Starry, Starry Life

I was just listening to Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night." As you likely know, it's a tribute to the very sad life of Vincent Van Gogh, a tragically brilliant figure who took his own life before ever knowing he would be the most famous and successful painter who ever lived! There is a beautiful short film which imagines Vincent alive again, eavesdropping on all the compliments of his work by fans at a museum, and crying.

There is also a live exhibit which puts his work in moving relief, an amazing depiction of his deep colors and original use of thick paint. He poured everything he had into all of his work. And he is my favorite artist by a country mile.

Today, there are no doubt brilliant professional people who are unsung. It may be a starkly different category than painting, what may sound to others like mundane: data analysis, art direction, computer science, social worker, UX/UI specialist, low-level associate in Human Resources. And yet they are brilliant, masters of their crafts. Many may be currently unemployed or at least drastically underutilized. Maybe they know they are among the best of the best, or maybe they have been so often relegated to tasks that don't begin to challenge them, they are completely unaware and won't get to have their moment of acclaim, either.

I hope we can all look for those diamonds in the rough, the talent that can't or won't necessarily speak up for themselves, and champion their skills. It won't jeopardize your place in a company. It will showcase your self-assuredness and willingness to look out for the greater good. One day, it may even get you promoted.

Because you gave someone else their starry, starry life.