Have you ever believed you could do something but were not sure how to do it? I'm sure this means everyone out there. How does one face failure without losing confidence? For me, this is where faith and confidence work together. As a pianist, I have always believed I can achieve the highest levels. But I have also found myself banging against on what seems to be an "achievement ceiling." It's a limitation of some kind that keeps me from going higher.
As a Christian Scientist I understand this limitation is a false belief that God's reflection -- and therefore God, Himself -- could be limited in some way. What I must do is exercise faith that my true unlimited nature cannot be -- and is not -- restricted or limited in any way. My thought along these lines (prayer) was never to give in to the false suggestion that such a limitation could be insurmountable or permanent.
For years I have faced certain technical challenges that claimed to limit me as a performer. While my conviction never faltered that I could surmount these limitations, it was sometimes not always easy to the sense of confidence and assurance that is such a basic human need. Through faith that this ability was still there and was not compromised or weakened or wasted, I persisted for many years gradually working through the difficulty.
Recently I studied a YouTube clip -- quite a short one (only 30 seconds long). A certain aspect of piano technique was clarified to me in a way that unfolded a fundamental restructuring of the goals and methods of my own piano practice. The clip itself isn't so important but let me show it to you here:
As a Christian Scientist I understand this limitation is a false belief that God's reflection -- and therefore God, Himself -- could be limited in some way. What I must do is exercise faith that my true unlimited nature cannot be -- and is not -- restricted or limited in any way. My thought along these lines (prayer) was never to give in to the false suggestion that such a limitation could be insurmountable or permanent.
For years I have faced certain technical challenges that claimed to limit me as a performer. While my conviction never faltered that I could surmount these limitations, it was sometimes not always easy to the sense of confidence and assurance that is such a basic human need. Through faith that this ability was still there and was not compromised or weakened or wasted, I persisted for many years gradually working through the difficulty.
Recently I studied a YouTube clip -- quite a short one (only 30 seconds long). A certain aspect of piano technique was clarified to me in a way that unfolded a fundamental restructuring of the goals and methods of my own piano practice. The clip itself isn't so important but let me show it to you here:
The specific clip did not spell out any answers. However, my thought opened to considering a practice method based on some of the things I observed. Once I understood the technical aspect and how it affected my practice, I knew I had broken through this ceiling. Now I felt a surge in confidence, and this has led to joy that I can continue to go upwards in my musical work and share with others a deeper and purer vision of the music I play.
Bottom line: You are never limited. What appears to be a limitation on your abilities or potential is a suggestion that your upward momentum can be stopped. Don't listen to it. Steps of progress may be small but look for them...and take them. It's part of being God's perfect child.
Bottom line: You are never limited. What appears to be a limitation on your abilities or potential is a suggestion that your upward momentum can be stopped. Don't listen to it. Steps of progress may be small but look for them...and take them. It's part of being God's perfect child.
RSS Feed