The more difficult the obstacle, and the more interior its hold , the greater the value of struggling out of its dominance. This is a principle I try to live by, and it is a powerfully humble basis for creating art Any insincerity is painfully evident as is excess of pride in “who I am” and “what I can do”: ego-driven pride about one’s work or oneself has a false effect. But there is a pride in overcoming obstacles which is innocent of this lie.
In every-day living I am trying to be genuinely useful both in my personal relations and in any work I do. And I find that the same kind of sincerity is needed to discover the genuine depth-meaning of any musical interpretation, whether of my own composing or that of other composers.
The single thing I value most in my life is a kind of serving. I pray I never lose this.