non-motorcycle related personal story
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:16 am
WARNING: heart warming, and almost sickenly sweet story follows (but true). Not suitable for the heart hardened or curmudgeonly type.
It's amazing how some of the smallest things we do for someone else turn out to be really huge in their lives. I had one of the most wonderful things happen last night and even hours later, the joy has not left me, so I thought I would share the story.
A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to play flamenco guitar as another hobby. I signed up for some lessons, bought a $35.00 book about two inches thick, and got all pumped up about learning a new technique. It was a short lived venture for me. Two lessons and I knew I didn't want to spend anymore time with this instructor, so I quit.
Then about 4 months later I was talking to a friend about music and he mentioned that he was thinking about learning flamenco. I told him of my experience and then promised to bring him my book the next time I came in to his place of business. The next week, I brought him the book and wished him luck. He offered to pay me for it, but I didn't need the money. He and his wife were struggling financially, and I figured they needed the gift more than I needed the money. It's more fun giving something away anyway.
I've only seen him a couple of times in passing since then, but last night I was surprised by a hand delivered CD by someone who works with my friend. It's a demo CD of an upcoming release he is working on - all flamenco guitar. The guy took the book and taught himself and is now good enough to produce quality work and even teach lessons!! It sounds incredible. I just sat there beeming as I listened to all 10 songs he recorded. If I had a way of loading one to the internet, I'd share a 47 second song that is really incredible.
With the delivery of the CD he sent word to me that he was giving me the first demo because I was the one who had urged, inspired, and provided for him a means to start flamenco. The words, "if you hadn't given me the book, I would have given up on the idea" were like diamonds to me. It was just a book to me, but it has become so much more for him. Just his words of 'thanks' and letting me know that I had influenced him and had done something significant in his life was one of the greatest gifts I could receive.
A million cliches come to mind. But for me, the gift of the CD last night and how it affected me confirmed to me that two decisions I made within the last few years are right and good. 1. to focus more on influence rather than affluence, and 2. to always let those who have inspired me, encouraged me, or influenced me in any way know the power of their life in mine. The gift of the CD along with his words of thanks were a thousand times worth more than what I paid for that book. Influence in other people's lives pays higher dividends than any monetary investment I could make in the stock market. The feeling I had when I received that gift reminded me again how important it is to let others know the significance they have had in my life. Sometimes they have no idea and are completely shocked when they find out that something they did or said had birthed such dreams or determination in me.
Both of those 'convictions' I adopted a few years ago are so easily done, yet so often overlooked. Last night was a good reminder for me to look around today and see who I could help or encourage again.
It's amazing how some of the smallest things we do for someone else turn out to be really huge in their lives. I had one of the most wonderful things happen last night and even hours later, the joy has not left me, so I thought I would share the story.
A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to play flamenco guitar as another hobby. I signed up for some lessons, bought a $35.00 book about two inches thick, and got all pumped up about learning a new technique. It was a short lived venture for me. Two lessons and I knew I didn't want to spend anymore time with this instructor, so I quit.
Then about 4 months later I was talking to a friend about music and he mentioned that he was thinking about learning flamenco. I told him of my experience and then promised to bring him my book the next time I came in to his place of business. The next week, I brought him the book and wished him luck. He offered to pay me for it, but I didn't need the money. He and his wife were struggling financially, and I figured they needed the gift more than I needed the money. It's more fun giving something away anyway.
I've only seen him a couple of times in passing since then, but last night I was surprised by a hand delivered CD by someone who works with my friend. It's a demo CD of an upcoming release he is working on - all flamenco guitar. The guy took the book and taught himself and is now good enough to produce quality work and even teach lessons!! It sounds incredible. I just sat there beeming as I listened to all 10 songs he recorded. If I had a way of loading one to the internet, I'd share a 47 second song that is really incredible.
With the delivery of the CD he sent word to me that he was giving me the first demo because I was the one who had urged, inspired, and provided for him a means to start flamenco. The words, "if you hadn't given me the book, I would have given up on the idea" were like diamonds to me. It was just a book to me, but it has become so much more for him. Just his words of 'thanks' and letting me know that I had influenced him and had done something significant in his life was one of the greatest gifts I could receive.
A million cliches come to mind. But for me, the gift of the CD last night and how it affected me confirmed to me that two decisions I made within the last few years are right and good. 1. to focus more on influence rather than affluence, and 2. to always let those who have inspired me, encouraged me, or influenced me in any way know the power of their life in mine. The gift of the CD along with his words of thanks were a thousand times worth more than what I paid for that book. Influence in other people's lives pays higher dividends than any monetary investment I could make in the stock market. The feeling I had when I received that gift reminded me again how important it is to let others know the significance they have had in my life. Sometimes they have no idea and are completely shocked when they find out that something they did or said had birthed such dreams or determination in me.
Both of those 'convictions' I adopted a few years ago are so easily done, yet so often overlooked. Last night was a good reminder for me to look around today and see who I could help or encourage again.
