When I was 12 years-old, after 5 years of lessons, I quit piano because I got tired of practicing. Over the years, when I had access to a piano, I would sit down and enjoy playing. But I didn’t stick with it.  A few years ago I was gifted a high-quality keyboard and decided it was time to really  “learn” music—especially music theory. In 2022 I wrote about this challenging experience in “Gobsmacked by All I Didn’t Know.” After many months of studying and practicing on my own, I gave up, overwhelmed by all I didn’t know about music.

Then, two months ago, I had a dream about Leonard Cohen’s unforgettable song “Hallelujah.” I woke up with a sudden determination to really learn how to play this song. Last month I started piano lessons with a teacher in my neighborhood. I’m working on “Hallelujah,” but also practicing classics from the exact same book I used in 1960!  The same songs! That old music book is one of the very few possessions I have from that time.

Practicing is challenging, but it brings me immense joy and satisfaction. My goal is simple: to create pretty music. And I expect I’ll learn some music theory along the way.

Playing piano for pleasure is a pure form a recreation. The word recreation comes from the Latin word, “recreate” which means “to refresh, restore, make anew, revive, invigorate,”—and that’s exactly what happens when I play.

The crazy thing is I sometimes feel selfish or lazy when I spend time at the piano. I catch myself thinking I’m “not doing anything,” as if playing just for personal satisfaction is a waste of time.  As a child, I learned far more about the value of work than I learned about the value of recreation. Even now, doing anything that I don’t consider productive work can make me feel uneasy.  Ridiculous, right? After all, I’m an almost 76 year-old retired grandmother. I’m convinced that the time I spend playing the piano will help me grow out of this old mindset. And it’s much cheaper than therapy.

I’m excited about this new hobby in my life and relish knowing it is both fun and good for me.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Is there any childhood activity you might like to resume? Maybe you can find a sports team, pick up your childhood passion to draw or sing.  A good friend has had great fun participating in Senior Olympics. 

2. I don’t think I”m the only one  hung up on work and productivity.  Drop me a note or comment to let me know how you have dealt with this particular  hang-up.

God bless and happy almost-spring!

Donna

EXTRAS

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Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series, “Engaging with a Messy World” and " “Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.