Lessons from an Old Guitar

Years ago, when I was just barely into my teens, my dad came home from work carrying a battered, old guitar. He knew I wanted to learn to play one - I'd
seen folk groups, country acts - even some new group called "The Beatles" playing them, and it looked like so much fun. In fact, while these
performers were on TV, I'd watch carefully for the close-up shots, and (using a baseball bat as a "guitar") I'd mimic their fingering, position of the chords and timing.

When he gave me the acoustic guitar, I sat down and, propping it up on my knee, began to position my fingers on the neck, just as I had seen the performers do. Certainly, I was going to be the next Elvis.

But he did something that I'll remember to my dying day: He took a big, calloused hand, put it over the fingerboard and stopped me from playing! Then he
said,

"Son, wait a minute. Let me tell you a little story. You see, as you grow up, life's goin' to be a lot like that old guitar, no matter what you do. And, just like the sounds you can make on that guitar, the ones you make in life are going to be entirely up to you. Now, your mama and I can't stop you from framming away at it like an off-tune madman any more than we can stop you from playing beautiful music. When you get to be an adult, you'll have the same choice when you're 'out there' in the real world. Nobody can stop you; it'll be your decision as to what type of 'music' you give them.

Do you see those strings, and how you're holding them down with your fingertips? Each note is meant to create harmony with another. That's your goal in life,
son ... learn to place each thing you do ...each step you take ... so it'll be in harmony with mankind. Otherwise, just like with a guitar, you're gonna make such a
noise that nobody'll want to hear you.

Eventually, you'll learn how to sing with that guitar - maybe even write a few tunes yourself. When you do, always remember that a simple song does
better when the words are from the heart. Make them easy for people to learn ... to keep in their mind. Remember, you're painting a picture with
each one. When you learn do the same thing when you're dealing with people on an everyday basis, you'll get along fine with 'em! Maybe there won't be any musical notes, but the reasoning's the same, right? And that 'song' that you give them ... the one you show everyday in your actions ... will be the one
that can go 'number one' with your friends and others. Just leave the lyrics open to the listener's point of view, and they'll be humming that song long after you've
left Life's stage."

Then, with one hand lovingly on my shoulder, daddy slowly took his other off the fingerboard.

"Now ... let's hear you play ... "