Love What You Do

Today I figured out my New Year’s resolution. Okay, I realize it’s October… so it might be a little late in the game. However, it just feels like the right time to begin the practice of love.

A couple of weeks ago, my family had the honor of sharing an evening with the master Flamenco Guitarist, Ron Radford. Many years ago, he had the opportunity to study the ancient tradition of Flamenco music with the Romani people in Spain. Music that holds the stories of struggle, celebration, love, and loss has been passed from master to master for generations. Ron shared with us the story of his last lesson with the Gypsy master. The following is what I remember from his story… in my own words:

You can practice and know all the techniques perfectly, but it will not make you a master. To become a master of anything you must practice three important things:

The first is love… Love what you do. When you love what you do, the love will come out of your music and give love to all who listen.

The second is love… Love people. If you do not love people, it can create a barrier between you and others. They will have difficulty receiving what you have to give.

The third is love… Listen with love. When those around you listen with their hearts and when you are able to listen to others with love… something beautiful happens that is beyond just “me” and “you.” We become the music together.

I have thought of these three things often since our evening with Ron and I realize that this will become practice:

• As my family wakes up with a case  of “the Mondays” and I inevitably find myself frustrated, a little voice gently invites me to, “love what you do.” And, I find myself feeling warmth and joy of having my family (even a grouchy family) all together at the beginning of the day. Gratitude!
• As I share spontaneous laughter with my sister over some very silly cake decorating mistakes, I breathe in the moment of just “listening with love” and laughter.
• As I get home from the office unusually late one evening, feeling tired and keyed up… “love what you do.”
• As my husband and I share a few quiet moments with a cup of coffee. “Listen with love.”
• As I struggle to find words of comfort for a friend going through a difficult time. “Love people.”

Love.

Love what you do.

Love people.

Listen with love.

Words from a master.

If you would like to experience some beautiful Flamenco guitar and share in the love. Here is Ron Radford performing, “Tarantas.”