Martin Luther on the Value of Today

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Enjoy!

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Martin Luther

What’s the point of starting if we feel we’ll never be as good as our heroes?

Is it worth it to study guitar if we doubt we’ll ever reach the upper levels of skill?

If we have only limited time, either in our days or our lives, why should we put in the work?

Because, as former slave Frederick Douglass put it, “A man is worked upon by what he works on.”

The benefits of musical study cannot be reduced to reaching goals, even if lofty. We won’t be fulfilled only by playing the grand concert pieces.

Quite the opposite: regardless of level, focused practice is its own reward. And we can find just as much meaning and enjoyment first learning our chords as we can polishing the Bach Chaconne.

As we appreciate the small details in our practice, we’re more likely to appreciate them in our daily lives.

As we focus our attention on our work, we’re more likely to focus our attention on our loved ones.

As we become more aware of our bodies and muscles, we become more aware of the world around us.

Appreciation begets more appreciation. Focus begets more focus. Awareness begets more awareness.

The large-scale concert piece is a wonderful goal, even if we never get there. But the real payoff is in the daily quest.