November 18, 2024
Let me tell you a story about a young girl with dreams. As a ten-year-old, she wrote songs on blank computer paper that she had carefully traced 5-lined staves with a ruler and pencil. Her dad, a professional in the field of computers, saw a perfect application for a robust music notation program known as Finale.
The father purchased Finale and set up a small work station in the basement beside his dad’s old drafting table. The girl read through (most of) the Finale manual at her father’s bidding and then started writing her own compositions using the computer program.
Years came and went, and the girl’s interest in writing music ebbed and flowed. Spurts of creativity followed dry spells. The high school years fostered strong dreams, and a loving orchestra director daily fueled those dreams. College came and with it a sense of lost footing and questioned self-value. Lost in a sea of confusing theory classes and terrified by a memorized senior recital under glaring lights, the girl changed her college major to something less intimidating. Doubts and perfectionism quieted the dream: the dream of writing music.
Years continued, as they always do. A marriage and a move to a country setting forever changed the girl, now a young woman, and gave her a new-found perspective. Another move back to the city, a job in the downtown, and first-time home ownership (finally) furthered changed her life and continued to hone her personal life goals.
Do you want to know the irony of it all? This girl is back to writing music and loving every minute of it. She spent hours writing music on her grandpa’s drafting table, and now she spends hours writing music on her dad’s old high school desk. Does this girl know every elaborate chord taught in upper-level theory classes? Nope. But she loves music because it touches her soul. And now she writes music that she hopes will touch the souls of others.
Did she expertly perform a senior recital in college? Nope. She chickened out. But the funny thing is now she plays for anyone in the world right in the comfort of her living room through her growing YouTube channel. Is she the best pianist or violinist in the world? Absolutely not, but her heart beats music and she hopes to touch lives through her music.
Friends, as you already know, that girl is this girl writing this blog post. This is one narrative from the story of my life, an imperfect yet beautifully woven section of the tapestry of my life.
The opening of my online shop is truly a dream come true. About twelve years ago, I toyed with opening an online store, but the complexities of online websites and retail business quickly deterred me from such a venture.
Many, many failures have brought me to this point: personal failures and also dashed hopes and expectations. But all these disappointments have brought me to the point where I’m at now: beauty from ashes, growth through pain, personal development despite others’ indifferences.
Don’t let others tell you, “You can’t.” Only you determine if you can’t do something, not others.
Don’t assume that someone with the most knowledge automatically wins. Knowledge puffs up, and sometimes the most knowledgeable don’t engage a strong work ethic.
Don’t assume that the best always get the best. Sometimes it’s the underdogs, the ones who have to work the hardest who finally succeed and push through the difficulties.
May you be blessed in the work of your hands and heart. Don’t ever give up, dear friends. Keep on keeping on!
Be sure to check out my brand-new shop! I’m offering 25% off sitewide through November 22, 2024 using coupon code GRANDOPENING.
-Ashley
Personal Disclosure
As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.
#personal #best #application #endurance #perseverance #growth #development #self #introspection #business #grand #opening #write #compose #music #ashleyqurollo #dontgiveup #success #underdogs #hard #easy #learn #learning #college #doubt #perfectionism #violin #piano #sheet #sheetmusic #newmusic #traditional #conservative #sacred #wedding #weddingmusic #shop #grandopening #knowledge #pride #humility #confidence #value #heart #heartbeat #story #dream #highschol #college #orchestra #director #theory #recital
Hello, Mrs. Qurollo! Congratulations on your new shop! It is easy to navigate.
I noticed that you gave permission for purchasers of the SATB arrangement to print as many copies as necessary for the group. Does that apply to all arrangements requiring more than one musician, such as duets?
Thank you for sharing music with others!
~Leona
Thank you for this beautiful and encouraging post! Thank you for sharing. You are a blessing!🤗
Thank you, this was encouraging. I tend to think someone else can always do it better. Thank your for the push to keep going!
What a beautiful story of God’s goodness, you are an inspiration, Ashley! 💖