Life, Piano, Love, Music.

Life for me is a lot like playing piano. Going from chord to chord requires me knowing where I am and where I want to go. The more I know, the easier I can make it for myself to get there, it also can make it much more fun and far less boring. I can also use combinations of chords to reflect how I feel, whether sad or happy, or better yet to set a mood, be it inspirational and fun, or deep and reflective.

Like my Godfather, David Bisono, once said : “You have to be a thermostat, not a thermometer.” Too many times we just roll with the punches, allowing the things in our lives to affect us one way or another. Instead of us reaching within and affecting it ourselves. Creating with our words and actions the atmosphere that we want to live in. We all have different gifts that can better our lives as well as others.

As a child, I was always a big fan of super-heroes. Those with special abilities to come to the rescue and save the day. We can do the same every day and not require any superhuman power to do it. Even a smile can change the entire outlook of one’s day. Lifting up someone’s spirit with a positive message, telling a funny joke, and your simple presence itself can make a huge difference. No need to wait on miracles, God in His perfect will and mercy will take care of those.

I started realizing this more and more whenever I’d be alone with my daughters while my wife shopped for groceries and other finer things. My daughters’ experience depended on what I did. Whether it was reading stories, singing songs, making funny faces, or running around like a complete idiot just to garner their precious laughter. Knowing that how I spoke to them whether in correcting them or asking them to do something, would affect their mood and their experience. Imagine if we approached the world and others with this sensitivity. And no, I don’t mean you can put your friends and family like children and put them on timeout or tell them when to go to bed, but if you do at least tuck them in.

The more conscious we are of how we can influence our world as well as others, I think the better we’ll be at making sure it’s as positive, fruitful, caring, helpful as can be. Being stern with tough love when necessary, while not forgetting the sweeter aspects of that love must also be applied. When playing piano, there are certain risks I can take that may seem unorthodox, but will sound great. There’s also bad decisions or mistakes I can make that simply will not work. Both musically and overall, the better I am, the better for everyone else. For those close to me, those listening, as well as for total strangers.

The better I am as a Christian, the better it is for my own salvation as well as my family’s. That’s why I love playing piano and music, its soothing, comforting. It teaches me a lot about the beauty of creation. That this life we’re in has a beginning and an end. That there’s a certain amount of time in between that we must use to make it the best it can possibly be, with the hope of moving on to a blessed eternity.