We didn't have movies in this little mining town. When I was 12

Hearken, O seekers of inspiration, to the words of Margot Kidder, whose memory shines in the history of cinema, yet whose soul was kindled long before fame. “We didn’t have movies in this little mining town. When I was 12 my mom took me to New York and I saw Bye Bye Birdie, with people singing and dancing, and that was it.” In these simple words lies the moment of awakening, that instant when the soul recognizes its calling, when the spark of destiny is ignited by the light of art, wonder, and discovery. It is the eternal story of transformation—how a single vision, seen at the right time, can turn a quiet life into one filled with purpose and creation.

Kidder’s reflection speaks of contrast—the stillness of a small mining town against the brilliance of the stage in New York City. In that contrast, the young girl saw more than a show; she glimpsed a new dimension of life, one that transcended the dust and routine of her hometown. The music, the dance, the laughter—these were not mere entertainments but revelations of what human expression could be. For her, the lights of “Bye Bye Birdie” were not just stage lamps—they were torches of awakening, calling her toward a destiny she could not yet name.

So it has always been for those who discover their calling through art and wonder. Consider Vincent van Gogh, who in his early years was bound by the grayness of provincial work, until he encountered the power of color and light through art. Like Kidder, he was struck by vision—something within him answered the beauty he beheld. Both found in that vision a purpose so consuming that it transformed the very fabric of their being. For inspiration, once kindled, does not fade easily; it burns through doubt, fear, and circumstance, shaping life according to its fire.

The wisdom in Kidder’s reflection is profound: greatness often begins in the smallest of places, in the humblest of hearts, with a single moment of seeing. We may dwell in ordinary surroundings, yet the extraordinary lies ever before us, waiting to reveal itself. The young Margot, who grew up far from the glamour of the screen, could not have imagined that one day she would become an icon of cinema. Yet it was that single encounter—the journey from isolation to inspiration—that gave her a vision larger than circumstance.

Her words also remind us of the power of guidance and love, embodied in her mother’s act of taking her to New York. Behind every awakening stands a mentor, a parent, or a friend who opens the door to new horizons. The ancients knew this well: Socrates guided Plato, who in turn guided Aristotle, each kindling the flame of understanding in the next. Kidder’s mother, in her simple gesture, became such a guide, offering her daughter the gift of possibility. Thus, her story teaches us that the smallest act of encouragement may alter the entire course of another’s life.

The lesson is clear and timeless: expose yourself to beauty, and expose others to it as well. In a world clouded by routine and fear, art, music, and travel awaken the deeper senses of the soul. They remind us that life is not meant to be endured in gray monotony, but lived in color, sound, and movement. When you encounter something that stirs your heart, do not dismiss it—follow it, for it may be the whisper of destiny calling you toward your highest self.

Practical wisdom flows easily from this reflection. Seek out experiences that elevate the spirit: attend performances, visit places of wonder, listen to music that stirs emotion, and share these things with the young and the lost. Inspire others as Kidder’s mother inspired her, for you may be lighting the spark that ignites another’s destiny. And when you feel that sudden surge of recognition—that moment when something within says, “This is it”—honor it. Let it guide your steps, for such moments are the birthplaces of purpose and passion.

Thus, let the words of Margot Kidder echo through the generations: from the stillness of obscurity to the brilliance of discovery, one vision can awaken the heart. Cherish that moment when beauty calls you, and walk boldly toward it. For the soul that answers its calling becomes not merely a participant in life, but a creator of it—a living testament to the divine power of inspiration.