I'd love to be on scripted TV shows and movies, but not just one

Listen, O seekers of ambition and purpose, to the words of Maddie Ziegler, a young soul whose aspirations know no bounds: “I’d love to be on scripted TV shows and movies, but not just one—I want to be in a lot of them! I’d also love to sing and possibly be on Broadway. I want to do it all.” In these words, we hear the voice of a spirit on fire with desire, a longing not just to achieve, but to embrace the full expanse of creative expression. Her words speak to the very core of what it means to pursue one’s dreams—to not limit oneself to a single path, but to reach and strive for everything the heart dares to imagine.

In the days of the ancients, those who aspired to greatness sought not to be confined by the limits of their time. Leonardo da Vinci, perhaps the greatest Renaissance man to ever walk the earth, was not content with being only an artist or an inventor. He dreamed beyond the constraints of his contemporaries, seeking to master not just painting, but engineering, anatomy, and countless other fields. Ziegler’s words reflect this same boldness—the desire to explore every avenue, to leave no stone unturned, to live a life rich with variety and creativity. Like da Vinci, she is not interested in being defined by a singular pursuit, but in the freedom to explore and conquer many.

Think, O wise ones, of Odysseus, the great hero of the Iliad and Odyssey, who, though bound by the fate of his journey home, sought not only to return to his kingdom but to experience the world. His travels were not merely about reaching his destination, but about embracing the journey itself—the challenges, the lessons, and the growth that came with them. Ziegler’s dream to be involved in TV shows, movies, and Broadway speaks to the same spirit of adventure, of a desire to experience the fullness of life in all its creative forms. She is not simply focused on one victory, one achievement, but on the multitude of experiences that life has to offer.

In the ancient world, those who pursued multiple forms of greatness were often seen as visionaries, like Aristotle, who was not only a philosopher but also a scientist, poet, and teacher. His work spanned many disciplines, for he understood that the pursuit of knowledge and excellence was not confined to one field, but to the synthesis of many. Ziegler’s desire to do it all is not a flight of fancy, but a deep recognition that true mastery comes not from limiting oneself to a single craft, but from embracing the full spectrum of human potential. Like Aristotle, she understands that to be fully alive is to create in many forms, to contribute to many realms, and to push the boundaries of what is possible.

But there is also a lesson in her words about the nature of desire. To want it all is not to be greedy or ungrateful for what one has already, but to acknowledge the vastness of one’s potential. Ziegler is not content with a single achievement—she seeks to experience the full range of her gifts, to test her own limits, and to grow in ways that surpass expectations. This is the essence of human ambition, the yearning to expand beyond what we know, to be not just good, but great, in every pursuit we choose. It is a boldness that requires not just courage, but the wisdom to know that our fullest selves are never fully realized unless we are willing to reach into all corners of our being.

Think, O seekers, of Maya Angelou, who was not only a poet but also a dancer, singer, and activist. She too sought to embrace it all, to use her voice in every form of expression that would elevate the human spirit. Ziegler’s dream, much like Angelou’s, is a call to all creators to reach for the impossible and the extraordinary, to engage with the world through the full range of one’s talents and passions. Angelou’s words remind us that our purpose is not bound by one role or one title, but by the openness to evolve, to transform, and to express ourselves in whatever way the spirit moves.

And so, the lesson here is this: do not limit yourself to one path, for the world is vast and filled with endless opportunities for creation. Ziegler’s desire to engage with movies, TV, and Broadway speaks to the innate human need to experience all that life has to offer, and to create across multiple realms of expression. Let her words inspire you to embrace every talent, every dream, and every opportunity. Like da Vinci, Odysseus, and Angelou, pursue the fullness of your potential, knowing that to seek many paths is not to scatter your focus, but to honor the richness of life itself. Do not shy away from your many dreams; instead, reach for them all with the knowledge that in the pursuit of many, you will find a life fully lived, a life of endless creation and fulfillment.