Compliments

Cherishable Remarks

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As a musician, I’ve received many comments and opinions about my abilities, people’s taste, etc., over the years. Church folk love to “bless” musicians with unsolicited opinions.

The two most head scratching came as a result of listeners feeling like they needed to tell me something after being moved during a Sunday service or if they’ve not seen me in a few years and wanted to inquire “where are you now?”

The latter scenario has often included some version of “If you don’t use your talents, God will take them from you.” They, usually older ladies with a need to set me straight, mean well, I suppose. But their well meaning has yet to be motivational.

But the one that seemed most odd was this one: “You missed your calling.” More than once, I’ve been told this because my current job title didn’t include “Worship,” “Music,” “Choir,” or “Pianist.” There really isn’t a response to that comment worth offering, but it seems rather obvious that somehow in the last hour it’s possible I didn’t.

December 1st I got several comments that erased, or at least, countered such past comments. Interestingly, they didn’t follow a church service. The event was a Friday night Christmas fundraising dinner. Throughout the evening, four coworkers joined me to share songs-some familiar, some new, all celebrating the beginning of the season.

Three memorable conversations followed. One gentleman reminisced about his mother’s playing and how he wished he had learned to play. Another man wanted to introduce me to his wife, a long-time piano teacher, who noticed elements of our performance that only a pianist would commend. No judgment. Pure appreciation.

But the one that I’ll most remember came from an unexpected source. Another coworker that I had no idea had any musical past offered this response: “You have inspired me to get out my piano.”

Whatever talent you have, it’s inevitable your sharing of it will draw remarks. Let the judgments go. Cherish and hold those that encourage you to share again.

(A graphic copied from a friend’s Facebook post)

Photo by Alan Liu on Unsplash

There’s a Reason They’re Called Sweet

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We all have them. Some have many, or at least they’re told. Some are told they don’t have any, but they know that’s a lie. We all know that lie.

They are those things or moments that are unexplainably easy. Mostly likely, they also bring a sense of unmatched joy and satisfaction.

See if you recognize any of these:

  • Creating a spreadsheet for a new project
  • Hosting a baby shower
  • Coaching your child’s sport’s team
  • Baking for your new neighbor
  • Sitting with the elderly
  • Leading a volunteer team
  • Organizing the family vacation
  • Being on stage
  • Analyzing data
  • Writing thank you notes
  • Grilling for the July 4th block party
  • Sketching what you see at the beach
  • Laying out a floor plan
  • Onboarding new personnel

It’s that thing that when you’re done, people commend you and all you can say is, “That was fun,” or “I love doing it,” or “It just comes natural to me.” And they reply something like, “I can tell,” or “I wish I could do that,” or “Please don’t stop. I love watching you do it. It brings me joy.”

These things, these moments, these skills, these practices are what many like to call sweet spots.

You’re familiar with the term. But, like me, maybe you’ve not actually taken a moment to think about why. That question came to me way to early this morning, but I was glad.

I was glad because otherwise I wouldn’t have had these answers:

  • They’re called sweet because they bring pleasure-to their source, to their user, and to their receiver.
  • They’re called sweet because they have balance-not too much, not too little, just right.
  • They’re called sweet because they produce joy-during the prep, through the delivery, and by the memory.
  • They’re called sweet because they feel effortless-in the right lane, nothing blurred, nothing magnified.

Life can’t always be sweet. With intention, it can certainly be sweeter.

You have sweet spots. There’s a reason you have them.

Know them.

Own them.

Enjoy them.

Photo by Charles Etoroma on Unsplash