They say that age is just a number. I suppose that's true but sometimes the "number" of things that ache, hurt, or don't work properly increases weekly. But I keep chugging along like the "Little Train That Could" doing my best to ignore, or in a worse case scenario, fix the things that are vexing me.
I am fortunate that I can continue to work, though. I grumble about it occasionally, but when I get a note from a bride saying that my music "...made my special day even more special" I feel pretty lucky to be able to contribute.
In my bones I'm really an entertainer, not an artist. So if I can "get it right" and put a smile on a clients face and make their special day even more special then I feel good all over.
I feel much the same about teaching. No matter what is going on in my life, when I'm with a student my troubles are set aside and I focus on their needs. Oh I will chit chat a bit to settle them down and make a joke or two at my own expense just to keep it real, but the focus is always on them. One of my favorite compliments came from a young boy who said, "It seems like all we do is talk and act silly. But I sure know a lot more about playing guitar than I used to. I just don't remember learning it."
I've had the good fortune of meeting up with former students who have told me how important guitar lessons were to them. When I see former students who are now all grown up with families of their own the meetings are always joyful.
There are times, of course, when I start to think about all of the stupid things I've done or said. And truthfully that's a pretty big collection. Like most, I question some of the big decisions in life. What would my life had been like if I had done things differently? Man, that's a real cesspool of negativity! It's easy to believe you've squandered your potential.
But then something simple will happen. A student will have an unexpected success, or I'll put the finishing touches on a new song. Even better - I'll give a warm smile to a stranger and see them smile back. Just a simple moment of humanity to get me back on track. Then I realize that I've still got lots more potential to tap. More people to help. More smiles to give. But it would be easier without the aches and pains.