Some people go their whole lives and never find what their bliss is. By "bliss," I'm referring to something you have an affinity for, something you're good at, that motivates you, gives you contentment and can make you feel special.
Finding one's bliss is a modern topic, as it's been discussed on many daytime shows over the past decade. I'm not sure who first spoke about it that way, probably someone appearing on "Oprah." Many parents now make it a goal to help their children find what their "bliss" is. I'm sure some people even have more than one. I can say mine are music and writing. Music was probably my predominant bliss, but that ship kind of sailed on by as far as being any kind of way to make a living. That's why people need to seek out their bliss while they're young, so someday they can get a job they don't hate doing. Though I believe a person is never to old to seek their bliss, the fact is, people tend to learn a lot faster and a lot better when they are still in their youth. It's not a requirement, but it sure helps. It also helps, when you're a kid, to have your parents helping you look for, and nurture, what you like and are good at.
When I was a kid, probably around 6 or 7, my parent's bought me a keyboard. Well, it was called an "organ," but that sounds kind of gross and archaic, so...it was a keyboard. Each key had a number and there was a book of music that came with it and instead of notes, there were numbers to play. Each "number" in the book corresponded to the same number on the keyboard. You get the picture.
Probably for a good two years, I spent so much time playing that thing. I would be in my room for hours, playing and singing. I only ever had that one book, too. There was a whole series of them, but I only had that one that came with it. To this day, I can sing, "This Old Man" as numbers instead of words.
The elementary school I attended from Kindergarten to 2nd grade had several autoharps (pictured above). In a rotation, all the kids got to go play on them. I loved it, took to it quickly and would often play it during recess. When I went to a new elementary school in the 3rd grade, I remember asking if there were autoharps and feeling very disappointed that there weren't.
My mother had a friend who owned a piano. When my mother would go visit her and take me with her, they never had to watch me. I would sit and play on her piano the whole time. I never had piano lessons, but I would find notes that sounded good together and play them, then add more and so on. I remember being so absorbed in it, I had no awareness of time passing and I didn't want to leave. That was probably from the age of 3 to about the age of 5.
I wanted piano lessons, but my mother was of the opinion that I wouldn't want to practice. Around 4th or 5th grade, I spoke to my mother about being in band at school. She told me I didn't really like music, as if her saying it made it so. When I was 13, I wanted guitar lessons. I wanted to learn on a electric guitar. I was very into rock at the time and I didn't care for country music at all. She told me she'd get me lessons, but only on an acoustic guitar and only if I learned country music. I cried and said no. I didn't realize at the time that it didn't really matter how I started learning it.
I really wish my mother had known about bliss.
Years later, as an adult, I asked her why she didn't encourage my love and interest in playing music. I figured it was because she didn't want to spend the money. Instead, she seemed totally surprised that I felt that way about music. I reminded her of the keyboard I would play for hours, asking her, "Didn't you notice?" Well, apparently not! She also had no recollection of me playing the piano at her friend's house.
It disappoints me now. I wonder what could have been, if my life would have been any different if I could have learned to do something I loved at a young age. I think it could have been, in some way. At the very least, it would be something I could do now to be happy, even if no one heard it but me. For that reason, I've decided when I'm finished with going to school, I'm going to take music lessons, probably on the piano. It's never too late to find something new you like to do. I might even by a autoharp, too!
It's also very uplifting to see young people finding things they enjoy and are good at.
Then it's also fabulous to see them being validated and recognized for their hard work.
No comments:
Post a Comment