We started in 1976, jamming, and we played our first show on

"We started in 1976, jamming, and we played our first show on Valentine's Day 1977, so we can mark 40 from there, or we can mark 40 from 1979 when we did our first record." These words spoken by Kate Pierson, one of the founding members of the iconic band The B-52s, reflect a truth about the journey of art and creativity—that beginnings are not always marked by a single event, but by a series of moments, each carrying its own significance. Pierson’s reflection on the timeline of the band’s history, from its first jam session to its first record, speaks not only to the passage of time but to the way in which milestones are defined by the spirit of what came before them. In the world of art, music, and creation, every moment is an evolution, a continual unfolding, with each step marking a piece of the larger journey.

In the ancient world, the idea of beginnings and milestones was something that shaped the very fabric of culture. The Greeks, for example, had an understanding of time that was cyclical rather than linear, with each season or event building upon the last, creating a constant flow of life and progress. Homer, in his great epics, celebrated the hero’s journey not just as a single point in time but as a progression—one moment of glory followed by the next, with each battle and victory a stepping stone to a larger destiny. The Olympic Games, celebrated every four years, marked milestones in time, but their true significance lay in the spirit of competition, struggle, and growth they symbolized. Just as Pierson reflects on the different starting points of her band’s journey, the Greeks understood that the value of an endeavor lies not in when it begins, but in how it unfolds.

This sentiment is echoed in the stories of Rome. The founding of the city is marked by the legendary Romulus and Remus, yet Rome's true rise did not come from a single battle or year but from the continuation of efforts, from the slow accumulation of strength, culture, and military power. The story of Julius Caesar mirrors this, for his ascent to power was not marked by one battle or conquest, but by years of political maneuvering, strategic victories, and the cultivation of alliances. Likewise, Pierson’s reflection on the milestones of the band’s journey, whether marked by the first show or the first record, points to the ongoing process of creating something lasting, one step at a time.

The act of creating, whether in music, art, or any field, is deeply intertwined with time and the evolution of one’s craft. The B-52s, like many artists, did not simply begin with their first album. Their origins are traced to a jam session—a raw, unrefined moment of creation that eventually bloomed into something far greater. It’s an important lesson: greatness is rarely born from a singular moment of brilliance. It is the result of small beginnings, trial and error, and the willingness to keep going, to keep creating. The B-52s understood this, as their journey from their first show to their first record is a testament to the power of staying true to one's vision and evolving over time.

Consider the journey of another musician, Bob Dylan, whose career spans decades. His early years were marked by an evolution, from the folk singer of “Blowin’ in the Wind” to the electric innovator of “Like a Rolling Stone”. For Dylan, each year, each performance, was not just a point on the timeline but a step in a continuous evolution of his sound and vision. Like Pierson, Dylan's path was one that could be measured by many moments—each a milestone that led to the next, each defining his legacy not by one singular date but by the journey as a whole.

The lesson here is clear: the value of your journey is not defined by the moment you first begin, nor by the single event that could be considered your "starting point." It is the commitment to the process, the willingness to evolve, to build, and to create consistently over time, that shapes the true impact of your work. Whether it is an artist like Pierson or a philosopher like Socrates, the path to greatness is a journey rather than a destination. It is consistency over time, the ability to reinvent, and the courage to keep pushing forward that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

In your own life, take a moment to reflect on the milestones of your own journey. Do you find yourself waiting for one singular event to define your success, or do you see each day as part of the larger evolution of your work and vision? Embrace the idea that each moment, each challenge, and each step forward is an opportunity to grow and refine your path. As Pierson and the B-52s have shown, greatness is not bound by one moment but by the courage to keep creating, evolving, and marking milestones along the way. Keep moving, keep growing, and let every moment be a testament to the power of persistence and evolution.