Most of us have that one thing that we have wanted to do all our life, but, for one reason or another, have never got around to doing it. My thing is learning to play the guitar. Since I was in school, I have wanted to learn to play the guitar. In fact, once I went ahead and bought a guitar, which is now lying in some corner of the house, warped with years of neglect and dampness.
Even today I want to learn to play the guitar, but I am not sure if I will ever get around to that.
So, recently, sitting at a friend’s cafe I was feeling impressed with the wonderful music being played by the guys on the next table. The lifelong yearning to play the guitar, stirred within me a desire to talk to these young men.
I told them that they were very good with the guitar, and I asked how long would it take for someone to learn to play the instrument. They thanked me and said if you gave it enough time, it was not that hard at all.
I think what I said next was a mistake.
I told them that I wanted to learn to play the guitar too. They gave me a wry look. The look, I felt, was very similar to what a writer would give to someone who comes up to the writer and tells him that he has been thinking about writing a book as well.
What was said, however, was said and could not be undone.
One of the two turned towards me and said, “Well, it is not that hard at all… it is just that most people always have something better to do with their time than to waste it on playing music.”
Of course, the conversation was over after that.
What he said, however, stayed with me. It is true that for years we may have wanted to do something, but we really need to ask ourselves why we never did it. Maybe we really never wanted to do it, but just, for some weird reason, wanted to believe that we did. I say this because it is hard for me to believe that if we wanted to do something as much as we think we do, we would not find the time for it. It is simply not possible that we always had something better to do, is it?
(Image Courtesy: Catalin82 from sxc.hu)
Several years ago I saved up the money and bought a mandolin. I love bluegrass and always have wanted to learn to play. The instrument is beautiful and sits gathering dust. I never take the time to practice. Grrr– this post was a good reminder that if I want something, I need to take the time to do it.
On a side note, your post is also a good reminder to be more encouraging and supportive of people who do come to me and say they always wanted to writer.
Nice writing Neo!
And you are right, if it’s important enough we will always find time to do those things. And, if we don’t then we are deceiving ourselves into believing it is important or that we wish to do that. I’ve seen people make time for their hobbies and passions even after a full day of tiring work. That’s commitment, that’s passion and that’s what is important to them … enough to make them pursue it even when dead tired!