I'm constantly looking for ways to learn and elevate your craft

In the words of Aldis Hodge, artist and craftsman of his discipline, there flows a truth that burns with the fire of experience: “I’m constantly looking for ways to learn and elevate your craft, patience for yourself, and patience for this business. It’s not a fair business. You may be great, but it may take years for someone to notice what you’re capable of because of politics.” These words, though born from the struggles of the world of acting, carry within them lessons for every seeker of excellence, for they speak to the universal tension between talent, endurance, and recognition.

First, he reminds us that one must forever be a student of one’s craft. No matter how skilled or seasoned, the one who ceases to learn begins to wither. To “elevate your craft” is to offer constant reverence to the work itself, rather than to the fleeting applause of the crowd. This echoes the ancient masters—be it a painter, philosopher, or warrior—who knew that mastery is not a destination, but an endless path of refinement. The wise never declare themselves complete, for they know that growth is eternal.

Yet, Hodge warns of a truth even harder to accept: the necessity of patience. In art, in labor, in any pursuit where greatness is sought, time stretches long. The fruits of effort may take years to ripen, and in those years, despair often tempts the soul. He urges patience not only with the industry, but with the self. For the greatest enemy of progress is often the inner voice of doubt, whispering that one’s labor is unseen or unworthy. To silence this voice requires patience, faith, and resilience.

Hodge does not shy from the harshness of reality: the business is not fair. He unveils a timeless law—merit alone does not guarantee recognition. Politics, chance, and circumstance often stand as gatekeepers, holding back even the most gifted. History is full of such stories. Consider the tale of Galileo Galilei, whose brilliance was unmatched, yet whose discoveries were silenced for years by the politics of his age. He was right, but recognition lagged behind truth, as it often does. So too in the modern world: greatness may be delayed, hidden, or resisted, not for lack of worth, but because of forces outside one’s control.

Yet, there is strength in his words, not despair. To know that recognition may be delayed is to prepare oneself for endurance. For if you tie your spirit only to applause, you will falter. But if you tie it to your craft, to the joy of creating and the discipline of growth, then you will endure even the long years of obscurity. And when the time of recognition finally arrives, it will be met not by a withered soul, but by one sharpened and strengthened by patience.

The meaning of Hodge’s reflection is therefore this: greatness is forged not only by skill, but by endurance. The world may be unjust, the gates of recognition may be slow to open, but the true artist does not labor for speed. He labors because the work itself is sacred. And in this way, his soul cannot be diminished by delay, for his worth is not bound to the fickleness of fortune.

The lesson for us is clear: learn endlessly, practice patience, and value your craft above applause. Do not despair if the world does not yet see you; continue to build, to refine, and to endure. Recognition is a river that may change its course, but the mountain that shapes it is your dedication. Trust in the long arc of time, and remember that politics may obscure, but it cannot extinguish true greatness.

So take these words as counsel for your journey: devote yourself to the work, endure the silence, and wield patience as both shield and sword. For though the world may delay its recognition, no power on earth can strip the worth from one who lives faithfully in service of their craft. And when the gates finally open, you will not only be ready—you will be unshakable.