"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent."

Here's an example of someone who walked down pathways never trodden before.... And created a revolution in the process....

I'm talking about Bob Dylan. He revolutionized music (especially in the 60s and 70s).... (That's who the quote in the subject heading is from....)

Even if you've never heard of Bob Dylan, you probably know many of his songs, as they are often sung by other artists.... Songs from the folk classic "Blowing in the Wind," to "Knocking on heaven's door" which was a hit in the 90s when it was sung by Guns 'n Roses....

Firstly, that VOICE. Nobody before him had even tried to become a professional singer with a voice like that. But Bob Dylan didn't care what people told him - he went ahead and sung his own songs anyway.

I know some people who love Bob Dylan songs, but hate it when Bob Dylan sings them! I can fully understand it.... But he goes on ahead, sings all kinds of concerts, not heeding what people may say....

He pioneered many song styles. Starting out in folk music, he pioneered the stream-of-consciousness narrative form of folk....

From folk he moved to rock music, to the ire of many of his die-hard folk music fans.... A few of his folk music fans were so incensed that he would sing rock music that they booed him off the stage at one of his concerts. Yet his following just grew, when he had rock hits such as "Positively 4th Street"....

By the late 60s, he began writing music with more of a country sound.... And still found more fans with songs like "Lay Lady Lay." Bob Dylan had become a hit in Nashville, and was one of the pioneers of country-rock....

If you read about his career, Bob Dylan is one who has trodden his own path, not heeding too much the words of his critics. He went out and did it, and figured out what worked. Bob Dylan is now a music legend of our time....

I find his story an inspiration for those of us who like to blaze our own path.... We don't have to stick to what everybody else does! If people say you can't or shouldn't do something, if you disagree, then go ahead and try it anyway.

And by creating your own destiny, you may find yourself arriving in places, achieving things, and finding success that you never thought possible.... :)

- Dien Rice