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In my own town life seemed bleak, as the news constantly obsessed over numbers of coronavirus cases numbers and deaths. Between these times of nationwide and local sorrow for those affected by COVID-19 and between moments of reflection and time spent at home as a result of coronavirus restrictions, I sought a way to destress and make good use of the ample time I now had while staying in my hometown.
During this time, I decided to take up piano lessons.
When most people think of someone beginning piano lessons, they typically think of a young, eager child learning for the first time. While I am an adult learner, this image once applied to me. I began piano lessons at the age of six and continued until I was ten. However, I was not yet mature enough to value the privilege I had been given and so I never practiced. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I hated piano lessons. A vicious cycle of not practicing led to miserable lessons which drove me further into the desire to not practice. After four years, I felt like my freedom had been granted when my mother finally refused to keep paying for lessons that were bearing no fruit and, honestly, causing more stress than they were worth at that time.
I believe everyone should have something in their life that fulfills that requirement; something we participate in simply because it brings us joy, no matter how busy we find ourselves.
Fast forward several years, and I always regretted not having the self-discipline to continue with my music lessons. I would watch performers play the piano online and be amazed at the quickness and lightness with which their fingers would tickle the ivories. After considering it for some time and looking for a ray of sunshine in the midst of such dark times, I decided to pursue piano lessons this past summer.
In addition to it serving as a sense of stress relief, the music has been therapeutic. It is helpful in distracting my mind when all the turmoil happening in the United States seems overwhelming. I was a little apprehensive at first, as learning a new instrument as an adult is less common, but I am beyond ecstatic that I began to pick up this hobby I took for granted 10 years ago.
One is never too old to learn, and the joy that comes with music can be compared to few other things in this world. My desire to practice is significantly greater now than when I was a child, which could be attributed to several reasons. However, I believe one of the most significant is that I am playing the piano for no one but myself. It is not something with any ulterior motives: I am not required to do it because of my college classes, and it is not compulsory for any of my other obligations. It is simply a hobby in my life I am pursuing for no other reason other than the enjoyment that arises from it. It is not for the praise of others or to prepare myself for life after college.
I believe everyone should have something in their life that fulfills that requirement; something we participate in simply because it brings us joy, no matter how busy we find ourselves.
During this difficult time, I encourage all to evaluate what brings them joy in their life; pursue those things at all costs, especially during the stressful times we now find ourselves in.
Madelin Shelton, of Owenton, Ky., is a member of the McConnell Scholar Class of 2022. She studies political science and philosophy at the University of Louisville.