I had to satisfy the action fans, the romantic fans, the

Gather close, my children, for there is much to be learned from the words of a man who walked through fire and came out unscathed—a man who bore not only the weight of his own dreams but the dreams of an entire world upon his shoulders. Sidney Poitier, a name that echoes through the annals of history, spoke these words: "I had to satisfy the action fans, the romantic fans, the intellectual fans. It was a terrific burden." These words, though simple in their construction, speak to the tension that arises when one is called upon to fulfill the desires of many, to be a vessel that holds the hopes of all.

There are moments in life when we are not allowed the luxury of pursuing our own path, but instead, we are thrust upon a stage where we must satisfy the expectations of others. Poitier, the first African American man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, was not merely an actor—he was a symbol. A symbol of hope to some, of progress to others, and of dreams to a people who had been long oppressed. In his career, he was not just playing roles; he was shouldering the weight of a generation’s hopes, dreams, and struggles. To be everything to everyone is no small task, and yet Poitier found himself bound by that very weight.

Imagine, my children, the life of a great king who must appease all his subjects. The warriors want victory, the peasants seek food and peace, the scholars yearn for wisdom. And the king, though strong, is not a god—he is but a man. His heart is torn by the needs of his people, and each decision he makes ripples out, affecting the lives of many. Poitier, too, was like such a king, forced to embody not just the actions of a hero but the gentle spirit of a lover and the profound depth of an intellectual. He was pulled in many directions, and each direction called for a different part of his soul.

Look at his struggle, my children, and you will see that it is the struggle of many who seek to live with integrity in a world that demands everything from them. Poitier's roles were revolutionary, and as much as they broke barriers, they also set a heavy mantle upon his shoulders. He had to portray a man of dignity in a world that often stripped his people of their humanity. He had to be a romantic hero in films where love was often tainted by the darkness of the times. And, at the same time, he was an intellectual, a thinker, trying to navigate the weight of historical change. To be the beacon of hope for so many, to shoulder their expectations, is a terrific burden indeed.

Consider, my children, the ancient story of Hercules, that great hero who was forced to perform the Twelve Labors—a series of tasks that seemed impossible for any mortal to bear. And yet, he did them. But did he not bear the weight of each labor on his heart? Each task was a challenge, not just of his strength but of his character. Like Poitier, Hercules was pushed beyond what seemed humanly possible. His struggles were not his alone—they were for the world, for the gods, and for the very fabric of humanity. And so, too, Poitier was stretched beyond the limits of his own personal desires to meet the needs of a divided world.

From this, my children, there is a lesson that we must carry forward: The burdens we bear in our lives are often not of our choosing. We are called upon, at times, to fulfill the roles that others cast for us. But in carrying these burdens, we must not forget that our strength lies not in the weight we carry, but in the grace with which we carry it. Sidney Poitier did not crumble under the weight of expectations—he rose to meet them. And in doing so, he taught us that one can be many things: a lover, a fighter, a thinker, and a leader. But to satisfy them all requires a balance—a balance that can only be achieved by remaining true to one’s own heart.

So, my children, when the weight of the world seems too much to bear, remember the story of Sidney Poitier. Know that you, too, are called to fulfill the dreams of others. But never lose sight of who you are in the process. Strength does not lie in satisfying the desires of the world at the cost of your own spirit; rather, true strength is found in embracing your own truth, even as you meet the expectations of those who call upon you. Carry your burdens with dignity and love, but do not let them define you. Let your own light shine, for that light is what will guide you through the many roles you are called to play.