So often, we don't allow ourselves to even try something because we're sure we'll fail. Maybe once upon a time when we were small, we took one lesson or twenty lessons and then we stopped. Or maybe we just never let ourselves try it at all.
For years I've been afraid to even try to learn to play an instrument. I told myself music was not my thing. I had no sense of timing, no idea of pitch. I'd be awful; I was sure of it. I used to play piano, and trumpet, and characteristically, I'd quit both.
Even when I tried to learn the ukulele last year, it didn't stick. An uke is meant to be sung along to, and I can't carry a tune. So I didn't love it; I couldn't play well besides some pretty rad Hawaiian strums.
My school has a graduation requirement of at least one music class (among other classes). I'd have to take either chorus (that was definitely a no; I've got an awful voice), beginning orchestra, or beginning band. I took band, and chose the trumpet, and honestly, what's happened is the last thing that I expected. I fell in love with music.
I fell in love with harmonies and the way notes form sounds that fill my chest with a wonderful sort of ache. And best of all I discovered that I'm not even half bad, that I enjoyed playing and counting and exploring notes.
So, moral of the story, cliched as this may sound: don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Try something new you'd never imagined yourself doing. Don't tell yourself you'll be bad at something before you even consider it.
And, as spring begins - this season that we like to associate with new beginnings, hope, freshness - there's no better time to step up and do those things you've been afraid to try. Who knows? You may even find a new passion.
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beautiful words, and moral. :) xx
ReplyDeleteAh, such a good reminder. I was actually thinking something similar this week after going to a piano recital of my cousins and hearing all of the beautiful music that they were able to create. I took piano lessons twice when I was little, but quit both times because I wasn't making as much progress as I would have liked to. Since the recital I can't stop thinking about how I'd like to take lessons again. We'll see where I go with that! :)
ReplyDeleteI REALLy needed this today ! thankyou ! :)
ReplyDeleteAh, this is so encouraging Kinga. Thank you. I put myself down far too often. This encouraged me to stop being afraid of failing, and instead step out and try new things with a positive outlook. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
~Madi
so much truth!
ReplyDeleteYes! This is so true. I always thought that I was horrible at drawing, but I started sketching the other day and it didn't turn out half bad! :) It was really encouraging.
ReplyDeleteaahh i love this! and you chose the trumpet, that is so awesome. i've been learning guitar for a few years, but don't practice that much, you know? and then i was listening to Gabrielle Aplin on youtube the other day (english singer, she's awesome) and she was singing and playing the guitar, and just like you said, i fell in love with music all over and found sounds on that guitar of mine that i knew my heart was speaking.. it was like God was guiding my hand and it was wonderful. by the way, don't worry about the singing thing, half the fun of it is singing loud and out of tune, anyway. Hannah Montana or Bieber works well, or a bit of Swifty. ;)
ReplyDeleteI took piano lessons when I was little and then stopped after a few years. Just this last summer I decided I wanted to teach myself how to play so I picked up the Latter day saint Hymn book and started playing. It's been 9 months and a lot of hard work but I taught myself how to play about 10 hymns and I'm still learning more. I never thought I would play the piano, but now I think playing for my church in the future is a possibility. Follow your dreams.
ReplyDeleteSame thing happened to me, almost - I was sick of "not being a musical person" and decided to learn guitar. Singing just kind of followed right along behind. Now I love both.
ReplyDelete