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Life Lessons from Church Choir

October 11th, 2020 at 05:23 pm

I have always loved to sing. When I was in eighth grade, I was asked to join the church's adult choir. I was beside myself with joy. Usually that was only for people starting high school and beyond. I didn't realize it then, but I learned some valuable life lessons.

1. The choir is made up of different talents and personalities. Hopefully they all add something to the music.

2. There is one goal -- to make beautiful music.

3. Teamwork is important. There's at time and place for soloists, but the ultimate goal is to blend together.

4. You cannot judge someone by how they look. It is their voice that counts.

5. Not everyone likes the same music.

6. Not all music is appropriate for everything.

7. Some songs are far easier than others.

8. Some are more gifted than others -- I was always envious of those who had perfect pitch.

9. Some of the best musicians don't read music.

10. Don't forget to have a great time!

So, what does this have to do with finances?

Well, in money matters, some people are risk takers while others are not. Some just can make money easily, and others have to struggle. Good choirs have wonderful conductors and for most of us, those with good financial efforts have had someone conducting us along the way, giving us the hints we need. Just like not all music is appropriate, not all investments are appropriate. And there are swindlers out there, sad to say. Church choir really did give me some great examples for life, even finance. I was not the soloist, but I enjoyed the team work. I liked learning new songs and different pieces. I just loved to sing.

Past tense. Asthma has stolen my breath in order to be able to truly sing, but it has taught me other things. I need to enjoy life as it comes, even in those bad times. When a hard piece would be introduced, it would have been easy to give up, but there's just something glorious about learning and mastering a new piece. Same with life and even finance. OK, that fund is hard or boy, putting money aside is difficult, but what a sense of accomplishment when something is mastered.

Hopefully I will continue to learn and use these life lessons. One thing I will admit that is even if cannot be in the church choir anymore, I can still enjoy music. So maybe that is the best lesson of all.

Posted in Personal Finance, Ramblings and nonsensical chatter | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Life Lessons from Church Choir”

  1. Wink Says:
    October 11th, 2020 at 10:39 pm 1602455976
    1602455976

    I love this! I never believed I was a very good artist, always comparing myself to others. But the joy it brings me and the confidence I have gained is priceless. I feel the same way about my financial journey. I sort of followed my own path, did things a little differently, and in the end, it has served me well.

  2. rob62521 Says:
    October 11th, 2020 at 10:47 pm 1602456460
    1602456460

    Wink, that is terrific art brings you such joy. I think it is so easy to compare ourselves to others; I know I'm guilty of doing that. But glad you can see your own worth. You are a smart cookie and glad it has helped you with your finances.

  3. joan.of.the.arch Says:
    October 11th, 2020 at 11:23 pm 1602458584
    1602458584

    I was in church choir when 13 and 14 years old. In my memory have revisited a choir incident many times. Perhaps it holds a message that can be applied to personal finances. The lesson would be that some people are going to judge you, but you can just let it go and carry on. My choir story: We were practicing, doing warm ups, then learning a new song. Suddenly the organist stopped, pointed directly at me with her whole arm extended and said angrily to the choir mistress, "Sister, this girl is not singing!" Of course, I had been singing and said so. The organist said that my mouth did not even open. I was baffled but kept on singing the rest of the practice. At home later, I sang in front of a mirror and noticed that, sure enough, my mouth does not open so widely as most people's do when they sing.

  4. Dido Says:
    October 12th, 2020 at 01:02 pm 1602507741
    1602507741

    Love this post, Rob, and the thoughtful way you have extrapolated from your experience.

  5. terri77 Says:
    October 12th, 2020 at 04:04 pm 1602518673
    1602518673

    These are some wonderful life lessons! I used to be one that never stuck with anything that I wasn’t instantly good at. Through dancing & aerial hoops I am learning to find joy in the process of challenging myself & to not compare myself to others.

  6. CB in the City Says:
    October 12th, 2020 at 05:40 pm 1602524451
    1602524451

    Thank you for the "music lessons." It's always good to remember that so many experiences offer lessons beyond what you might think.

  7. My English Castle Says:
    October 13th, 2020 at 02:27 pm 1602599223
    1602599223

    So true, and so well put, Rob.

  8. Thrifty Ray Says:
    October 13th, 2020 at 03:32 pm 1602603151
    1602603151

    Ah, I really enjoyed reading this!!!...and you are so spot on. The correlations are so true!

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