It was exciting when our daughter first showed interest in playing an instrument. It was something I always wanted to do when I was younger but lacked the discipline and follow through. When she started playing the piano and eventually myself the guitar I had this dream or wish to see us gathered around the piano singing and playing Christmas carols or Happy Birthday. I was looking forward to the memories we would make together. I was creating this ideal future, a picture of how happiness was going to look.
Little did I know that I was potentially blinding myself to happiness in the present. I’ve always thought that what was going to give me happiness would be in the future.
Yesterday when she asked me if she could show me how to play, my first thought was about the work I needed to get done. Then I realized she was here embracing the piano, excited by it and wanted to share it with me. As I was there playing with her, being taught by her, I realized I nearly missed what I had wished for.
The Wish Coming True
This was us gathered around her piano. We were living the future, the future that I had dreamt for her and I when she began to play for the first time. It wasn’t Christmas carols or “Happy Birthday” but “Old McDonald” and “Oh Susanna”. For the most part she showed me how fast she could move her fingers. I could see how proud she felt for playing as fast as she could. And I was proud of her.
Years from now as I am sitting in the dining room looking across the room to that piano, I will remember that day. She may not remember that moment but I will. Not just for the time with her but for the lesson I learned that day.
Importantly don’t wait for certain events to happen; some random boxes to be checked. See the happiness in the day you have. Be present enough to see what might be screaming in your face. See that you have arrived, and if you are lucky there could be more to come. Since tomorrow is not promised don’t get lost in the future.
What does this day have to offer?
In conclusion, if I can’t let go of these expectations of how I envision these moments, I might miss them all together. In Walden, Henry David Thoreau wrote “To be awake is to be alive.” It reminds me to be aware of what is going on around me. To once again look for what I have wished for.