A change of options
Advice is often inexpensive and rapidly received. However if a school offers you options, explore them. Take your time. We had arrived in a new province just as I was about to begin my time in high school. Given that it was summer time I stopped by to meet with the guidance counselors and get some direction. In those days that came down to choosing your options. Would it be art or music or manual arts. Actually I was offered only drawing or music. My previous experience with a cheap guitar and a introduction to bagpipes had led me to believe that music was for others. I opted to take up my pencils and learn to draw. It sounds easy but in my case it was not. If I was to say that I lacked talent that would be an understatement. I was not drawn in by the myth that anyone could be an artist and I failed to catch that ink and pastels and pencils were meant for others. And so I settled in for a very long year. Yes I received a passing grade. In truth I believe that everyone did. And so when I returned the following September due to demographics there was an option open to me. I could put aside my pencils and transfer over to music. To me it did not matter that I had missed a full year of instruction on instruments. I want it out and as the numbers played out I was given the chance go down the hall. The only catch was that I would have to learn a full year of music theory in a matter of a month. I was ready. The stains to my fingers the previous year show me that there were other ways to live and I was willing to learn all the key signatures and all the time signatures and all the odd Italian words required I made my move. I had no background in piano so the teacher was left with few options. At the bottom of the room there was a chair for someone who would learn to play drums I was ready and willing and able and so I did. Changed my life. And for those that wonder I have never looked at a box of crayons in the same way again.
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