To be diff, or not to be diff

After our concert at the Erasmus Huis (who is a co-sponsor of my opera Tumirah) last week, where we performed 2 numbers from Tumirah, the top-trending question both from the public and reporters is: Aren't you afraid of being unpopular, making an opera about such a taboo theme of prostitution (and even take sides with them)? ............................................................................................................................................. Look, I am 47. At this age in my career, costumer is not king. Customer is a friend. Friends means they know me and I hope they understand what I really want to express. It's time for me to say the things I really wanna say, to express my opinions without being afraid of what others think of me. I am responsible for what I said, I am not responsible for what you understand what I am saying. Not that I haven't been like this before, but now when I am faced with this question, I just gotta let you know about it. People struggle to be the best, be the Number One. But in fact, if you just be yourself, you ARE one. People sometimes compare others because of their capabilities, career and image. Not of their honesty, kindness and life values. They think if two things are different, one has to be better than another. Ehhh??? Everything can be different while they are equally good. If everyone were the same, how would you feel? It would be boring. It's important to recognize each other's unique personality. The world is very interesting because everyone is not the same. And yeah, when you try to be the same, that's when you get your popularity and acceptance. But if popularity is not what you're looking for? If you just wanna express your thoughts and opinions honestly, one has the right to be unpopular, right? As long as you doesn't f*ck up other people's lives, right? Look, we think our lives in minutes, days, years. Our lives are nothing but a cosmic blink! Even our dear old earth is nothing but a dot in this vast universe. But then, it’s easy to forget what an amazing gift life really is. So, life's too short to be afraid of what other people think of us. So, just do it.