This month marks three years of organ lessons. Three years! Looking back, I have made significant progress. I can now play the pedals and the manuals (keyboards) at the same time, substitute fingers (and feet), play a few pieces from beginning to end, and have a basic understanding of how a pipe organ works.
Before I began, taking lessons, I thought in 2 or 3 years I would be proficient enough to be an organist at a church. I have been asked “How much longer will you need lessons?” and “When will you be ready to perform?” Learning the organ has been much more difficult than I ever anticipated.
Last weekend, I attended Jon Acuff’s Quitter conference which was about following dreams. My dreams are to be an organist and a writer. I learned that its okay to go slow. It’s better to make mistakes now while fewer people are watching. As Jon said, we can be awesome later. I need to be patient and make better use of my time to accomplish goals. There are things I can work at my current day job which will help with my dreams. The conference provided me with the inspiration to keep working on my dreams.
Looking forward, I will be better at planning. I will figure out what this blog should really be about. I will continue to learn. I will make use of the information provided at the conference. I will face my fears!
At the conference Jon Acuff said “Action always beats Intention”. What actions do you need to start taking? Are there dreams you have been intending to work on?
Heidi Bender writes about her experiences of learning to play the organ. She started on the adventure in 2009.
She also writes on her website Tons of Thanks, which helps people write thank-you notes. Heidi is also a cat lady who writes at The Joy of Cats.
I like that you also pose questions to your readers to think about.
You’re doing a great job, keep working toward your dreams. 🙂
Molly, thanks for the encouragement!