Strings of Music

At the age of 9, I used to imagine myself as a vocalist and lead guitarist of my own rock band. I always dreamed of what it will be like to become famous and popular.  I was thinking that being in or having a music band means you are special, cool, awesome, and loved by everyone. When in the stage, all eyes and ears are on you. People wanted to hear you music, saying words of praise. They will also looked up on you and even dreamed of becoming like you, able to play different musical instruments, playing, and singing full of confidence.

As I grow older, that dream inspired me to learn how to play the guitar. One of the funny things I remembered was that my fingers were a little short and I couldn’t reach the fret board. When I strummed on the neck of the guitar, my fingers were very numb and painful. That didn’t stop me.  My dream of becoming a lead guitarist drove me to practice more and more.  I even have chipped fingernails and calloused finger pads. 

After a year of practicing, I can finally play the guitar! Yes, I really made it. I can sing and play the guitar. I was never lonely. I used to sing on the branches of our guava tree. And there, I let myself out, singing at the top of my voice. It was like being one with your guitar and music. I felt really great.

Years have passed and I realized that our guava tree is dying. Her leaves have withered and the fruits are turning brown. Gone are the buzzing bees hovering over her flowers. The birds peeking on her ripe fruits just passed by, not even saying thank you for the sweet fruits she had once tasted. The saddest thing, not only the guava tree is dying, but my dream.

As I entered Junior High School, I was becoming more busy each day. I was involved in poster-making competitions. I expressed myself to more colourful work. Then, it hit me. No matter how many times I won those poster-making contests, I’m still not a winner after all. I completely lost. I allow myself to dream of something far beyond reality; worst of all,  I conditioned myself that I can be someone I cannot.

I should have controlled myself. Yes, dreaming big is not a  mortal sin. It is our dream that defines us in the future. We do things today because we knew that someday we can be what we want. But sometimes, dreaming is just a figment of our imagination, no more, no less. We dream of becoming a celebrity, a famous speaker, an astronaut, a mathematics genius, and even being the president. That’s why it is called dream because when the clock alarms, you’ll wake up from those fantasies.

            Now, I realized that I wanted to play the guitar because I love playing and singing. It is my passion. I can express my emotions through the lyrics and chords. I can never be lonely. My guitar will always keep my company. Secondly, I love to draw and colour pictures. I’m not doing this to become famous or be rewarded, but because I want to express my thoughts and emotions through colourful art.

Prizes received during competitions are just tangible things. Yes, they made me happy; people recognized my work, but it's the feeling of being able to play my favourite song or being able to express my ideas that makes me one of the happiest people in the world.