The Song

Close your eyes and picture yourself walking through the doors of a building filled with a large variety of musical instruments. The purpose of this place is to help you find the instrument that suits you best, so you can compose the song of your life. Instructors have been provided to help you learn.

As you take in the view, you are amazed at the number of options available. There are small instruments and large instruments, common instruments and lesser-known ones. Many cultures are represented, and you find it difficult to select just one instrument from among so many.

The instructors begin to play, hoping to entice you to learn from them. You walk from one to the next, listening to the sounds and observing the process of playing.

A flute catches your ear, then a violin. There is a piano in the center of the room being played masterfully, but the instrumentalists are all playing different pieces. The results are cacophonous!

You see a harp being played in the corner, but can't hear it over the noise. As you get closer, you are moved by the music. You think you may have found the instrument for you, but you are still uncertain. The harp instructor sees your hesitation and invites you to come closer. Sitting you down at the instrument, she begins to show you how it works. You consider staying, but decide to evaluate more options first. After playing the sitar, trombone, piccolo and cello you begin to wonder if there is an instrument that is perfect for you. Soon a guitar is placed in your hands. It feels comfortable and sounds amazing. You begin learning and develop a tolerable competence. Still, you feel something may be missing. Your curiosity drives you to experiment with many different instruments. Some are enjoyable, and some are not.

Then you get an idea. You begin talking quietly with several instructors. Your words are received with smiles and nods. Soon a group of them are assembled, and they begin to play the same song. The other instructors stop what they are doing and pause to listen, then join in the song.

You think to yourself as the music continues that perhaps your life purpose is much larger than learning to play a single instrument. Perhaps your role is to bring harmony to the world.