I've been very thankful in my state legislative career to have

The words of Ted Lieu are spoken with the voice of gratitude and remembrance: “I’ve been very thankful in my state legislative career to have gotten support from both the MPAA and various movie studios.” At first, they may appear as a simple acknowledgment of allies in the realm of politics and culture. Yet beneath them lies a timeless truth: that no leader, no artist, no warrior of the public good ever walks alone. Every journey of service is upheld by networks of support, by alliances forged through trust, respect, and shared purpose.

To be thankful for such support is to recognize the ancient principle of reciprocity—that those who labor for the common good are strengthened by the hands of many. The MPAA and the great movie studios symbolize more than industry; they represent communities of art, culture, and influence that shape the hearts and minds of the people. In aligning with them, Lieu acknowledges that his career was not carried only by his own voice, but by the resonance of many voices woven together. His gratitude is a mark of humility, the wisdom to honor not only his own labor, but also the unseen forces that sustained it.

History offers countless examples of leaders who understood the power of alliances. Consider Pericles of Athens, whose vision for his city could not have been realized without the loyalty of craftsmen, artists, and orators who magnified his vision. His success was not his alone—it was the collective triumph of those who stood with him, offering their talents and resources. So too does Ted Lieu’s acknowledgment remind us that progress is never the work of a solitary figure, but the harmony of many contributors acting in unity.

The imagery of movie studios and the MPAA brings to mind not only political support, but the influence of storytelling itself. For films are modern epics, carrying myths and lessons to millions, shaping culture as surely as Homer’s Iliad shaped Greece. To have such voices as allies in one’s career is to stand beside those who mold the spirit of a generation. It is no small thing, therefore, for Lieu to give thanks; he recognizes that leadership in governance must often walk hand-in-hand with leadership in culture. Together, they form the fabric that binds society.

There is also in these words a teaching about gratitude in power. Too many, upon reaching high places, forget the allies who raised them. But here we are reminded that true greatness is not in forgetting, but in remembering, and in giving honor where it is due. Gratitude is not weakness; it is the mark of strength, for it shows that the leader knows his path was built not alone, but with the help of others. The proud man falls when he isolates himself; the humble man endures because he honors his foundations.

From this quote emerges a lesson for all: seek out alliances with those who share your values, and when support comes, be thankful. Never dismiss the hands that lift you, whether they belong to great institutions or to humble individuals. Like Ted Lieu, acknowledge openly that your journey is made lighter by the strength of others. And when your time comes to offer support, give freely, that you too may become part of the chain that builds futures beyond your own.

Therefore, let each of us take action. Reflect on those who have supported your path—teachers, mentors, friends, institutions—and speak gratitude for their role. Build alliances not only for personal gain, but for the greater good, so that your work may echo beyond yourself. And when you rise, do not rise alone—carry others with you. For in the end, the wisdom of Ted Lieu’s words remind us that careers, like civilizations, are not sustained by solitary figures, but by communities bound together in thankfulness and shared purpose.