In essence, the speaker expresses a desire for their children's happiness and believes in their potential to achieve great success in any field they choose. However, they emphasize that the pursuit of success should not overshadow the enjoyment and fulfillment found in the journey itself, particularly when it comes to creative or artistic endeavors.
On a deeper level, this quote highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on success and personal growth. It suggests that while achieving goals is important, there's significant value in appreciating the process and experiencing joy in daily activities, especially within fields like art where creativity and passion are essential ingredients. This view encourages people to focus not just on the end results but also on living a rich and fulfilling life through their work.
Chris Cornell was an influential American musician best known as the lead singer of the grunge band Soundgarden and later Audioslave, among other musical projects. His music often explored themes of personal struggle and emotional depth, which likely informed his approach to parenting and the importance he placed on happiness and authenticity in life's pursuits.