Move Beyond Your Critics

As you go through life, there are going to be obstacles attempting to weigh you down. Those things that try to slow you down, those people that try to stand in the way of your dreams. Take the life of a man named Barry Pincus. Born in Brooklyn in the early 40s, his parents divorced when he was just two years old.

As he grew up he learned to play piano and learned what he could of music. His mother then remarried when he was nearly 13. A man named Willie who drove a beer truck for the Schaefer Brewery. Through his mother's new husband, a new world was opened up. The record collections of jazz and Broadway musicals vastly changed the way Barry viewed his world.

As he grew up, he worked his way through Julliard's School of Music and worked in the mail room at CBS Television. As it is said, to start at the bottom is to start in the mailroom and work your way up. Life probably couldn't get any better for Barry, but keeping his dreams intact there was nothing to keep him down. Even after marriage and an emotional divorce that could set many back, he ventured on.

He started work at composing music and performing at small gigs. Even writing commerical jingles to support himself and feeding his vision. Until he connected with Bette Midler and the two performed with Barry being the musical director. A successful pair was what the two became and Barry gained popularity as well.

Barry Manilow as he is known became famous for his multitude of songs and very successful performing career. He did much of this also in the face of harsh music critics. Many called his music 'sentimental garbage', a tough remark for anyone to face. But Barry persevered in his dreams and remains very popular.

He could have 'folded his cards' many times when others set out to criticize, to place those obstacles in his path. Your life faces many of the same challenges. Believe in your dreams, believe in your visions.

“There is nothing which persevering effort and unceasing and diligent care cannot accomplish.” - Seneca quotes (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)