In the late 1940s & early '50s (around the time of this photograph) I attended Warner Avenue Elementary School with Frank Sinatra, Jr. What a lucky fellow he seemed to be – already basking in his father's huge celebrity. 

   Yet, Frank, Jr. chose a career that turned so heavily on mimicking his dad's voice that he never found his own. Instead, he performed before audiences who asked themselves one question: "How much does Frankie sound like Daddy?" 

   The greatest value of an audience is to help artists find their truth. Is the performer speaking a unique verity that resonates? Or is the artist mimicking some other genius?

   Nashville, like Hollywood, is filled with imitators. For every million there is one Taylor Swift or Johnny Cash.

   Tucked inside that million are other unique voices – artists telling unheard truths. The satisfaction for them (cold comfort if they seek fame) is to know that, in Parker Palmer's words, they have "let their life speak."

   Few can be famous. All of us can speak who we are. For caregivers, the audience is each patient. When caregivers engage their honest compassion & their highest competence they engage healing beyond curing. They do sacred work. 

-Erie Chapman