Many years ago, I was riding the train downtown. I had my bongos. I was on my way to Tomkin’s Square Park to drum. It was one of those tough times. I ran out of money for school. I was disillusioned. I felt discouraged that I couldn’t practice my art, which I thought was film. Didn’t have the resources. I had fiddled with photography as an alternative. But it to required financial resources I didn’t have. I got on to this train in a bad head.

When I sat down and began to tap on my drums. An old black man across from me made a drumming gesture. He smiled and said, “I can tell, you play music for a living… you’re a musician.” I said, “Naaa, man I’m just learning bongos. I’ve been playing for about two years.” He smiled and said, “you’re good… well I bet you’re an artist. You draw? You take pictures?… What do you do?” I didn’t feel to good about my self. I replied, “I can draw a little and I take pictures too… but… I’m not an artist. I want to make films but I’m poor.” I continued, “I’ve been playing bongos in the subways with my bongo teacher to make a little money. But I’m poor!” The old man shook his head, “You’re not poor! Man… You’re rich! You’re rich… You can draw, take pictures and play music. You’re rich man. Times maybe tough but you’re a man of wealth, and all the money in the world can’t buy what you got. Nobody can take that away from you!”

His words changed my life.