Do you ever hear about those kids whose moms made them learn to play a musical instrument in which they had no interest?
Not only am I one of those kids, I am also a middle child!
Year end, year out my mom dutifully took me to (and paid for) piano lessons.
And reluctantly, I sat at the piano and practiced with very little desire to actually learn.
But I learned enough to play a little.
Fast forward a number of years where I was a member of a small country church. The pianist was the pastor’s wife. She played the piano beautifully.
One Sunday, mid-service, the pastor became ill and stepped out of the pulpit. He looked directly at me and requested I play a song and we dismiss.
How could I refuse? In a cold sweat, I played.
Unfortunately, our pastor was diagnosed with cancer. His wife stepped in to temporarily fill his position, leaving the pianist position vacant.
Do you sense a disaster coming?
I was asked to temporarily fill the pianist position.
Looking back, I actually feel sorrier for the congregation than myself!
At the time, not so much!
Every Sunday, I ranted, I raved, I cried, I threatened to quit attending and still I went and played the piano.
My theory was that if Betty, the pastor’s wife, could actually bring a sermon during this horrific time then the least I could do was show up and do my best to pound out a few songs.
Fast forward a few more years. Unfortunately, our pastor passed. Betty remained in the pulpit and I remained at the piano.
To alleviate my stress, I chose the songs. By choosing the songs, I could at least practice and feel comfortable with what I was going to play.
That plan has worked well.
Until…
Betty stepped into the pulpit and announced; “I haven’t asked Micki, but today we do not have a special singer. Instead, you can take turns calling out your favorite song and we will sing one verse of each.”
And she looked at me to see if that was o.k. Gulp! What was I supposed to say?
And off we went. The congregation calling out their favorites and me playing the songs.
About two songs in, it dawned on me. I was actually doing this! No previous knowledge, no previous planning, just playing the songs that were chosen.
And just like that, I knew I had my next blog post.
Because that is what Living by Littles is all about.
Learning and improving one small song at a time.
I will never be a Master Pianist. But I can play well enough that I no longer cry and go into a cold sweat.
All because I just kept on playing.
Having arrived at an acceptable level of playing the piano almost by accident, I have to wonder, what would the outcome have been if I had established a goal to be a great piano player?
If I had created a plan and stuck with it?
Chances are, my piano playing ability would be amazing!
What is it that you want to accomplish?
Playing the piano? Going to college? Saving money? Cleaning your house? Blogging?
Start with the one little thing that you have the ability to do and go from there.
Start with one song, one class, one dollar, one cabinet, one post.
Repeat.
Before long, you will be: a piano player, a college graduate or a blogger.
Or
You will have: a nice savings account or a clean house.
Your choice.
Living by Littles can be an amazing life transformer.
When there is something you want to accomplish, just remember…
Think little, achieve big!
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(It’s a little thing that would mean a lot to me!)