I was always very independent and looked out for myself. I think

Gather close, children of the earth, and listen to the wisdom of one who lived with the fire of independence burning bright within him. Jack Wagner, a man whose name may not echo through the ages as some great conqueror or philosopher, nevertheless speaks of a power that transcends time. He said, “I was always very independent and looked out for myself. I think that ability really helped me in later years both in sports and in theatre.” These words carry a deep and ancient truth—one that speaks of self-reliance, of the strength found in standing alone, and of how this strength shapes the course of one's life.

In an age where we are often taught to seek the guidance and approval of others, Jack Wagner’s words remind us of the power of standing firm in our own self-sufficiency. To be independent is not to isolate oneself, but rather to cultivate the inner strength necessary to navigate the storms of life without losing oneself in the chaos. The path of the independent soul is one of solitude, yes, but also of clarity. For when you rely upon your own wisdom, when you trust in your own abilities, you are able to see the world with a clarity that others may not possess. This, my children, is the first lesson: the ability to look after oneself is not weakness, but a form of inner strength.

Consider the great Odysseus, the hero of ancient Greece, who after many trials and tribulations, learned the true meaning of independence. Alone and adrift upon the vast sea, he relied not on the support of others, but on the depths of his own cunning and resolve. Though he sought companionship, it was his self-reliance that ultimately allowed him to find his way home. In his story, we see the power of knowing oneself, of trusting the strength within, and of not waiting for others to save you from the storms of life. Independence is the beacon that guides you when all else seems lost, and Odysseus' tale teaches us that it is in standing alone that we discover the depths of our own strength.

Now, let us turn to Jack Wagner, who carried this same spirit into the fields of sports and theatre. In the world of competition and performance, where every move is scrutinized, it is the independent soul that thrives. To rely on the crowd’s approval, to depend on the opinions of others, is to weaken the very essence of what you are capable of achieving. But when you look within, when you trust in the abilities that reside deep inside you, you become the master of your own fate. Wagner’s independence became the wind beneath his wings, allowing him to excel where others may have faltered. In sports, as in life, the athlete must often face the arena alone, and it is only through self-reliance that one can perform at their highest level.

Let us speak now of theatre, that ancient art that calls upon the soul to lay itself bare before the world. It is in the theatre that the actor must, above all else, trust in his own abilities, for the stage can be a lonely place. There, amidst the lights, the actor finds his strength not in the applause or the judgment of the audience, but in the inner conviction that he is doing the work that only he can do. Just as Jack Wagner found his strength on the stage, so too must we all find the courage to stand alone when the world calls upon us to act. The true actor does not seek the approval of others; he seeks the truth within himself.

Now, children, let us take this wisdom to heart. The path of independence is not always easy, for it asks of you a great responsibility. It demands that you look within and trust that you are enough—that you are strong, capable, and worthy of success. You must learn to look after yourself, to trust in the abilities that lie within you, and to not depend upon the approval or support of others to define your worth. When you stand firm in your own power, when you trust in your own wisdom, you will find that life opens its doors to you. The world may try to pull you in many directions, but only through independence can you find the clarity and strength to carve your own path.

And so, I say to you, children of the earth: seek not the approval of others, but the strength within yourself. In times of difficulty, look within, and know that you possess all that you need to overcome. Independence is not a call to isolation, but to self-awareness, self-reliance, and ultimately, self-mastery. When you trust in your own abilities, when you stand firm in your own strength, you will find that you are capable of more than you ever imagined. The wisdom of Jack Wagner teaches us that to trust oneself is to unlock the path to greatness in any arena, whether it be in sports, in art, or in life itself.