Sometimes I like to think of life as one giant orchestral performance. Perhaps it’s my years of playing trumpet in the band, but I believe that each of us has been gifted with certain unique characteristics (strengths) that make us ideally suited to master a particular role in our life’s orchestra. Some of us are drummers and some of us are cellists. A few are virtuoso soloists and others are superb section players. There are as many instruments (occupations and callings) as there are players. The important thing to remember is that a world-class performance requires every performer to play at his/her highest capability. Even the lighting technicians, equipment movers and sound engineers all add their gifts to create a masterful performance.
Our conductor is also a composer. He has hand selected each of us for the part we are to play in His greatest symphony titled, “Creation: Let There Be Life!”
A music instructor of mine once asked me to listen to the sound of music in my heart and try to determine what instrument was playing. He believed that this was the instrument I was meant to play. He must have sensed that I was a misplaced trumpeter. I was surprised to discover that when I really listened to my inner music, I didn’t hear a trumpet’s blare. Surprisingly, I heard a tenor saxophone’s smoky voice. After 15 years of trumpet playing, I brought home a tenor saxophone and learned how to play it. At 31 years old, I finally found my life’s music! Many years later, I know I will never be a professional musician, but I know what it means to play the music I have in my heart and soul, even if I am the only one who can bear to listen to it. (I wish to take this opportunity to formally apologize to my family and basset hounds, who have tolerated my erratic solos over the years with loving amusement.)
What is the music that has been put only into your heart and soul that is yours exclusively to play?
Perhaps you’re a carpenter who has a gift for musical hammering. Maybe you’re a mom who’s a master of the household tune or a salesperson with a sweet song of selling. It doesn’t matter what you play, so long as you play the part that only you can play and that you choose to play it with all your heart and soul. Our conductor is calling for you to toot your own horn in this live performance called life.
Listen…
What’s your instrument?
Isn’t it about time that you really learn how to play it?
There’s always room for one more top-notch performer on this world’s stage. Choose to play as only you can.
Let’s make beautiful music together.
Ready to fire up your work and your life? I’m an executive coach from Indianapolis, and I work one-on-one with executives and managers, in person for local clients or via Zoom. If this post raised a question about your work or your next step, we should talk. The first discovery call is free and confidential. Book your discovery call, or call or text me at 317-643-0058, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.
