A few days before COVID hit, there was an Irish session about 30 minutes away from my house. I debated whether to go because it was getting dark and I was getting lazy after working all day. I opted to stay home, cuddle up on the couch, and plant myself in front of the TV. I figured I would go instead to the next session two weeks later.
Then COVID hit and that session never came.
That was 10 months ago and boy, what I wouldn’t give to be able to sit with other musicians and share a tune or two at this very moment.
I’ve always been a procrastinator with the motto why do today what you can do tomorrow. I can’t count how many tests I crammed for in college, or how many presentations I created for work the night before they were due, or how many times I’ve committed to working on my scales which still hasn’t actually happened.
It always seems a little easier to push things off until tomorrow. There is always a good reason why we can’t do it today. But then tomorrow comes and it all gets pushed off again. And on it goes.
This week, I found out that a fellow musician and great person, passed away unexpectedly at too young of an age. It’s heart-breaking for his friends, family and fellow musicians. It is also a jolting reminder that tomorrow is never a guarantee. Today is literally all we have. So we need to make the best of it and do those things we keep pushing off. Take that trip, study for that test, learn your scales, play your music, tell your friends and family how much you love them because today is what we have.
So instead of asking: Why do today what you can do tomorrow, what we should be asking is: Why not just do it today?
I dedicate today’s blog post to fellow Irish musician, Jim Curtin, who passed away this week. He was not only a great flute player, he was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He always had a smile on his face, was quick with a laugh, encouraging at sessions, and was always ready to share a tune or two with anyone. He will be sorely missed. RIP Jim! If they didn’t have beautiful music in heaven before, they certainly do now.
Session Obsession 