Follow your dreams
If you’re a drummer whether a hobbyist or a serious one you’ve probably read or heard about Modern Drummer magazine.
I was reading the reader’s platform page in their May 2002 issue (with Mike Portnoy on the cover) and there was this article that was very very inspiring and I thought to share it with you guys and gals.
The article was from George R. Waterman and his article goes something like this:
I’ve been playing percussion since I was three. About six years ago I got caught up in the turmoil of life and decided that I needed to get a “real job.” My drumming activity dwindled until it finally stopped. I got caught up in the reasoning that money is everything, and that we need to work as much as possible in order to make enough money to retire on. I’m here to tell you now that that reasoning was… and is… truly ridiculous.
People used to ask me to play with them all the time. Everyone I met would tell me that I was “going somewhere.” I felt so proud. Only now do I realize that that was the happiest time of my life.
My point is this: Never give up. There is nothing better than doing what you love to do. If you can’t get past worrying about money, try a little harder with your drumming. Maybe you’ll be able to make a great living from it. But even if you don’t, who cares?
Kids: Continue to play. It’ll be the best thing you can do for yourselves. Nothing in life will ever compare to the satisfaction of jamming with your band and finishing a song. Nothing will ever be better than hearing people tell you how good you are or how much they enjoy your playing.
Parents: Let your kids play whenever they wish. You’ll have better kids for it… kids that could go somewhere and really do something for the world.
Nothing is better than the contribution of music. Nothing.
That article continues to be an inspiration for me to never give up my passion. As you can see this does not only apply to a musician. This is for all who have their dreams and goals in life who at some point faced challenges.
Always keep it in your mind and in your heart to… NEVER GIVE UP YOUR DREAMS.
