Keeping Perspective

As musicians, we spend large amounts of time refining our craft in a practice room all by ourselves. It is all too easy to obsess over small details and lose sight of the significant impact music can have on our community. Realizing this pattern in myself took many years of struggle. I often dismissed the appreciation of an audience just because a few details were not as I would have liked. It was not until I began working for a local hospice agency that I finally learned what musicians can do for others. My job in hospice mainly consists of connecting with patients and their families through music they love. While l still strive to play as well as I can, my audience does not care if I perform less than perfectly. Their ears are set on the fond memories their favorite songs carry. I encourage each and every one of you to keep working on the details, but always remember whom you serve.