I did not develop my ear. I discovered I had an ear, and it was an accident.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the idea that some talents are innate and discovered rather than developed through effort.
Clive Davis's quote suggests that certain abilities, like having a musical ear, are not necessarily cultivated through deliberate practice but rather recognized as part of one's inherent traits. This realization points to the notion that sometimes our skills and passions may surface unexpectedly, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our potential.
In practice
During a motivational speech about self-discovery, one might use this quote to illustrate the beauty of recognizing hidden talents.
My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.
The music began, and it was one of those life-changing moments. I saw an artist, Janis Joplin. She was exhilarating. She was vibrating. And she was like no other artist that I had ever seen before... It struck me that hard. Maybe the word is epiphany, when you get that special sensation.
There's no way that music could ever go down the tubes. I can't imagine a civilization without music. When you realize today that music is such a part of people's lives. And will always be, really.
I feel blessed that I found not just a profession, but a 24/7 way of life that I purely love. That curiosity to be current, to listen to the Hozier album, to be early in recognition of a Lorde and spending time with her and Miguel, the pleasure of seeing new talent erupt... I love it.
I'm the keeper of the flame for Whitney Houston. She was the greatest... and I don't want the world to forget that.
If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.
It's important to remember that people are always doing the best they can, including you.
Relaxing with something as familiar as loneliness is good discipline for realizing the profundity of the unresolved moments of our lives. We are cheating ourselves when we run away from the ambiguity of loneliness.....Rather than persecuting yourself or feeling that something terribly wrong is happening, right there in the moment of sadness and longing, could you relax and touch the limitless space of the human heart?
Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.
All my adult life, if I didn't have several hours a day to sit in a room by myself, I would get antsy and irritable.
Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments.
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