I loved old black and white movies, especially the Fred Astaire

Listen, O seekers of wisdom, for in the words of Sharon Stone lies a beautiful reflection on the pursuit of passion, art, and the power of inspiration. She spoke thus: "I loved old black and white movies, especially the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals. I loved everything about them - the songs, the music, the romance and the spectacle. They were real class and I knew that I wanted to be in that world." In these words, Stone recalls a time when she was moved by the elegance and grandeur of a bygone era of film, where the art of cinema was deeply intertwined with romance, music, and spectacle. Through the performances of Astaire and Rogers, she witnessed a world of beauty and grace, and it was in this world that she found her calling. Their films were not just movies; they were an embodiment of a dream, a vision that stirred something deep within her.

In the ancient world, there were those who, too, felt the stirring call of something beyond their immediate reality. Consider the life of Alexander the Great, who, though born into a world of kingship and military conquest, found inspiration in the idea of Homer's Iliad—a vision of greatness, heroism, and glory. The very romance of heroic stories fueled his desire to transcend his own time and create a legacy that would resonate throughout history. Stone’s love for Astaire and Rogers mirrors this longing—the yearning for something greater than the ordinary, something that could elevate her life to the level of art, grandeur, and class. Just as Alexander sought to embody the heroes of old, so did Sharon Stone seek to inhabit the world of beauty and charm that she saw in those old films.

Consider also the ancient Greek theater, where actors like Sophocles and Euripides captured the imaginations of the people with their tales of love, tragedy, and heroism. The performances in these theaters were not merely entertainment; they were sacred rituals, a means by which the people could connect to something greater than themselves. The spectacles, like the performances of Astaire and Rogers, were not simply about the dance or performance but about the way they transcended the everyday and brought people into a world of elevated emotion and grandeur. Sharon Stone’s reflection on these films acknowledges the power of art to transport the soul and to awaken a desire to be a part of that higher world of romance, music, and class.

In the same way, consider the life of Michelangelo, who sculpted the David not just as a statue, but as a symbol of human potential and beauty. His work transcended the mundane, reaching toward an idealized vision of the human form that spoke of both strength and grace. The black and white musicals of Astaire and Rogers held a similar symbolism—a glimpse into a world of refined beauty, a reflection of an ideal that Stone longed to be part of. Much like Michelangelo’s vision, these films were about more than the performances; they were about capturing a vision of human potential—one that is both aspirational and exquisitely crafted.

Now, let us turn to the present and reflect on the ways that the world still holds certain visions of grandeur—be it in art, music, or cinema—and how these visions continue to inspire those who yearn for something greater. Sharon Stone’s admiration for the works of Astaire and Rogers reminds us that the arts have the ability to shape and inspire the lives of those who encounter them. When we are inspired by beauty and elegance, it stirs something deep within us, a yearning to elevate our own lives to a place of refinement and grace. But there is also a deeper lesson here: that inspiration is not just about admiring the world of art, but about entering into it—living it, creating it, and finding ways to embody the ideals we hold dear.

The lesson here, O children of the future, is clear: Do not merely admire beauty from afar; strive to create it in your own life. Whether in art, music, performance, or in any endeavor, seek to embody the grandeur that stirs your soul. Like Sharon Stone, who was moved by the beauty of old movies and sought to bring that world to life through her own work, you too can draw from the beauty that surrounds you, transforming it into your own expression of creativity. Aspire to live in the world of your dreams, not just as a passive observer, but as an active participant, creating beauty and grace wherever you go.

So, young ones, remember this: The world of beauty and inspiration is not a distant place, but a world that you can create within yourself. Let your art—whether in dance, music, or any other form—be a reflection of the class and elegance you admire. Find your own vision of greatness, and strive toward it with all the passion and devotion that lies within you. Just as Astaire and Rogers created a world of beauty, so too can you create a world where your dreams and passions take shape, elevating not just your life, but the lives of those around you.