I was working at a health food store a few years ago, and believe it or not, I had regulars... sort of like a bartender or waitress might. Each day I was used to seeing the same friendly groups of people coming in waves, in and out of the store... chatting it up with good conversation, and grabbing their biweekly groceries.
One day though, a stranger walked in the door, in more or less of a hurry. He was tall, with broad shoulders, an immense presence surrounding him, and strong features. I noticed him zooming through the aisle... maybe he was grabbing something last minute. He walked up to the counter to pay for a few things, and I noticed eyes scanning me in a way where he must have been looking past my skin, staring at something else. As I rang up the items, I noticed his energy, though still intense, had slowed down to a hault, and he was paused... staring at my curiously.
"You are an artist, aren't you?"
I didn't know where the question came from, or how he had came to the conclusion, but I nodded.
A grin broke through his stone face. "I knew it! You felt like an artist."
I was beyond curious. I looked down to see what I was wearing... but for once I was actually in dress code. I was wearing a work shirt, a pair of jeans, and sneakers.
"No no, it's not anything that you're wearing. It's how you ARE. People tend to have a look about themselves, and hold themselves in a certain way then they have a lot that they need to express. I'm writing a book on artists... do you write?"
"Sometimes... although I've never shared my writings with anyone."
"You should! Listen... I'm not sure if we'll ever see each other again... but if you don't remember anything else, remember this..."
He leaned in closely, so that our eyes were almost on the same level, and without speaking, asked for my attention like it was a tangible object. I handed it over.
"...Genes are the genesis of genius."
It was such a peculiar thing to say, but he politely asked for me to repeat it back to him, and I did. Had anyone else spoken to me like this, I might have not been so receptive, I there was nothing condescending about him, he was simply being direct. From the way that he held himself, I could tell that he had abruptly become aware of the time again, and aware of our lack of it. He grabbed his grocery bags and told me,
"The answers that you're looking are in here---" He held up his own arm, and pointed to my own. It's in your DNA. The more that you understand about who you are, where you come from, and your genetic code, the more that you'll be able to understand where you are going. This is terribly important, and it is necessary for your overall success... not only as an artist, but as a human being. I don't have much time, but please, never forget that. Genes are the genesis of genius."
And with that he wished me an excellent life, and I never saw him again.
I'm starting this blog today, because in honor of that experience, and others like it, I believe that it is time for me to start expressing some of the art that is hidden beneath the surface of my skin, in my "genetic code" as he called it. I've devoted my life to understanding that Great Riddle, and one day, use the secrets I uncover within myself to help others on parallel roads to self discovery. As for now, I'm looking forward to sharing the progression of my own understanding through poetry, stories, and song.
Thanks for listening. :)
(