“Would you like an American or Italian breakfast?” The waiter asked as I sat down in a cafe in Rome back in February.

I laughed to myself as I thought about an article I read a few days prior about why we Americans love our bacon and egg breakfast, and typically choose it over something lighter like an Italian breakfast of coffee and a pastry.

It’s not just because bacon is delicious. It’s because a company wanted us to want it so they could sell more. And they hired the father of PR, Edward Bernays, to help them.

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That got me thinking…

“What else do I want because someone else wanted me to want it?

Which led me to my next question…

“What do I actually want, because of a desire that originates from deep inside me?”

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As a creative business owner, I see so many things online telling me to want big numbers on social media and lots of money. Oh, and let’s not forget… to not fall behind with ai and the rapidly changing landscape of well, everything.

I’m not saying those things are inherently bad, but it’s not where I want to put my focus and energy throughout the day.

It makes sense why someone else would want me to want those things though. And I don’t believe it’s because they have my best interest at heart.

It reminds me of an excerpt from Charlie Chaplin’s speech in his first film with dialogue:

“…don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you - enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts!”*

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What I really want is to continue to do meaningful work with people who care about others.

I want to find new ways to bring the community together, both online and off.

I want to start a podcast that sparks ideas of what’s possible for creatives who may be feeling lost.

And so much more.

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We don’t have to want the things we’re told to want.

We don’t have to believe every doomsday prediction we hear, even if they make good arguments or have millions of views on YouTube.

We have the power to imagine a better future and then put our creative energy into making it a reality.

Which brings me to another wonderful quote from Charlie Chaplin’s speech:

“You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.”*

You have the power… to choose a pastry over bacon for breakfast. But I won’t blame you one bit if you choose bacon. ;)

Warmly,

Melinda

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What I’ve been up to:

• Helping Crowdfunder find 50 Founding US members.
• Launched my new brand strategy course!
• Exploring ways to provide a community to people who sign up for said course.
• Planning my new podcast.
• Pickling my home-grown cucumbers.

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*If you have a moment, I highly recommend watching or reading the full speech here.