a noble cause. In my life, I have been motivated to move from town to town to help entertain people or and to help provide people with unique experiences.
In my own experience, I have hit many road blocks. I have sat on the stoop of my building before, questioning my decisions, having doubts or having lost hope, only to bounce back.
I’ve bounced back, obviously, because I have been inspired to work with people and doing something cool or to experience something that they might not otherwise have experienced is a reward for my inspiration.
Let me ask you, what inspires you?