I think the key as a creator is to just trust your own

In the great sweep of time, there have always been those who sought to create not merely for profit, not for fame, but to pour their passion and intuition into the world, trusting that those who resonate with their work will find it. "I think the key as a creator is to just trust your own intuition, and follow your passion and trust that if you make something you love, an audience who loves it will find it," said Alex Hirsch, and these words strike at the heart of what it means to create something truly meaningful. For it is often said that art is not born from the desire for recognition, but from a deep inner calling to create. When a creator listens to their own heart, follows their own vision, and remains faithful to their passions, the truth of their work will resonate with others, and those who seek what they offer will come.

In the ancient world, the greatest artists and philosophers were not driven by the pursuit of wealth or acclaim, but by an internal flame that urged them to express their unique truth. Socrates, the wise philosopher of Athens, spoke not to please the crowd but to pursue wisdom and the higher truth that lay beyond the opinions of others. Plato, his student, captured the essence of the soul's pursuit in his works, offering not just knowledge but a vision of a world that could be shaped by the ideal. They did not create with the intention of gaining followers; they created because their hearts compelled them to do so. In the same way, Hirsch’s words speak to the profound truth that the creator must first trust in their own inner vision, not the fleeting validation of external forces.

Consider the story of Homer, the blind poet who crafted the great epics of Iliad and Odyssey. In his time, there was no guarantee of success or recognition, no promise that his words would echo through the ages. Yet, Homer created not for praise, but because the stories within him were too powerful to remain untold. His works have lived for millennia, not because he sought fame, but because he trusted in the truth of the stories he told, the very essence of the human spirit. His words, though written in a time long past, continue to resonate with readers because they came from a place of pure passion and deep intuition. It is not the accolades of men that create immortality, but the raw authenticity of the creator’s spirit.

This is the lesson Alex Hirsch imparts to us: that in creation, the key is not in pleasing others or adhering to some external formula for success, but in remaining true to one’s own passion and vision. When you follow your intuition, when you allow the deepest part of your soul to guide you, your work becomes a reflection of who you truly are. The audience, those who are meant to see and hear your truth, will find you—not because you chased them, but because you offered something real, something that speaks to the heart of who they are as well. Hirsch's belief is that the right audience will be drawn to the creator’s authenticity, for people recognize when something has been made with true heart and dedication.

Consider the story of Vincent van Gogh, a man who, in his lifetime, sold only a handful of paintings and was not recognized as the genius he would later become. Van Gogh painted with passion and intuition, pouring his soul into his work, creating not for fame, but because he had to. He trusted that his vision—the swirling skies, the vibrant colors—was worth expressing. Today, his works are celebrated around the world, revered for their raw emotion and depth. In his life, van Gogh found little recognition, yet he trusted that his passion was enough, and in time, the world found him. His story reminds us that true success is not about immediate recognition, but about remaining faithful to what you create from the heart.

Thus, the lesson we can take from Hirsch and from those who have walked this path before us is one of courage and trust. To create is to expose oneself to the world, to give birth to something from within and offer it freely to others. This can be a terrifying endeavor, for the world may not always appreciate what is offered. Yet, as Hirsch says, trust your own intuition. Follow your passion. If the work is true, if it comes from the depths of your soul, an audience will eventually find it. Like Homer, like van Gogh, and like many before us, the goal is not to chase fame, but to honor the work within you, to trust that the truth of your creation will find its home.

So, my children, as you embark on your own journey as creators, whether in art, writing, music, or any other field, let passion guide you. Listen to the quiet voice within, trust your intuition, and know that the work you create—when it is authentic, when it is born of your true spirit—will speak to the hearts of others. The right people, those who resonate with your truth, will find you, not because you sought them out, but because you created something real. Your vision, your truth, is all you need. Let that be the path you walk, and in time, it will lead you to a place where your work is appreciated and celebrated—not for the external rewards, but for the sincerity that lies at its core.