The successful actress and director Mary Steenburgen once made a moving comment about the distinction between New York and Hollywood that offered her insights on success in the entertainment business. Steenburgen was born in McLean, Virginia, on August 16, 1953, and has had a prosperous career spanning multiple decades.

She compares two different definitions of success in the arts in her statement. Financial stability may not be the main indicator of success in New York City, a city well-known for its thriving and diverse cultural scene. The supportive community in the city, which prioritizes artistic expression over financial success, allows artists to feel happy and fulfilled even if they are not earning a lot of money.

However, Steenburgen notes that in Hollywood, the realm of glitz and celebrity, financial success is frequently regarded as the best measure of an artist's value. The industry can be competitive, with one's income becoming a proxy for their skill and reputation.

Consider a garden where each plant stands in for a different artist or creator to demonstrate this idea. No matter how tall or colorful each plant is, the garden in New York thrives on variety and fostering growth for its own sake. But in Hollywood, the plants are evaluated mostly on their market value and rate of growth. For artists who value their creative fulfillment over financial gain, this setting can be stressful.

Mary Steenburgen's contemplation forces us to think about what success in our lives and careers actually means. It emphasizes the value of self-worth and personal fulfillment above and beyond financial indicators, a notion that strikes a deep chord with people navigating cutthroat industries where one's sense of achievement is frequently determined by outside validation.