| Recently I had the great pleasure of hearing one of | | | | as to why you can't be doing these things. Some of |
| my favorite bands, Groovelily, perform their original | | | | those excuses might sound like: |
| musical theater piece Striking 12 in New York City. | | | | - I don't have time |
| Before the show, as the band was warming up, the | | | | - There are more important things to do |
| lead singer/violinist Valerie told us a powerful story. | | | | - It's impossible to do now that I have a wife |
| Valerie had recently performed with her father at an | | | | husband/mate, career, kids, house, etc. |
| event to celebrate his lifetime contribution as a | | | | - There's no way I can ever have what I dreamed |
| cantor. After the performance, an older woman | | | | about, it was only a fantasy. After all, I'm middle |
| came up to Valerie and told her about how she had | | | | aged, overweight, and out of shape and certainly not |
| played violin as a child in Germany and how much | | | | going to become an NBA, NFL, WNBA, Broadway |
| playing the violin had meant to her. She went on to | | | | star, or rock musician in this lifetime, so why bother |
| explain that when her family fled the country during | | | | at all. |
| the Nazi regime, she was not allowed to bring her | | | | Well, what if you could have and do what you most |
| beloved violin with her to America because her family | | | | enjoy? What if you could get in touch with the |
| feared it would mark them as Jews. So, she grew | | | | essence of what you really wanted and then go and |
| up, got married, and raised a family. While she | | | | do THAT? For instance, perhaps what really appealed |
| encouraged her son to play the violin (and he grew | | | | to you about becoming a rock musician was making |
| up to be a musician), she never indulged or rekindled | | | | music and sharing it with others. You could achieve |
| her passion to play the violin again. When the woman | | | | that dream at any age. Pick up an old instrument you |
| finished telling her story, she held Valerie's hands | | | | used to play and begin to take lessons again. Learn |
| tightly, looked her in the eyes, and emphatically said, | | | | something new. Volunteer to share your music with |
| "Keep on playing." | | | | kids, the elderly, or a church group. Another example |
| Every time I hear this story I am deeply moved | | | | could be that you loved the spirit of competition and |
| (yes, I love the band and have heard this fairly | | | | physical challenge inherent in the dream of playing |
| recent story multiple times already). I am moved | | | | professional sports. Well, you can have that too! |
| because of my own ups and downs as an amateur | | | | While you might not be the next Lance Armstrong or |
| musician who can think of a million excuses why I'm | | | | Serena Williams, there are many ways to get |
| not good enough to be playing or how I shouldn't be | | | | physically fit and be competitive in sports at any age. |
| "wasting" time when there are so many other more | | | | I've seen athletes in the Masters division of different |
| important things to do. I am also moved because I | | | | sports play with more heart and competitive spirit in |
| am overwhelmed with the sheer amount of creation, | | | | their 70s, 80s, and 90s, than many young |
| beauty, joy, and passion that is missing in this world | | | | professional athletes exhibit. I personally know people |
| each day because so many people have abandoned | | | | with demanding careers and families who regularly |
| their passions and joy for the much more "important" | | | | compete in triathlons and cycle, run, or walk untold |
| and "serious" business of life. | | | | numbers of miles each year for charity. If they can |
| Take a moment right now and consider: | | | | do it, so can you. |
| - What activities did you love to take part in as a | | | | My point is - you deserve to have joy, passion, and |
| child, teenager, or young adult? Do you still partake in | | | | play in your life. Yes, life can be serious at times and |
| any of these or related activities? | | | | we all have responsibilities, but you owe it to yourself |
| - What did you dream about most wanting to be | | | | to really live a little and give yourself the gift of |
| when you grew up? | | | | something just for you. You'd be amazed at how |
| - What are you doing when you feel the most joyful, | | | | just a little bit of time spent regularly on something |
| passionate, or in the flow? When was the last time | | | | that feeds your soul will yield results ten times over |
| you spent time doing this? | | | | in the other "more serious" parts of your life. |
| If you're like most people I know, you're probably | | | | This month, go in search of your long lost violin. Dust |
| laughing because it has been so long since you've | | | | off your guitar, tennis racket, paintbrushes, or |
| done any of these things that you don't even | | | | writer's pad. Give yourself permission to rekindle the |
| remember or you're muttering a number of excuses | | | | passion, find the joy, and PLAY. |