It's really, really often that I have students that claim something is hard. But lately, I find another quote coming consistently from my kiddo's mouths: "That's hard for me."

I respond by smiling sweetly and saying something to the effect of, "I know. It's hard for everybody."

There's even a smaller subset of kiddos that go on to explain why it's hard for them: the notes are jumbling up their fingers, they don't feel that they can bow that way, etc. etc. And again, I smile sweetly and respond, "Yup, you're right. That's exactly why it's hard. And practice will make it easier."

I feel kind of proud when I'm able to deflect this well. I think it's a good lesson. It's important to know what you can do in life naturally, what you can do in life with a little bit of work, and the tiny, rare things that you actually can't do. The vast majority of things in life fall into category B - work goes along with life. The natural things are wonderful, and may want to be something that you want to do with your life. But not me...

I know I'm naturally a good listener. I've learned some amazing things about people in the short time I've been on Earth just by listening to them. And I'm excited to learn more - it enriches my life the more I understand about humanity. I'm thrilled about how much I have yet to learn. Does this mean I want to be a psychologist? Nah. Interesting subject, but not enough interest for me.

Music, on the other hand, is something that I need to work at. All the time. Sure, I have some natural talent for my instrument, but it's not nearly enough to carry me. The violin is a challenge, every day, every hour. Music itself constantly leaves itself open to learn more. I can never learn enough, either. No matter how much you study music, there's always something else to do for yourself. Something else to improve upon. And using my knowledge of music and knowledge of life (limited as they both are) to relate the two just thrills me more.

The violin is a hard, hard instrument. And that's why I'm so fascinated by it and the study of music. It's hard for me.