Dean Parsons of Epic Cigars, Matt Plummer and Johnny Piette of Isabela Cigars, Juan Céspedes of Céspedes Cigars, Leidy Laura Estrella of Anacaona Cigars, Alison Jardine artist and author, Fred Larucci American artist, and Asquena Martinez Calderon of Passion Cigars and so many others please listen to me. Small is where we all begin. Most cigar blenders, authors, artists, musicians, pipe makers, writers, playwrights, designers, chefs, publishers, poets, sculptors, investors, directors, producers, in fact just about anyone worth their salt, want to be known – or shall I say be famous. Or maybe a better word is BIG!
That begs the question, “What constitutes BIG?” But that, in and of itself, still isn’t enough for some. No. What would truly satisfy that individual or group? It could be as simple as being instantaneously recognizable. Or perhaps being world-renowned. But if that isn’t enough and he or she continues their journey, that forward movement will morph into the “next to impossible” category. And he or she must be ready for this level.
Yes me thinks that that may be the holy grail they seek – the impossible. And if you really want the truth and bulldoze into this philosophical phenomenon using the Socratic method then maybe they would all come in direct contact with the pinnacle of success. The “It” that is retrieved by so very few.
“The Socratic method is a method of hypothesis elimination, in that better hypotheses, are found by steadily identifying and eliminating those that lead to contradictions. The Socratic method searches for general commonly held truths that shape beliefs and scrutinizes them to determine their consistency with other beliefs. The basic form is a series of questions formulated as tests of logic and fact intended to help a person or group discover their beliefs about some topic, exploring definitions or logoi (singular logos) and seeking to characterize general characteristics shared by various particular instances.” (Wiki) In short, drilling down to the absolute bedrock of intellectual reasoning and resolving all the questions with 100 % foolproof answers as to why these people are so motivated to be the best would that reveal the answer?
I posit only one notion that they seek. The ability to live on forever (of course not in human form but rather through the work left behind), i.e. to obtain eternal existence is the penultimate endgame.
And that my friend – is Immortality.
This reality is achieved by the smallest percentage known to man, better know as Aleph 0. Because to reach that number is indeed next to, if not, impossible and if you do there is no guarantee of a positive climax. Pure raw talent oftimes is not enough in their journey to immortality. In fact, being the best at something really isn’t that difficult as long as the desire is a total obsession, an unresolved addiction, a non-marginalized mania, a permanent passion that no matter what obstacles a person meets, they realize it is only a quark in the road.
That’s why I can watch a Jason Bourne film over and over because never, NEVER does he let anything or anybody deter him from moving forward to his end goal. Yes, I know it’s a movie, so think Arnold, Madonna, Lady Gaga, the late Arturo Fuente or José Orlando Padrón, Tony Bennett, Picabia, Pollock, David Foster Wallace or Anne Sexton. They have achieved everlasting life in our culture – but at a tragic cost. This is the place where those with a natural skill or talent can take on the dark side of the idée fixe (fixed idea).
Many times, a talent is so inherently ingrained in the personality of the person that it’s just too damn easy for them to see what they do as a challenge, and as a result, they miss the fact that everyone is not as gifted. Too, they may need constant outside affirmation rather than draw on the gushing God-given energy within them to keep going and smash through the multiple brick walls that are at every corner from reaching this coveted position. But when this outside praise passes, then what?
If this is a person with the type of personality just mentioned, many cease trying. Others do face their fears head on but are still not able to continue or draw enough internal energy and drift to the worse end of the spectrum of life and become overwhelmed, fanatically frustrated – and commit suicide. Pollock, Sexton, and Wallace are examples of the latter. Yes, they achieved Athanasia, but at the worst cost imaginable.
The others? They have or had the seed that grows or grew within that nourishes or fed them with enough self-understanding that allows for growth and strength thus achieving eternal “life.”
So it is with all sincerity I pray that Dean, Leidy, Alison, et al. are of the types of personalities that will blossom despite the inevitable heartaches of defeat lurking along the way, and will be able to join the group of individuals who have achieved a permanent place in their field with unique contributions. That’s BIG!
