Not for everyone

"It's not for everyone" is a comment that sometimes accompanies foods with a strong or unusual flavor. It can be said of an independent movie with a cult following. Or a certain style of music. Or a specialized activity.

Scotch whisky. Marmite. Bukowski. Mulholland Drive. Rothko. Philip Glass. Caving. Hot yoga.

These things are not for everyone. And it's a good thing they aren't. If they were for everyone, they'd be uninteresting. Unremarkable. Tepid.

* * *

As individuals, we often struggle with the desire to be liked. Not to be liked by some – but to be liked by everyone.

It's natural; I want you to like me.

And It's quite easy to allow this thought to extend to our work. Our creative endeavors. What we produce.

But we know that the best work – with few exceptions – is not loved by the masses. The best stuff is not for everyone.

It's the strong flavors. The work at the fringes. What exists outside of the mainstream. This is the work that's most tightly embraced by its followers. This is the work that creates change.

And this is the kind of work we desperately want to do. It's the work we need to do. The work that matters.