The first occurred when I was about four or five years old. My parents took me and my sister, who was a toddler at the time, to a theatrical event. A small ensemble of musicians, including two trumpet players, performed Baroque chamber music as part of the show.
Something happened that evening that I can’t explain, even all of these years later. When those trumpets began to play, it was as though two angels descended from heaven to sing to me. Those warm, clarion voices connected with my soul. It was a powerfully moving experience, intimate and overwhelming. From that night forward, my objective in life was to create beautiful music as a performer, a composer, or in any way that I could. My life as a creative person, which I have expressed through various avenues, is rooted in the power of that single transformational experience.
The second moment occurred when I was a freshman in college. It was a less pleasant experience.
At the time, I was struggling to keep up with the demands of a challenging academic schedule. One evening, while feeling frustrated over the grades that I had been receiving, my mind drifted into a disturbing vision. I saw myself as an elderly man looking back over a wasted life. I had squandered my opportunities, and it was too late to turn things around.
The vision was so realistic, the disappointment so profound, that I found myself experiencing physical pain as I experience it. It took my breath away. Shocked and saddened, I resolved not to let my real life end up like the life that the vision had foretold. I promised myself that I would do stay focused and do meaningful things with my life.
The third inspirational moment occurred a few years later when I was starting my career. I was reading lots of books at the time, primarily non-fiction titles about business and maximizing personal performance. I wanted to approach my career and my life aggressively.
One day, while listening to a recorded motivational lecture, I heard a quote that shocked me. The author’s premise was so blunt and uncompromising that it left me feeling uncomfortable. As I thought about it, I realized that the quote was meant to be challenging. It set a high bar and in so doing, encouraged hard work and dedication.
I seem to remember the quote being attributed to American philosopher William James, but I have not been able to find it again or verify that attribution. Here, from memory, is a paraphrased version of the words that took me by surprise that day.
“If you do not realize your full potential, then I promise you that you will never be happy.”
It’s a bold and unsettling idea, to be certain, but it had a powerful effect on me. I took it as a challenge and found that it drove me to work harder than I ever had before.
A single moment can change your life. These are some of the moments that changed mine. What are some of the moments that inspired you to become the person that you are today?
Copyright © 2018 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.