Don't Quit!

November 13, 2023

Hello, friends! Today's post will just be informal and chatty. This time of year is busy for everyone, and writing an in-depth blog post and creating a YouTube video is a little much for me in one week. Hats off to those who can do it, but that exceeds my personal limits.

A few weeks ago, I shared my personal story about my hands and the summer I could not practice the piano. I took that blog post and expanded it into a YouTube video.

This video isn't just about playing the piano, but its about learning to overcome difficulty in life. Even if you are not into music, I hope that you will take a few minutes to watch, and hopefully your heart will be blessed!

One of my main goals in writing a blog and having a YouTube channel is to encourage others. Life is challenging, and we all need encouragement. We all go through struggles, and we need to see them from God's perspective and also see how we can grow from the struggles.

In this video, "Small Hands, Beautiful Sounds", I share my story, and it's very near and dear to my heart. Rather, I should say this is God's story and how He worked in my life! From a human perspective, I shouldn't be playing the piano, yet I have the grand privilege of playing the piano every Sunday at my church.

Due to my many physical struggles and limitations with my hands, I wanted to quit playing the piano and throw in the towel (so to speak). Just ask my mother. Apparently, even my earliest practice times with the piano were filled with tears (I honestly don't remember that part).

Though certain dreams for the piano in my life never came to fruition, other blessings came. God has allowed me to write music (which I have loved to do since I was a little girl), and now I have the opportunity to write music for those who, like myself, may struggle to play the grand pieces full of octaves.

I'm not just promoting a Pollyanna approach to life, nor am I encouraging an Eeyore outlook on life. We need to view life realistically yet optimistically. How can I take what's been placed in my hands and use that gift or gifts for God and others? God has gifted no one else in the world just like He has gifted me, and the same is absolutely true of you, dear reader.

Even if some of your dreams are dashed, don't quit. Even if someone else can do it 10 times better than you can, don't quit. Just because someone else seems successful, and no one has ever heard your name, don't quit. Take your weaknesses, and view them as strengths. Take your failures, and grow from them. Take your struggles, and learn to do it better so that you can give back something to others.

Whatever you do, don't quit. Don't throw in the towel. God has a purpose for your life. Find that purpose and give it your all!

Be encouraged, my dear readers. Thank you to the special ones who have taken the time to encourage me personally. You know who you are, and you are the inspiration and encouragement to keep this blog going. If you find this blog a blessing, will you share it with a friend or share it on your Facebook page?

-Ashley

For those who may not want to watch the whole backstory of "Small Hands, Beautiful Sounds", I created a shorter video of just my latest piano arrangement (which is included in "Small Hands, Beautiful Sounds").

"Take My Life, and Let It Be" Sheet Music-- https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/take-my-life-and-let-it-be-with-sun-of-my-soul-early-intermediate-piano-solo-22615765.html

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