Every Tuesday, I get the opportunity to teach drums to an 11-year old boy and his name is Jethro. I was a bit worried during our first meeting because he was a bit shorter than I expected for the reason that he might not be able to reach the drum heads properly. Ever since day one, I would always tell him that whenever he learns new things in drums, it is important to learn it slowly and properly. Whenever he gets impatient with the basics, I would always tell him those things in a low and calm voice: Jethro, do it slowly and properly.
My sessions with him progressed and he really learned very quick. Everytime I would check on his progress at the beginning of our session, I would get surprised because he really improves quickly. If we were on the same age, I think he would be better than me. At the end of our 1-hour session, I would always remind him to practice, practice and practice.
Last Saturday, we had our session again (because I had an interview last Tuesday so I moved it on a Saturday, just for that specific week). I was teaching him the 16th note beat. I know most of you don't know what it sounds like, don't worry it's not an important information but what's important is what Jethro told me while trying to do the 16th note beat. I noticed that he's having a hard time doing a rim shot (it's technique used whenever you hit the snare drum) so I told him not to do the rim shot first and just get used to the 16th note beat. Our conversation went like this:
Me: (Looking at Jethro while playing the drums and noticing he's not doing the rim shot)
Jethro: (trying and struggling)
Me: Jethro, don't do the rim shot anymore. Just do the 16th note beat. You don't have to do the rim shot.
Jethro: (Paused after what I said) No, you told me to do it "slowly and properly" right? So I'll have to do it. (Staring me down like a boss).
When he turned towards the drums, I smiled. I told myself: "I can't believe he really remembered it."
It felt so good. For someone to remind me of the things that I firmly believe in. For someone to grasp the idea of what you are trying to teach them. For someone to remind me of the value of listening and many other things. Jethro's two-sentenced reply really made me thinking after our session. I can learn so much from that conversation and Jethro's reply but here's my ultimate take home:
Make every effort to live a consistent life. I don't mean a comforted life. Live with consistency but not for consistency. People are looking at us and listening to us if we are living a consistent life. People are looking if we remain true to ourselves, to our friends, to our family and to God. They are looking if we remain true to our claims. Living a consistent life is not a carefree life nor a comfortable life - it's a hard life to live. Being consistent is not being conventional. A consistent person acknowledges changes and embraces it but he makes sure that his principles are still in place and that he guards the things that matter the most. A consistent life is not a boring life contrary to popular belief. How hard it is to walk in a narrow path! A consistent life is for the weak and for the strong but not for the proud because it takes so much humility to surrender and admit mistakes in order to be consistent.
My sessions with him progressed and he really learned very quick. Everytime I would check on his progress at the beginning of our session, I would get surprised because he really improves quickly. If we were on the same age, I think he would be better than me. At the end of our 1-hour session, I would always remind him to practice, practice and practice.
Last Saturday, we had our session again (because I had an interview last Tuesday so I moved it on a Saturday, just for that specific week). I was teaching him the 16th note beat. I know most of you don't know what it sounds like, don't worry it's not an important information but what's important is what Jethro told me while trying to do the 16th note beat. I noticed that he's having a hard time doing a rim shot (it's technique used whenever you hit the snare drum) so I told him not to do the rim shot first and just get used to the 16th note beat. Our conversation went like this:
Me: (Looking at Jethro while playing the drums and noticing he's not doing the rim shot)
Jethro: (trying and struggling)
Me: Jethro, don't do the rim shot anymore. Just do the 16th note beat. You don't have to do the rim shot.
Jethro: (Paused after what I said) No, you told me to do it "slowly and properly" right? So I'll have to do it. (Staring me down like a boss).
When he turned towards the drums, I smiled. I told myself: "I can't believe he really remembered it."
It felt so good. For someone to remind me of the things that I firmly believe in. For someone to grasp the idea of what you are trying to teach them. For someone to remind me of the value of listening and many other things. Jethro's two-sentenced reply really made me thinking after our session. I can learn so much from that conversation and Jethro's reply but here's my ultimate take home:
Make every effort to live a consistent life. I don't mean a comforted life. Live with consistency but not for consistency. People are looking at us and listening to us if we are living a consistent life. People are looking if we remain true to ourselves, to our friends, to our family and to God. They are looking if we remain true to our claims. Living a consistent life is not a carefree life nor a comfortable life - it's a hard life to live. Being consistent is not being conventional. A consistent person acknowledges changes and embraces it but he makes sure that his principles are still in place and that he guards the things that matter the most. A consistent life is not a boring life contrary to popular belief. How hard it is to walk in a narrow path! A consistent life is for the weak and for the strong but not for the proud because it takes so much humility to surrender and admit mistakes in order to be consistent.
2 Corinthians 10:15
Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you.
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