Metaphor is the lifeblood of all art.
This is not a pleasant route for many young people to consider. You have to be either hopelessly passionate, or very stupid.
Dancers are allowed, indeed encouraged, to remain children forever.
The great ones never take fundamentals for granted.
if you want to create art, you'd best have a deep belief in yourself and no ulterior motives.
You may wonder which came first: the skill or the hard work. But that's a moot point. The Zen master cleans his own studio. So should you.