Many people die with their music still in them. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
Does a bird die with it’s music still in them? Not hardly. About the only time they seem to be quiet is for that brief moment when they take the next breath.
What does that mean?
As is often the case, this is a twitter-friendly version of a longer quote: “Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.”
The long version does a pretty good job of explaining the quote and it’s context. It doesn’t, however, point out that the point of the quote is to equate music to our potential. We hold our potential, our music, within us as we prepare to do it right, but then run out of time.
The quote warns us against waiting too long to get things started, as we never know when our time is up. Sometimes you just have to sing, even if you don’t think you’re ready. Even if it’s not your best possible performance, it’s better than a performance that doesn’t happen because you’re still warming up, or perfecting your music.
Why is taking action important?
If you never act on a task, you’ll never get that task done, will you? If you’re always getting ready, as the quote says, you’ll never actually get around to actually doing. However, if you don’t get ready, you don’t plan, you’re far more likely to fail.
Somewhere between too little planning and too much planning (rashness vs procrastination) is our best possible path. Everyone will have a different path, and the path will change as time passes, and our talents and desires change.
Most importantly, only taking action gets anything done. If we are to get our music out, both for our own enjoyment and for others to enjoy, we need to take action. Yes, we must prepare, but we should put every effort into not making the preparation our life’s work.
Where can I apply this in my life?
Where in your life are you not taking action? Specifically, where in your life are there things you really would like to do, but you aren’t doing them? Are you procrastinating, or are you actually that detailed in your planning? In either case, if you don’t get started, will it ever get done?
For each inaction on your list, write down what’s holding you back. Are you afraid of failing? Are you afraid of succeeding? Is there a skill you lack, or are you still unsure of a method? Are you unsure of something that must be done?
These are the kinds of things that have stopped me dead in my tracks before. What has stopped you? What can you do to get going again? Even if you’re not sure it will work, write down some ideas. One thing is certain; if you do nothing, nothing will get done.
The point of the quote is to share the best part of you. If you are a singer, but don’t sing, if you take your music with you when you leave, you are living this quote. Let’s try not to do that. What is in you, what talent, skill, proclivity, or desire do you have?
What could you do to change the world, or at least your little corner of it, if only you went out and did something? Is it one of the things already on your list, or do you need to add it to the list? If you’re adding it, be sure to also do the other steps listed above.
Now, for the important part, your reason. A reason so big, that even if you lost your hearing you’d still make your music. So big that even if you were going blind, you would continue to paint. So big that the reason alone can crush all obstacles. If you can find one (or make one), you truly will be unstoppable.
For the rest if us, we need to figure out what we can come up with that at least helps keep us motivated when things aren’t going as well as planned. I have found that I’ll do more if it’s for someone else than I will if it’s only for myself. That might help you come up with a reason.
Once you have a reason, and written it down next to your ‘music,’ all that is left is to make a quick plan to get you started, and some details on the first step or two, so you can get your first item checked off immediately.
Start by starting, right? Don’t do all this work and then let it sit. Don’t get all primed and then put it down and walk away. Not without taking a step or two in the correct direction, right?
It’s your music, whatever it may be. Don’t let it go unsung. Take some time, figure it out, and give it a try. You might have to try a few times before you get the right music, but if you keep after it, you will find it.
And then you play your music. For yourself. For your family or for your friends. For your neighbors, your neighborhood, or your community. And perhaps an even larger group of people. Take action; you won’t know until you try!
From: Twitter, @tonyrobbins
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oliverwend104426.html
Photo by gareth1953 Been In Hospital Again
