Before social media became the ‘in thing’, one had to find information, inspiration and wisdom elsewhere. My medium of choice was the radio. While idling away a carefree afternoon in the suburb I still call home, Weltevreden Park, my 13-year-old self heard something that would stick with me forever.
Anyone who has sat quietly and contemplated the words of Baz Luhrmann’s 1999 UK No. 1 Wear Sunscreen can identify with its simplistic prose and therapeutic depth.
Originally written in 1997 by Mary Schmich for the Chicago Tribune, these words continue to resonate with me no matter how old I get, no matter when I hear it. The words of the would-be valedictory speech evoke in me feelings of joy, regret, responsibility and validation. Most importantly, they make me feel optimistic.
I am jumping head-first into an industry that is known for chewing people up and spitting them out.
While Schmich would go on to win the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, I may just be happy to not get fired! That said, I’m still filled with absolute optimism and the simple words of a childhood favourite can help invigorate that optimism.
I am abandoning almost five years of hard work in an industry very different from this. Nevertheless, I am relishing the challenge that this rare opportunity has presented me. The fear of failure may always be there, but I will always have Sunscreen to remind me: “Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s”.
