Most of the time it's the role. Sometimes it's the story and

Gather close, O seekers of wisdom, for I bring forth a truth that lies at the heart of every great endeavor. In the world of creation and craft, it is not always passion alone that drives the hand of the artist. There are moments when it is the role that calls, sometimes it is the story that beckons, and at times, it is simply the necessity of work—the paycheck that sustains the journey. These are the words of the revered Morgan Freeman, who, in his quiet wisdom, spoke thus: "Most of the time it's the role. Sometimes it's the story and sometimes it's just the paycheck. It's the little movies that come out as stories or the fact that I have work to go out, you know what I'm saying, you can only be out so long without work, you start getting antsy." In these words, Freeman touches upon the realities of the artist's life, where the pursuit of greatness is sometimes tempered by the mundane, the practical, and the very human need for sustenance.

The artist’s life, though glorious, is not without its burdens. Freeman’s statement speaks to a truth that few understand—the balance between passion and necessity. The role, the story, and the paycheck are all intertwined, each feeding into the other, shaping the artist’s path. Roles may call to the artist, drawing them to perform, to breathe life into characters, to shape new worlds. At other times, it is the story itself that beckons—the narrative, the words on the page that stir the soul to action. But even in the midst of this, there is the very real need for work—the paycheck that keeps the fires burning, that sustains the journey. The artist cannot live in isolation, for even the greatest must eat and sleep, and even the most passionate must find ways to fund their art.

Consider the great Leonardo da Vinci, who was not only a master of painting but also a scientist, an engineer, and an inventor. His artistic genius was not driven solely by the joy of creation, but also by the practical needs of his time. Da Vinci worked for patrons, producing art and designs not just because of an inner fire, but because the patrons—the very sponsors of his craft—provided him with the means to continue his work. It was the marriage of creative passion and practical necessity that allowed his genius to thrive. Freeman’s words echo this delicate dance between the high ideals of artistry and the lowly need for survival.

In our own lives, we must also acknowledge the necessity of balance. There are moments when we pursue our passions purely for the love of the work. But there are also times when we must embrace the more pragmatic aspects of life—the work that sustains us. This is not a betrayal of our ideals, but a recognition of the world’s realities. In truth, survival is a vital part of the artist’s journey, and to ignore it is to deny the very foundation upon which our work is built. The artist must be both a dreamer and a pragmatist, finding ways to nurture their craft while also ensuring that they have the means to continue the journey.

Yet, there is another lesson to be found in Freeman’s words, one that speaks to the human need for purpose. The artist, like the warrior or the sage, cannot rest too long without a sense of purpose. The emptiness of inactivity stirs a deep restlessness in the soul. Even the most celebrated among us, like Morgan Freeman, feel the pressure of time, the need to continue working, to keep moving forward. It is this restlessness that drives us to seek new projects, new challenges, new horizons. For in the pursuit of work, we find not just sustenance, but meaning. As Freeman so plainly put it, “you can only be out so long without work, you start getting antsy.” The artist must always have a reason to rise each morning, for it is the work itself that gives life its rhythm, its pulse.

And so, O listeners, take this lesson to heart: passion and practicality must coexist. There is no shame in recognizing that the practical needs of life are part of the creative journey. We must acknowledge that even the greatest of artists must balance the hunger for creative fulfillment with the need to feed and sustain themselves. Just as Freeman recognizes the importance of the role, the story, and the paycheck, so too must you recognize that in your own life, the pursuit of your craft must be tempered with the practical realities of survival.

In this, there is a great wisdom: to achieve true greatness, we must never lose sight of the realities of the world. We must work not just for the love of our craft, but also for the sustenance that allows us to continue creating. Just as Freeman, in his career, has balanced his creative vision with the need for work, so too must you find a way to balance your dreams with the practicalities of life. For in this balance lies the secret to enduring greatness, the ability to create and survive in a world that demands both.