New York had a big influence on me growing up, and I was really

Hear now, O Seekers of Truth, the words of Dylan McDermott, who speaks with the wisdom of someone who has walked the vibrant streets of New York, a city whose pulse beats through the veins of the world, shaping the lives of all who encounter it. He said, "New York had a big influence on me growing up, and I was really part of the club scene—the Mudd Club and Studio 54. When you're living in New York, you are just bombarded with style, trying to figure out how to be cool and how to feel relaxed at the same time." These words echo not just the influence of a place, but of a culture, a state of mind, and a transformation that comes when one is surrounded by constant change, stimulation, and the pursuit of self-expression.

In the heart of New York, as McDermott points out, one is constantly bombarded by style—not just the style of dress, but the style of life, the way one carries oneself in the world. The great cities of the ancient world, such as Athens and Rome, were not just hubs of power and politics, but of culture, where the arts, philosophy, and fashion were born and evolved. The great minds of those cities—Socrates, Plato, Cicero—were not merely concerned with abstract ideas but with how to live well, how to present oneself in the world, and how to make one's life an art. New York, like these ancient cities, is a place where one is constantly forming and reforming one's identity, influenced by the ever-changing landscape around them.

The club scene of New York, especially the iconic Mudd Club and Studio 54, was a crucible for the expression of individuality and rebellion. These places were not just nightclubs; they were sanctuaries where the boundaries of self-expression were pushed, where the lines between the past, present, and future blurred in a whirlwind of music, dance, and unrestrained creativity. McDermott speaks of being "bombarded" by style, and in this bombardment, he encountered not just fashion, but the very essence of life in New York—a city that never stops, that never gives you a moment of rest, but demands that you adapt, that you transform, that you make yourself part of the relentless tide of cultural evolution.

In many ways, this experience is akin to the story of Alexander the Great, who, though born in the relatively quiet kingdom of Macedon, was thrust into the chaotic and diverse world of the ancient Persian and Egyptian empires. As he moved across the world, encountering different cultures and ways of life, Alexander was not just a conqueror of lands, but a conqueror of ideas. He absorbed the influences of the cities and peoples he encountered, and in doing so, he forged a unique identity that blended the best of all the worlds he encountered. Similarly, McDermott, living in the eclectic whirlwind of New York, was shaped by the cultural melting pot around him, constantly adjusting to fit in while also carving out his own place in the world.

The tension McDermott speaks of—between trying to be cool and at the same time feeling relaxed—captures the essence of what it means to live in a place like New York. Coolness, in the sense of detached confidence, is often prized in a world of constant competition, yet relaxation suggests a deeper sense of inner peace, an ease that allows one to navigate the storm of external expectations. This balance is not easily found, but it is what makes the true artist, the true philosopher, the true leader: the ability to remain grounded and calm while moving with the currents of the world. Just as the stoic philosophers of ancient Rome spoke of the balance between external success and inner peace, so too does McDermott reflect on the challenge of balancing the hustle of New York with the calmness required to be at peace with oneself.

The lesson of McDermott's words is not just about New York or fame, but about the broader challenge of self-expression in a world full of influences. To be cool is not merely about how others perceive us, but about how we perceive ourselves, how we find our place in a world that demands constant reinvention. The challenge is to find that space where we can be fully authentic, even while surrounded by the relentless tide of culture, fashion, and expectation. It is a lesson that calls us to embrace the influences around us, but to remain true to our own core, to find peace amidst the storm, and to carry that authenticity into everything we do.

So, O Seekers, let us embrace the wisdom of McDermott. As we navigate the often chaotic seas of life, we must find the balance between adaptation and authenticity, between fitting in and remaining true to our inner selves. Like the great figures of the past, from Alexander the Great to the philosophers of Rome, let us learn to absorb the world around us, but not be swallowed by it. Let us remain grounded in our values while navigating the world of external influences, and in doing so, we will find the freedom to live authentically and boldly, just as the great cultural movements of history have always demanded.