Perfection Personification By Patient Practice

most if not all of my family members play some type of instrument due to music being such a

I can remember the moment when I decided that I would become a musician. I was at a summer music program that I didn’t really want to be at, sitting in a room that was filled with the scent of insulation. I was sitting on one of the many blue cushioned chairs in the room/. The instructors went around the hall, asking other children how old they were and what instrument they played. Everyone seemed to know each other already, chewing at the bit to be let on the stage to grab their preferred instrument and play the little music that they already knew with their friends. I felt left out, as I didn’t have an instrument that I could call my own. When the instructor finally got to me, he asked my age, name, and what I played, just like he had to

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

That’s not the only reason, though. I want to because I want to do something with my life that I will enjoy and not dread. I want to be a well-defined musician, and I want to expand my horizons in musical knowledge that has been passed on to me in church. Being a well-defined musician is more than just getting behind a drum set and holding a tempo or getting behind an organ and playing some chords. Being a well defined musician teaches you maturation and knowing what is acceptable to play as an accompanist or a soloist. Church has always been my music school, especially since my mother was never able to afford drum lessons for me. Despite the fact I didn’t have lessons, my first time playing in church was an amazing success due from learning from Bernard

I later took up band in seventh grade to get a sense of what music is. Intentionally, I wanted to play the alto-sax and hopefully learn to make great music with it, but it would cost me, so I chose a clarinet. The clarinet had an interesting sound similar to a sax and it was nice to know that I sounded better than Squidward Tentacles. The flute was another instrument that caught my eye, it looked like a recorder but looks and sounds relatively refined. But, I could never get the embouchure right to get that sweet flute sound, instead it sounded like blowing air into a tube, looking back, I probably wasn’t ready to play it

My love for music is rooted in the solid musical foundation my parents set for me. From taking me to my first concert when I was two, to teaching me how to play guitar at the age of four, music imprinted itself on me early in life. I started playing the flute in 5th grade, and since then, my life has never been the same. Continuing to play the flute throughout high school has allowed me to be heavily involved with the music program. I have been an active participant of Concert Band, Jazz Band, Honor Band, Pep Band, and Marching Band.

Since day one of my musical interest, I have heard the term, “practice makes perfect,” in almost every setting imaginable. From the beginning of my sixth grade year, I had heard of what it was to be an All-West musician, but at that point I really didn’t grasp the concept of just

In order for you to be spectacular at what you want to be in life you have to practice. No matter how great you are you can improve on anything. Not one person in this world is a perfectionist. Anyone and everyone are replaceable. Don’t have a big head just because you,are on point at the moment.

smart, and if you have a burning passion to play music and this instrument, you can do

“The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly - indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.” - Arianna Huffington

There are moments in one’s life when the light shines so bright that it is painful. This is especially true for the Perfectionist in the Enneagram who needs to face both the best of their personality type, but also the dark side of their flaws. With a pure heart, Ian Morgan Cron offers The Road back to You, where he attempts to lovingly help all people become their true self, which will bring more honor to God and satisfaction in life. What is more, Cron speaks from experience when he was dealt a painful dose of reality in being told, “What we don’t know about ourselves can and will hurt us, not to mention others… As long as we stay in the dark about how we see the world and the wounds and beliefs that have shaped who we are, we’re prisoners of our history.

Throughout my life, I have been taken by music. However, it was not until my 8th grade year in middle school that I realized that I could be a musician for the rest of my life. Before that, music just seemed like something to keep me out of trouble. I wasn’t the best player at that time, and I still knew very little about it all. How could something like that ever support someone? Still, it was the only talent that I could find any success in, and it was still very enjoyable, so I wanted to still give it a shot.

It is no simple task to learn to play an instrument. Innumerous hours must be spent playing and practicing your instrument to become suitably proficient. However, not everyone wants to invest the time (and money) to learn an instrument. If you don’t play an instrument, fear not, for there is hope still. Here are the three instruments, that, in my opinion, are the easiest to pick up and play with little or no instruction. (Be warned, however, as there is a massive difference between playing a little tune, and being truly good at an instrument. No instrument is easy to master.)

In third grade I was introduced to an orchestra program at my school district. This program was designed for students who have no experience with the violin, viola, cello, and bass. Although I already played the piano since age five, I thought learning the violin would be a fun experience. At the time I was unaware how committed I would be to the violin, my impulsive 8 year old self was simply intrigued with stringed instruments. 10 years later, I own my very own violin and continue to improve my music skills. Why I have continued to play through all these years sometimes baffles me; What are the benefits of playing a musical instrument?

Perfection is a deadly sickness. It is a wicked plague which clouds the mind, destroys focus, and eliminates any value you may hold for yourself. We are all told that perfectionism is, well, perfect. A flawless way to live where you make no mistakes, avoid any challenges, and are loved and cherished by everyone around you. But this cruel mindset is like a collar that chokes fun and kills passion, constricting joy and creativity in favor of the one and only best decision. The decision that will get you perfect grades, a perfect reputation, and nary an ounce of criticism. Now, while this might seem good, I can tell you for sure that it’s not. How? Because I’ve tried it.