When you stink at something

Fingers strumming, melodies soaring.

I’ve always loved the sound of guitar, and a beautiful voice singing along.
How romantic would it be to finger out my own melodies and record me singing??

I took a few lessons years ago when I was single.
A few christmases ago, my husband even bought me a guitar.

I re-taught myself a few chords and then it gathered dust.
In fact, it went into the attic when we moved here a year and a half ago.
(Is that the best place for a musical instrument??)

Okay, I’m gonna do this.
It’s my bucket list, and I just added to it.
I checked out a book at the library: guitar for kids.
I got down my guitar.
This is going to be awesome.
You are going to see me transform before your very eyes.

Just one problem.
I didn’t.

I was just me, staring cluelessly at this kids book that was supposed to be easy.

I finally gave up, and opened an app I had years ago, and strummed a little.
But when it instructed me to use a pic, I looked all over the house, and no pic.

I gave up.
I failed.

The thing is, I like perfection and I want it now.
Is that too much to expect?
But that’s not the way it happens most of the time.

You keep at it. Give it a second chance.
And third chance.
And fourth chance.

So instead of putting my guitar in the corner for the next 4 years, I’m going to pick that guitar up again.
And again.
And again.
I’m GOING to make beautiful melodies.
I’m going to learn chords to sing songs with my children.
I can’t do it… YET.
But I WILL.

That’s the whole point of trying something new.
It’s going to feel uncomfortable.
You’re likely going to stink at it.

You’re not that good….. YET.

Just remember, the things you do well, and there are MANY of them, weren’t always this easy to you.

Sure, some things come easier than others.
But practice makes progress.
Not perfection.

Everything is hard before it is easy.

We’re in this life to ENJOY learning and growing and becoming.
It’s the imperfections that make things exciting.

So embrace that imperfection, and keep on swimming.
Don’t give up on me.
Because I’m not going to give up on you.

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