Musical Friendspiration

Have you ever been inspired by a friend to try something new? I’m not talking about the kind of peer pressure your younger self may have experienced back in high school that led to bad decision-making. I’m talking about being inspired by someone you care about to broaden your horizons in a positive way.

Last spring, I reconnected with Cheryl, a graphic designer with whom I had worked closely but mostly over the phone and email for years. We had always resided in different states, so our relationship was built across distance but that didn’t prevent us from becoming friends. We only met in person a handful of times, but we had a wonderful working relationship.

Eventually, we lost touch until I tracked her down earlier this year for advice on a new project. I truly enjoyed catching up with her and hearing about her new business creating upcycled jewelry. I especially loved hearing how she had expanded her already substantial talents by becoming proficient in something new and unexpected: learning to play the bagpipes.

You probably already know the bagpipes are somewhat large and unwieldy, originally from Scotland and mostly associated with traditional Scottish and Irish tunes. Cheryl has no Scottish or Irish roots, she’s relatively small of stature and she has had some health issues–all making her an unlikely candidate to don a kilt and play the bagpipes. None of that has stopped her from performing at cultural heritage events and weddings, and becoming quite proficient later in life on an instrument she had always been captivated by. She even marched in a parade!

All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them.

—Viola Davis

Cheryl’s example inspired me to make a phone call to a local piano teacher who used to teach my kids. I convinced him to take me on as an adult student. Piano is not a new instrument for me, but I asked the teacher to focus our lessons on the nuts and bolts of scales and music theory that I had not learned years ago when I took lessons as a child. I’m quite sure I’ll never be showcasing my skills publicly, but it’s not really about that. I’m enjoying the journey and revisiting something I had always wanted to do and that gives me joy. I’m grateful to Cheryl for providing the inspiration.